The WIPL Committee competes in the Western International Pistol League.    We do precision shooting at round targets,  following the International Sport Shooting Federation (ISSF)  rules,  which also govern shooting at the Olympics.         We practice twice a month on Saturday mornings at PCDHFC,  and shoot in the League match season, which runs  from September through April.  Eight matches are held in rotation at the  Abbotsford, Langley, and Port Coquitlam clubs.   Our  twice monthly  practices at PDHFC, usually  Range 4, are designated “WIPL” on the Club calendar.

League matches involve two events, shot in succession:   Standard Pistol (22LR), followed by a second event which may be fired either as Sport Pistol (22LR) or Centre Fire.     Each of the two  events consists of 60 shots,  in five shot strings.    In Standard Pistol,  the time for each five shot string is 150 seconds in the Precision Stage,  20 seconds in Timed Fire, and  10 seconds in Rapid Fire.   In the Sport Pistol/Centre Fire event,  there is a Precision Stage that allows up to 5 minutes for five shots, and a Rapid Fire Stage, using a larger target, that allows three seconds to aim and fire each shot from the ready position after a signal is given.  The rules for these events and the scoring  are simple.     Both events must be fired one handed, over open sights.   Optics and red dots are not used.  Fibre optic front sights are okay.   Holsters are not permitted, since the pistols are set down on a table between strings.

We fire  from a standing position at ISSF targets.    The round scoring area of the target for both events is 19.5 inches across (the diameter of the 1 ring) on 25 metre targets.   Slightly smaller, scaled down targets are used in matches held at shorter ranges.

Modern ISSF shooting  is a direct descendant of the 25 Metre Military Pistol event held at the first modern Olympics in 1896.   It’s a precision-oriented, non-tactical discipline.

To enjoy WIPL,  all you need is a 22LR handgun that places your shots (mostly)  into a 20 inch circle at 25 metres.     A good quality entry level metal framed  22LR semiautomatic pistol works.   So can revolvers.     Enthusiasts for this style of shooting usually acquire a target pistol with a light trigger, highly adjustable sights, and an anatomical grip including an adjustable palm shelf.     These range in price from around $500 used, to upwards of $3,000 new.     Aftermarket anatomical grips are available for many US made handguns.    Polymer framed pistols, and those with the sights on the slide (such as 1911 style 22s) typically do not perform so well at this distance, for most shooters.    Those choosing to fire the second event as Centre Fire may use any centre fire handgun with open sights.    (Most new members shoot the second event as Sport Pistol, using the same 22LR pistol  in both.)

RPAL-holding PCDHFC  members are welcome to attend the WIPL Committee practice sessions.   Look for them on the Club calendar, twice a month on Saturday mornings.      Bring your pistol, and/or try one of ours.    Everyone must have an  RPAL (no exceptions), but you do not have to be RUC-certified or holster qualified.     Committee designates serve as Range Officers supervising the event.

There is no range fee for the WIPL Committee practice sessions.    Targets can be provided.        Feel free to let us know if you’d like to drop by, or just show up (after checking in at Range 7).     For more info contact:   rjberrow@telus.net