Safety Briefing

1. Firearms will not be loaded except when directed by match officials. This is a COLD Range.

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 problem, no shooter may leave the firing position until the weapon is checked by a safety officer and holstered.

4. In the event that a pistol cannot be unloaded due to a broken or failed mechanism, the shooter will notify the match 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 pistols except as necessary to the task at hand. Any maintenance to firearms will be accomplished in the designated area only. The normal condition of pistols not actually engaged is holstered, un-cocked, 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, 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 are required to wear eye and ear 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 match shall require the use of a particular type of holster, nor shall any holster type, which is permitted in any match, be barred from any other match; 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. Pistols used in competition shall be serviceable and safe. If any pistol is observed to be unserviceable or unsafe, it shall be withdrawn at the request of the match director.

11. In any single match, a contestant must use the same pistol in all stages of the match; except that a contestant may use another pistol of the same type, action, and caliber as that which they commenced the match if their starting pistol becomes unserviceable during the match.

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.

13. The point of the hip is the extreme forward limit for holsters and spare ammunition.

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 pistol in the ready position) is subject to penalty in score or forfeiture of the stage.

16. In general, all firing problems 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 competitor shall wear or use two pistols.

18. 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. 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 power requirements of competition pistols shall be established by means of a ballistic pendulum or chronograph formula and scored as “major caliber” and “minor caliber”. The lower limit for pistols used in competition is the 9mm Parabellum. The formula is the bullet weight in grains multiplied by its velocity and divided by one thousand. The “minor caliber” must be 125 to 175, and the “major caliber” must be 175 or greater. The power requirement may be challenge, see Ammunition Challenge Procedures.

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, the outside diameter of which 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 count at the lower value.

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 match 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, bullets with steel or iron cores, and incendiary ammunition is 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 as to reflect major and minor calibers. Scoring is: A=0, B=1, C=2, D=3 for major and A=0, B=1, C=2, D=3 for minor caliber. The score is arrived at as follows; time, plus score from paper targets, minus misses, procedurals (5 points each) and hostages (10 points each).

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. The Match Director’s decisions on all matters presented during the match are final.

NOTE: ALL PISTOLS WILL COMPETE TOGETHER. NO MATCH WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ANY TYPE OF PISTOL, AND THE SAME CONDITIONS OF TIME, DISTANCE, OR SCORING SHALL APPLY TO ALL PISTOLS EQUALLY.

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 rifle matches. Velocity of rifle ammunition will be restricted to 3,000 fps or slower. Bullets designed to penetrate steel or with iron or steel cores will be prohibited.

3. Laser/optical sights are prohibited.

4. There shall be no restrictions as to type of action used.

5. Shotguns shall use shot only, not to exceed 00 Buck, against steel targets. Slugs may be used on paper targets, but are specifically prohibited on steel targets.