Handgun Silhouette (IHMSA)

Discipline Description

Handgun Silhouette is about shooting metal targets at ranges from 25 to 200 yards using sight and trigger control, and having fun doing it! Shooting from standing or free style positions. Using revolvers, semi-automatics, and single shot handguns with iron sights, red dot, or scopes. Shooting .22 to .44 calibers, and can include lots of fun wildcat cartridges. We support junior shooters, shooters with mobility problems, and everyone in between.

Handgun Silhouette started in 1975 with a group of shooters in the Tucson area in Arizona. They got together to shoot some metal targets in the shapes of animals and had a great time. The following year, they organized and created the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association (IHMSA). Years later, the National Rifle Association (NRA) joined the handgun silhouette movement and now supports handgun silhouette matches. The NRA rules and regulations closely follow those of the IHMSA.

The metal silhouette targets are cut in the shapes of chicken, pig, turkey, and ram, and are shot in that order. The largest targets are reserved for the original large caliber handguns, Big Bore, and they are shot at 50, 75, 150, and 200 yards. The medium size calibers, Field Pistol, mainly comprise straight-cased pistol calibers and are shot at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards. The smallest caliber, Smallbore, is for .22 LR and is shot at 25, 50, 75, and 100 yards.

Now all you have to do is knock down ten targets of each animal for a total of 40 points. Five targets in two-minute blocks of time, that’s about 30 seconds per shot. No bullseye hit required here to get maximum points. Simple scoring: one point for each silhouette knocked down. You can hit the target in the head, tail, back, or even foot. If it falls off the stand, it counts.

To learn more about this discipline, you can visit the IHMSA.

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