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shooting-sports/bullseye-pistol

Bullseye Precision Pistol

NRA Precision Pistol (Bullseye) is the oldest formal handgun competition in America. Competitors shoot one-handed at paper bullseye targets from standing position.

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01 // LEARN

#01

What is Bullseye Pistol?

Understanding this shooting discipline

NRA Precision Pistol (Bullseye) is the oldest formal handgun competition in America. Competitors shoot one-handed at paper bullseye targets from standing position. The sport emphasizes accuracy, consistency, and mental discipline over speed.

Conventional Pistol uses three guns: .22 rimfire, centerfire, and .45 caliber. The course of fire includes Slow Fire (10 rounds, 10 minutes), Timed Fire (5 rounds, 20 seconds), and Rapid Fire (5 rounds, 10 seconds). Distances are 50 feet indoor and 25/50 yards outdoor.

Types & Variations

Conventional Pistol (three guns)
Service Pistol (duty firearms)
Distinguished Pistol (EIC program)
Air Pistol (10m Olympic)

02 // START

#02

Getting Started with Bullseye

Equipment, costs, and tips for beginners

Getting into bullseye doesn't require starting with top-tier gear. Focus on safety fundamentals, basic equipment, and finding welcoming places to learn. The community is generally helpful to newcomers who show up prepared with the right attitude.

Essential Equipment

What you need to get started

1.22 rimfire pistol (required for most matches)
2Centerfire pistol (.32 caliber or larger)
3.45 caliber pistol (1911 most common)
4Spotting scope (20-40x)
5Shooting bag for equipment
6Eye and ear protection

Safety & Rules

Know these before your first shot

1One-handed shooting only
2Support hand in pocket or behind back
3Standing position only
4Trigger weight minimum: 2 pounds
510-ring scoring with X-ring for tiebreakers

Pro Tips for Beginners

Advice from experienced shooters

Start with a reliable .22 pistol - you can compete in .22-only matches
Focus on trigger control; this is 90% of the game
Dry fire extensively (safely); it is free practice
Do not grip too tight; a relaxed grip improves consistency
Learn to call your shots before looking at the target

What Does Bullseye Cost?

Realistic budget expectations

Getting Started

$500-1,000

Basic equipment to begin

Competitive Setup

$2,000-5,000+

Quality gear for serious shooters

Per event/match:$15-40 entry, 90+ rounds ammunition
Ammo per session:$25-50 (varies by caliber)

Hidden costs to consider: Start with a quality .22 pistol (Ruger Mark IV, S&W Victory). Add centerfire and .45 as skills develop.

Bullseye Pistol Choices

Compare your options

TypeBest For
.22 Rimfire

Required gun. S&W Model 41, Ruger Mark IV, High Standard common choices.

Learning fundamentals, required for all three-gun matches
Centerfire

.32 caliber minimum. .38 Special wadcutter or .38 Super popular.

Middle leg of three-gun aggregate
.45 ACP

1911 variants dominate. Colt, Kimber, Les Baer, Wilson Combat popular.

Final leg of three-gun, highest prestige

03 // ASK

#03

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about bullseye

New to bullseye? These are the most common questions from shooters exploring this discipline. The shooting community is generally welcoming and happy to help newcomers.

Find answers to common questions about bullseye precision pistol. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us and we'll help you out.

Yes, semi-autos are most common. Revolvers are legal but rare due to slower reloads in timed and rapid fire stages.

Bullseye predates modern combat shooting. The one-handed stance tests fundamental marksmanship without physical support. It develops excellent trigger control.

No. Many matches offer .22-only options. Build your battery over time as skills and interest develop.

Yes, in most matches. Many top competitors use red dots. Iron sights remain legal and competitive.

On the NRA B-8 target at 25 yards, 85-90 out of 100 is respectable for beginners. Experts shoot 95+.

04 // FIND

#04

Upcoming Events

Find bullseye events near you

View details
OCT
10

Action Pistol - Sat Practice

Competition

Range fee: $10  ($5 if you are a USI VIP Card holder) Bring exact change. Please note: There will be no Saturday practice on the 5th Saturday of a month, when those occur. The number of practice bays available may be impacted by competition stage setup needs.

Saturday, October 10, 2026• 09:00:00
Action Pistol RangeAction Pistol Range, Concord, NV
View details
OCT
10

Action Pistol - Sat Practice

Competition

Range fee: $10  ($5 if you are a USI VIP Card holder) Bring exact change. Please note: There will be no Saturday practice on the 5th Saturday of a month, when those occur. The number of practice bays available may be impacted by competition stage setup needs.

Saturday, October 10, 2026• 09:00:00
Action Pistol RangeAction Pistol Range, Concord, CA
View details
OCT
10

Action Pistol Match

Competition

Gate opens at 0800 Sign-in & Safety Briefing at 0830 Range hot at 0900 Fees: $5 PARTICIPANTS NEED TO BRING: – A safe, functioning handgun (ALL CALIBERS WELCOME) – 50-100 rounds of ammunition – A holster that covers the gun’s trigger area – The entry fee (cash only)

Saturday, October 10, 2026• 09:00:00
Poulsbo Sportsman Club | Clear Creek Road, Poulsbo WAPoulsbo Sportsman Club | Clear Creek Road, Poulsbo WA, North Bend, WA
View details
OCT
10

Action Pistol – Sat Practice

Competition

Range fee: $10  ($5 if you are a USI VIP Card holder) Bring exact change. Please note: There will be no Saturday practice on the 5th Saturday of a month, when those occur. The number of practice bays available may be impacted by competition stage setup needs.

Saturday, October 10, 2026• 09:00:00
Action Pistol RangeAction Pistol Range, Concord, NV
View details
OCT
10

NRA Action Pistol

Training

A competitive pistol match featuring scored courses of fire. Depending on the format, this may include bullseye (precision), action pistol, or timed/rapid fire stages. Handgun (caliber and type per match rules) Ammunition (typically 50-150 rounds depending on format) Magazine pouches and holster (if action format) Eye and ear protection (required) Arrive early for sign-in and safety briefing If this is your first match, let the match director know -- most clubs pair new shooters with experienced mentors Focus on safety first, speed comes with experience Contact Aurora Gun Club for match format, round count, divisions, and entry fees.

Saturday, October 10, 2026
Aurora Gun ClubAurora Gun Club, Aurora, CO
View details
OCT
10

Action Pistol – Sat Practice

Competition

Range fee: $10  ($5 if you are a USI VIP Card holder) Bring exact change. Please note: There will be no Saturday practice on the 5th Saturday of a month, when those occur. The number of practice bays available may be impacted by competition stage setup needs.

Saturday, October 10, 2026• 09:00:00
Action Pistol RangeAction Pistol Range, Concord, CA