Combined 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 - Close-range (100m) short-barrel (21") centrefire carbine-type rifles.
• Class B- Medium-range (200 to 300m) bolt-action or lever-action centrefire manually operated or self-loading repeating rifles.
• Class C- Long-range (500m-plus) long-barrel centrefire rifles, including antique military rifles.
• Class D- breechloading cartridge rifles such as black powder single-shot centrefire rifles and falling-block-action centrefire rifles.
• Class E 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 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 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 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.

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.