Competitors are allowed to shoot an unlimited number of shots during the 15 minutes preparation and sighting time.

In addition, the event is included in ISSF World Cups and in continental championships, as well as in many other international and national competitions.

[6] Many larger and top-level competitions are held on temporary ranges installed in multi-use sporting facilities or convention centers.

The pistol must also be able to be tailored by adjustable user interfaces and various accessories to an individual shooter's personal preferences.

Combined with appropriate match pellets, the pistol must produce a consistent 10-ring performance so that a non maximal result during the initial phase can be attributed to the participant.

These pellets have wadcutter heads, meaning the front is (nearly) flat, which leave clean round holes in paper targets for easy scoring.

Match pellets are offered in tins and more elaborate packages that avoid deformation and other damage that could impair their uniformity.

[19] Optical aids such as iris diaphragms or prescription glasses are allowed as long as they are not mounted on the pistol, which may have open sights only.

[20] Though shooting glasses are extremely customizable, most pairs contain three basic elements: a lens, a mechanical iris, and a blinder.

Ear protection is recommended by the ISSF[21] as well as by coaches, who sometimes stress their usefulness in shutting out distracting noise rather than their necessity for safety reasons (paramount in other shooting disciplines).

[22][23] It is each shooter's responsibility to get his or her pistol and shoes validated in a specific area (the equipment control) prior to starting the competition.

The junior classes are included in most championships, with some notable exceptions (such as the Olympic Games and the ISSF World Cups).

[27] Each relay starts with a 15-minute preparation time[1] during which the shooter may fire an unlimited number of sighting shots.

[32] Before 1985, when finals began to be used, championships were decided by the results of the 40 or 60 shot match (40 for women and 60 for men).

[31] As in many other ISSF events, the target for air pistol was reduced in size in 1989, also lowering the scores (although not by much), and thereby resetting all records.

Although competitions are no longer held outdoors, the most important competitions (Olympics, World Championships, World Cups) are still scheduled for the Northern Hemisphere summer season because they are combined with outdoor events such as 50m rifle and 25m pistol events.