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Olympic Pistol Shooting

By Russ Chastain, About.com

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Get an Olympic Pistol

You can start by learning just what is required of an pistol for Olympic competition. This varies depending on the event in which you wish to participate. Here are some guidelines:

25m Rimfire Pistol

-Minimum weight: 1400g (3.09 lbs), including all accessories (balancing weights, unloaded magazine, etc).
-Minimum Trigger Pull Weight: 1000g (2.2 lbs).

25m Centerfire Pistol

-Minimum weight: 1400g (3.09 lbs), including all accessories (balancing weights, unloaded magazine, etc).
-Minimum Trigger Pull Weight: 1360g (3.0 lbs).

All 25m Pistol

-Maximum Barrel Length: 153mm (6.02")
-Maximum Sight Radius: 220mm (8.66")
-Specific guidelines for measuring trigger pull weight are provided by USA Shooting (USAS).
-You may not use compensators, muzzle brakes, perforated barrels, or any device(s) functioning in a similar manner. -Grips may be adjustable, but no part of the gun or grip may touch any part of the wrist.
-The heel rest must extend at an angle of not less than 90 degrees to the grip.
-Any upward curvature of the heel and/or thumb rest and/or a downward curvature of the side opposite the thumb is prohibited.
-The thumb rest must allow free upward movement of the thumb.
-The grip must not encircle the hand.
-Curved surfaces on the grips or frame in the longitudinal direction of the pistol are permitted.
-The rear part of the frame or grip which rests on top of the hand between the thumb and forefinger must not be longer than 30mm, measured at a right angle to the extended center line of the bore.

50m Pistol

-Minimum weight: No restrictions.
-Minimum Trigger Pull Weight: No restrictions.
-Grips: No restrictions, special grips are allowed.

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