Sport Pistol Shooting

By: Aysha Schurman

Pistol shooting is not only a fun target shooting sport, it's an actual Olympic event. Whether you're at the local shooting range or at an exclusive shooting club, pistol shooting can be a great way to relax and develop quick reflexes.

What is Sport Pistol Shooting?
Sport pistol shooting is a form of target shooting. Target shooting is simply the activity of shooting assorted targets with a gun. Pistols are usually used in basic target shooting, as opposed to the shotguns used in clay shooting. People participate in sport pistol shooting for fun, relaxation, to improve their aim and/or as a competitive sport.

Types of Pistols
There are two basic types of pistols: auto-loading and single shot. The auto-loading pistol stores multiple cartridges that immediately reloads and readies the gun to be shot. A single shot pistol hold one powerful shot in the chamber at a time. The auto-loading pistol is a much more popular choice for general sport pistol shooting. Single shot handgun is more suited to metal silhouette target shooting.

Equipment
Obviously, the most important part of equipment for gun shooting is the gun. Finding a pistol that fits comfortably into your hand is directly relevant to how well you shoot. You may also need goggles, depending on where and what you're shooting. Comfortable earplugs can help keep you from flinching at the sound of a shot. If you really want to go all out, there are even special pistol shooting shoes you can buy.

Why Shoot?
Sports pistol shooting is a great way to get some practice shooting into your daily life. With this practice you develop greater accuracy and reflexes. Your stance and aim become second nature. Regardless if you shoot to relieve stress, have fun or as practice for a national sporting event, you improve your skills with every session. 

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