| USPSA 14th Edition Rules |
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Competitor equipment is specifically restricted by the regulations for the Division declared by the competitor before the start of the competition. Specific regulations for each of the Divisions are contained in See : Divisions. . General regulations for IPSC equipment are provided in the following sections.
Handguns are separated by Division, but within the regulations of each Division, the firearms shall not be restricted by action or type. The same conditions for time, distance, and scoring shall apply equally to all.
The minimum caliber for handguns to be used in IPSC competitions is 9mm (.354 inches).
The minimum cartridge for handguns to be used in competition is 9 X 19.
There shall be no restriction on the type of sights except as specified in See : Divisions. .
There shall be no restriction on the trigger pull weight of the handgun except as specified in See : Divisions. . In all cases the handgun must function safely and as originally designed.
Handguns shall be serviceable and safe. Officiating Range Officers shall have the right to demand examination of a competitor's handgun or related equipment at any time. Examinations may include the primary safety which in all instances must be completely functional in accordance with the original manufacturer's design. The half cock notch, disconnector, and hammer block may also be inspected to ensure that they are functioning as originally designed. If a handgun is declared unserviceable or unsafe, it shall be withdrawn from the competition. The Range Master or Match Director shall have the final authority in decisions relating to this action.
In a single competition, a competitor shall use the same handgun for all courses of fire. However, in the event that a competitor's original handgun becomes unserviceable or unsafe during a competition, they may seek permission from the officiating Range Master or Match Director to use a substitute handgun provided:
The substitute handgun satisfies the requirements of the declared Division and is of the same type, action, and caliber as the handgun the competitor used to start the competition.
In using the substitute handgun the competitor will not gain a competitive advantage.
The competitor's ammunition, when tested in the substitute handgun, attains the minimum power factor for the declared Division using the official match chronograph.
A competitor shall never use or wear on his person more than one (1) handgun.
Trigger shoes that extend beyond the width of the trigger guard are expressly prohibited. Handguns with a trigger shoe attached in violation of the above shall be declared unsafe and immediately removed from the competition.
Detachable shoulder stocks are prohibited in IPSC competition.
In most courses of fire, the competitor's handgun will be securely holstered, with hands clear of the handgun and other equipment prior to the start signal. Other starting positions for the handgun may be stipulated in the written stage briefing.
Where an IPSC approved Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun may extend away from a competitor's body, the Range Officer may check that a competitor's holstered handgun and equipment is in compliance with the requirements of his declared Division, by measuring:
The closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip.
The distance between the competitor's body and the inside length of handgun slide or in the case of a revolver the distance between the competitor's body and the cylinder.
These measurements shall be done while the competitor is standing naturally upright and must comply with the regulations for the declared Division.
Any competitor who fails the foregoing test shall be required to immediately adjust his holster or equipment to comply with the requirements of the declared Division.
The Range Master or Match Director shall make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.
A competitor may re-holster a handgun during a course of fire, provided the re-holstering is accomplished while the competitor is facing a safe direction, and the competitor is also in full compliance with all other safety rules.
The belt carrying the holster and all allied equipment shall be at waist level. Either the belt or the inner belt or both must be permanently fixed at the waist or fixed with a minimum of three belt loops.
Female competitors may be permitted (see Division regulations) to wear belts carrying their holster and other equipment at the hip level. A second belt at the waist level is permitted, however, all equipment must be carried on the lower belt.
For purposes of these regulations, the hip (tuberacity major of the femur) is defined as the furthest lateral points of the top of the femur. The top of the belt shall not be positioned below the top of this bone.
IPSC competitions shall not require the use of a particular type or brand of holster. Unless specified in the written stage briefing, or unless required by a Range Officer, the position of holsters and allied equipment shall not be moved or changed by a competitor during a competition. If a retaining strap is attached to a holster, it must be applied or closed in the Ready Positions throughout the match. See 8.2
Competitors shall not be permitted to commence a course of fire wearing:
A "tie-down" rig, visible or otherwise.
Uniformed police or military "duty rigs" or shoulder holsters (except as in 5.3.7 below)
A holster, with the heel of the butt of the handgun below the top of the belt;
A holster, with the muzzle of the handgun pointing farther than 1 meter from the competitor's feet while standing relaxed.
A holster which does not completely cover the trigger of the handgun.
are defined as holsters and allied equipment issued to active law enforcement officers or military personnel as standard equipment while on duty. Only active personnel in law enforcement and military service may use this equipment in competition and then only if the requirements of 5.3.6.4, 5.3.6.5 and 5.3.8 are satisfied.
Holsters shall be able to retain an unloaded handgun during:
A jump from a stationary start position over an obstacle 40cm high.
A jump from a stationary start over an obstacle 40cm high and while turning 90 degrees to the left or right in mid-air.
Failure during any holster test described above will require the holster to be withdrawn until it complies with the requirements.
Any activity within a course of fire.
Failure during 5.3.8.4. See Section10.
All competitors are warned that the correct use of eye and ear protection is in their own interest and of paramount importance to prevent unnecessary injury. It is suggested that eye and hearing protection be worn at all times while on the range.
Proper use of eye and ear protection is mandatory by competitors during competition.
Host organizations may require the use of such protection while on the range premises. In this case, range officials shall make every effort to ensure that all officials, spectators and competitors are wearing appropriate protection. If an official notices that a competitor has lost or displaced the safety glasses or ear protectors during a course of fire, the official shall immediately stop the competitor and re-shoot the course of fire after they have been replaced. The same procedure shall apply if a competitor has started a course of fire without eye protection or ear protection in place and the official realizes this after the start signal.
Any attempts to gain a competitive advantage by removing the safety glasses or ear protectors after the course of fire has commenced shall be unsportsmanlike conduct and the regulations in Section 11 shall apply.
Magazines and, speedloaders shall comply with the provisions of the declared Division. Pouches used to carry these items on the belt shall retain their equipment during the holster retention tests (see rule 5.3.8). Equipment that does not pass the test shall be withdrawn until it complies with the requirements.
Spare magazines or reloading devices inadvertently dropped or discarded by a competitor after the start signal may be safely retrieved. However, their retrieval shall, at all times, be subject to the safety rules applicable to that particular course of fire.
Metal piercing, incendiary or tracer ammunition is prohibited from IPSC competitions.
Any ammunition which, in the opinion of a Range Officer, is unsafe, shall be immediately withdrawn from the competition. The final decision rests with the Range Master or Match Director in such cases. Replacement ammunition must pass the requirements of the declared Division as tested by the match chronograph. If the replacement ammunition fails to meet the declared power factor limit, the competitor's match scores will be revised to reflect the new power factor.
The power ratings for each Division in IPSC competition are defined in See : Divisions. . A chronograph is used to determine the power factor for each firearm and ammunition. Sample cartridges for the chronograph will be taken from each competitor at a time and place determined by the match officials. Ammunition used by a competitor in a match must satisfy the requirements the power factor declared. Match officials may call for additional tests of a competitor's ammunition at any point during the match.
The power factor requirements for each Division are included in See : Divisions. . The chronograph will provide the bullet velocity for each competitor's ammunition and firearm. The actual bullet weight is then used with the velocity in the formula below.
Power Factor = bullet weight (grains) x velocity (feet per second)
1000
In the event that a competitor's ammunition does not meet the minimum power factor for the declared Division when calculated as above, the competitor's scores shall be removed from the match score. In this case, the competitor may continue in the competition however, no score or time will be recorded.
The Match Organizers must ensure the availability of a chronograph that has been properly setup and verified each day. In the absence of a functioning chronograph, no ammunition may be protested with respect to the declared power factor. Ammunition must be tested using the competitor's firearm.
The match chronograph readings must be verified each day in the following manner:
At the beginning of the first day of the match, the Range Officer will fire three rounds from the Popper calibration firearm over the chronograph. The average velocity of the test will be recorded. On each of the following match days, the process will be repeated using the same firearm and ammunition (from the same factory lot). The chronograph will be deemed to be within tolerance as long as the daily averages vary no more than +/- 25 feet per second from the first day's readings.
Eight rounds from each competitor will be selected at random by a match official.
One bullet is weighed to determine actual bullet weight, and three are fired over the chronograph. In the absence of a bullet puller and scales, the competitor's declared bullet weight may be used.
Power factor is calculated using the actual bullet weight and the average velocity of the three rounds fired.
If the power factor calculated does not meet the declared factor floor, another three rounds are fired over the chronograph and the factor recalculated using the actual bullet weight and the average velocity of the highest three from the six rounds fired.
If the power factor is still insufficient, the competitor has a choice regarding the remaining eighth bullet:
Competitor can choose to have it weighed and, if heavier than the first one weighed, the power factor calculation in 5.6.5.4 will be recalculated using the new actual bullet weight.
Competitor can elect to have it fired over the chronograph and recalculated using the actual bullet weight and the average of the three highest velocities from among the seven rounds fired.
If the above test is still unsuccessful, the competitor's scores are recalculated as minor, or no score if the minor factor minimum has not been satisfied.
In the event that a competitor's handgun malfunctions, the competitor may safely attempt to correct the problem and continue the course of fire. During such corrective action, the competitor shall keep the muzzle of the handgun pointing safely downrange at all times.
In the event that a competitor's handgun malfunctions, the competitor may safely attempt to correct the problem and continue the course of fire. During such corrective action, the competitor shall keep the muzzle of the handgun pointing safely downrange at all times. The competitor may not use artificial means such as props, rods, etc., to correct the malfunction.
While rectifying a malfunction that requires the competitor to lower the firearm down from "on aim" at a target, the competitor's fingers shall be clearly placed outside the trigger guard.
In the event that a firearm malfunction cannot be corrected by the competitor The competitor shall point the firearm safely downrange and advise the Range Officer. The Range Officer shall terminate the course of fire in the normal manner. The course of fire shall be scored normally including all appropriate miss and failure to engage penalties.
Under no circumstances shall a competitor be permitted to leave a course of fire in the possession of a loaded firearm.
Where the handgun has failed as above, the competitor shall not be permitted to re-shoot the course of fire. This includes the instance where a handgun is declared unserviceable or unsafe during a course of fire.
In the event that a Range Officer terminates a course of fire due to a suspicion that a competitor has an unsafe handgun or ammunition (e.g. "squib" load), the Range Officer shall take whatever steps necessary to return both the competitor and the range to a safe condition. The Range Officer shall then inspect the firearm or ammunition. And proceed as follows:
If the Range Officer finds evidence that confirms the suspected problem, the time and score shall be recorded to the point where the competitor was stopped with all appropriate misses and penalties recorded on the score sheet. Under these circumstances, the competitor shall not be entitled to a re-shoot, and the competitor shall be ordered to rectify the problem.
If the Range Officer discovers that the suspected safety problem does not exist, the competitor shall be required to re-shoot the stage.
| USPSA 14th Edition Rules |
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