East German Jürgen Wiefel repeated as silver medalist, becoming the sixth man to win multiple medals in the event.

Austria earned its first rapid fire pistol medal with Gerhard Petritsch's bronze.

[4] The post-World War II event substantially altered the competition once again.

Ove Gunnarsson of Sweden was the reigning world champion (1978); the runner-up (West German Werner Beier) was absent due to the American-led boycott.

Costa Rica, Ireland, Laos, and Zimbabwe each made their debut in the event.