These are the results of the 50 metre rifle three positions at the 1972 Summer Olympics.

The gold medal went to John Writer of the United States, who was the silver medalist in 1968.

He went on and broke the world record with a score of 1166 points.

Bassham returned 4 years later to claim gold in the same event.

All ties were broken by the best score on the final string of kneeling, if still tied the best score on the final string of standing, followed by prone.