10m Shooting Gear Checklist: What to Buy and When

The first time you see a serious 10m shooter unpack their bag, it can look overwhelming. Jacket, trousers, special shoes, glasses with odd attachments, gloves, stands, tools. Do you really need all of that?

Not on day one. This checklist explains what each item does, when it is worth buying, and what you can safely skip while you are learning. It covers 10m Air Rifle and 10m Air Pistol.

A note on rules: in competitions, clothing and equipment must meet ISSF rules and may be checked at equipment control. Rules on clothing were updated in the 2026 ISSF rulebook, so check the current rules or ask your coach before buying competition clothing.

Stage 1: your first weeks

At this stage, the club usually provides the rifle or pistol and pellets. You need very little of your own.

• Comfortable clothes you can stand in for an hour
• Flat, stable shoes (sports shoes are fine at first)
• A notebook or diary app to record every session
• Ear protection if your range is noisy or shared with other disciplines
• A small towel and water bottle

That is genuinely enough to start.

Stage 2: once you are sure you will continue

Your own rifle or pistol

Buy it with your coach's advice, ideally after trying a few models. A match air rifle or air pistol should fit you: grip size, length of pull (for rifle) and weight balance all matter. A good second-hand gun from a trusted source can be a sensible choice, but have your coach check it.

Pellets

Match pellets vary from batch to batch. Many shooters test a few types and batches in their own gun and stick with the one that groups best. Store them dry and handle them carefully, because a damaged pellet can mean a wide shot.

Shooting glasses (optional at first)

Shooting glasses hold a lens close to your aiming eye and often include a side blinder for the other eye. They help keep the sight picture clear and let you relax the non-aiming eye. If you wear spectacles, an optometrist familiar with shooting can help with the right lens.

A pistol or rifle stand

A stand to rest your gun between shots on the firing line is useful, especially for rifle. It saves your arms and keeps your setup consistent.

Stage 3: rifle-specific clothing

Rifle shooters in the standing position use special clothing:

• Shooting jacket: stiff, fitted clothing that supports the body and arms in position
• Shooting trousers: support the legs and hips
• Shooting shoes: flat, firm soles that help you stand still
• Glove: worn on the hand that supports the rifle

These items are expensive and must be fitted to your body. Buy them only after your coach is happy with your position, because a jacket that fits the wrong position can lock in bad habits. Second-hand clothing can work for juniors who are still growing, if it fits.

Pistol shooters do not use this kind of supportive clothing. Comfortable clothes and flat shoes are enough, and ISSF rules restrict clothing that would support the body in pistol events.

Stage 4: useful extras

• Spotting scope: less important on electronic targets, more useful on paper targets and at 50 metres
• Kit bag or case: a padded case for your gun and a bag for clothing
• Basic tools: the tools your gun's manual recommends for sight and grip adjustments
• Cleaning kit: as your gun's manufacturer recommends
• Timer: for practising timed series

Things not to rush

• Expensive upgrades before the basics are solid. A better rifle will not fix a weak position or a jerked trigger.
• Buying clothing without a fitting.
• Changing equipment right before a big competition. Make changes in the off-season and test them in practice first.

Keep a record of your equipment

Note when you change anything: a new pellet batch, a sight adjustment, a different grip, new shoes. If your scores change, you will know whether the equipment had anything to do with it. A shooting diary is the simplest way to keep track.

Buying or selling used gear

Many shooters sell clothing, stands, scopes and bags they have outgrown. The marketplace in the Shooters Pocket Diary app lists non-weapon shooting gear only, such as clothing, shoes, glasses, stands, scopes and bags, after admin approval. It does not allow guns, pellets or gun parts.

Frequently asked questions

What should I buy first? After the basics, most coaches suggest your own gun first, then (for rifle) clothing once your position is settled.

Can I compete in my first state championship with club equipment? In many clubs, yes, as long as the equipment meets the rules for the competition. Check with your club and the competition circular.

How often should pellets be changed? Many shooters keep using a batch that groups well in their gun. Test new batches before matches rather than switching on competition day.

Read next: the 10m Air Rifle beginners guide and the 10m Air Pistol beginners guide.