8.2Start Position

The start position is standing within the box. When the competitor is ready, they will assume the required start position to indicate their readiness to the Range Officer. The competitor must remain still and in the appropriate position until the start signal.

In centerfire handgun competition, hands are to be held in the “surrender” position with wrists and hands above the shoulders and fully visible from behind and handgun loaded and holstered per 8.1.

In the Rimfire Pistol, Rimfire Rifle, and Pistol Caliber Carbine matches, there will be an aiming point (marker, cone, flag, or sign at a maximum of 9” wide) centered downrange directly in front of each shooting box 10’ away and 18- 24” high. For Showdown and Outer Limits an aiming point will be placed in front of each shooting box. The competitor, while waiting for the start signal, must be pointing/aiming their gun at the aiming point with their finger off the trigger and the finger outside of the trigger guard. Each firearm may start with the hammer cocked and, if applicable, with the safety off.

A competitor not in the proper start position prior to the start signal will be required to assume the correct start position by the Range Officer. This includes competitors shooting the improper number of strings from the shooting boxes on Showdown. Competitors are required to shoot three strings from one box and two strings from the other, shot in any combination. The Range Officer should remind the competitor to change boxes. Failure to move between boxes after three strings have been shot from one shooting box will result in the competitor being required to move and reshoot any strings shot from the incorrect box. Strings fired from the incorrect box will not be counted—only the time on the reshoot will count. It is acceptable to shoot in the 2-2-1 shooting order if the competitor so chooses; however, 3/2 or 2/3 are acceptable sequences as well.