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5 Pin Main Events & Rules

Using a qualified firearm, clear 6 tables of 5 pins each. Times are recorded for each table. The 5 best tables are counted toward your aggregate time. Competitors are required to register for at least one Main Event Division.
Pin Table and Pin Set Specifications

Start Position

Standing behind railing, handgun loaded and rested on the rail in the low ready position.

Start Procedure

As called by the starting official the start cadence is “Timers ready, guns on the rail, shooters ready,” followed by a blank being fired into the air which indicates the start signal.

Event Procedure

At the sound of the start signal engage bowling pins until they are completely knocked off the table.

Stop Procedure

Time stops when the last pin hits the ground or backstop.

Penalties

Knocking over one of the two hostage pins results in a 5 second penalty. Improper procedures result in 5 second penalties.

Round Count

Minimum of 30 rounds required.
Pinshoot Events And Rules

Main Event Definitions

Stock Gun

Semi-automatic handguns with iron sights and a maximum barrel length of 5 inches or a revolver with iron sights and maximum barrel length of 8 3/4". Using a Stock gun competitors are limited to 8 rounds per gun to start but reload capacity is unlimited.
Pin Set Position:
Major
Permitted Modifications Include:
  • Non-slip grip and frame treatments
  • Adjustable sights, including night sights and fiber optic sights
  • Replacement recoil spring systems, provided they do not extend beyond the original dimensions of the pistol.
  • Trigger modifications that are safe and function properly.
  • Barrel porting (example: Mag-Na-Port)
Not Permitted:
  • Muzzle brakes and compensators
  • Scopes
  • Holographic / red dot optics
  • Lasers of any kind

Pin Gun

Same as Stock Guns but muzzle brakes and compensators are permitted.  There is no barrel length requirement for Pin Guns. Semi-automatic handguns or revolvers with iron sights and no barrel length requirement.
Pin Set Position:
Major
Permitted Modifications Include:
  • Non-slip grip and frame treatments
  • Adjustable sights, including night sights and fiber optic sights
  • Replacement recoil spring systems, provided they do not extend beyond the original dimensions of the pistol.
  • Trigger modifications that are safe and function properly.
  • Barrel porting (example: Mag-Na-Port)
  • Muzzle brakes and compensators
Not Permitted:
  • Scopes
  • Holographic / red dot optics
  • Lasers of any kind

Space Gun

Same as Pin Guns but holographic / red dot optics are permitted. Semi-automatic handgun or revolver with no barrel length requirement.
Pin Set Position:
Minor
Permitted Modifications Include:
  • Non-slip grip and frame treatments
  • Adjustable sights, including night sights and fiber optic sights
  • Replacement recoil spring systems, provided they do not extend beyond the original dimensions of the pistol.
  • Trigger modifications that are safe and function properly.
  • Barrel porting (example: Mag-Na-Port)
  • Muzzle brakes and compensators
  • Scopes
  • Holographic / red dot optics
Not Permitted:
  • Lasers of any kind

Concealed Carry

Semi-automatic handgun or revolver with a  
maximum barrel length of 4 ¼ inches and a slide  
mounted optic
. Using a concealed carry gun  
competitors are limited to 6 rounds per gun to  
start but reload capacity is unlimited.
Pin Set Position:
Minor
Permitted Modifications Include:
  • Non-slip grip and frame treatments
  • Adjustable sights, including night sights and fiber optic sights
  • Replacement recoil spring systems, provided they do not extend beyond the original dimensions of the pistol.
  • Trigger modifications that are safe and function properly.
  • Barrel porting (example: Mag-Na-Port)
  • Slide mounted holographic / red dot optics
Not Permitted:
  • Muzzle brakes and compensators
  • Frame mounted holographic / red dot optics
  • Lasers of any kind
  • Scopes

Stock Minor

Same as Stock Gun, but semi-automatic handguns are allowed a maximum barrel length of 5.5 inches.
Pin Set Position:
Minor
Permitted Modifications Include:
  • Non-slip grip and frame treatments
  • Adjustable sights, including night sights and fiber optic sights
  • Replacement recoil spring systems, provided they do not extend beyond the original dimensions of the pistol.
  • Trigger modifications that are safe and function properly.
  • Barrel porting (example: Mag-Na-Port)
Not Permitted:
  • Muzzle brakes and compensators
  • Scopes
  • Holographic / red dot optics
  • Lasers of any kind

PCC

A pistol caliber carbine with no barrel length requirement. Using a PCC, competitors are limited to 8 rounds per gun to start but reload capacity is unlimited. Holographic / red dot optics are permitted.
Pin Set Position:
Minor
Permitted Modifications Include:
  • Non-slip grip and frame treatments
  • Adjustable sights, including night sights and fiber optic sights
  • Replacement recoil spring systems, provided they do not extend beyond the original dimensions of the pistol.
  • Trigger modifications that are safe and function properly.
  • Barrel porting (example: Mag-Na-Port)
  • Muzzle brakes and compensators
  • Suppressors
  • Scopes
  • Holographic / red dot optics
Not Permitted:
  • Lasers of any kind

Shotgun

A semi-auto or pump shotgun with iron sights, no barrel length requirement. Using a shotgun, competitors are limited to 8 rounds per gun to start. Four (4) seconds off your aggregate time for use of Pump Shotguns.
Pin Set Position:
MAJOR
Permitted Ammunition:
  • 1 Buck
  • 0 Buck
  • 00 Buck
  • 000 Buck
  • Slugs
Permitted Modifications Include:
  • Non-slip grip and frame treatments
  • Adjustable sights, including night sights and fiber optic sights
  • Trigger modifications that are safe and function properly.
  • Barrel porting (example: Mag-Na-Port)
  • Muzzle brakes and compensators
Not Permitted:
  • Scopes
  • Holographic / red dot optics
  • Lasers of any kind

Established Partnerships

Pinshoot Events And Rules

Optional Events

2 Person Team

Two people vs 13 bowling pins plus two innocent bystanders. Best single-time wins. 8 rounds per gun to start, reloaded capacity is unlimited. Pin & Stock guns only. Maximum of one Master Blaster per team.

Pin Set Position:
MAJOR

3 Person Team

Two people with semi-auto shotguns, and one with a handgun are facing 24 bowling pins. Best single-time wins. 8 rounds per gun to start, reloaded capacity is unlimited. Pin Guns, Stock Guns, and Shotguns with irons sights only. Maximum of one Master Blaster per team. Muzzle brakes on shotguns are allowed.

Pin Set Position:
Event Specific

Shotgun

8 pins stare you down. You have 8 rounds in a semi-auto or pump-action shotgun.00 Buck, 000 Buck, or Slugs acceptable. Shotguns with irons sights only. Muzzle brakes are acceptable but no optics allowed.

Pin Set Position:
MAJOR
Revolver

Starting with only 6 rounds in your revolver, you are facing 8 pins. Practice your reloading! 8 3/8” barrel limit. Iron sights only.

Pin Set Position:
MAJOR
Big Push

You are facing only 3 bowling pins at a distance of 21 feet that must be knocked back a whopping 14.5 feet! One handgun only, so bring your hand cannons, thunder sticks, and mega-magnums! This will be a 50/50 event. Iron sights only, no optics allowed. 6 rounds to start.

Note: This is a 50/50 cash event. Registration can only take place onsite.

Pin Set Position:
Event Specific
9x12

Using a 9mm or higher caliber handgun you are facing 13 pins and two innocent bystanders. Pins must be knocked completely off the table. Magazine capacity is unlimited. Stock and Stock Minor guns only, no multiple projectile ammo allowed.

Pin Set Position:
Minor
Pistol Caliber Carbine

Similar to the 9x12 but using a Pistol Caliber Carbine. You are facing 13 pins and two innocent bystanders. Pins must be knocked completely off the table. Magazine capacity is unlimited. Optics, compensators, muzzle brakes and suppressors are allowed.

Pin Set Position:
Minor

.223×39

Two people with semi-auto rifles and handguns face 39 six-inch diameter steel “lollypops” 60 –100 yards away. Optics and muzzle brakes are allowed and recommended. Start and end with an empty rifle on table and magazine out. The maximum capacity is 30 rounds. 1 shooter offhand the other from a bench or prone with sandbags or bipod.

Pin Set Position:
N/A

Slug Fest 12x8

Starting with up to 8 slugs in your shotgun you have to knock over 10 heavy steel targets at ranges of 50 to 100 yards. Targets are between 1 and 2 square feet. Optics and muzzle brakes are allowed.

Pin Set Position:
N/A

.22 Pin Head

This will be a 50/50 event where competitors use a .22 pistol to try to knock 7 pin heads off a table at just ten feet. Use your own pistol and ammo, or try our S&W .22 revolver and ammo provided free by the Pin Shoot. Revolvers and semi-autos welcome but iron sights only. Max starting round capacity is 10.

Note: This is a 50/50 cash event.
Registration can only take place onsite.

Pin Set Position:
Event Specific

Devious Double

Two people with Pistol Caliber Carbines face 19 pins and two innocent bystanders. Pins must be knocked completely off the table. Magazine capacity is unlimited. Optics, compensators, muzzle brakes and suppressors are allowed. 8 Rounds per gun to start but reload capacity is unlimited.

Note: This is a 50/50 cash event. Registration can only take place onsite.

Pin Set Position:
Minor

.22 Rifle

Use your own .22 rifle or try our custom built semi-automatic .22 rifle provided. Engage the bowling pin shaped steel plates until all targets are down. Optics, compensators, muzzle brakes and suppressors are allowed. There are 20 targets total. Magazine capacity is unlimited.

Pin Set Position:
N/A

LRPF

This is a one person rifle event. Start position is standing behind table, rifle loaded with safety on and resting on the table. At the start signal, engage 15 six inch lollypop plates from an unsupported position. Rifle slings are allowed. Optics, compensators, muzzle brakes and suppressors are allowed. 30 Rounds to start, reload capacity is unlimited.

Pin Set Position:
N/A

Shoot Off!

Go head to head in a single elimination mega match.  Compete in the OSS / Master Blaster 5 Pin Shoot Off’s with your Stock or Pin guns, then give the 5 Pin Shotgun or PCC Shoot Off a try. Shoot Off's are held multiple times throughout the Pin Shoot.

Shoot Off Event Description
The Pin Shoot 2025

2025 Event Dates & Registration

The next Pin Shoot is set to take place on June 7th - June 12th, 2025.
Online registration for Main & Optional Events is open.
2024 ResultsRegister

Have Some Questions?

We have all the information to ensure you have a great first experience at The Pin Shoot.