Division: IHMSA

Silhouette shooting has become one of the fastest growing sports in handgun history. Matches sanctioned by the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association (IHMSA) started back in 1977 and are held throughout the United States and in foreign countries where guns are still permitted. Here at PCSI, silhouette matches are held on the second Saturday of each month from April through October. A match consists of firing one shot at each of 40 free standing steel plate targets shaped like chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams at varying distances from 25 to 100 yards. Air pistol is from 10 to 18 yards. Shots are fired in 5 shot strings with a 2 minute time limit for each string, so it's not a speed event and no holster is required.

There are three categories in silhouette. Field pistol, which is fired with any handgun from .44 magnum down to .22lr, and Smallbore which is .22lr only, and Air pistol which uses .22 caliber or smaller pellets (sorry .. no BB guns). Each category is broken down into scoped and open sight pistols and then further broken down into classifications depending on the ability of each individual shooter. Minimal equipment is required to start shooting silhouette, which adds to the beauty of this sport. Any pistol you have in your gun case or drawer and 40 rounds of ammunition, will get you on the road to being a silhouette shooter. Come and relive the thrill of your youth watching that tin can fly off the fence post when you hit it. That's probably the best way to describe silhouette shooting.... it's like plinking and keeping score. If you're still not sure if this is your type of game, just come on out and watch (bring your gun just in case). You'll find that silhouette shooters are very friendly and very willing to help you get started.


Gary shows us how it is done	Silhouette shooters at PCSI	Keep'n score	Click image above for a video introduction to IHMSA Silhouette, via youTube