Service Pistol
Way back in probably the 1960's the FBI developed a training pistol match which was soon used by civilian shooters and called the Combat Match.
In New Zealand Pistol NZ introduced Service Pistol in 1982 as the first "Action" style event here. Initially, the match was shot starting with the pistol at 45 degrees but we allowed, and indeed encouraged, the pistol to be stored in a holster as the shooters moved down the range.
This was well before the introduction of NRA Action and IPSC matches, both of which did require drawing from the holster.
The Match
The course of fire consists of 90 shots fired at four distances from 50 down to 7 yards, and times between 2 minute 45 seconds for 24 shots to 4 seconds for 6 shots. 24 shots at 50 yards includes prone, sitting or kneeling and both left and right barricade. 36 shots are fired at 25 yards including more barricade and some standing clear of the barricade. 18 shots at 10 yards some of which must be fired strong and weak hand only. And the final series of 12 shots at 7 yards is almost the signature series of this match as it is done un-aimed, that is without raising the pistol above the shoulder.
Some Rules
When changing position during a series the pistol must be unloaded before moving. If you only have big magazines you must take it out, clear and then reload after changing position. Feet must be kept within lines running backwards from the sides of the barricade, whether this is a board or a post. Unlike NRA, when shooting round the barricade the pistol must be fired using the same hand as the side of the barricade. The range commands are Load, Are You Ready, Fire (no Standby). Rulebooks are available from the Pistol NZ Section Director website for about $15
Summary
So, there is a brief description of Service Pistol. This discipline tests your entire pistol shooting skills in a 90 shot match, and doesn't need a fancy pistol. It's one of the best all round tests of pistol shooting there is and the skills learned/honed can be transferred over into just about any of the other disciplines currently shot in NZ.