Police Pistol Combat (PPC) Classic Course
A long-standing civilian and law-enforcement competition/qualification course, historically used as a baseline by many state and local agencies. Fired at 7, 15, 25, and 50 yards on a 10-point scoring target across four stages.
Reference standard
60 rounds
480/600 (80%) for basic classification
Read this first
Representative structure based on the long-published NRA PPC course. Exact stage design, target, and classification scores have evolved over decades of revisions — check current NRA PPC rules for the up-to-date version.
Course of Fire
| Distance | Rounds | Position | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 yd | 12 | Standing, two-hand | 20 sec (2 x 6-rd strings) | |
| 15 yd | 18 | Standing, incl. reload | 90 sec total | |
| 25 yd | 18 | Standing / kneeling / barricade | 2 x 90 sec | |
| 50 yd | 12 | Prone or barricade, slow fire | 4 min total | Longest distance, precision |
Scoring Tiers
| Tier | Score Range |
|---|---|
| Master | 570-600 pts (95-100%) |
| Expert | 540-569 pts (90-94%) |
| Sharpshooter | 510-539 pts (85-89%) |
| Marksman | 480-509 pts (80-84%) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many rounds are fired in the NRA Police Pistol Combat (PPC) Classic Course?
- This course of fire totals 60 rounds across 4 stages, fired at 7 yd, 15 yd, 25 yd, 50 yd.
- What score do you need to pass the NRA Police Pistol Combat (PPC) Classic Course?
- The minimum passing standard is 480/600 (80%) for basic classification. Higher hit percentages earn higher classifications: Master (570-600 pts (95-100%)); Expert (540-569 pts (90-94%)); Sharpshooter (510-539 pts (85-89%)); Marksman (480-509 pts (80-84%)).
- Is this the official course of fire?
- Representative structure based on the long-published NRA PPC course. Exact stage design, target, and classification scores have evolved over decades of revisions — check current NRA PPC rules for the up-to-date version.
Practice toward this standard
Log shot groups, check your stance, track drills, and print practice targets built for qualification-style scoring — free in the Range Coach app.
Open Range Coach Printable Targets