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Combat Pistol Shoot

Blog, Personal by James Pratt Leave a Comment on Combat Pistol Shoot

My friend Bill Dragoo and I decided to travel north up I-35 to Ponca City for an IPSC combat pistol shooting contest.

Often competitors mush shoot around an obstacle in their path. Here the competitor must shoot around a close target down low and a far away target up high.
Often competitors mush shoot around an obstacle in their path. Here the competitor must shoot around a close target down low and a far away target up high.
Steel targets are knocked down when a bullet hits them. The only score is whether the competitor knocked down the target or not.
Steel targets are knocked down when a bullet hits them. The only score is whether the competitor knocked down the target or not.
Bullet holes are taped up in between each competitor.
Bullet holes are taped up in between each competitor.
The back of each cardboard target is white. Often these white targets are placed over the "bad guys" to represent a hostage. Major points are deducted for hitting a hostage target.
The back of each cardboard target is white. Often these white targets are placed over the “bad guys” to represent a hostage. Major points are deducted for hitting a hostage target.
Paper targets are used that have score zones. There are various rules on how many times a competitor may fire at a given target. Under "comstock rules" the competitor can fire as many times as they like but only the two best shots count.
Paper targets are used that have score zones. There are various rules on how many times a competitor may fire at a given target. Under “comstock rules” the competitor can fire as many times as they like but only the two best shots count.
Competitions are held in berm areas so that stray shots don't fly around the area.
Competitions are held in berm areas so that stray shots don’t fly around the area.
The competition requires both speed and accuracy. Competitors must race around the course but be accurate with each shot placement.
The competition requires both speed and accuracy. Competitors must race around the course but be accurate with each shot placement.
The really fast, experienced competitors with specialized low recoil guns can fire two closely spaced shots on target so fast that they sound like a single shot. both brass cases are in the air at the same time.
The really fast, experienced competitors with specialized low recoil guns can fire two closely spaced shots on target so fast that they sound like a single shot. both brass cases are in the air at the same time.
A competitor's high tech "race gun" ejects a spent casing while shooting at a target.
A competitor’s high tech “race gun” ejects a spent casing while shooting at a target.
Some competitors fire "double taps" so fast that two empty casings are in the air at the same time.
Some competitors fire “double taps” so fast that two empty casings are in the air at the same time.
All types of guns are used in the competition.
All types of guns are used in the competition.
A range officer follows each competitor through the course while holding an electronic shot counter/timer. The RO makes sure the contestant is safe and the gun is cleared of ammo once the competitor is finished with the course of fire.
A range officer follows each competitor through the course while holding an electronic shot counter/timer. The RO makes sure the contestant is safe and the gun is cleared of ammo once the competitor is finished with the course of fire.
Bill Dragoo engages two targets in brown while striving not to hit the "hostage" in white.
Bill Dragoo engages two targets in brown while striving not to hit the “hostage” in white.
Swinging targets make the course of fire even more difficult. Competitors must fire into the cardboard AND knock the white steel while the pendulum swings behind the black steel plates.
Swinging targets make the course of fire even more difficult. Competitors must fire into the cardboard AND knock the white steel while the pendulum swings behind the black steel plates.

Combat pistol competition at Ponca City Pistol and Rifle Club range

Competitors typically carry 50 or so rounds in extra clips in their belts. A course of fire might require 25-40 rounds. Competitors reload between courses of fire.
Competitors typically carry 50 or so rounds in extra clips in their belts. A course of fire might require 25-40 rounds. Competitors reload between courses of fire.
Scoring was done on a Nook which kept locking up because it got too cold.
Scoring was done on a Nook which kept locking up because it got too cold.
Many competitors had high tech "race guns" that were customized for low recoil and fast shooting for competition.
Many competitors had high tech “race guns” that were customized for low recoil and fast shooting for competition.
Competitor visualizing his run through the course
Competitor visualizing his run through the course
Bill Dragoo discussing his planned course of fire with another shooter
Bill Dragoo discussing his planned course of fire with another shooter

Combat pistol competition at Ponca City Pistol and Rifle Club range

Two competitors reloading the spinning plate apperatus. When one of the white steels were knocked off, the device would start spinning and the shooter had to knock the other plates off while it was spinning.
Two competitors reloading the spinning plate apperatus. When one of the white steels were knocked off, the device would start spinning and the shooter had to knock the other plates off while it was spinning.
James Pratt

James Pratt

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I am an Oklahoma based writer, commercial photographer, editorial photographer and adventurer based in Oklahoma City. I love telling stories about people. A motorcycle is my preferred means of travel, and I have over 5,000 hours piloting small airplanes. My editorial photography has been published in hundreds of magazines and my commercial photography has been used by dozens of companies worldwide.

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