Pistol and Revolver Shooting Part 15

NATIONAL AND STATE PRIZES:--The same as in Match F of the Outdoor Matches.

Winners and Scores

1913 R. S. Everett 231 1914 Robert Mills 229

RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES OF THE U. S. R.

A.

1. _General Conditions._--Compet.i.tors must make themselves acquainted with the rules and regulations of the a.s.sociation, as the plea of ignorance will receive no consideration. The rulings and decisions of the executive committee are final in all cases. These rules are for general application, but will not apply in cases where the special conditions of any match conflict with them.

2. _Cla.s.sification of Arms._--(a) Any Revolver. A revolver of any caliber.

Maximum length of barrel, including cylinder, 10 inches. Minimum trigger pull, 2 pounds. Sights may be adjustable but they must be strictly open, in front of the hammer and not over 10 inches apart.

(b) Any pistol. A pistol of any caliber. Maximum length of barrel, 10 inches. Minimum trigger pull, 2 pounds. Sights may be adjustable but they must be strictly open, in front of the hammer and not over 10 inches apart.

(c) Military revolver or pistol. A revolver, or a magazine pistol, that has been adopted by any civilized government for the armament of its army or navy. Maximum weight, 2 pounds. Maximum length of barrel, 7 inches. Minimum trigger pull, 4 pounds. Fixed open sights. Rear sights of magazine pistols may be adjustable for elevation only.

(d) Pocket revolver. A revolver having a maximum weight of 2 pounds.

Maximum length of barrel, 4 inches; Minimum trigger pull, 4 pounds. Sights and model must be such as not to hinder quick drawing of the weapon from the pocket or holster.

3. _Loading, Firing, Timing, and Cleaning._--In all revolver and pistol matches the weapon must not be loaded until the compet.i.tor has taken his position at the firing point. The barrel must always be kept vertical or pointed towards the target. After the target is in position and a match or record score has been begun, in case of an accidental discharge or of defective ammunition, if the bullet comes out of the barrel it will be scored a shot. The timing in matches C, D, E, and F will be as follows: The compet.i.tor standing at the firing point with the arm loaded, not c.o.c.ked, and the barrel pointing in a direction not less than 45 degrees from the target, will signify to the scorer when he is ready to begin each string. The scorer, stop watch in hand, will then give the command, "Fire," _after which_ the compet.i.tor may c.o.c.k and aim his weapon and shoot his string. At the expiration of the time limit the scorer will announce "Time." Misfires will be scored zero, only in Matches C, D, E, and F.

Compet.i.tors may clean weapons in Matches A and B, and in the corresponding Indoor Championships, but no time allowance will be given for time spent in this way. All compet.i.tors will be required to finish their scores within the time limits specified, except in cases of accident, when the time may be extended at the discretion of the executive committee. Blowing through the barrel, to moisten it, will be considered cleaning.

In revolver matches the arm must not be used as a single loader or loaded so as to use a limited number of chambers in the cylinder. The cylinder must be charged with the full number of rounds for which it is chambered, and these must be shot consecutively. If scores are shot in ten shot strings, the cylinder shall be charged first with six rounds and then with four rounds. If the cylinder only contains five chambers, then the ten-shot strings may be shot in two strings of five each. In Matches C, D, E, and F and indoor or gallery events, the arm shall in all cases be charged with five rounds.

4. _Position._--The position shall be standing, free from any support, the pistol or revolver being held in one hand, with arm extended, so as to be free from the body.

5. _Arms._--Any revolver or pistol which in the opinion of the executive committee complies with the conditions specified in the various matches will be allowed to compete in those events. Revolvers or magazine pistols that have been adopted by any government for the armament of its army or navy, or such as in the opinion of the executive committee are suitable for military service, will be allowed in Matches C, D, and E. Among the arms which may be used in these matches are the .38-caliber Smith & Wesson or Colt Military; .44 Smith & Wesson, Military or Russian model; .38, .44 or .45 Colt New Service; .45 Smith & Wesson Scofield; .44 or .45 Colt, Single Action Army, Webley & Scott Mark IV, and the following magazine or automatic pistols: Colt, Webley & Scott, Luger, Borchardt, Mannlicher, Mauser, Mors.

6. _Sights._--In open sights, the notch of the rear sight must be as wide on top as at any part. Aperture or peep sights or any covered or shaded sights will not be allowed. The use of a notch for the front sight will not be permitted. Sights may be smoked or blackened if desired. Sights on military arms, if modified to suit individuals, must remain strictly open, strong and substantial, and suitable for military use.

7. _Trigger-Pull._--The trigger-pull as specified in the various events shall be determined by a test weight equal to the minimum pull applied at a point three-eighths of an inch from the end of the trigger and at right angles to the pin through the trigger.

8. _Ammunition._--In Matches C, D, E, and F, and in the medal compet.i.tion, where full charge ammunition is required, it may be the product of any reputable manufacturer. It must in all cases be brought to the firing point in unbroken boxes, with the label of the manufacturer intact.

9. _Targets._--The 200-yard Standard American rifle target No. 1 (containing the 4-ring), with an 8-inch bull's-eye and showing in light lines the rings of the International Union target, shall be used in all matches at 50 yards. The scores will be counted on the Standard American target. The diameters of the rings of the Standard American target are as follows: 10-ring equals 3.36 inches; 9-ring equals 5.54 inches; 8-ring equals 8 inches; 7-ring equals 11 inches; 6-ring equals 14.8 inches; 5-ring equals 19.68 inches; 4-ring equals 26 inches; rest of target 28 inches by 28 inches counts 3. The same target reduced so that the bull's-eye or 8-ring is 2.72 inches in diameter and the 10-ring 1.12 inches in diameter, including the 4-ring 8.84 inches in diameter and the rest of the target 9 inches by 9 inches, counting 3, shall be used for all matches at 20 yards.

10. _Marking and Scoring._--In all matches new paper targets shall be furnished for each compet.i.tor. Not more than ten shots are to be fired on any target at 50 yards, and not more than five shots on any target in Matches C, D, E, and F, and for all shooting at 20 yards; the shot holes in all cases to remain uncovered and left as shot. Bullets touching, striking, or within a line on the target are to be scored the count of that line. The eye alone shall determine whether a bullet touches or not.

11. _Ties._--Ties shall be decided as follows: (1) By the score at the longest distance; (2) by the score at the next longest distance; (3) by the fewest number of shots of lowest count; (4) by firing five shots each under the same conditions as the match and these rules in regard to ties, until decided.

12. _Supervision._--The shooting in all the U. S. R. A. events must take place in the presence of at least two witnesses familiar with the rules, one of whom must be an authorized U. S. R. A. officer. This officer shall certify that each contestant has complied with all the U. S. R. A.

regulations as to distance, weapon, time, ammunition, etc., noting same on the blank s.p.a.ces provided on the score cards, and both witnesses shall sign the targets and said score cards in duplicate for each contestant.

13. _Protests._--Any person who believes that an injustice has been done, or who dissents from the decision of any authorized executive officer of the a.s.sociation, may enter a protest on depositing $1 with said officer.

Such protest must be in writing, in duplicate, and must be made within 24 hours after the incident on which it is based. One copy to be handed to the executive officer of the club or organization conducting the matches and the other copy to be mailed to the secretary-treasurer of the U. S. R.

A. All protests will be investigated and pa.s.sed upon by the executive committee, and, if sustained, the protest fee will be returned; otherwise it will be forfeited.

14. _Records._--The shooting for records shall, when practicable, be done on the grounds or in a gallery of a regularly organized shooting a.s.sociation, military organization or club, and in the presence of at least two witnesses familiar with the U. S. R. A. rules, one of whom shall be an officer of the U. S. R. A. New targets of regulation size shall be used. The foregoing rules and regulations and the conditions governing the championship matches of the U. S. R. A. must in all cases be observed and followed. The record score shall begin with the first shot after the shooter has announced his intention to shoot for record; only the first ten shots will apply to the 10-shot record; the first twenty shots to the 20-shot record, and so on to 50 or 100 shots, as the shooter may elect.

Such scores (multiples of 5 or 10 shots) for record must in all cases be completed within the same proportional time limit as is specified for the corresponding championship match; thus, in Match A, for example, the first 10 shots within 12 minutes, the first 20 shots within 24 minutes, etc.

After finishing the record score, the targets shall be identified and signed by the witnesses as above designated. The witnesses shall also prepare and sign a certificate of prescribed form, which, with the detailed score and all targets, shall be forwarded to the U. S. R. A., addressed to the secretary-treasurer. If all the conditions, rules and regulations have been complied with, the scoring correct, and if the score is higher than or equal to any previously made under the same conditions, it will be declared a new record. The score will then be entered as such in the record book of the a.s.sociation, and the shooter formally notified to that effect.

METHODS AND CUSTOMS TO BE FOLLOWED IN CONDUCTING THE ANNUAL COMPEt.i.tIONS OF THE U. S. R. A.

The conditions under which local clubs may be authorized to conduct Championship Matches of the U. S. R. A. are as follows:

There must be not less than six members of the a.s.sociation residing within twenty-five miles of the proposed place of holding the contest and there must be not less than three entries in Championship Matches A, B, or C, or five entries in Match F. In matches offering National and State prizes the same entrance fee includes eligibility to both honors.

On the application of six or more members in good standing under the prescribed conditions, a U. S. R. A. official designated as the "governor"

is appointed by the a.s.sociation's executive committee and vested with the authority to supervise all a.s.sociation shooting. The appointee is usually a member nominated by the local members. Besides supervising all the U. S.

R. A. contests, the governor is the official representative of the a.s.sociation in his locality, and has the custody of all supplies and the distribution of prizes, medals, etc. By this arrangement the U. S. R. A.

members in all sections of the country obtain the same privileges and benefits and equal opportunity to enter the matches and compet.i.tions.

The U. S. R. A. will furnish numbered and certified targets and score cards, and will provide the prizes for the U. S. R. A. Championship and re-entry events; the club or organization to pay the expressage both ways on targets and all other supplies, to furnish the shooting facilities and conduct the contests free of expense to the a.s.sociation and turn over to the secretary-treasurer all the entrance fees for the U. S. R. A. events.

This plan has in all cases given satisfactory results, because the practice shooting of the contestants in the local re-entry matches usually affords sufficient revenue to pay the expenses of the tournament.

When a compet.i.tor wishes to shoot in any of the events, he should exhibit his latest membership card (if a member) to the officers in charge, and after paying the entrance fee, a regular ticket or duplicate score card (furnished by the United States Revolver a.s.sociation) is filled out and issued to him, which is his receipt for the entrance fee. His score need not necessarily be shot immediately after issuing the ticket. Compet.i.tors have the option of shooting in the order in which they pay for their entries. Tickets not used are forfeited: no entrance fees shall be refunded.

The requisite number of targets are issued when the compet.i.tor wishes to shoot his score. These must be numbered consecutively, they must have the compet.i.tor's name and the number of his score card written on them for identification, and must be shot in their numerical order.

The targets are usually tacked at the corners on alternating frames covered with canvas, over which heavy paper is pasted. Each target is left in position until the required number of shots have been fired at it, each shot being spotted and marked as fired [no pasters to be used]. When a string has been finished the target is lowered and the alternating target raised in position. After the score is completed the targets are brought to the firing point and delivered to the range officer.

When a compet.i.tor wishes to shoot his score, his arm must be inspected and pa.s.sed by the officer in charge, who must see that it conforms with the rules and requirements of the event in which it is entered. Compet.i.tors who wish to enter in any of the events are urged to have their arms examined by the executive officer or committee in charge of the matches as soon as possible, so that in case there should be any exceptions made to the sights, the trigger-pull, or any other details, there will be an opportunity to have these exceptions corrected so as to comply with the requirements when the official test and inspection is made before shooting the score.

In Matches C, D, E, and F the scorer should have a reliable stop watch, so that the timing will be accurate. It is well, whenever possible, to have two men time the compet.i.tor, so as to have an additional check. A new target must be furnished for each string of five shots at each range.

According to the rules, if a compet.i.tor starts to shoot a string of any score and his arm becomes disabled from any cause, those shots which reach the target within the time limit after the command, "Fire," will be counted as the complete score for the five shots. In the case of a disabled arm, the officer or committee in charge may allow the compet.i.tor to complete the remaining strings of his score with another arm. Shots on the paper target outside of the 4-ring count 3; shots missing the paper target count zero. After completing the score, when the duplicate score cards are filled out, the contestant takes the duplicate and the range officer retains the original record.

All unused targets and score cards are also to be forwarded to the secretary-treasurer, with a complete detailed account of entrance fees, supplies, etc.

In the Medal Compet.i.tion only those targets that actually count for medals are to be witnessed, certified and forwarded to the secretary-treasurer for verification and record.

In order that the conditions may be uniform and eliminate as much as possible the special conditions in regard to wind, etc., that may exist at the different places where the matches may be held, the shooters should be protected at the firing point by a shelter. This may be either the regular shooting house of the club, or, if the shooting is done in the open, by a suitable tent or temporary frame structure having an opening in the direction of the target; the other three sides being inclosed. The building or tent should be large enough to accommodate also the officer or committee in charge of the match, so that the shooter may be at all times in sight of the officer in charge of the range at the time the score is made. A table of suitable size should be provided near the firing point for holding ammunition and for the convenience of the compet.i.tor to clean his arm in those events where cleaning is allowed. The firing point should be plainly marked and so located as to be at least two feet from any timbers, guards, ropes, tables, etc.

INSTRUCTIONS TO U. S. R. A. OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS

Supplies consisting of numbered and certified targets, score cards, record blanks, a copy of the rules and regulations, etc., will be furnished by the secretary-treasurer on the requisition of the local U. S. R. A.

representative. Such supplies shall be used only in the matches, and all used and unused supplies shall be returned to the secretary-treasurer at the close of the contests. The target and supply account of the club must balance.

A governor or other officer of the U. S. R. A. will be appointed in each locality where the matches are to be held to act as range officer, represent the a.s.sociation, and have charge of the contests. This governor or officer shall _personally measure the range to verify the distance_ and see that all the conditions of the matches are strictly complied with. He will also see that at least one other person familiar with the rules is present to witness all the shooting and he shall certify to the correctness of each score and the conditions, by signing the score card when the score is completed, and all the targets of each compet.i.tor shall be signed by both witnesses.

The other duties in detail of the governor or officer in charge of the matches are as follows: When a compet.i.tor expresses his intention of entering a match, a score card is made out in his name and delivered to him on the payment of the higher entrance fee (unless the compet.i.tor exhibits a membership card bearing the date of the current year, in which case he is ent.i.tled to the lower entrance fee). These score cards are to be issued in numerical order, and when more than one contestant wishes to shoot at the same time, the man holding the score card first issued is ent.i.tled to the preference of position and time. When the contestant is ready to shoot, he hands his score card to the governor or other officer of the a.s.sociation, who thereupon issues the required targets numbered consecutively, with the name of the compet.i.tor and the number of his score card written on each target for identification. The arm of the compet.i.tor is then inspected to make sure that it complies with the rules and regulations. The sights must be carefully inspected and the trigger-pull tested by weighing in _just before the score is begun_.

The records for which blanks are provided on the score card with reference to the arm, ammunition, etc., must all be filled in. The compet.i.tor's first target may then be placed in position. As soon as the contestant begins his score, the time is taken from the firing of the first shot in Matches A and B and in the Corresponding Indoor Championships, and the entire score must be completed within one hour from this time. Scores in Match G must be completed within 30 minutes after firing the first shot.

In Matches C, D, E, and F the time is taken from the command "Fire," and the five shots must be fired within the specified time limit in each case and a record is made of the actual elapsed time of each string which must be written on the corresponding targets later when they are brought to the firing point. The announcing of intermediate times or seconds is not allowed.

Ten shots are to be fired at each target in Matches A and B, and five shots at each target in Matches C, D, E, F, and G, and in all the Indoor Matches. After the score is completed, the separate targets are scored in regular order as shot and the value of the shots as filled in the score card are checked from the targets, _making corrections from the targets, if mistakes have been made by the markers_. After filling in and signing the score cards, the duplicate is handed to the compet.i.tor and the original preserved for record. The targets are then signed by the governor and preserved until the expiration of the period during which the matches are held, when all targets, original score cards, and all other supplies, used and unused, are to be sent to the United States Revolver a.s.sociation, addressed to the secretary-treasurer.