Pistol Biathlon
Police Pistol Biathlon
Overview
The Police Pistol Biathlon is a similar sport to the Winter Olympics Biathlon where contestants are required to cross country ski and then target shoot with rifles. In this case the Biathlon combines two events; Pistol Shooting and Cross Country Running (unlike the Winter Biathlon you are not required to carry your gun when you go running) The Pistol Biathlon is a popular event with male & female police officers at international events like the World Police & Fire Games.
The sequence of running and shooting is as follows:
Start
1. 1.6 km (1 mile) run
2. Shoot 12 rounds standing without support (NZ Biathlon target)
3. 1.6 km (1 mile) run
4. Shoot 12 rounds standing without support (NZ Biathlon target)
5. 1.6 km (1 mile) run
Finish
The run starts from the shooting bench and comprises a 1.6 km lap course which returns the competitor to the shooting bench. Loading and shooting is then conducted in your own time without command. Once you have finished shooting the empty and cleared gun is returned to the bench and the next running component is begun following the same course as the first run.
Shooting is conducted from a standing position at a bench. The target is placed 25 meters down-range. Centerfire service type handguns (like the Glock 17) are used to shoot with.
The target is the NZ Service Pistol target with the addition of a 10cm wide vertical central stripe (light coloured). The target measures 77 cm long and 47 cm wide.
No holsters are required. When not in use, the unloaded cleared gun with the slide locked back is placed on the shooting bench pointing downrange.
Shooting is conducted in strings of 6 shots with a reload between each string. Up to four magazines, filled with 6 rounds each, are allowed per competitor. One magazine can be used but will require refilling with ammunition by hand during the match.
Riverhead Forest is now the regular venue for the event. The range at this venue is outdoors. The run course will be completed on a rough gravel road running throughout the forest. The 25 m range has a covered firing point. There will be a free BBQ, spot prizes will be awarded after the match and there will be a fun shot-gun side event for those who are interested, anyone can take part in this fun event licensed or not if you bring friends or family along.
Scoring
In the Biathlon scoring is determined by overall time from Start to Finish with the addition of any time penalties accumulated in the Shooting component. Time penalties for the shooting portion of the biathlon are determined as followed:
1. For EACH round inside the central vertical stripe (light in colour) of the target there SHALL be no penalty added to the overall time.
2. For EACH round outside of the central vertical stripe (light in colour) but still inside the black area of the target a 10 second penalty SHALL be added to the overall time.
3. A round missing the central vertical stripe AND the black area of the target OR an unaccountable round SHALL have a 30 second penalty per round added to the overall time.
The Catch
Of course the Biathlon combines the classic ‘catch 22’ of an endurance sport with a precision component. Run too hard and interfere with your ability to shoot. Spend too long shooting and add to your overall time. The match is suitable for everyone as you can take it at your own pace. Run fast to cut down your time or jog slow to improve your accuracy.
The run component is easy and each lap would take no more than 6-10 minutes. The pistol target is large and is not difficult to hit. You can take as long as you like to shoot at it.
Requirements
The Police Pistol Biathlon is suitable for all competitors that are familiar with the safe operation of the Glock 17 pistol. On the day Range Officers provide firearms and one-on-one supervision on the firing line.
Pistols are provided by licensed members and are shot under their immediate supervision. Local range rules are reviewed and a safety briefing is conducted before the match.
Every competitor must be familiar with the safe operation of the Glock 17 pistol and be confident in its handling, loading, reloading, and the clearing of any jams or malfunctions.
Grading
The event is graded by age and gender:
Men's and Women's Individual events will be offered in the following age categories:
Open: 18 – 29, Senior (A): 30 – 34, Senior (B): 35 – 39, Master (A): 40 – 44, Master (B): 45 – 49, Grand Master (A): 50 – 54, G. Master (B): 55 – 59, G. Master (C): 60 – 64, G. Master (D): 65+.
Team events for men, women, and mixed will be offered in the following age categories: Open: 18 - 29 Senior: 30 - 39 Master: 40 - 49 Grand Master: 50+
Other Matches
Police Pistol Nationals (IPSC)
Police Pistol Biathlon Rules
GOVERNING RULES
World Police and Fire Games Federation (WPFGF)
8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., # 107, San Diego, CA 92111 USA
Tele. (858) 571-9919 FAX: (858) 571-1641
Website: http://www.cpaf.org/
E-MAIL: gro.fapc@ofni4
GUIDELINES ONLY FROM:
National Rifle Association, (NRA) (Police Pistol Combat Rules)
11250 Waples Mills Rd., Fairfax VA 22031 USA.
Website: http://materials.nrahq.org/go/home.aspx
E-Mail: gro.qharn@snoititepmoc.
International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF)
17 rue Princesse Florestine, BP 359, MC98007 Monaco
Web-Site: http://www.iaaf.org
E-Mail: gro.faai@sretrauqdaeh
NOTE: Police Pistol Biathlon rules supersede WPFGF, NRA, and IAAF Rules.
The NZ rules are adapted from the WPFGF rules and contain various additions and deletions from those rules.
EVENTS
This sport combines two events; Pistol Shooting and Cross Country Running.
INDIVIDUAL: MEN and WOMEN
Men's and Women's Individual events will be offered in the following age categories:
Open: 18 - 29
Senior (A): 30 - 34
Senior (B): 35 - 39
Master (A): 40 - 44
Master (B): 45 - 49
Grand Master (A): 50 - 54
Grand Master (B): 55 - 59
Grand Master (C): 60 - 64
Grand Master (D): 65 & over
Age will be accepted as age on the day of the competition.
TEAMS: MEN, WOMEN and MIXED
Team events will be offered in the following age categories:
Open: 18 - 29
Senior: 30 - 39
Master: 40 - 49
Grand Master: 50+
A competitor may enter only 1 (one) Team event. Age bracketing will be decided by taking the average of the team members ages. Team entry does not require a separate event, times from the individual event are aggregated to make the team time for the team event. Age categories will only be complete if 3 or more competitors enter in that category otherwise the next available category will be allocated working backwards.
SEQUENCE OF RUNNING AND SHOOTING
Start
1. 1.6 km (1 mile) run
2. 12 rounds standing without support (NZ Biathlon target, -phase 1)
3. 1.6 km (1 mile) run
4. 12 rounds standing without support (NZ Biathlon target, -phase 2)
5. 1.6 km (1 mile) run
Finish
Total course: 4.8 km and 24 rounds.
DISQUALIFICATION
A competitor who arrives late for his/her relay (this includes any safety briefing prior to their relay start time –allow 10 min) or after the event is over shall be disqualified, unless there is an open relay at a later time. No extra relay shall be set up for late entries or arrivals.
PLACING
Final placing is decided by a competitors total elapsed time from start to finish after the addition of any penalty time.
EQUIPMENT
PERSONAL GEAR
Running Gear: All competitors shall bring their own running gear.
Safety Gear: All competitors shall bring their own safety gear.
BIATHLON TARGET DESCRIPTION
The target shot on in NZ is the NZ Service Match target (47cm x 76cm) with the addition of a light colored strip 10 cm wide running vertically down the centre of the target.
COMPETITORS EQUIPMENT CHECK
All shooting equipment shall be inspected by the Equipment Control Official prior to the start of each relay. Trigger pull may be checked, ammunition may be chronographed.
FIREARMS
NO MODIFIED FIREARMS CAN BE USED IN THIS EVENT it must be a factory manufactured firearm with no internal or external modifications that effect operation or safety. Police Pistol Code shooting events require use of practical handguns that are truly suitable for police duty. No "competition" equipment is permitted in Police Pistol matches since the main goal is to test the skill and ability of the individual, not equipment or gamesmanship.
Pistols used for this event must be Glock's in a minimum calibre of 9mm.
Barrel length is not to exceed 5 inches.
Trigger pull must be at least 5 pounds (2.27 kg).
Only the rear sight may be adjustable; adjustable front sights are not authorized.
Specifically prohibited: Bo-Mar type ribs on the slide, any system of recoil control based on compensators, barrel venting or porting, weighted grips or grip panels, thumb rests or grips flared at the base and any substance which results in a sticky surface to the grips or hand. No internal modifications may be made that would render the pistol less safe than originally designed by the manufacturer.
Minor pistol modifications will be admitted at the discretion of the match director, these would include the addition of grip tape to the hand grips portion of the gun only, installation of extended magazine and/or slide releases, and installation of alternative sights, fibre optic type sights are allowed.
AMMUNITION
The competitor provides the required ammunition. Factory or reloaded ammo is acceptable, with either round nose lead, semiwadcutter, jacketed hollow points or jacketed softpoint bullets, no wad-cutters or target loads (reduced energy) ammo can be used. Reloaded ammunition shall conform to the requirements of factory ammunition. and must make a minimum power factor of 125, allow 8 rounds for the chronograph if you are bringing your own ammunition, factory or otherwise.
ALIBIS
This is a no alibi match (such as misfires, malfunctions of the firearm or firing on the wrong target). If you experience any form of malfunction or misfire, you will attempt to remedy the problem and finish the stage of fire. Do not wait for a command from the range official. Rounds not fired by the shooter during their time on the range for each shooting phase are scored as a MISS (+30 sec).
EXCEPTION: If another competitor fires on your target, the line judge shall give you the lowest score.
Note that all malfunctions must be dealt with in a safe manner with the gun pointing downrange at all times. Some malfunctions cannot be fixed on range (such as a projectile lodged in the barrel) these can be fixed off range in the safety area. If this is the case while keeping the gun pointed down range raise your other arm to attract the attention of a range official.
You are required to wait until a range official is available to take your gun off range.
NOTE: A gun once loaded can not be ‘benched’ ie: temporarily leaving your hands and being placed on the bench. Placing a loaded gun on the bench will incur a +60 sec time penalty. All guns must be unloaded and made safe before being benched, see the unload sequence described below (a loaded gun may be rested on the bench while still being held by the competitor and pointed down range)
SHOOTING SEQUENCE
FIRST PHASE: TWELVE (12) ROUNDS
After completing the first run component the competitor SHALL load and fire 6 rounds at their target then reload with 6 rounds and fire again. After firing this phase, they SHALL return to the running course for the second run component.
SECOND PHASE: TWELVE (12) ROUNDS
After completing the second run component the competitor SHALL load and fire 6 rounds at their target then reload with 6 rounds and fire again. After firing this final phase they SHALL return to the running course for their third and final run component.
If a competitor fails to fire all 12 rounds during the first or second phase of the shooting sequence and leaves their firing position to start their next mile run they may return to their firing position (except if they have run past the FIRST or LAST numbered target on the range; if that happens they must continue on the running course and shall receive penalty time for the rounds left in the gun or magazine +30 sec for each round). Additional rounds fired during any phase will likewise incur a penalty per additional round of +30 sec.
COMPETITORS' SAFETY EQUIPMENT,
EYE AND EAR PROTECTION
No competitor will be allowed on the firing range without ear and eye protection authorized by the Equipment Control Official. Each competitor shall bring their own ear and eye protection and they shall be checked at the same time that their triggers are weighed and tagged by the Equipment Control Official. Each competitor shall wear their ear and eye protectors during each shooting phase of the Biathlon.
Penalty time for not using ear and eye protection: If a competitor is found not wearing their ear and eye protectors during any portion of a shooting phase of the Biathlon, they shall receive a sixty (+60) second penalty for each infraction. Earmuffs must be worn by every competitor (regardless of the use of earplugs) They must be donned prior to entering the range and removed on leaving the range.
LOADING AND UNLOADING:
As a competitor arrives at the designated shooting position, he/she SHALL, WITHOUT COMMAND, and with total safety, with the barrel pointed down-range at all times, pick up their gun, load 6 rounds, and fire at will upon their target.
Upon completion of the first string of 6 rounds, he/she SHALL reload with 6 rounds and complete the second string of fire. This SHALL end the first phase of the shooting portion of the Biathlon.
Un-loading: To unload and clear the gun the competitor SHALL remove the magazine from the gun and place it on the bench. The pistols slide must be locked back and is to remain locked back. The competitor is to confirm that there are no rounds remaining in the gun. With the barrel pointing down range he/she SHALL place the firearm on the bench and WITHOUT COMMAND continue on the next running leg of competition.
Penalty time is incurred (+60 sec) for unsafe loading and unloading, and/or the taking of shooting gear onto the running portion of the Biathlon: Competitors failing to adhere to any of the loading and unloading rules and/or take shooting gear (such as earmuffs, ammo and/or speed loaders, etc.) onto the running portion of the Biathlon, SHALL receive a +60 second penalty. This SHALL be added to their overall time, for each phase in which the violation occurs.
MAGAZINES:
Competitors may have up to four (4) loaded magazines at their shooting position. All magazines SHALL have NO more than SIX (6) rounds in each at any one time.
Penalty time for magazines and hand loading: If a competitor is found to have loaded or is loading more than 6 rounds at any one time, a +60 second penalty SHALL be added to their overall time for each violation.
SHOOTING STANCE
Shooting one hand or two: A competitor may shoot either way.
All shots shall be fired from a standing position with both ARMS EXTENDED and NO support, EXCEPT if a competitor wishes to shoot one handed they then MAY rest their other arms elbow against the stomach or chest and use their free hand to cradle their shooting arm.
Penalty time for taking the wrong shooting stance: If a competitor shoots from the wrong stance at any time during the shooting portion of the Biathlon, such as (prone, sitting, or kneeling) or uses support other than their elbow while shooting one handed, they SHALL receive a +60 second penalty for each phase in which the violation occurs.Competitors are not to touch or brace against the shooting bench while firing.
TOTAL ROUNDS FIRED PER COMPETITOR
No competitor SHALL fire MORE OR LESS than 12 rounds during each of the two phases of the shooting portion in the Biathlon. No competitors shall have more than 24 rounds at their shooting position or on their person during any portion of their relay.
Penalty time for firing more rounds: If a competitor fires more than 12 rounds during either of the two phases of the shooting portion of the Biathlon, they SHALL have a +60 second penalty added to their overall time for each phase in which the infringment occurs.
SCORING
PLACING INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM WINNERS
The fastest overall elapsed time (after the addition of any penalty time) in each category shall determine first through third place.
TEAM
Individual scores are used to determine team scores. Each team member must compete in the Individual event of the Biathlon to be eligible for the Team event. The aggregate time of the team members will determine each team's placement, after the addition of any penalty time.
SCORING THE SHOOTING PORTION OF THE BIATHLON:
1. For EACH round scored as inside the central vertical stripe (light in colour) of the target there SHALL be no penalty time added to the overall time.
2. For EACH round scored outside of the central vertical stripe (light in colour) but still scored as inside the black area of the target a +10 second penalty SHALL be added to the overall time.
3. A round missing the central vertical stripe AND the black area of the target OR an unaccountable round SHALL have a 30 second penalty per round added to the overall time.
Targets will not be changed or patched during the match, One target will be used per competitor. Targets will be scored off range. Rounds touching the scoring lines will count as being inside the higher score zone. Scoring judges decisions are final. No gauging will be used. Intrim scores and scored targets will be placed outside the scoring shed for competitors to verify.
Cyrus Robinson
Police Pistol Code Representative
C/o Henderson CIB
PO Box 21-162
Henderson
Auckland
DDI: (09) 8390608