Some of the best competitive pistol shooters around are in Nova Scotia this week for the International Practical Shooting Confederation’s Canadian Nationals.

Hundreds of competitors and volunteers from around the world have gathered in Devon, N.S. for the event, which runs until Sunday.

“This is an exciting individual sport, kinda like golf, so it's a personal challenge to see how good you are and actually what you can do,” says Sean Hanson, IPSC Canada regional director.

The sport evolved in the 1970s out of police training.

“The competition is based on accuracy and speed, so there's scoring on the targets and the speed that it takes to shoot the targets,” says Jim Smith, match director for this year’s nationals.

From young adults to seniors, the sport is open to anyone with an interest in pistol shooting; however there are some requirements in order to participate.

“You have to take your firearms safety course, then you get a fire arms license, then you have to be a member of a club, and once you're a member of a club then you can travel, you get permits, then you can travel anywhere in the world,” says Smith.

Medha Russell has travelled from Ottawa to partake in the competition. She's a three-time Canadian ladies champion.

“It's action-shooting, it's running and gunning, hand-eye coordination, it's awesome,” says Russell. “It's an extreme sport and I think everybody should try it.”

Winners from this championship will improve their chances of making the world shoot teams in France next year.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Suzette Belliveau