1920 Match (Also known as Action Match)
Action Match comprises four (4) matches, including the Falling Plates, the Mover, the Practical and the Barricade events. Each of the 4 matches is 48 rounds x 10 points each, with a possible score of 480 points. The 4 combined matches allows for a maximum overall score of 1920 points.
Two types of targets are used in Australia i.e. 8 inch steel falling plates and the NRA target, which is a cardboard rectangle with a rounded top (the tombstone target). The target has a printed inner X 10 ring used for tie breaks, an outer 10 ring and an 8 ring. The remainder of the target scores 5 points.
Falling Plate
The Falling Plate event is a series of six 8 inch plates, each worth 10 points and one X. The plates are shot at 10, 15, 20 & 25 yards with the time allowed to shoot all plates varying from 6 to 9 seconds. Competitors may stand, kneel or go prone (lie down). The starting position is always to stand with hands shoulder high and the gun holstered. The plates are a hit or miss match. The saying is “there are no 8’s on plates” as they can make or break your match.
Mover event
The NRA target will move from behind a barricade, travel 60 feet in 6 seconds then disappear behind another barricade. The competitor stands in a box central to the mover. At 10 yards and 15 yards the competitor needs to fire 6 shoots on each pass. At 20 yards and 25 yards the competitor fires 3 shots on each pass (done twice) – this gives the competitor 48 rounds. The competitor has 7½ minutes to complete the whole course.
Practical
The Practical Event consists of 4 stages, each stage having 3 strings and 12 shots – a total 48 rounds. Each stage is shot at 10, 15, 25 and 50 yards. At the 10 yard line one of the strings require the competitor to shoot 3 shots on each target using only his/her weak hand i.e. left hand if right-handed or right hand if left-handed. The competitor has between 3 to 15 seconds to complete some of the strings depending on the distance.
Barricade
In the Barricade Event the competitor stands in a box behind a solid barricade. The course of fire is 6 shoots from one side of the barricade at one target and then 6 shots from the opposite side. This is shot from 10, 15, 25 and 35 yards. All strings are 6 shots and times range from 5 to 8 seconds.
These four events combine to give a match aggregate. The Australian record is 1920 183x shot by Mickey Fowler of the USA at the 2000 National Championships in Canberra.
The competitor does not need a lot of specialised, high price equipment to compete. The important thing is that the pistol is reliable and safe. A safe holster is paramount and competitors using semi-automatic pistols will need extra magazines.
In the Open class event the competitor can use red dot scopes, extended bases for going prone, wings for the barricade and adjustable mounts for the mover. However, with the introduction of the metallic sights class, competitors can shoot with an out of the box semi-automatic pistol or revolver.
There are some specific rules for the type of ammunition used in 1920 competition. The lower limit of calibre shall be 9mm. Samples of ammunition will be collected in a tournament and tested over a chronograph to meet or exceed the power factor. Power factor is calculated at bullet weight x muzzle velocity = not less than 120,000.
Many pistol clubs in Australia have modified their ranges to meet the requirements of Action Match. The National titles are held around October each year.
This is a dynamic match, consisting of 192 rounds. In some cases, the competitor must draw the gun from the holster and fire one shot on each of two different targets in under 3 seconds, or shoot six plates in 6 seconds. Action Match is quite physical, and the competitor needs to be able to go from standing to the prone position quickly.