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Usually I wait until after the match to post the course of fire, but thought to mix it up this time. We’re closing out the year with another pistol-focused postal match. This is probably my favorite course of fire, yet, and one that I think we’ll be coming back to time and again. To do it, you’ll need a range with up to 25 yards, the ability to draw from a holster, and the ability to take a kneeling position on the line. I know some ranges don’t allow those last two things, so you’ll have to work that out with your range.
I based this course of fire on the classic NRA Police Pistol Combat (PPC) competition. PPC matches have been around since 1962 as a way to do introduce practical shooting, as a police officer might see, into the mix. The competitions gradually lost popularity as more of them became closed to non-law enforcement competitors and other action shooting leagues gained popularity. The Covid pandemic all but killed it off for good.
That said, I think the original course of fire is quite nice, even if not practical for most ranges. The original PPC match needed 50 yards and the ability to shoot around barricades (or at least a wooden post to act as a barricade). To solve this, I’ve made a few tweaks, but hopefully kept the original spirit for you.
Competition Dates and Submissions
This postal match opens for entries on November 1st, 2025. No entries will be accepted after December 31st, 2025. So You’ve got two months.
Each competitor can submit one entry per division. As always, there is no fee for submission- this is all in good fun and spirit of competition. Entries shall be submitted in the Everyday Marksman Community Discord server. The link to join is in the regular email list newsletters.
Materials Requirements
Unlike previous postal matches, there is no set target for this one. The only requirement is that you have an 8″ circle. Many targets we’ve used before do this for us.
- B-22 (within the 9-ring)
- B-8 (within the 8-ring)
- TQ-4 (within the 7 ring)
- 8″ paper plate
- IDPA -0 zone
- Any target with an 8″ circle (I’ve been using the IALEFI-QT a lot, lately).
You will also need 50 rounds of ammunition for whatever your chosen pistol is and some kind of timer that you can set up for par time. A shot timer is ideal for the sound, but not strictly necessary.
Competition Divisions
We’ll follow our standard pistol configurations.
For any division, allowed modifications include any ergonomic or common practicality (i.e. checkering, stippling, mag wells, trigger jobs, machined serrations, etc.)
Open Division
Any pistol that does not fit into other divisions. Note that any pistol weighing 45.0 ounces or more as configured for the match (i.e. optics, weapon lights, mag wells, etc.) automatically put a gun into open. Any porting, compensators, gas pedals, frame-mounted optics, or similar modifications also put a gun into open. An exception is for rimfire, which can have such modifications while remaining in a rimfire division.
Practical Optics
Intended for pistols likely to be used in the “real world” for duty or CCW purposes.
- Max Weight: 45 ounces with empty magazine and and as configured for the match.
- Action: DA/SA, SAO, and striker
- Calibers: Any SAAMI spec defensive caliber, greater than .32 but less than .45 (i.e. .380, 9mm, .40 S&W, 10mm, 38 Super, 45 ACP)
- Max Magazine Capacity: 21+1
Electronic devices: Slide-mounted optics and weapon lights are allowed. Must be configured to be functional (i.e. no WMLs without batteries to save weight).
Disallowed Modifications: Compensators, porting, frame mounted optics, gas pedals, or any other conspicuous modification that wouldn’t typically be found on a factory pistol designed for service use.
Practical Irons
Same as Practical Optics, but only iron sights are permitted.
Carry Gun
Intended for compact-sized guns common for use with concealed carry.
- Max barrel length: 4.1″
- Max magazine capacity: 15+1
- Max weight: 32 ounces as configured for match and with empty magazine
- Electronics: Slide-mounted optics and weapon lights permitted
Rimfire Optics
Any rimfire pistol configured with an optical sight
Rimfire Irons
Any rimfire pistol with iron sights
Revolver
Any centerfire revolver configured with irons or optics
Back Up Gun (BUG)
- Max barrel length: 3.5″
- Max weight: 26 ounces as configured for match with empty magazine
- Max magazine capacity: 6+1
If the revolver has capacity to hold more than 6 shots, then it may only be loaded to six.
Course of Fire
This match consists of five stages, each taking place between 7 and 25 yards.
Stage 1
7 yards, 3 second par time.
Load the weapon with six shots and holster it. From standing position with hands at your sides, draw and fire 6 shots within the par time. There are no bonus points for going faster, so don’t turn this into a pure Bill Drill.
Stage 2
10 yards, 20 second par time.
Load two magazines with a total of 12 rounds. Load the weapon with one magazine, charge it, and holster it. Place the other magazine in a convenient location.
On start, draw and fire 12 shots within 10 seconds, you must reload during the string.
Stage 3
15 yards, 15 second par time.
Same as Stage 2, but from 15 yards and within 15 seconds. On start, draw and fire 12 total shots in 15 seconds with a reload.
Stage 4
15 yards, 20 second par time.
Similar to Stage 2 and Stage 3, except this one involves one-handed firing. On start, draw and fire six shots with strong hand only. Reload, then switch to weak hand only and fire six more shots.
Stage 5
25 yards, 30 second par time.
Load one magazine with six rounds, and a second magazine with two rounds. Charge the weapon with the six-round magazine.
Begin from the standing position, with hands at your sides. On start, draw and assume the the kneeling position. Fire six shots, perform a reload and fire two more shots all within 30 seconds.
Additional Notes
If shooting a rimfire, then you do not need to use a holster. Rimfire can start from the low ready position rather than holstered- but otherwise follows the same rules. If shooting a revolver, then use speed loaders or some other mechanism in place of magazines.
For the kneeling position, you may use whatever style you wish so long as one knee is on the ground and the pistol is not otherwise supported by anything but your own body.
Scoring
Your final score is the number of hits within the 8″ circle by the end of all five stages. There are a maximum of 50 points available. Line breaks do count, so long as the outermost edge of the 8″ circle is broken. I’ll note that the B-22 is slightly more forgiving here because the 9 ring is actually 8.33″ in diameter while the rest are all 8″.
Good Luck, Have Fun
And that’s it! Personally, I really like the way this one is shaping up and look forward to everyone’s entries. If nothing else, I also bet this 50-round course of fire would make for a great range day warmup to see where you’re shooting skills are at on any given day.
