What kind of pistol is allowed?

• 10 m air pistol: at most 1500 g, with a trigger pull of at least 500 g and a size that fits a box of 420 by 200 by 50 mm.
• 25 m pistols: at most 1400 g, a trigger pull of at least 1000 g, a box of 300 by 150 by 50 mm, a barrel of at most 153 mm and a sight radius of at most 220 mm.
• 50 m pistol: no limit on weight, trigger pull or size.
• Sights: "Only open sights are allowed." Optical, mirror, telescope, laser and projected dot sights are prohibited, and so are fibre optic and light-enhancing sights.
• Glasses: correcting lenses and filters may be worn by the athlete. They may not be fixed to the pistol.
• Grips: no part of the grip or pistol may reach beyond the hand, and the wrist must stay visibly free. Adjustable grips are allowed.
• Weighing the trigger: a dead weight is hung near the middle of the trigger with the barrel held vertical and must be lifted clear. Three attempts are allowed.
• Random tests: after the last series of a 10 m qualification or 25 m stage, athletes chosen by lot have their triggers weighed. A pistol that fails, or an athlete who does not hand the pistol over, means disqualification.
• The test weight: must be available on the range so that athletes can test their own triggers.
• Barrels: compensators, muzzle brakes and perforated barrels are not allowed on 25 m pistols. Ported barrels are allowed on air pistols.
• Electronic triggers: allowed, with all parts inside the frame or grip. The pistol may not be connected to any other device during competition.
• Banned aids: any system that actively reduces the movement of the pistol before the shot, and any aiming device that fires the pistol or signals when to fire.
• The same pistol: in a 25 m event the same pistol is used in all stages unless it stops working.
• Registration: each athlete has a card listing up to five approved pistols.
• Ammunition: lead or a similar soft material only. Jacketed bullets are not permitted.

A light trigger and a heavy, long pistol are both easier to hold steady, so the rules fix a floor for one and a ceiling for the other. The box sets the overall size in a way anyone can test in seconds. Open sights keep aiming a matter of the athlete's eye.