Combined Services

Combined Services is a rifle and handgun shooting discipline that aims to encourage organised competitive shooting with a view towards a better knowledge of the safe handling and proper care of military or service firearms. The discipline encompasses more than a dozen Service Rifle and Service Pistol classes in which competitors use original or faithful reproduction rimfire, centrefire and black powder military and other service rifles, carbines, revolvers and self-loading pistols shoot for score at paper targets of different sizes and from various distances and positions.

History

The Combined Services discipline commenced in the 1980s in Victoria and Queensland, but is now proudly shot in all states and territories. Although previously called Military or Service Rifle, in recent years, the discipline has adopted Pistol competition, with the discipline now being a combination of the services.

The aim of Combined Services is to encourage organised competitive shooting with a view towards a better knowledge of the safe handling and the proper care of service firearms. The objective is to allow anyone to get into the sport quite cheaply and compete on an equal footing.

Rifle Classes

Standard military rifles are the order of the day in these events, with the 3-Positional Core (from which a competitor’s grading is obtained) being the principal event shot. The most popular rifles used in competition are SMLEs and Swedish Mausers, with P14s, M17s and K98s being used as well.

The list of events has been added to in recent years and the popularity of the use of these firearms has increased, most likely due to the lower ammunition costs and the challenge of using small-calibre firearms.

The rifles used in Combined Services Rifle competitions must fall into one of the following classes.

Class A

Class A rifles comprise close-range (100m) short-barrel (21″) centrefire carbine-type rifles.

Class B

Class B rifles comprise medium-range (200 to 300m) bolt-action or lever-action centrefire manually operated or self-loading repeating rifles.

Class C

Class C rifles comprise long-range (500m-plus) long-barrel centrefire rifles, including antique military rifles.

Class D

Class D rifles comprise breechloading cartridge rifles such as black powder single-shot centrefire rifles and falling-block-action centrefire rifles.

Class E

Class E rifles comprise muzzleloading, single-shot and non-cartridge breechloading rifles, including antique military rifles.

Class F

Class F (Sniping) rifles comprise two sub-classes. Class F1 includes Vintage Sniper Rifles of genuine unmodified as-issued and faithful reproductions as before January 1, 1946, while Class F2 includes Sniper Rifles of genuine unmodified as-issued and faithful reproductions as after January 2, 1946. Class F rifles may only be used in events organised for their class or combination of classes.

Class T

Class T (Tactical) rifles comprise rifles of service origin fitted with a telescopic sight with a rangefinding reticle, as may be employed by the Combined Services, intended for precision shooting between 25 and 600m. Such rifles may be genuine ‘sniper’ rifles as-issued or may be a rifle built up to meet these requirements as after January 1, 1991. Class T rifles may only be used in events organised for their class or combination of classes.

Class H

Class H (Modified/Accurised) rifles comprise rifles of service origin and calibre with modification beyond service specifications (such as plastic stock, floating barrel, glass-bedded barrel, lightened trigger action and so forth), or modification to enhance accuracy beyond the specification of the original regular service issue rifle and adopted or evaluated for use by a defence or law enforcement organisation for special issue, for purposes other than as a Class F rifle. Class H rifles may only be used in events organised for their class or combination of classes.

Class J

Class J (Modified/Accurised) scope-equipped rifles comprise Class H rifles, which have been fitted with telescopic sights. Class J rifles may only be used in events organised for their class or combination of classes.

Class TR

Class TR (Training Rifles) comprise but are not limited to .22 Training Rifles and .310 Martini Cadet, provided documentary proof is provided to support the rifle’s eligibility.

Other rifle information

Combined Services Rifle competition permits the use of any standard military service sling (either of original or faithful reproduction). However, it must be attached to the original sling mounting on the rifle, and not attached by buttons or straps to the body or clothing of the shooter or to any external mechanical supports such as a post or rail. A single point sling may be used, provided it is standard issue for that rifle. The rifle’s trigger must be the standard military trigger, with a pull weight no less than 2.64lb (1.2kg). The rifle’s buttstock may be shortened, but not ‘sporterised’, and nothing (such as a pistol grip or cheekpiece) may be added, unless the rifle is reclassified and shot in Class F, H or J. A recoil pad may be used if it is of a slip-on type and has no hooks protruding. The use of recoil pads is the exception rather than the rule and its intended application is to be ‘in the spirit of the competition’. Webbing or belts carrying magazine pouches may not be used for support and shooting coats may not have any devices to stiffen or restrict the body. The rifle sling must not be fixed to the clothing by any means. Leather jackets are specifically excluded. Coats with shoulder or elbow pads are permitted. Gloves or mittens are not permitted, unless required for medical reasons. Optical aids such as spotting scopes or binoculars are not permitted during events, except under the direction of a designated official for target checking.

Pistol Classes

Pistols must comply with the state firearms legislation for the state of residency of the member, who must also possess the appropriate handgun licence and registration. The 3-Positional Core match is used to obtain the competitor’s grade. The rule book contains many different matches for Pistol, several of which are shot as graded, while the rest are contested as open.

Pistols used in Combined Services Pistol competition must fall into one of the following classes.

Class 1

Class 1 (Defence) handguns comprise original issue or faithful reproduction centrefire service handguns, with a modified barrel length or calibre only to comply with national and state laws. Competitors may use revolvers or self-loading pistols, which are or have been on regular issue to an army, navy or air force.

Class 2

Class 2 (Law Enforcement/Police) handguns comprise original issue or faithful reproduction centrefire service handguns, with a modified barrel length or calibre only to comply with national and state laws. Competitors may use revolvers or self-loading pistols, which are or have been on general issue to defence or law enforcement organisations. A Class 1 handgun cannot be classed as a Class 2 handgun.

Class 3

Class 3 (Accurised/Modified/Target) handguns comprise any Class 1 or 2 service issue centrefire handgun or faithful reproduction that has been modified from its original specification, either post-production or at the factory, and may feature target-shooting-adjustable sights, hand-customised grips, barrels, trigger systems, trigger saddles or compensators.

Class 4

Class 4 (Rimfire) handguns comprise any rimfire handgun that substantially replicates the functions of a Class 1, 2 or 3 handgun.

Class 5

Class 5 (Black Powder) handguns comprise any original issue or faithful reproduction black powder military handgun, either a revolver or single-shot pistol, which has been on general issue to an army, navy, police or para-military force.

Other pistol information

Combined Services Pistol competition permits the use of a handgun with a trigger weight no less than 1.36kg. Both stages of double-action triggers on revolvers must comply in both stages. The holsters used must be practical, safe, serviceable and fit the handgun. In supplementary events, where there is a requirement to draw from the holster, the shooter must hold their state or territory’s qualification and the holster must be of a type that covers the trigger. Gloves or mittens are not permitted, unless required for medical reasons. Optical aids such as telescopic, red dot and optical sights, spotting scopes or binoculars are not permitted during the competition, except under direction of a designated official for target checking. A shooter may not use or wear any optical aids or devices of any type that provide an unfair advantage to them.

Targets & Ammunition

Targets

The targets used in Rifle competitions include the standard 1200x1200mm SSAA Military/Service Rifle target (Core Target), which has a large black aiming point. A mini 600x600mm Core Target has been developed and is available for specific matches, but can also be used to simulate longer distances on ranges with range limits. Scoring is taken at target value, with the centre ‘V’ bull used to decide tied scores. A shot that touches the line is given the higher value.

The targets used in Pistol competition include the SSAA Military Pistol Target 2001. Scoring is at target value, with the centre ‘X’ bull used to decide a tied score. Once again, a shot that touches the line is scored at the higher value.

Ammunition

Combined Services permits the use of any ammunition that is allowed by law and approved for use at that particular range. The same ammunition, type and loading must be used throughout an event. The spirit and intent of this discipline is embodied in the use of standard military-specification loads. For instance, if a handgun is marked as a .357, then .357 loads must be used. This engenders the full recoil effect of such firearms and recovering of sighting for successive shots fired.

Handgun projectiles may be lead alloy round-nose, lead alloy semi-wadcutter or jacketed ammunition, depending on range approvals. Chargers or loaded magazines may be used on the firing point in the course of the competition, where permitted by particular match rules.

SSAA Combined Services International Team Selection Criteria

Selection Policy

There are two selection methods for SSAA International teams: 

  •  Invitational Team:

The National Board or President may appoint and approve an Invitational or Presidents Team. The selection of this team may be done with advice from the National Coaching and Discipline Supervisor and National Discipline Chairman.   

  • Selection Criteria:

The National Discipline Chairman submits a Team selected according to the Selection Criteria to the National Board for approval. The selection is based on merit and must be approved by the National Board.   

To qualify for a SSAA International Team a person

  • must be a current financial member of SSAA
  • must be eligible for, or, hold a valid Australian passport or have an exemption from the SSAA Inc on our Australian nationality requirement.   

See other details in the document “SSAA Inc Information and General Requirement for SSAA Team Members” as approved by the SSAA Inc Board.

Discipline Selection Criteria

Selection will be based on a disciplines Annual National Championship, with competitors from a minimum of two SSAA State and Territory Associations.

Selection will be based on the top ten placings at a disciplines Annual National Championship in the core match or matches and/or the match or matches relevant to the international competition to be contested.

The core match or matches and/or match or matches relevant to the international competition will be determined for each Discipline. Contact the National Discipline Chairman for this information.

Any Annual National Championships may be used as a selection shoot. If a disciplines Annual National Championship is held six months before the scheduled date of an international event, that National Championship will be used as the selection shoot. If a disciplines Annual National Championship is held less than six months before the scheduled date of an international event, the National Championship of the previous year may, with approval, be used as the selection shoot.  Any variation to this requires approval by the National Coaching and Discipline Supervisor or National President or Board.

There is no guarantee that a SSAA Team will be sent to an international event.

All SSAA International Teams are subject to the approval by the National President or Board and discipline funding. 

A competitor can notify the National Discipline Chairman if they wish to be considered for selection as soon as possible and no later than two weeks after the finish of the National Championships. If notification wasn’t given a competitor must indicate their acceptance or rejection of their team position within two weeks of being officially informed of their eligibility by the National Discipline Chairman.  Any variation to this requires approval by the National Coaching and Discipline Supervisor or National President or Board

The Team Selections should be completed by the relevant National Discipline Chairman as soon as possible after their Annual National Championship and submitted to the National Board for approval. 

All Team Members selected according to the Discipline Selection Criteria must be approved by the SSAA National Board before the selection process is complete.

Approved by the SSAA National Board on 18 November 2018, for implementation on 1 January 2019

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