Action Air
The most dynamic discipline at Pinhoe TSC — multiple targets, movement between positions, and a running clock. More like the action shooting you see on television, but using safe air-powered firearms with no Firearms Certificate required.
Action air brings practical shooting excitement to air pistols and rifles. Unlike traditional target shooting where you stand still and fire at a single target, action air involves movement, multiple targets at varying distances, and time pressure. It is beginner-friendly — stages can be adjusted for difficulty, equipment is provided, and the focus is on fun and safe progressive improvement.
No Firearms Certificate required. Air pistols and rifles under the legal power limits need no licence in England and Wales, making action air one of the most accessible ways to experience dynamic shooting.
Course of fire
Each action air competition is divided into stages (also called courses of fire). A typical stage involves:
- A defined start position and start signal (usually a timer beep)
- A set of paper and/or steel targets to engage in a specified order or by the shooter’s choice
- Movement between two or more shooting positions
- Completion when all targets have been engaged or a time limit expires
Stages are designed fresh for each event, so no two competitions are identical. Common challenges include steel knock-down plates (visual and audio feedback when hit), scored paper targets with different zone values, moving or swinging targets, and shooting around or over barricades. Position changes — standing, kneeling, crouching — add variety and physical demand.
Scoring
Scoring combines accuracy and speed. Points are awarded for targets hit; time penalties or procedural penalties apply for misses, skipped targets, or rule violations. The fastest accurate shooter wins — which means finding the optimal balance between speed and precision rather than going flat out.
Equipment
The club provides air pistols and rifles for beginners and Give it a Go participants. To get started, you need eye protection (mandatory), comfortable clothing you can move in, and stable footwear.
As you progress, experienced action air competitors typically invest in a CO2 or PCP air pistol (£100–£500), a competition holster (£20–£80), and multiple magazines for rapid reloads. A personal shot timer (£30–£100) is useful for solo practice.
Safety
Action air requires heightened safety awareness precisely because the discipline involves movement and multiple firing directions. All participants receive a thorough safety briefing and a walk-through of the stage before firing. Range Conducting Officers (RCOs) trained in action air safety are present throughout.
The four non-negotiable rules:
- Muzzle discipline — strict control of where the firearm points at all times; never outside the safe backstop area
- Finger discipline — finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard except when actually shooting at a target
- Follow range commands immediately — instant compliance with RCO instructions
- Follow the stage design exactly — no deviating from the briefed shooting areas
Action air at Pinhoe TSC
Pinhoe TSC runs action air sessions on the third Sunday of each month. Club pistols are available. Beginners are walked through the stage, supervised on their first runs, and eased into progressively more complex courses as their confidence and safety awareness develop.
Book a session via the members site →
Related disciplines also offered at Pinhoe: 10m Air Pistol, 10m Air Rifle, Prone Air Rifle.
Try action air at Pinhoe TSC
Sessions normally run on the third Sunday of each month. No Firearms Certificate needed — book your spot via the members site.