The object of IHMSA competition is to knock down metallic silhouette targets with a handgun. There are disciplines of IHMSA competition: Big Bore, Small Bore, Field Pistol and Air Pistol; with each discipline subdivided into multiple categories.

Targets consist of metallic silhouettes of chickens, pigs, turkeys and rams.

Targets are fired upon in timed, two minute stages, firing at five targets per stage.