The 1979 IPSC Handgun World Shoot IV held in Johannesburg, South Africa was the fourth IPSC Handgun World Shoot, and was won by Jimmy Von Sorgenfrei, one of the top seeds before the championship. Leading up to the championship, the South African team had many good competitors, making the team selection tough. Seemingly out of nowhere Jimmy Von Sorgenfrei had appeared on the competition circuit, improving his performances consistently throughout the year before the championship, and was selected for the South African National Team of five men.