2026 ISSF rules

gold1640

gold1640

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Hoping this is of interest to those competing in pistol competitions.

The 2026 ISSF rules are out:- https://backoffice.issf-sports.org/...=1&inst=455&file=V2-ISSF-Rules-2026-DRAFT.pdf and there are a few changes that need to be taken into consideration - the rules are shown as Draft, but the ISSF news item they are linked from says that they come into force on 1st January 2026, although some competitions have been given the option to use the old rules.

Some of rules that should be taken notice of are to do with the grip, 8.4.1.5(d), (e) and (f).

8.4.1.5(d) is a problem in that it does not allow for any curve at the rear of the palm shelf, meaning possible injury on a sharp edge.
8.4.1.5(e) will be a problem for some makes - I'm thinking of Morini 200 grips especially, the overhang at the top of the grip is over the allowed 40mm.
8.4.1.5(f) is likely to be a problem for possibly all grips, as the part of the grip next to the back part of the thumb is not likely to be on a downward angle relative to a line parallel with the barrel.

--
Ian
 
I've read 8.4.1.5(d) multiple times, and if anything it makes less sense the more I read it. Cutting something at 30° or more perpendicular to the end of the heel rest is nonsense. Cutting it at 30° relative to something that's perpendicular to something else could make sense. And the diagram doesn't help — it shows a 30° angle, but the reference line doesn't match up with anything else in the diagram — it's not perpendicular to anything as far as I can see. And there don't seem to be any rules governing the shape of the heel rest, so the 30° cut could be relative to almost anything.

And 8.4.1.5(c) still hasn't been cleared up — there's not definition of what counts as 'the wrist'. Where does the hand end and the wrist begin, and where does the wrist end and the arm start?
 
For example, is there anything in the rules that would disallow this for a heel rest?

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This is a very interesting subject.

As far as I can see the Morini 200ei unfortunately breaks the grip rules in a big big way.

I have a Morini 162ei large left hand grip.
The top part of the grip that should be level with the barrel and no more than 40mm long.

Well it’s way over 50mm and curves over the top of the hand in the wrong direction.
This grip could be adjusted to suit. But I’m guessing with a 200ei you would be loosing the whole rear of the grip below the rear sight.

Second picture shows a couple of my 200ei Rink Grips. These would need major work to meet the new rules.

Obviously the company Morini are aware of this.
I feel sure that they have or are going to appeal against the new rules.

IMG_4901.jpeg


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Last edited:
Nick Marshall said:
As far as I can see the Morini 200ei unfortunately breaks the grip rules in a big big way.

I have a Morini 162ei large left hand grip.
The top part of the grip that should be level with the barrel and no more than 40mm long.

Well it’s way over 50mm and curves over the top of the hand in the wrong direction.
This grip could be adjusted to suit. But I’m guessing with a 200ei you would be loosing the whole rear of the grip below the rear sight.

Second picture shows a couple of my 200ei Rink Grips. These would need major work to meet the new rules.
Click to expand...

This is where the 40mm is measured. It doesn't look like it's much more than 40mm — how big is it? I'm also not sure what you are saying is curving in the wrong direction.

1768156710332.webp
 
gold1640 said:
Somebody, somewhere, thinks that the existing grips provide too much support.
--
Ian
Click to expand...
Yeah, okay, that's quite possible. Then they should shoot police pistols with the standard grip.

I really don't understand it.

Everyone has the choice to get such a grip. Nobody is forced to do it or not.

If they want to regulate it, they could freeze the current state.

So that nobody has to buy a new one or saw off the grip.

As it is, I just get the feeling that they only want to boost new sales/revenue.

But what's the point of getting upset about it? They'll do what they want anyway.

Here in Germany, some idiot once tried to requisition the shooting jackets at the Field Target competition. He had no valid arguments whatsoever. He simply didn't want to.

Well.

Regards,
Daniel
 
Does the ISSF publish a complete diagram of a pistol to define the terms referenced?

d) On the side of the wrist, the end of heel rest must be cut by an angle of 30
degrees or more perpendicular to the end of the heel rest.
Click to expand...

What does "the end of heel rest" mean? Is that distinct from "the heel rest"? Is one part of the other?
The diagram on the following page (352) has four labels, but I cannot find what A or B are referencing. Those diagrams are repeated for 8.4.1.6 - but again there's nothing in the text for 25m pistol that references A or B.

I was digging through Rink's site to see if they labelled the parts of a grip, and I just burst out laughing at this...

1768261635979.webp

even funnier is that this is literally the diagram from p353, which when more closely examined seems to show that the 30 degree cut was crudely added in MS Paint. The Arrow from D is 100% from paint.

1768261773865.webp


Who is writing these rules??
 
Just modified two of my pistol grips for the new regulations.
Both quite easy as only the shelf needed to be modified.

Picture shows my Steyr EVO10E fitted with a Rink grip. Also a Feinwerkbau P8X fitted with a factory laminated grip.
I could not bring myself to modify the Steyr grip in the same way as I would have to slice the badge in half.

I used a power file to modify the shelf of both grips. Great tool for this sort of job.

IMG_6057.webp
IMG_6058.webp
IMG_6056.webp
 
Absolutely no difference to the feel on the P8X or the EVO10e as hand does not come into contact with that part of the shelf.
 
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