THE CONDUCT OF PRACTICAL
WEAPONS COMPETITION
PRINCIPLES:
1. Accuracy,
power, and speed are the equivalent elements of practical marksmanship, and practical competition must
be conducted in such a way as to evaluate these elements equally
(accuracy-power-speed).
2. The
practical challenge must be diverse. It is not necessary to invent a new course
of fire for every contest, but no one course of fire may be repeated enough to
allow it to become the definitive measure of practical skill.
3. Practical
shooting is freestyle. No course of fire may prescribe a shooting position, nor
may a contestant be required to load their piece in any prescribed way.
Circumstances may be created however, (barriers,
physical limitations, simulated disabilities, et cetetra) which force a shooter
into certain stances or positions. In essence, the problem is posed in general,
and the contestant solves it in particular.
4. The
practical challenge must be realistic. Courses of fire must follow a practical
rationale, and simulate reasonable hypothetical situations in which weapons
might be reasonably used.
5. To
keep the challenge as real and equal as possible, no match or course of fire
will be published prior to the match being held. Each contestant will receive
printed and or verbal instructions the day of the event.
6. Weapon
types are not separated. Double-actions and single-actions, revolvers, auto
pistols, and single shooters all compete together without handicap. This
consideration does not apply to the power of the weapons, as the power is an
element to be recognized and rewarded. Neither does it apply to a stipulated
reload, which may be placed at a specific point in any course of fire.
7. Practical
competition is open to all decent citizens without regard to occupation.
8. Practical
competition is normally conducted using practical targets, which reflect the
general size and shape of such objects as the weapon used may reasonably be
called upon to hit in its primary use.
9. Practical
competition assumes a graduated difficulty of challenge, and no shooting
problem or time limit may be protested as prohibitive. Note: that does not
apply to non-shooting problems, such as weights to be lifted nor obstacles to
be surmounted.
1. Firearms
will not be loaded except when directed by contest officials.
2. During loading and unloading, and during remedial action in the event of a malfunction, the muzzle of the weapon must be directed down range. Both hands may be used to clear a malfunction in one-hand problems.
3. After
completing any firing scenario, no shooter may leave the firing position until
the weapons are checked by a safety officer and pistol holstered.
4. In
the event that a firearm cannot be unloaded due to a broken or failed
mechanism, the shooter will notify the contest director or safety officer, who
will take such action as they think best and safest.
5. During
the contest shooters not firing will refrain from handling their firearms
except as necessary to the task at hand. The normal condition of pistols not
actually engaged is holstered and unloaded. No one may move forward from the
firing line before the range safety officer calls “all clear”.
6. On
courses requiring the contestant to run or move rapidly, while not engaging
targets, pistols must be safe during movement, i.e. hammer fully down with all
revolvers and double action autos without condition one override, and condition
one (cocked and locked) with single action autos. Fingers must be outside the
trigger guard.
7. A
premature shot, in the holster or into the ground closer to the firing line
than two meters, shall disqualify the entrant for the entire match. If it is
determined the discharge was not the fault of the contestant, the range officer
may render a decision on appropriate action to be taken.
8. All contestants
and spectators are required to wear eye and hearing protection.
9. Holsters
used in practical competition shall be of a design appropriate for prolonged,
comfortable wear, daily use, and shall retain the pistol firmly against a
withdrawal force greater than its own weight. If a holster incorporates a
security device (e.g. restraining strap), it shall be employed in its secure
mode for each draw in competition. Competitors may be required to demonstrate
that their equipment is secure by performing a backward roll, jumping over an
object 16 inches tall or from a height of 16 inches, turning 90 degrees left or
right. If, at anytime during the course of, or while loading or unloading, a
competitor drops their handgun, or if it falls from its holster, loaded or not,
the competitor will be disqualified from the match. No contest shall require the use of a
particular type of holster, nor shall any holster type, which is permitted in
any contest, be barred from any other contest; however, all contests require a
draw from a concealable condition (the degrees of concealment may be specified
and ruled upon by the match director). Cross draws are specifically prohibited.
10. Firearms
used in competition shall be serviceable and safe. If any firearm is observed
to be unserviceable or unsafe, it shall be withdrawn at the request of the
match director.
11. In
any single contest, a contestant must use the same firearm in all stages of the
contest except that a contestant may use another firearm of the same type,
action, and caliber as that which they commenced the contest if their starting
firearm becomes unserviceable during the contest.
12. Pistols
start from a mechanical condition of readiness appropriate to their design. In
general, single action autos start cocked and locked, double action autos will
start hammer down and unlocked, revolvers will start hammer down. However,
unusual designs may be started in other ways. Selective double action autos may
start from half cock, and other exceptions may be made as new designs demand.
NOTE: ALL PISTOLS WILL COMPETE TOGETHER. NO CONTEST
WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ANY TYPE OF PISTOL, AND THE SAME CONDITIONS OF TIME,
DISTANCE, OR SCORING SHALL APPLY TO ALL PISTOLS EQUALLY.
13. The
point of the hip is the extreme forward limit for holsters.
14. “Normal
Ready” designates a position in which the pistol is holstered and safe, and
neither hand touches the pistol, holster, belt, spare magazines, or spare
ammunition. Spare ammunition must be carried in a manner suitable for continuous
wear. Starting positions for the hands may be varied at discretion, as long as
they do not allow a “cocked draw”.
15. Once
the ready position is assumed, it may not be changed before the firing signal.
“Creeping” (moving the hand towards the towards the pistol in the ready
position) is subject to penalty in score or forfeiture of the bout.
16. In
general, all firing scenarios will be started with the pistol holstered and
safe, hands clear of equipment as directed by the course director. Other positions
for the pistol may be stipulated (table top, drawer, pack, purse, etc.) as long
as the piece does not start in the firing hand.
17. No
contestant shall wear or use two pistols.
18. During scenarios which requiring tactical magazine changes, shooter must retain any magazine with live rounds or procedural penalty will be added to score. Only empty magazines may be dropped without penalty. Extension magazines for the auto pistols (containing a larger than normal number of rounds) are permitted only on reload, and may not be carried in the pistol in its ready condition.
19. Optical
or laser sights shall not be used. Extended sight radius shall not be allowed.
20. There shall be no restrictions on weight of pistols or trigger pull. However, no external modifications such as weights or devices to control or reduce recoil or muzzle flip, such as porting of barrels and slides, or use of compensators will be allowed.
21. The lower limit for a pistol used in competition is the 9mm Parabellum.
22. If a shooter fires after the signal to cease firing, the shooter shall lose the maximum value of each shot so fired, to be subtracted from contestants total score.
23. If a shooter fires before the firing signal, that shooter shall lose the maximum value of one hit or more, on a paper target.
24. On paper targets, a shot, in which the outside diameter touches any part of a scoring ring, counts for the value of the ring. Radial tears in the paper extending outside the actual bullet diameter do not count.
25. If a shooter has more hits on his paper than allowed in a given string, the maximum value for each excess shot shall be subtracted from the contestants score, except when it can be established to the satisfaction of the contest director that the hits in question are of a different caliber from that used by the contestant, or when it can be positively proved that another contestant was guilty. In the later case, the contestant whose target was fired upon by another contestant will be allowed to fire the stage over.
26. When balloon targets are used, a balloon which is hit, but merely deflates rather than bursting, shall not count as a hit.
27. In cases where metal targets are used which may be damaged by excessive penetration, the club may prohibit cartridges that may damage the equipment. Metal piercing, including iron or steel core bullets, and incendiary ammunition are prohibited.
28. Targets for practical competition may be either reactive or paper. If reactive, they should be designed that major and minor calibers can be appropriately evaluated. If paper, they should be of a standard size and standard. Scoring is: A=0, B=1, C=2, D=3. Misses are a penalty of 5 seconds. A procedural error will result in the competitor having 5 seconds added to his score.
29. It shall be the responsibility of contestants to keep account of their score along with the scorekeeper. If there is an error in the scorekeeper’s final tally, it shall be the responsibility of the contestant to protest the final results prior to awarding prizes. Failure to file a protest with the scorekeeper prior to the above time nullifies any claims made thereafter.
30. Ties shall be broken in a manner decided upon by the match director. However, this shall always be done by shooting, not by chance.
31. The balance of speed and accuracy will depend upon the nature of the test, but neither speed nor accuracy will be rewarded without interdependence.
32. Because these matches are designed to simulate actual self-defense tactics, there will be no repeating of a scenario should the competitor’s equipment malfunction or become disabled during that problem. If the competitor is unable to complete that scenario, the score will be recorded “DNF” (Did Not Finish). For Match Results this competitor will be placed last for that scenario. If more than one competitor in a scenario is unable to complete that scenario they will all be placed last place for that scenario.
33. The Match Director’s decisions on all matters presented during the contest are final.
RIFLE AND SHOTGUN RULES
1. The general rules for pistol competition shall apply to rifles and shotguns.
2. Center fire rifles only shall be used in all contests.
3. Optical or laser sights are prohibited.
4. There shall be no restrictions as to type of action used.