Air Pistol at Cranbourne Dandenong Pistol Club

Air Pistol is one of the key Olympic and World Championship
pistol events. At CDPC, it’s also one of the most accessible ways to
build strong shooting fundamentals – stance, grip, sight alignment and
trigger control – without the recoil and noise of larger calibres.

  • Semi-covered 10m air pistol range with lighting.
  • Low noise compared to .22 and centre fire handguns, allowing more flexible shooting times.
  • Ideal for new shooters, juniors and experienced competitors alike.
  • Range supervised and run under the guidance of qualified Range Officers.

You may use the air pistol range during competitions and, at other times,
when a qualified Range Officer (RO) is present or acting as RO for
the session.

Air Pistol

10m Air Pistol – event format

While the setup is simple, 10m Air Pistol is a demanding precision event shot one-handed at a small bullseye over a fixed time.

Course of fire

  • Distance: 10 metres from the firing line to the target.
  • Both Men’s and Women’s events: 60 shots each.
  • Shots are typically fired in series, often as 10-shot strings on multiple target cards.
  • All shots are fired from a standing, one-handed position.
  • Discipline rewards consistency, follow-through and mental focus.

Timing & competition rules

  • Total time: 75 minutes for 60 shots for both Men’s and Women’s events.
  • Historically, Men’s events were 60 minutes; most competitions now use 75 minutes for both.
  • Sighting shots are usually allowed before the match starts (subject to match rules).
  • All shooting is conducted under strict ISSF-style safety and range commands.

Air pistol targets & scoring

Air Pistol uses a dedicated 10m target designed to reward extremely
precise shot placement.

Target layout

  • Target size: 17 × 17 cm.
  • Concentric scoring rings from the outer zones to the centre.
  • The 10-ring (worth ten points) has a diameter of 11.5 mm.
  • Target centre is positioned approximately 1.4 m above the floor.
  • Shot groups are typically recorded across multiple target cards during a match.

Scoring system

  • In standard scoring, each shot is worth 1–10 points based on the ring hit.
  • At national and international level, the 10-ring is subdivided into decimal scoring from 10.0 to 10.9.
  • The highest possible score for 10 shots is therefore 109.0.
  • Decimal scoring allows very fine separation between top-level competitors.

Air pistols & equipment

Modern air pistols come in a variety of designs, all geared toward providing consistent, accurate performance in a precision match setting.

Spring & single-shot

Traditional break-open spring-loaded single-shot air pistols are simple and reliable, making them a common starting point for new shooters.

Pre-charged pneumatics (PCP)

Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) pistols use a compressed air cylinder for very consistent shot delivery, minimal recoil and superb accuracy, a popular choice for serious competitors.

CO₂-powered pistols

CO₂ air pistols use cartridges or tanks to supply gas, offering semi-auto style operation in some designs while still delivering competition-level accuracy when properly set up.

Licensing & access at CDPC

Under Victorian law, air and powder-driven handguns are treated the same for licensing purposes. You will need a full handgun licence to buy, own, use or carry an air pistol in your own name.

For novice shooters, CDPC maintains a club air pistol that can be used under supervision. As with all novice shooting at CDPC, you will need to complete a Victoria Police NORI (Notice of Receiving Instruction) form for each session.

Why shoot Air Pistol?

Air Pistol is one of the best disciplines for developing and refining core shooting skills. It suits:

Skill development

  • Builds rock-solid fundamentals that transfer to other pistol disciplines.
  • Low recoil and noise make it easier to focus on technique and mental game.
  • Encourages careful shot planning and consistent routine.

Accessibility & flexibility

  • Lower noise allows more flexible range use compared to larger calibres.
  • Suitable for juniors and new shooters (under supervision and with NORI as required).
  • Provides a clear pathway from club-level shooting to state, national and international competition.

Get involved in Air Pistol at CDPC

Interested in trying or competing in 10m Air Pistol at Cranbourne Dandenong Pistol Club?
New and experienced precision shooters are welcome.

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