FAQ

• What is Olympic-style airgun shooting?
  
  
• What is Junior Olympic 3P air rifle?
  
  
• What does it cost to join the Arlington International Airgun Club (AIAC)?
  
  
• When does the club meet?
  
  
• Where does the club meet?
  
  
• What are the age restrictions?
  
  
• How do I join?
  
  
• What if I have never shot before?
  
  
• What equipment do I need?
  
  
• I have my own equipment, can I use it?
  
  
• Do you provide training?
  
  
• How safe is it?
  
  
• How do I start?
  
  

• Q: What is Olympic-style airgun shooting?
  
  A: Olympic –style air rifle and air pistol shooting uses the same target type, distance, and equipment used during the Olympics Games. Olympic airgun competition utilizes bullseye-type targets ( air rifle, air pistol ) at a distance of 10 Meters (10M) using rifles and pistols that fire a .177 caliber pellet . Guns may be powered by compressed air or Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and must use open or metallic sights, optical sights are not allowed in official competition. Olympic air pistol is fired 1-handed with no supportive gear (special pants, jackets, boots) allowed. Olympic air rifle is fired in the standing position only, and allows the use of special gear to provide support and stability for the shooter. Official course of fire is 60-shot for men and 40-shots for women for both the air rifle and air pistol disciplines.
  
  
• Q: What is Junior Olympic 3P air rifle?
  
  A: Junior 3P (3-Position: prone, standing, kneeling) air rifle competition is the single largest junior shooting sport discipline in the country, and consists of Sporter and Precision classes. Both Sporter and Precision classes use the official Olympic distance (10M) and usually fire on a “multi-bull” target containing 12 bullseyes (2 “sighter bulls” and 10 “record bulls”) of official size using .177 caliber pellets. Most common course of fire for both classes are 20-shots each in the prone, standing, and kneeling positions (60-shots total - 600 points).
  
  Sporter-class 3P air rifle is designed as the entry level to air rifle competition, and limits the complexity and cost of the rifle as well as the amount of special equipment allowed.
  
  Precision-class 3P air rifle is a step up from Sporter, and allows the use of Olympic-quality air rifles and complete supportive gear including special pants, jackets, and boots. Scores are substantially higher due to the advanced equipment and experience level of the competitors.
  
  
• Q: What does it cost to join the Arlington International Airgun Club (AIAC)?
  
  A: Cost for the adult club (18 and over) is $30 per year with a 1-time $30 initiation fee and $1 per night range fee.
  
  Cost for the junior program, the “AIAC Juniors”, is $45 per year and a $2 per night range fee.
  
  
• Q: When does the club meet?
  
  A: The club meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM and Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM to 12-noon. New members must contact the club to make an appointment to attend a Wednesday evening session for a range rules and safety briefing before attending Saturday sessions.
  
  
• Q: Where does the club meet?
  
  A: The club meets at Christian Liberty Academy, 502 W. Euclid Ave in Arlington Heights, IL. New members are asked to contact the club before visiting the range for the first time.
  
  
• Q: What are the age restrictions?
  
  A: Adult members and guests must be 18 years or age or older.
  
  The “AIAC Juniors” shooting program is open to all boys and girls in grades 7-12.
  
  
• Q: How do I join?
  
  A: Individuals interested in joining the Arlington International Airgun Club (AIAC) are asked to contact the club to make an appointment to visit the range. Membership applications are available at the range.
  
  
• Q: What if I have never shot before?
  
  A: The club has members with a wide range of experience in the sport – from first-time shooters to U.S. Shooting Team members. All are welcome to come and try airgun shooting as a guest. Please contact the club to make an appointment.
  
  
• Q: What equipment do I need?
  
  A: The adult club has air pistols and rifles for use by members and guests. Targets are provided for the $1 per night range fee. Pellets are available for purchase at the range. Adults are asked to bring safety glasses (required on the range) if they have them. Most adult members eventually purchase their own equipment. Members get discounts on some equipment when purchased through the club.
  
  The junior club provides all of the equipment necessary to train and compete. There is nothing to buy!
  
  
• Q: I have my own equipment, can I use it?
  
  A: Adult members can use any airgun rated under 600 feet-per-second at the AIAC range.
  
  Because of competition rules, juniors are encouraged to use the airguns provided by the club.
  
  
• Q: Do you provide training?
  
  A: New adult members are a given range safety briefing and basic instruction on the use of club equipment. Some additional training is available on an individual basis.
  
  Junior club members are given a safety class by a NRA certified instructor before firing on the range. All junior students are supervised the entire time they are on the range by a team of trained adult coaches and range officers. Teaching safe gun-handling is the club’s primary goal. Additional goals are advancing the student’s marksmanship skills, concentration, and confidence.
  
  
• Q: How safe is it?
  
  A: When all safety rules are followed properly, shooting is one of the safest sports a person can participate in. Shooting is consistently listed as its safest sport by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). All junior students are supervised the entire time they are on the range by a team of trained adult coaches and range officers.
  
  
• Q: How do I start?
  
  A: Contact the club to make a no obligation appointment to stop by and see what Olympic-style airgun shooting is all about!