Action Pistol Resource Hub
Action Pistol is a handgun shooting sport that combines speed with precision. Unlike many other fast-paced shooting sports, Action Pistol features a fixed course of fire. Because each event uses par times, your points are your score. Though there are a number of courses of fire in the sport, the most popular are the Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target Events. These 4 events make up the most well-known Action Pistol match, The Bianchi Cup. With 48 shots per event and 4 events per match, competitors test their guns, gear, and skills for the goal of shooting the best score out of a possible 1920 points.
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2027 Major Match Schedule
- April 16-17 (Club Verified)
- Crawfish Cup in Lake Charles, LA
- thecrawfishcup.com
- May 29 (Announced 10/3/26)
- Cameron Cup in Columbia, MO
- Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club
- June 13 (Club Verified & Announced 10/4/26)
- Flagler Cup in Holden, MO
- PGCAP on Facebook
- June 15-19 (CMP Verified)
- Bianchi Cup in Columbia, MO
- CMP
How to Get Started
Watch the video series below to help you prepare for your first Action Pistol competition…
Watch the SERIES
The Course of Fire
Though there are many courses of fire, the most popular are the 4 primary Action Pistol events (Practical, Barricade, Moving Target, and Falling Plates). Each event is 48 rounds. 12 shots are fired from each distance at each event, and make-up shots on targets are not allowed. All shooting is conducted under the supervision of range officers who issue all range commands. Competitors are responsible for ensuring that their firearms are loaded to the correct capacity for all strings of fire.
Choose a Division
Click on the buttons below for Action Pistol divisions. Some events use NRA rules, though most major clubs now use the CMP’s rules. Though this is confusing, generally the rules are the same except when it comes to equipment and division rules. Please read the rule books and any updated rule changes.
Centerfire divisions include Open, Metallic, Production, and Production Optics. Rimfire divisions follow the guidelines of their respective centerfire divisions, but firearms are chambered in .22 rimfire for Open Rimfire, Metallic Rimfire, Production Optics, and Production Rimfire Divisions. There is an additional division listed in the NRA rules (Open Modified), but this division is no longer actively recognized.
Prep for Your First Competition
Action Pistol Short Course
Don’t have the distance to shoot out to 50 yards at your range? Looking for a low round count pistol challenge? The Action Pistol Short Course (NRA version) is the best option to get a taste of the most popular courses of fire. It features strings from the 10 and 15-yard lines from the Barricade, Moving Target or Non-Mover, Falling Plate, and Practical Events. Weak-hand shooting is replaced with shooting with the strong hand (no transfer required). The Action Pistol Short Course (Mover) is best for ranges that have access to a moving target. No Mover? No problem! Try the Non-Mover option using stationary targets.
Bianchi Cup
From The Bianchi Cup on Facebook
Club Resources
Downloads
