Has your old Victorian era military rifle or pistol become a "safe queen" for lack of a venue to use it? Have you ever wondered how well your shooting stacks up against your friends in The Barracks but haven't been able to attend a Muster because of time or distance? The GAF has just the program for you; The GAF Postal Shoot and 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. There is also a similar GAF Junior Postal Shoot.
   
   
2. The standard GAF course of fire must be shot using with a standard military pistol, rifle or carbine that was used by any countrie's military force during the Victorian era. 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. Firearms may be tuned to enhance safety.
   
   
3. Only Firearms approved by the Grand Army of the Frontier may be used in a GAF Postal Shoot. See approved list link below. A GAF member may petition the marksmanship director to add a firearm to the list but must provide verifiable documentation that said firearm was used by a military force during the Victorian era.
   Approved Battle Rifle List
   Approved Pistol List
   
   
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. There are no limitations on MILSPEC calibers in MILSPEC weapons; however, NON milspec calibers/handguns are limited to .36 caliber and above.
   
   
5. The standard course of fire will consist of shooting at a different target from each of the four different positions with either a rifle or pistol. The positions that will be used are Standing (off-hand), Kneeling, Sitting, and Prone.
   
   
6. Rifle shooters will use the reduced-size M1885 Army Rifle A1 Target shot standing, the reduced-size M1885 Army Rifle B5 Target shot sitting and another shot kneeling and the reduced-size M1885 Army Rifle C Target shot from the prone position, all at a range of 13 1/2 yards (40' 6"). This will allow a 100 yard sight setting to be utilized on most rifles.
   
   
7. Handgun shooters will use a different copy of the reduced-size M1885 Army Rifle A1 Target shot at a range of 8 yards from each of the 4 positions (standing, kneeling, sitting and prone. Pistols should be shot one handed. Exceptions for health or safety reasons may be made at discretion of match director, but cycling the handgun with the offhand is not allowed.
   
   
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, gloves, sight darkening substance, spotter or coach, spotting scope or binoculars, and ground cloth. Eye and ear protection are highly encouraged.
    
    
11. When competing in any GAF sponsored match, any shooter who scores 85% or higher of the highest possible score 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 3 different weapons would require three registrations and a payment of $15. (this registration fee may be waived at the Match director's discretion)
    
    
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. Results of the postal match will be announced in The Barracks on CASCITY.COM .