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Handgun Competition Rules

Turns

When practicing turns, you must always be conscious of your muzzle direction as you draw the firearm from the holster. Always make sure that you are facing down range when the firearm is drawn. Keeping the strong leg as the pivot point will allow the competitor to keep the hand/firearm relationship the same as what was practiced earlier in this manual for the draw.

When you turn, always plan your turn so that your stance is properly completed as you come up on the first target.

90-Degree Turn To Weak Side

This is done in the following sequence:

  • Look in the direction of the target.
  • Step back with your weak foot and pivot on the strong foot to move into your stance.
  • Simultaneously, the competitor’s weak hand moves to his/her chest and the strong hand grasps the butt of the firearm.
  • Establishing a proper grip is the most crucial element of the draw. Make sure that you have established a proper grip on the firearm before removing it from the holster.
  • The trigger finger is straight along the side of the holster.
  • Lift the firearm out of the holster and bring it up to chest level.
  • Your weak hand should grip your strong hand.
  • Your trigger finger should remain outside of the trigger guard.
  • With both hands on the firearm it should be brought up to eye level.
  • Your trigger finger should remain outside of the trigger guard.
  • As the firearm is punched towards the target, the trigger finger moves inside the trigger guard.
  • If your firearm, has a manual safety, this is the time to turn it off, making your firearm ready to fire.
  • You begin establishing a sight picture as the firearm moves forward. When your arms have moved to full extension, you should have established your sight picture.
  • Press the trigger until the firearm discharges.
90-Degree Turn To Strong Side

This is done in the following sequence:

  • Look in the direction of the target.
  • Push off with your weak foot and pivot on the strong foot to move into your stance.
  • Simultaneously, the competitor’s weak hand moves to his/her chest and the strong hand grasps the butt of the firearm.
  • Establishing a proper grip is the most crucial element of the draw. Make sure that you have established a proper grip on the firearm before removing it from the holster.
  • The trigger finger is straight along the side of the holster.
  • Lift the firearm out of the holster and bring it up to chest level.
  • Your weak hand should grip your strong hand.
  • Your trigger finger should remain outside of the trigger guard.
  • With both hands on the firearm it should be brought up to eye level.
  • Your trigger finger should remain outside of the trigger guard.
  • As the firearm is punched towards the target, the trigger finger moves inside the trigger guard.
  • If your firearm, has a manual safety, this is the time to turn it off, making your firearm ready to fire.
  • You begin establishing a sight picture as the firearm moves forward. When your arms have moved to full extension, you should have established your sight picture.
  • Press the trigger until the firearm discharges.
180-Degree Turn

Essentially, 180-degree turns are no different then 90 degree turns. The most important thing that you need to remember is that you need to make sure that you have turned down range before drawing the firearm.

This is done in the following sequence:

  • Push off with your weak foot hard enough to complete the turn while pivoting on the strong foot, ending in your shooting stance.
  • Simultaneously, the competitor’s weak hand moves to his/her chest and the strong hand grasps the butt of the firearm.
  • Establishing a proper grip is the most crucial element of the draw. Make sure that you have established a proper grip on the firearm before removing it from the holster.
  • The trigger finger is straight along the side of the holster.
  • Lift the firearm out of the holster and bring it up to chest level.
  • Your weak hand should grip your strong hand.
  • Your trigger finger should remain outside of the trigger guard.
  • With both hands on the firearm it should be brought up to eye level.
  • Your trigger finger should remain outside of the trigger guard.
  • As the firearm is punched towards the target, the trigger finger moves inside the trigger guard.
  • If your firearm, has a manual safety, this is the time to turn it off, making your firearm ready to fire.
  • You begin establishing a sight picture as the firearm moves forward. When your arms have moved to full extension, you should have established your sight picture.
  • Press the trigger until the firearm discharges.