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Here are some of the most common inquiries:

Q: What is the course of fire in a Bullseye match?

Q: What is my NRA Classification (and what's this money in my results envelope??)

Q: What do I need to know about scoring in a match? (Well, this is one I wish everyone would ask!)

Q: How can I bring my guns to a match in NJ if I'm coming from out-of-state?

Q: How do I purchase a handgun in NJ?

 

(If your question is not included here, please email Mary@NJPistol.com!)

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Q: What is the course of fire in a Bullseye match?

A: All Bullseye shooting is done with one hand!  Iron sights or optics ("red dot" sights or scopes with magnification) are allowed for most matches.  The most common course of fire is a "900" (meaning 90 rounds fired, with each shot's best possible score value being 10 points!)  This "900" match consists four stages: slow fire (20 rounds), NMC or "gallery course" (30 rounds), timed fire (20 rounds), rapid fire (20 rounds):

Slow fire match- 2 strings of 10 rounds each, with 10 minutes per string (for Outdoor matches, this is done at 50 yards, for (most) indoor matches this is done at 25 yards on "reduced" targets.)

National Match Course (with slow fire at 50 yards) or NRA Gallery or "short course" (with slow fire at 25 yards) - 1 string of slow fire with 10 minutes per string, 2 strings of Timed fire (5 rounds each with 20 seconds per string), 2 strings of Rapid fire (5 rounds each with 10 seconds per string)

Timed fire match- 4 strings of 5 rounds each, with 20 seconds per string

Rapid fire match- 4 strings of 5 rounds each, with 10 seconds per string (some are know to say "Rapid fire is the BEST!")

Scoring is done after each 10 rounds.

(This course of fire takes about 1.5 hours to complete)

A full "2700" match consists of a "900" with each .22 caliber, centerfire and .45 caliber!

Some special matches (CMP "Leg" match, with service pistol, or "Distinguished Revolver match") consist of just the 30 round NMC.

There is also a .22 caliber only "Sectional" match, which is fired at 50 feet instead of 25 yards!

other links:

Introduction to Competition from the NRA Competitions website

Getting Started, from the Bullseye Encyclopedia

 

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Q: What is my NRA Classification?

A:  When firing in an NRA Registered match, shooters compete only within a group at their own skill level or class (except that anyone is eligible for an "open" award, meaning the highest score in that particular match).  Generally, there are five classes:  High Masters (HM), Masters (MA), Experts (EX), Sharpshooters (SS), and Marksmen (MK).  However, it is up to the match director's discretion to make a "Tyro" Class, meaning brand new (to match competition) shooters, if there are enough "newbies" to justify that.  If there are only one or two, they would shoot in the Master Class, as "Master Unclassified" (MU).

A shooter becomes officially classified for pistol competition after firing at least 360 shots in Registered (or Approved) matches.

There are separate classifications for INDOOR Conventional Pistol and OUTDOOR Conventional Pistol!

If a shooter has fired less than 360 shots in competition, he holds an "assigned" classification based on his performance(s) to date.  Scores from Sanctioned Leagues or current classification in other types of pistol disciplines (Air Pistol, International Pistol, etc.) may also be used to place a competitor appropriately until he earns his official classification.

A shooter will be classified or reclassified (upwards!) as warranted automatically by the NRA!  This review takes place for each subsequent 360 (or more) shots and scores submitted for you by your match directors.

Classifications (except HM) expire after 3 years of inactivity.  (MA expires after 5 years!)

Shooters can look up their current classifications by entering their NRA number at http://www.nrahq.org/compete/classification.asp

We try to keep up with congratulations to "local" shooters earning or improving classifications at http://njpistol.com/grads.asp

other links:

NRA Rulebook - classifications

Q...and what's this money in my results envelope?

A: Some portion of your match entry fee goes to the NRA, some covers expenses like targets (and doughnuts!).  For Old Bridge and Central Jersey matches, for instance, half of the net (after expenses) goes to the shooters for awards and the other half goes to the host club, as announced in our match bulletin.  The larger the total turnout for a match, and the larger the number of competitors within each class, the more awards are given out!

A shooter may win "place awards" in his class in each stage of each match (for example, one may win a 1st place in centerfire timed fire in MK class.)  Awards are also given for each match aggregate, and for grand aggregate!

So, if you find a few dollars in the envelope along with your match results, that's our way of commending you for some good shooting!

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Q: What do I need to know about scoring in a match? (Well, this is one I wish everyone would ask!)

A: It is the responsibility of every competitor in a match to score his fellow competitor's target as best he can,
and with the same attention and courtesy as he'd like his own target to be scored!

The first thing to do is count the shots to see if you can find 10
(or in the case of a refire, make sure you know how many should be there!)

Overlays and "eagle-eyes" can be used to judge close shots.  Bullets (especially jacketed ones) will leave holes that are actually smaller than their diameter!   If you have any doubt, ask the shooter what kind of ammo he is using (or the dreaded question "How many shots did you get off?")  Don't stick pencils or fingers in, or otherwise alter holes on a target.  Ask the Line Officer for a plug (shooters are not allowed to use their own plugs in a match!)

Match "etiquette" asks that the scorer write the target total on the target (so the shooter can more quickly determine if he agrees.)

  The most important thing to remember is that the 10 SHOT VALUES for each target need to be recorded accurately on the scorecard (as legibly as possible!)  The SUM (i.e., target score addition of those shot values) is NOT the part both shooter and scorer must agree on - it is those individual shot values that are "legally binding!"  If you need to make a change on the scorecard, please treat it the same way you'd treat a check - that is, cross out the original entry, re-write the correct value above, and initial the change!

If any of the shots were in the X ring, you must write "X" as one of the shot values (not "10" !!)  Even if you indicate the total X count next to the target score, if you record the shot as "10" it will not be counted as an "X" !)

Any disagreement between scorer and shooter must be resolved BEFORE the particular target is removed or repaired.  (Please don't bring targets to your Range Officer or Referee at the end of the match to dispute a score!)

It helps the Statistical Officer (who is going to check all the addition anyway) if you write the 10 shot values in descending order (in case there is any ambiguity in the interpretation of handwriting!)

Remember also that when you, as competitor, SIGN your scorecard, you are agreeing to the accuracy of the SHOT VALUES recorded there!

 

other links:

NRA Rulebook - scoring section

NRA Rulebook - challenges

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Q: How can I bring my guns to a match in NJ if I'm coming from out-of-state?

A: Many shooters routinely come to matches in NJ from all across the country with no problem!  Some bring a copy of the match bulletin with them (and I have sometimes sent a letter, or handwritten note on the match bulletin, that a particular shooter is indeed registered for one of our particular match relays on a given date!)

  Guns must be unloaded and in a closed container (like your gun box!) and out of your immediate reach (in the trunk, if your vehicle has one!)

 Ammunition must be separate (don't leave boxes of ammo or loaded magazines in the bottom of your gun box!)  In NJ a loaded magazine is considered as a loaded gun (!!)

other links on NJ firearms laws:

NJ State Police website

NRA ILA summary about NJ (or call 1-800-392-8683)

Please note that the foregoing are for reference only and should not be solely relied upon as legal advice.

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Q: How do I purchase a handgun in NJ?

 A: Between individual NJ residents, exchange of permit paperwork (see link below)  is all that is required.

If you are buying a handgun from out-of-state, an FFL dealer must receive it for you.  He will inform you of any additional requirements.

NOTE: in NJ, an air pistol is considered a handgun!

other links:

  obtaining a permit to purchase

Please note that the foregoing are for reference only and should not be solely relied upon as legal advice.