Throughout recorded history, all military forces have trained all Soldiers in
the use of the weaponry of the day. Those with the most skill were able to earn Awards in recognition
of this most basic and rudimentary skill of a Soldier. As such, the Grand Army of the Frontier (GAF)
will sponsor both independent Qualifications and semiannual Postal Shooting Matches in several divisions.
When you have completed independently firing the Standard Course of Fire, please email the
GAF Director of Marksmanship
for the mailing address to send the fired targets to for scoring.
For the semi-annual GAF Postal Match, there will be instructions posted within public forums and
on the GAF Web Page on how to register for the matches you choose to compete in...
The GAF Youth Postal Match is conducted at the same time as the regular postal match.
The same basic rules apply but it is open to members under 18. Shooters must be supervised by an
adult member and rimfire weapons must be used.
Please click HERE to view a list of approved firearms
for use in GAF Marksmanship competitions...
| GAF Standard Course of Fire | |
|---|---|
| 1. | The GAF Standard Course of Fire is based on the Army standard for marksmanship qualification during the 1880s, but using a reduced-sized target at reduced ranges to accommodate the modern shooter. This course of fire may be completed either independently at any time convenient to the member, or through competition in the semi-annual GAF postal match. A registration fee for the GAF postal match is required, but there is no registration fee if the standard course of fire is shot independent of a GAF postal match. |
| 2. | The standard GAF course of fire must be shot using with a standard issue military pistol, rifle or carbine that was issued to any military force during the Victorian era, to include those issued on an experimental trial basis. The firearm may be an original or reproduction, but must be equipped with standard issue military sights, i.e., no telescopic or post-production sights installed. The replacement of lost, damaged or incorrect sights with the correct sights will qualify the firearm for use. |
| 3. | Divisions of firearms that may be used are listed and defined below. While the rifle divisions allow civilian-style firearms, it is preferred no rifle or revolver be used unless it was issued or adopted by circumstance by at least one Victorian era military force. For example, the Model 1866 Winchester was used by the Portuguese cavalry, and the Model 1875 Remington revolver was used by both the Egyptian and Mexican Armies, so these would both be acceptable firearms. |
| Percussion Revolver - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era revolver using percussion cap ignition. | |
| Conversion Revolver - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era revolver converted from percussion to cartridge and primer ignition with. | |
| Cartridge Revolver - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era revolver using cartridge and primer ignition. | |
| Original Double Action Revolver - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era revolver using cartridge and primer ignition, operated via a double action mechanism. | |
| Percussion Rifle - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era rifle or carbine using percussion cap ignition, whether with a rifled or smoothbore barrel. | |
| Single-Shot Cartridge Rifle - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era rifle or carbine using cartridge and primer ignition. | |
| Bolt-Action Rifle - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era rifle or carbine using cartridge and primer ignition, operated via a turning bolt action. | |
| Rifle Caliber Lever-Action Rifle - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era rifle using cartridge and primer ignition, operated via lever action mechanism, firing a standard rifle round, i.e. .38-55, .30-40, .30-'06, .45-70, et cetera. | |
| Pistol Caliber Lever-Action Rifle - Any make or model of original or replica Victorian Era rifle using cartridge and primer ignition, operated via lever action mechanism, firing a standard pistol round of a caliber .38 Special or larger. | |
| 4. | Modern variations or descendents of these Victorian era firearms, such as the Mauser Model 98 rifle used during WWI and WWII, and the Smith and Wesson Model 10 (Military and Police) shall not be used. All revolvers must have a barrel length from 4 to 8 inches and be of at least .36 caliber. |
| 5. | The standard course of fire will consist of shooting at four different targets from four different positions with either a rifle or pistol. The positions that will be used are Standing (off-hand), Kneeling, Sitting, and Prone. For all Revolver positions, the shooter may only use one hand, but when firing the Revolver in the Kneeling, Sitting and Prone positions, the weak hand may be used to provide support by holding onto the wrist or forearm of the strong hand. |
| 6. | Rifle shooters will use only the reduced-size M1885 Army Rifle Target for shooting either the GAF-sponsored postal match or the course of fire independent of a postal match. |
| 7. | Revolver shooters will use the reduced-size M1885 Army Rifle Target shot at a range of 15 yards for either a GAF Postal Match or an independent Course of Fire shoot. |
| 8. | Each of the four targets will be shot with five (5) rounds for a total of 20 rounds per firearm. If a round cuts the line of a scoring ring, the higher value will be awarded. In a postal match, all ties will be broken first by the X ring count, and then by total string distance from the center (The distance of each hole from the center of the target will be measured. The smallest distance will win.) |
| 9. | Targets should not be marked in any manner except to list the GAF ID and name or alias of the shooter, the date the target was shot, the firing position and the firearm used. Targets will be forwarded to either the Postal Match Director or the GAF Director of Marksmanship as appropriate for scoring. If the shooter desires the return of the targets, they should include a SASE for that purpose. Decisions by the judges are final. |
| 10. | The following items are allowed for use when shooting the GAF Standard Course of Fire: Sling, period style leather gloves, sight darkening substance, spotter or coach, spotting scope or binoculars, and unpadded ground cloth. Eye and ear protection are highly encouraged. |
| 11. | When competing in any GAF sponsored match, to include a GAF postal match, the first, second and third place winners in each division will receive a certificate honoring their achievement. Any shooter who scores an 85% or higher will be authorized to wear the GAF Marksmanship Award. |
| 12. | Postal Matches will require a registration fee of $5 to compete in any single division. Each shooter may participate in all divisions and with multiple weapons in each; however, the shooter must register each weapon used. For example, the use of a cartridge pistol, single-shot cartridge rifle, and bolt-action rifle would require three registrations and a payment of $15. |
| 13. | GAF Postal Matches will be conducted during the months of March to May, and September to November annually. Registrations must be made during the first two months (March through April and September through October) of each semiannual match. |