Although I am not an expert by any means, I wanted to submit an overview of indoor PPC shooting. Thanks to Stuart Wayne, of the Fenton Lakes Sportmens Club Combat Pistol League, for his more experienced input. Outdoor PPC is quite different, I have not shot an outdoor event yet, and won't comment for now.
Indoor PPC, or Police Pistol Combat, is a standard course of fire consisting of 60 rounds, fired in 4 stages. PPC is revolver "friendly" and may be a good way to get a newer shooter into competition.
All shooting is two handed. Each stage is timed. Many ranges indicate the start and end of the stage with turning targets. Other indicators would be possible, but in the following descriptions, we'll assume that the targets turn. The targets are B27R silhouettes. The first target, called the A target, is for the first two stages:
Stage 1 - 12 rounds in 20 seconds at 21 feet, all double action. Standing position with no support. Starting with a loaded, holstered gun (all by range officers command) and at least one extra speedloader, when the target turns, draw, fire six rounds, reload, then fire six more rounds before 20 seconds expire.
Stage 2 - 18 rounds in 90 seconds at 50 feet, all double action. Starting with a loaded, holstered gun and at least two extra speedloaders, when the target turns, draw, kneel and shoot six rounds. Reload, then using a supplied barrier, shoot six left handed from the left side of the barricade. Reload and shoot six right handed from the right side of the barricade.
After the line is safe, again by range officers command, you will change from your A to your B target.
Stage 3 - 6 rounds in 12 seconds from 50 feet, all double action. Standing position with no support. Starting with a loaded, holstered gun, shoot six rounds.
Stage 4 - 24 rounds in 165 seconds from 50 feet, may be shot single or double action. Starting with a loaded, holstered gun, and at least three extra speedloaders, when the target turns, draw, assume a seated position and fire six rounds. Reload, assume a prone position, fire six rounds. Reload, stand, then fire six rounds left handed from the left side of the barricade. Reload, then fire six rounds right handed from the right side of the barricade.
There are PPC leagues and matches. In our geographical region, SE Michigan, USA, many matches are organized by area law enforcement agency shooting teams and include both law enforcement and civilian contestants; in some other areas civilians are barred from competition. Commonly, competitors shoot during scheduled range times and final scoring is completed before a banquet and awards ceremony on Sunday afternoon.
Most events are scored using the Lewis system. The scores are ranked, then the entire list is divided evenly into 5 classes. A match may draw from 150 to 400 competitors, with skill levels ranging from fantastic to "which end do you hold?" Since prizes of value are awarded (frequently desirable guns) the Lewis system insures that new shooters and those without state-of-the-art competition rigs may still compete for something of value.