How must a pistol be held, and what is the ready position?
I · Intermediate · Events and scoring · 4 of 7A pistol is held and fired with one hand only, standing free with no support. The wrist must be visibly free. In the timed 25 m series the athlete starts from the ready position: the arm pointing down at no more than 45 degrees from the vertical until the green lights come on.
How it works
- The firing position: "The athlete must stand free, without any artificial or other support, with both feet and/or shoes completely within the firing point."
- One hand: "The pistol must be held and fired with one (1) hand only. The wrist must be visibly free of support."
- The grip: no part of the pistol may reach beyond the hand. Glue and resin are forbidden. Chalk, talcum powder and magnesium are allowed.
- Nothing on the wrist: bracelets, wristwatches and wristbands are prohibited on the hand and arm that hold the pistol.
- Where the ready position applies: 25 m rapid fire pistol, the rapid fire stage of 25 m pistol and centre fire pistol, and the 20 second and 10 second series of standard pistol.
- The ready position: the arm "must point downward at an angle of not greater than 45 degrees from the vertical". It may not point at the ground inside the front edge of the firing point.
- Waiting: the arm stays there until the target appears or the green lights come on. Once the series has begun the pistol may not rest on the bench.
- A fault: raising the arm too soon so that the movement becomes part of the lift, not lowering the arm far enough, or raising it above 45 degrees before the lights change.
- The first fault: a warning from a jury member, and the series is recorded and repeated. In rapid fire pistol the athlete is credited with the lowest hit on each target. In the other events they get the five lowest hits of the two series.
- The second fault in the same stage: the same again, with two points deducted.
- The third: disqualification.
- Between shots: in the untimed events the pistol may rest on a stand on the bench, with the bench and stand together no more than 1.00 m high.
Tricky cases
Can the athlete use the other hand to steady the pistol?
No. The pistol must be held and fired with one hand only.
Is a wristwatch allowed on the shooting arm?
No. Nothing of that kind may be worn on the hand or arm that holds the pistol.
The arm starts to rise a moment before the green light. Is that a fault?
Yes, if the early movement runs on into the lift. The rule calls it raising the arm too soon in a continuous motion.
Is the ready position used in 10 m air pistol?
No. It applies only to the timed 25 m series.
Why the rule exists
One unsupported hand is what makes pistol shooting hard, and the wrist rule stops a grip from turning the forearm into a brace. The ready position makes the lift part of the timed series for everybody. An athlete who starts with the arm half raised has gained time that the clock does not show.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ISSF rules | As above | ISSF 8.7.1 to 8.7.4; ISSF 8.4.1.1 |
| 25 m finals | No warning. A fault costs two hits in that series and a second one means disqualification. At least two jury members must signal the fault | ISSF 6.17.4 (n); ISSF 6.17.5 (j) |
| Finals | A transport box may not be used as a pistol stand | ISSF 8.6.3 |
From the rule book
ISSF Official Statutes, Rules and Regulations, Edition 2025 (second print 07/2026), Pistol Rules 8.4.1.1, 8.6.3 and 8.7.1 to 8.7.4, and General Technical Rules 6.17.4 and 6.17.5. Effective 1 July 2026. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: ISSF Rule Book (PDF).