Federal shooting exercises in Switzerland - Everything you need to know at a glance
The Federal shooting exercises are a central component of the Swiss shooting tradition and are organised annually for members of the armed forces (AdA) and shooting sports enthusiasts. They not only serve to Shooting skillbut are also a prerequisite for taking ownership of the personal military weapon.
What are the federal shooting exercises?
The Federal shooting exercises are an official compulsory exercise for members of the armed forces in Switzerland, which involves shooting with service weapons. This includes the Compulsory shootingwhich is mandatory for members of the armed forces. The Federal shooting competition On the other hand, the "Rifle Shoot" is a voluntary shooting exercise that is strongly linked to military tradition and is organised by shooting clubs and recognised shooting ranges. Both exercises serve to promote shooting skills and safety in handling the weapon and are part of military training in Switzerland.
Further information on the exercises:
Who can take part in the federal shooting exercises?
- Members of the armed forces (AdA)who have to train and prove their shooting skills
- Non-association membersif they are assigned to an association for supervision
- Civilianswho are interested in the sport of shooting with rifles
Which weapons are authorised?
During the federal shooting exercises, only with authorised weapons are shot, including:
✅ Assault rifle 90 (Stgw 90)
✅ Assault rifle 57 (Stgw 57)
✅ P75 and P49 pistols
A complete list of authorised weapons and permitted aids can be found in the official List of accessories for ordnance weapons (PDF).
Procedure for federal shooting exercises
Compulsory shooting programme (300m)
| Shot type | Disc |
|---|---|
| Practice shots (voluntary) | A5 disc |
| 5 single shots | A5 disc |
| 5 single shots | Disc B4 |
| 2 shots rapid fire | Disc B4 |
| 3 shots rapid fire | Disc B4 |
| 5 shots rapid fire | Disc B4 |
Federal Field Shooting Programme (300m)
| Competition mode | Shots | Time | Evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single fire | 6 shots | 6 minutes | After each shot |
| Short fire | 2 series with 3 shots each | 60 seconds per series | After each series |
| Rapid fire | 6 shots | 60 seconds total | At the end |
Participants must have a Achieve minimum scoreto successfully complete the exercise.
Why take part in the federal shooting exercises?
✅ Compulsory exercise for members of the armed forces
✅ Prerequisite for the Acquisition of the personal military weapon
✅ Improvement of the Shooting technique and accuracy
✅ Traditional promotion of the Shooting sports in Switzerland
✅ Shared experience with other shooters
Dates and registration
The federal shooting exercises take place at fixed times each year. The exact Dates and locations are organised by the local Shooting clubs and shooting ranges published.
ℹ️ Interested parties can register directly with a local shooting club or register online via the official channels.
Deutsch 
Français 
Italiano 
English (UK)