By Leighton Oosthuisen
Member of the 2014, 2017, 2022, 2024 World Shoot teams
With the selection of the teams that will be representing the US Region at the Handgun World Shoot happening right now, it may be of interest to members considering attending to know what they are getting into.
The 2025 Handgun World Shoot will be held at the Frontier Shooting Range in Stillfontein South Africa.
The official date is Sep 16 to 28th, 2025.
The pre match will be 16- 20th and the main match 22-27th September.
RANGE
The range is located about 2.5 hours South of Johannesburg, between the towns of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.
There are a number of hotels, lodges and guest homes in the area.
The range is the home of Frontier Metals, the manufacturer of FMP bullets. FMP is also a major sponsor of the 2025 HWS.
There are 32-25 bays, ranging from small to rifle distance. Parking is in front of the range, but they plan to add more for the HWS.
DISCLAIMER
I write this as an informational document for the HWS. Attending a World Shoot requires significant effort. Travelling with firearms is always a challenge. Travelling internationally can be a nightmare. There are many things that can go wrong, especially if you don’t follow the rules, or fail to make appropriate arrangements.
If this article overwhelms you, and you feel panic creeping in, maybe decline the slot. As I said, international travel with firearms can be a lot. But if you have a sense of adventure, and you feel you want to feel the exhilaration of competing for your country, then do it.
COSTS
World Shoot adventures can also be expensive. Arrangements can go wrong. You may need to make changes last minute that can drive up the cost. If you are borrowing or stealing to pay for this trip, it may not be for you. Don’t let your kids go hungry while you are trying to win the Cadillac.
That said, there are solutions to everything. Do your homework and speak to others. More than likely, more than half of the 2025 HWS USA Region team have never travelled outside of the USA. And less than a dozen have travelled to South Africa.
I estimate the costs for this match if you are on a tight budget, sharing with another, to be about $3,000 per person. On top of that, your slot will be $650, payable to USPSA when you commit to going. (USPSA has to pay in advance for the individual slots and team slots)
If you want to fly a little more comfortably, allow for about $5,000 total for the trip. Business class to SA is pricey - $7-$10k. Rental cars are not crazy in South Africa, but are more than in the USA. You do not need any special drivers license. Check the car you rent, as many if not most are manual transmission.
If you plan to hunt, anything is available – at a price. Payable in dollars, about $1,000 to tens of thousands for exotic game. There are many many options in between.
A more luxury resort or game lodge will set you back $200-$200 per day.
FLIGHTS
When making reservations stick with airlines that are better known. Avoid using two different carriers as they don’t always play nice. Be especially cautious of budget “code-share” flights. They will often turn around later and refuse to let you travel with firearms.
Allow time to acclimate, and to facilitate changes in schedules. Plan on layovers of at least three hours to allow for firearms to be transferred. Certain airports such as London Heathrow DO NOT ALLOW firearms at all. If you transit via international airports you may be required to have transit permits for your firearms.
I always recommend a non-stop flight to South Africa. Keep it simple!
AFRICAN NATIONALS
A group of us traveled to SA recently (September 2024) for the African Nationals, a Level IV 24 stage match. All but one of us traveled to Atlanta and then Atlanta to Johannesburg. It is a long flight, but overnight which makes it easier to handle. But nearly 16 hours in the air! Delta food is not bad. We left around 9PM Eastern and arrived at Tambo Airport around 7PM SA time. When traveling on these long flights, it may be more comfortable to upgrade your seats. The food is better and you are also allowed additional weight. Check with the airline.
There is a six-hour time change from Eastern to Johannesburg time, or nine hours from Pacific. Basically, day to night. I always struggle with this, so plan ahead. It takes three to five days to acclimate to the time change.
CUSTOMS
Clearing customs was simple. Make sure your passport is not older than 10 years, and you have at least three months left from the date of departure back to the USA, and two blank pages.
Bags are divided into two groups. Those containing firearms, and those not. With firearms, I recommend packing both primary and backup in a hard sided locked case, which you place within another suitcase. Ammunition can be in both bags, but must be separate from your firearms. I strongly recommend taking a back up firearm. Spares and parts are extremely difficult to find in South Africa. And very expensive compared to USA prices.
Procedure to collect bags and firearms is different in RSA. Generally when you travel overseas, you pick up your non-gun bags first, then head to customs where you pick up your firearms case. In some cases firearms cases come off at the same time as your non-firearms cases, so plan on watching the pick up area carefully until you are sure you have your bags and your gun case has not come off. Then go to Customs.
In South Africa this procedure is different. You pick up your general bags first off the carousel. Your gun bags are taken directly to the Police office, a tiny room OUTSIDE of the secured arrival area. So you take the Green Line, (nothing to declare), exit the secure area, take a right and walk a short distance to the Police office. You are still within the terminal. Here you identify yourself, show your paperwork, open your gun case and show them your firearms. They will handle the guns and check serial numbers. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having accurate serial numbers, permits and paperwork. You may be sent home, potentially arrested or have your firearms confiscated. The Police will NOT hold your firearms while you obtain a permit. South Africa, like most foreign countries, are incredibly strict on licenses.
TRAVELING WITH AMMUNITION
Regarding ammunition, there is some grey area here. When we arrived, they did not check or count ammo. Despite the fact we had applied for 1,000 rounds of ammo on our permits, our permits were amended to say we are allowed 500 rounds as a sporting competitor. (Self defense license allows 200 rounds maximum.) However, no one questioned us on ammo. It may have been that they knew we were the USA Team, or that we had the On Target staff assisting us.
Remember airlines have a strict 11 lbs (5KG) ammo limit PER PERSON. So your wife, kid or grandmother can be your mule. The airline will ask for your permits at check-in and will not allow you to fly without permits / licenses. But after that they don’t care. HOWEVER, if you buy a ticket that has a layover and an airline change, they may well recheck your ammunition. When we flew to Thailand for the 2022 World Shoot, a number of competitors had their ammunition, or some of it, confiscated. By the way, it seems the higher the class of ticket, the less you will be questioned. Go figure…
I am aware some competitors pack 11 lbs of ammo in each of two bags, effectively giving them 22 lbs or about 700 rounds. You can try that, and it may work. But some airlines will ask you to unpack all your ammo and they will weigh it.
AMMUNITION IN SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa you must have a license for ANY ammunition you have on your person. So you cannot have 9mm ammo if you are permitted for a 45. It took us a couple of hours to clear customs and pick up firearms.
I see this procedure as being a potential backlog. It took us an hour to clear eight people. Do the math on 50 to 100 people arriving on one flight. There are also many hunters arriving with guns, so allow for that.
PERMITS
South Africa allows you TWO similar firearms for sporting purposes. And yes, if asked, if asked , state they are for sporting purposes. Do not discuss or mention self defense. That requires a different license which you as a US Region team member will not have. There is significant pushback against firearms used for self defense. There is no Second Amendment in South Africa, and they will not find that funny. (I should add you may encounter rude customs (CBP) officials on your return to the USA and dealing with firearms.)
CONCEALED CARRY
So the most common questions I get asked. Can you carry a firearm for self defense? Can you carry concealed?
The short answer is yes, kinda. More on that later.
IS IT SAFE?
The other answer I get asked: Is it safe?
Again yes, kinda.
South African has areas of risk, and areas where minimal issues exist. The road between the airport and the range is moderate risk in the day, higher at night.
But the town of Klerksdorp is a lot safer. I would still suggest avoiding the CBD, and traveling in groups. I would not venture out alone at night. There is no nightlife as such. This is not Thailand. Restaurants are awesome and safe, but tip the “car guards”. The road to the range is also a travel in groups event. About 20 min from the small town of Klerskdorp, and 30 min from the larger town of Potchefstroom. I prefer Klerksdorp.
Can you use deadly force to defend yourself?
Yes, you are allowed to defend yourself, but you must be in danger. No chasing people, or protecting property. Assume you are in California. Avoid conflict as much as possible. More on that later.
Remember, you MUST have your license, which is your SAP permit, with you AT ALL TIMES. On the range, while driving, in your hotel, etc. I suggest printing a few, maybe laminating, copies and keeping one in your car, gun case and hotel room. Technically you cannot keep someone else’s firearm.
LICENSES AND PERMITS
Let me clarify some of this so you are clear.
So what is a license. Except for the United States, almost every country in the world requires you have a License for your firearm. Some countries allow general licenses, but most require that EACH FIREARM has its own license.
In South Africa barrels are licenses as well, so if you have a spare barrel, you need to add it to your permit.
Of course, we are blessed in the USA. We don’t have licenses for each firearm, or for any firearm for that matter. So for anyone travelling outside of the country with firearms you have to obtain a form 4457 from Customs Border Patrol. (CBP)
https://www.cbp.gov/document/forms/form-4457-certificate-registration-personal-effects-taken-abroad
The 4457 is really Registration of Personal Assets taken Abroad, so you can also use it for expensive cameras or electronics. But we use it for all firearms. There is some debate that you should also register scopes but I have never been asked. When we travelled to the Rifle World Shoot in Finland, some people took a spare Upper. That needs to be permitted as well and will also need a 4457.
You obtain your 4457 by taking all your firearms, uppers, barrels etc to your nearest CBP office. They are normally located near the airport. Complete your 4457 paperwork ahead of time. I type mine neatly but you can handwrite it. Take your unloaded firearm inside the office and request an official sign and stamp it. They will verify the serial number and description. Remember to type (write) exactly what is on your firearm. If it says 2011, then write that. My barrel says 9mm, so I type 2011 .38 9mm Supercomp. Keep it simple. Make at least five copies of all this paperwork.
In South Africa, your license consists of two items:
Your Form 4457 and your South African Police (SAP) firearms permit.
Technically also your passport so they can identify you if asked.
As dumb as this sounds, ensure your firearm serial numbers are accurate on the permit.
The firearm permits will be applied for a few months before the match, and you cannot change the details later. So while preparing and practicing try not to blow up or damage the firearms you will use in the match. In fact I would suggest using a backup for preparation.
When applying for your firearms permit, you will need to supply an Invite from IPSC South Africa, a copy of the 4457, and a copy of your passport. More than likely they will also need a copy of your flight tickets and destination hotel. This means that you will need to commit to these reservations by mid 2025 so that when it comes time to apply for permits, you have your arrangements in place.
Don’t forget the 4457 or your permit will be held back. They often issue permits in batches, so if your permit delays, you can delay an entire group of people. (Don’t ask how we know that.)
In an ideal world, you will have your permits two to four months before the World Shoot. We received our permits for the African Nationals a few days before getting on a plane. Not ideal!
GUN PICK UP AT THE AIRPORT
After you clear customs, and clear gun pickup at the airport Police Station, you are free to head for the range, stay overnight or meet with friends.
I had arranged with onTarget to meet us and provide a security escort from Johannesburg to Klerksdorp. I think we will arrange for this next year as well. It is not inexpensive, but these guys are pros and former LE, so know the ropes. More importantly, if there is a problem, its cheaper for them to handle issues than for us.
OnTarget also helped us with permits, and made other arrangements. They are a full service company and I would highly recommend them. They are the concierge service for the match.
Do you need security?
No, many people travel all over without any, and in many areas they consider carrying a gun to be unnecessary. But to each their own. I know there are some countries arranging security and drivers for their teams.
Earlier I discussed the time issue on arrival. By the time we had cleared customs, eaten and picked up our rental cars, it was late. Maybe 10PM. This is NOT the time to be driving around Johannesburg. I have previously stayed over at an hotel at the Airport, and then travelled in the day the next morning. Some of you may prefer that.
BUS SERVICE
We can also look into arranging a bus to transport everyone from Johannesburg airport to the range hotels. Much safer and likely easier. You will be seriously tired from the flight, so picking up a rental car, and driving 2.5 hours at night, on the wrong side of the road, in high risk area…. You get the idea.
The bus could do a run at night, and then again the next morning for those that want to stay over in Johannesburg. Options are endless, and the organizers will accommodate most requests.
WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD
Yes, South Africans drive on the LEFT side of the road. This takes a couple of days to get used to. There are some quirky rules.
Traffic lights are robots. A red light is a slow down and yield late at night. Stop signs are slow down and go, but not always. There are literally thousands of speed cameras, just as in Europe. There is NO turn on red.
TRANSPORTATION
Most people get around with private taxi services. But avoid taxis. Taxis are often group taxis, so you may find yourself jumping in a van with ten to fifteen others. Long story but you may not be well received.
Rental cars are expensive but not unreasonable. We may also arrange private vans or busses to move the various people around. I suggest travelling in groups or convoys. I am told other countries are planning this. Americans are very independent and generally don’t like sharing, but that is a personal preference. But this may be the place to consider sharing transportation. Distances are short (once in Klerksdorp or Potchefstroom). Restaurants are a short 5-10 minute drive. Range is 20 min. There is not much to do here, other than shoot, eat and hunt. More on hunting in a future article.
CURRENCY AND TIPPING
The exchange rate is roughly $1 to R18 (rands). Easy way to convert is take the Rand number and divide by 2 and then by 10. So R120 is 120/2=60, divide by 10 equals $6.
A burger costs R80 to R150, so $4 to $7.50.
Food is super cheap, and you can get an awesome meal for $40 that would cost $120 in the USA.
Tipping is generally around 10%. But most people I know tip 20%, then realize they are tipping like $1, and increase. South African money is like Monopoly money. A tip of R100 ($5) is huge to them. Every time you park they will have “car guards”. Tip them R50 ($2.50) and they will prevent simple thefts of your cars. I often tip when I arrive, and promise another tip when I leave – especially if we have “toys” in the car. (You are not allowed to leave guns in the car!) You will sign a declaration to that effect. I generally carry a backpack with my two guns in it. And a loaded mag.
Hotels generally have a gun safe. Technically ammo needs to be locked up as well. I transfer my ammo to my pistol case which I lock as well. Yes, I know not everyone does that, but rules are rules.
If you choose to keep your competition pistol loaded, make sure you remember to unload it before arriving at the range, on stage, at a safety area or worse, when told to make ready. That would be a match DQ and an expensive lesson. This applies to dummy rounds as well. Yes, it has happened. Florida 2014.
FINALLY
Knowledge is power. But it also helps explain the things that make people nervous.
I haven’t covered everything I can think of, but this is a good start.
If you are planning to shoot the SA World Shoot, be aware you are one of about 1,800 competitors, so there will be delays everywhere. Plan ahead.
Representing your country is one of the most exciting experiences you will every have. The Opening Ceremonies will be like a blur; the energy of around 50 countries and hundreds of competitors is amazing.
Yes, it comes with some challenges, but I genuinely believe the reward is worth it.
Feel free to reach out to me if you have further questions. I will do what I can to help.
[email protected]
Area 2 Director
Chair of the World Shoot Selection Committee
US