| USPSA 14th Edition Rules |
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The ready condition of handguns used in a competition shall be as follows:
Single Action: hammer fully down on an empty chamber or, if a safety notch is fitted, hammer down over a loaded chamber (transfer bar designs excepted);
Double Action: hammer fully down and all chambers may be loaded.
chamber loaded, hammer cocked, and the safety engaged.
chambers loaded, hammer fully down or decocked.
chamber loaded with hammer fully down. Chamber loaded, hammer cocked with external safety engaged. See Divisions in See : Divisions. .
Courses of fire may require alternate ready conditions. These requirements shall be stated clearly in the written stage briefing.
A course of fire shall not stipulate the number of rounds loaded in the firearm. Stage briefings may only stipulate "when" the firearm is to be loaded.
Ready position designates a condition where, under the direct command of the Range Officer:
The handgun is loaded, made safe and holstered or as specified in the stage briefing.
The competitor assumes the required start position.
A competitor shall not be allowed to start a course of fire while touching or holding a handgun, reloading device or ammunition.
IPSC competitions shall not require the competitor to attempt a draw from the holster with the weak hand.
The approved range commands and their sequence are as follows:
This is a safety warning to all persons in the vicinity of the range.
This is considered a courtesy and recommended, but Range is Hot is not considered to be a range command.
This command signifies the start of "the course of fire".
The competitor will face down range, fit eye and ear protection, and prepare the handgun in accordance with the stage briefing. The competitor shall then assume the required ready position. At this point, the Range Officer shall proceed. Note that the Range Officer or delegate may ask the competitor to face in a direction other than "down range" for this procedure. On a busy range where a second Range Officer is preparing the next competitor, the competitor may be asked to face into the side berm for this procedure.
This command signifies the start of the "course of fire".
The competitor will face down range, fit eye and ear protection, and prepare the handgun in accordance with the stage briefing. The competitor shall then assume the required ready position. At this point, the Range Officer shall proceed.
The lack of any negative response from the competitor indicates that they fully understand the requirements of the course of fire and that they are ready to proceed. If the competitor is not ready at the "Are you ready?" command, they must shout "Not Ready". It is suggested that when the competitor takes up the ready position, placing the hands into the position required will indicate final readiness to the Range Officer.
This command will be followed by the start signal within one (1) to four (4) seconds.
The audible or visual signal to begin the course of fire
This command may be issued by the officiating Range Officer at any time during the course of fire. The competitor shall immediately cease firing, stand still and wait for further instructions from the Range Officer.
When the Range Officer issues this command and the competitor has finished the course of fire, the competitor shall lower his handgun, unload it and present it to the Range Officer for inspection. The unloading procedure must be carried out and the handgun presented to the Range Officer, with the muzzle pointed down range at all times. Revolvers shall be presented with the cylinder swung out and empty. Self-loading pistols shall be presented with the magazine removed, the chamber empty, and the slide held or locked back.
This command is given after the Range Officer is satisfied that the handgun is unloaded and safe for further action. The competitor shall, holster the handgun in the one of the safe conditions below. Completion of the holster portion of this command signifies the end of the course of fire.
cylinder closed and empty , hammer down by pulling the trigger.
magazine removed, slide forward, hammer down by pulling the trigger.
Competitor or officials shall not move forward to or away from the firing line until this declaration is given by the Range Officer. Once the declaration is made, officials and competitors may move forward to score, patch, reset targets etc.
is defined as the replacement of one source of ammunition with another. During reloading, the handgun shall be pointed safely down range. This is particularly important while reloading a self-loader, as it will normally have a live round in the chamber and the safety disengaged. The competitor's fingers shall be outside the trigger guard while reloading.
All movement must be accomplished with the finger outside the trigger guard except if targets are visible to the shooter and the shooter maintains a sight picture on the targets with the intent of engaging them. The firearm must be pointed in a safe direction and the safety should be engaged. "Movement" is defined as any of the actions below:
Taking more than one step in any direction
Changing positions (i.e. from standing to kneeling).
Re-holstering the firearm during the course of fire is not recommended. If a competitor holsters a firearm during the course of fire, the following will apply:
For a single action self-loader the safety must be applied
For double action self-loaders and revolvers the hammer must be down.
No physical, verbal, visual or any other assistance or interference shall be given to a competitor during a course of fire. A Range Officer may, for reasons of safety, provide safety warnings to a competitor at any time. Such warnings shall not be grounds for the competitor to be awarded a re-shoot.
Any person providing assistance or interference to a competitor during a course of fire may, at the discretion of the officiating Range Officer incur a procedural penalty for that stage. The competitor receiving such assistance may, at the discretion of the Range Officer, also incur a procedural penalty.
In the case where there is inadvertent physical contact between the Range Officer and the competitor, the Range Officer may offer to allow the competitor to re-shoot the course of fire. The competitor must make this decision prior to seeing either the time or the score from the initial attempt.
| USPSA 14th Edition Rules |
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