NROI Interpretation for the Production Division Equipment Rules (Appendix D4)
March 7, 2009
General interpretation(s):
In accordance with the direction of the Board and their statement of intent with regard to Production Division equipment rules, NROI hereby issues the following ruling:
n External modifications continue to be strictly constrained to items specifically listed below.
n Some specific classes of internal modifications are now specifically allowed, but in general internal modifications remain constrained to items specifically listed.
n If a conflict appears to exist between these general statements and the listed details, below, the specifics listed in the notes and clarifications below shall be deemed definitive.
n The burden of responsibility is on the shooter to ensure that his/her equipment is compliant with these provisions. If a modification is disputed – either by a Match Official or a competitor, under 11.1.2 and 11.7 – the competitor may be required to provide evidence of a specific clause in the rules or published NROI rulings which specifically authorizes the modification.
n While the rules are currently silent on a Match Official’s authority to disassemble a competitor’s equipment, a competitor may – at any time – be required to prove that the equipment is compliant with the equipment rules, up to and including the disassembly of their equipment to verify compliance and proper function (e.g., the proper operation of factory safety mechanisms).
n A competitor who cannot demonstrate that his/her equipment is compliant with these provisions will be moved to Open Division, under 6.2.5.1
Except as specifically modified below, all other clauses in Appendix D4 remain in effect, along with any applicable NROI rulings. In order to carry binding authority in competition, an NROI ruling must be published in Front Sight and/or on the USPSA web-page.
NROI Interpretation for the Production Division Equipment Rules (Appendix D4)
[date_tbd], 2009
Specific clauses and related interpretation(s):
Appendix Item |
Current Language |
January-09 Interpretation/clarification |
21 |
Authorized Modifications (strictly limited to these items and their stated guidelines) |
Please note that, during a match, a shooter may be required to demonstrate that their gun is in compliance with Division rules by identifying a specific rules clause or interpretation which authorizes any disputed modification. If the shooter cannot identify an authorizing rules-clause or interpretation, the RM shall rule that the modification is PROHIBITED for Production use and shall move the shooter to Open Division. |
21.1 |
Internal throating and polishing to improve accuracy, reliability and function. |
3/09 INTERPRETATION: Because internal modifications are currently very difficult to enforce, NROI now deems that this clause means “INTERNAL modifications which do NOT conflict with other clauses of this appendix are NOW ALLOWED. Special Notes/Clarifications: n See 21.3 for specifics with regard to slides. n See 21.4 for specifics with regard to barrels. n ALL factory safety mechanisms, whether internal or external, must remain functional. n See 22.2 for specifics on external safeties. n Per existing NROI ruling, any “internal” modifications which result in a visible change to the external appearance of the gun when it is in battery REMAIN PROHIBITED unless specifically allowed by the plain language herein. |
21.3a |
Slide - refinishing |
Per existing NROI ruling, cosmetically enhancing the finish of a slide is already ALLOWED in Production Division, provided that the finish provides no competitive advantage. 3/09 INTERPRETATION: This clause is NOW interpreted to specifically ALLOW refinishing the frame, as well as the slide, subject to the existing constraints on refinishing (cosmetic only, no competitive advantage). Special Notes/Clarifications: n Any finish which provides a non-cosmetic function will be deemed PROHIBITED. For example, a gun finish which provides a roughened texture in an area where grip tape is not allowed (Appendix E4) is a PROHIBITED modification. |
21.3b |
Milling of slide – only as required to insert sights. |
Remains in effect – a slide may be modified specifically for the purpose of installing sights, and for no other purpose. |
21.4 21.4 (cont) |
After-market slides and barrels – provided they are the same length, contour and caliber as original factory standard. |
SLIDES: Current rules remain in effect – You may replace the slide with an OEM or aftermarket slide which is of the same length, contour and caliber as the original slide for that model of gun. BARRELS: Current rules remain in effect - you may replace the barrel with an OEM or aftermarket barrel which is of the same length, contour and caliber as the original barrel for that model of gun. Special Notes/Clarifications: n For purposes of this interpretation, a barrel within +/- 0.1” of OEM is “the same length”. |
21.5 |
Grips |
3/09 INTERPRETATION: Revolver grips may be replaced with OEM or aftermarket grips of any shape, profile and surface texture. n See 22.4, below, for specifics with regard to modifications on revolver grips. |
21.6 |
Exchange of minor components (springs, safeties, slide stops, guide rods) |
3/09 INTERPRETATION - INTERNAL parts: This clause is NOW interpreted to mean that a broad range of INTERNAL parts may be modified or replaced – either with OEM or aftermarket parts. Special Notes/Clarifications: n Springs, strikers, sears, connector/disconnectors, and any other part which is NOT visible when the gun is in battery is considered an INTERNAL part and may be modified or replaced unless otherwise prohibited in these provisions (see section 22 for specific prohibitions). n Guide rods are considered an “internal part” and may be modified and/or replaced with OEM or aftermarket guide rods even though part of the guide rod is externally visible when the gun is in battery. Note that the weight limits in D4-18 remain in force and relevant. 3/09 INTERPRETATION - EXTERNAL parts: components which are externally visible may ONLY be replaced with OEM parts which are offered on the specific model of gun, another approved gun from the same manufacturer except as specifically clarified below Special Notes/Clarifications: n Barrels are considered an “external part” and are subject to specific restrictions in 21.4 and associated rulings. n Aftermarket parts which extend the length of the magazine releases may be used. Magazine releases which provide a larger surface area (paddles, buttons) may only be used if an OEM part available on an approved model of gun. n Parts from “custom shop” guns will only be considered “OEM parts” if the custom-shop gun is on the NROI list of approved Production guns. |
22 22 (cont’d) |
Specifically prohibited modifications and features |
Please note that the absence of an item in the list of prohibited modifications MAY NOT be construed to mean a modification is allowed. A modification is only allowed in Production Division if there is a rules clause or interpretation which specifically declares that it is allowed in the Division. |
22.2 |
Disabling of any external safety or externally operated safety |
Remains in effect – external- and externally-operated safety mechanisms must remain operable. (no change) Special Notes/Clarifications: n For purposes of this clause, a “trigger safety” is externally visible, and must remain operable. n For purposes of this clause, the prohibition on “disabling” means that you may NOT modify an external safety mechanism in any way that affects its function as a safety per the OEM design. n For purposes of this clause, a magazine-disconnect is not considered a safety mechanism, and may be removed. Please note that other clauses in the body of the competition rules require that a “trigger mechanism must, at all times, function safely” (5.1.4), that handguns must be “serviceable and safe” (5.1.6) and that the Range Master is the final authority on the definition of “safety” as it pertains to the mechanism of the gun (8.1.2.4). 3/09 INTERPRETATION: We deem this to mean that a gun on which safety mechanisms have been removed or disabled will be considered “unserviceable or unsafe”, per 5.1.6 It is the competitor’s responsibility to be able to demonstrate at any time that all factory safety mechanisms are functional, regardless of whether they are internal or external. |
22.4 |
Grips – any addition or removal of material which changes the factory profile or adds function such as beavertail or thumbrest. |
3/09 INTERPRETATION: As noted above (21.5) Revolver grips may be replaced with OEM or aftermarket grips of any shape, profile and surface texture. 22.4 is deemed to NOT APPLY to REVOLVER grips. Adding or removing material to change the profile of Revolver grips is ALLOWED. |
22.5 |
External plugs (such as Seattle Slug) |
Remains in effect – external plugs which alter the grip profile or extend past the bottom of the grip are PROHIBITED. Plugs which add significant weight to the gun are PROHIBITED. Special Notes/Clarifications: n Per existing NROI ruling, a plastic plug which fits flush (+/- 0.1”) with heel of the grip IS allowed. n For purposes of this interpretation, a plug weighing more than 0.5 ounce is considered “adding significant weight”. |
22.6 |
Magwell opening |
3/09 INTERPRETATION: The longitudinal (front-to-back) dimension of the opening may be more than 1/4” greater than the corresponding dimension of a magazine. Restrictions on external flaring remain in effect. |
Special Cond #2 |
Unless specifically authorized above, modifications are prohibited. |
3/09 INTERPRETATION: UNLESS a modification is SPECIFICALLY authorized in the rules or SPECIFICALLY authorized in an official, published NROI interpretation, it is considered a PROHIBITED MODIFICATION. |