Stages

Stage example one

You’re kneeling on a wooden pallet (simulating a raft). Paddle in hand, with end of paddle resting in a marked space on the range floor. Pistol in open topped cardboard box in front of you, unloaded. Loaded magazine(s) also in box. On the start signal put down paddle, retrieve pistol and magazine, load magazine into pistol. Remaining kneeling, engage three targets to the right of a screen, 2 rounds on each. Two low targets at approx. 5M, one 50% obscured by no shoot. One high target, approx. 8M.

Remaining kneeling engage two targets to the left of the screen, 2 rounds on each. Both low at approx. 5M, one angled and 80% obscured by no shoot. (The target obscured by the no shoot was the real test here - you had to either shoot left-handed or make like a limbo dancer and shoot with your right).

Stand and move down range, engaging three further targets with 2 rounds on each. Shoot from any distance. Move further down range to line on floor and engage stop plate (around 8M away) to stop timer and finish stage. Remove magazine and show Range Officer that gun is clear.

Stage example two

You’re standing behind a table. Pistol is loaded and holstered with safety on. A briefcase is chained to your left wrist (right if you shoot left-handed). (The briefcase was the “killer” here - meant you couldn’t use a two handed grip on the pistol and magazine changes were “tricky”)!

On the start signal engage two targets in front of you - medium height, approx. 10M. 2 rounds each.

Move forward around table and enter one of the “rooms” either to the left or right of the screen and engage 3 targets (from any range) with 2 rounds each. Move to the other “room” and repeat.

Move forward and engage two further targets with 2 rounds each, from any range. One to the left and low, one to the right and high. Move down range to the line on the floor and engage stop plate (around 10M away) to stop timer and finish stage. Remove magazine and show Range Officer that gun is clear.

Hopefully these examples have whetted your appetite and given you an insight as to why PP is rapidly gaining popularity. It certainly beats “static” range shooting or plinking cans in the garden in my book. EVERY stage in a PP competition is different so the day is both entertaining and challenging. It’s not expensive either - competition entry fees are usually around the Ł12 to Ł15 mark. You’ll need about eight CO2 capsules (probably less) and, of course pellets - so about another Ł6 or Ł7 for the day.

A couple more stage “samples”, in brief.

Sitting on exercise bike, gun holstered (loaded, safety on). Ride bike up to 15mph, stage starts. Stop pedalling, draw pistol and engage 4 metal plates at approx. 6M. one round each (last is stop plate).

Sitting at desk, pen in hand. Gun in desk drawer, loaded and safety on. At start signal open drawer, retrieve gun and engage 6 metal plates at approx. 10 metres while remaining sitting, 1 round on each (last is stop plate).