Steel ChallengeRules

Appendix D4 · pages 5762

Production Division

1Minimum power factor for Major

NA for Steel Challenge

2Minimum power factor for Minor

NA for Steel Challenge

3Minimum bullet weight

NA for Steel Challenge

4Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length

.38 cal. / 9x19 mm (0.354” x 0.748”) For competitions only in countries where common military calibers are prohibited, .380 ACP is allowed.

5Minimum bullet caliber for Major

NA for Steel Challenge

6Minimum trigger pull

No

7Maximum size - Handgun and all magazines (revolvers are exempt)

Yes, handgun with empty magazine inserted must fit wholly within a box with internal dimensions of 8 15/16” x 6” x 1 5/8” (tolerance +1/16”, -0”) (8.938”x6”x1.625”) (227.01mmx152.40mmx41.28mm)

8Maximum magazine length

See # 7

9Maximum ammunition capacity

Yes, maximum 15 rounds loaded in any magazine after the start signal

10Max. distance of handgun and mags/speed loaders from outer surface of belt

Handgun and Mags: 2 1/8” (width of an overlay)

11Rule 5.1 applies

Yes

12Restriction on position of holster and other equipment

No

13Optical/electronic sights permitted

No, notch and post only

14Installed flashlights permitted

Yes, must be functional. Use of lasers prohibited.

15Compensators permitted

No

16Barrel ports permitted

No

17Slide ports permitted

Yes

18Maximum weight

Yes. 59 ounces with empty magazine inserted

19Handgun specific approval for Division

Yes - see Special Conditions

20Holster and magazine holder restrictions

• Suitable for everyday use. “Race gun” type holster prohibited. • May not be manufactured or cut lower than, and must cover the slide up to, 1/2” below the ejection port (belt slide “Yaqui” type holster exempt). • Revolver holsters open no lower than halfway down the cylinder. • The drop offset type holster is allowed in production Division as long as the heel of the butt of the gun is above the belt.

21Authorized 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 published interpretation which authorizes any disputed modification. If the shooter cannot identify an authorizing rules-clause or published interpretation, the RM shall rule that the modification is PROHIBITED for Production use and shall move the shooter to Open Division.

21.1Internal throating and polishing to improve accuracy, reliability and function.

Internal modifications which do not conflict with other clauses of this appendix are ALLOWED. Special Notes/Clarifications: • See 21.3 for specifics with regard to slides and barrels • ALL Factory safety mechanisms, whether internal or external, must remain functional • See 22.1 for specifics on external safeties 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.

21.2aSlide and Frame Refinishing

Cosmetically enhancing the finish of a slide or frame is ALLOWED in Production Division. Stippling on the frame to provide texture or additional grip surface is specifically allowed.

21.2bMilling of slide

A slide may be modified specifically for the purpose of installing sights or cocking serrations. Textured finishes, grip tape, milling or stippling on the slide to provide texture is also allowed. Cuts designed to specifically or significantly lighten the slide, such as holes, are allowed. Slide racking devices are prohibited.

21.3After-market slides and barrels

SLIDES: You may replace the slide with an or slide. BARRELS: You may replace the barrel with an OFM or aftermarket barrel.

21.4Grips

• Grip modifications such as, but not limited to, undercutting/smoothing the trigger guard, adding or removing finger grooves, or adding stippling, grip tape, or checkering are allowed. Replacement grip panels are allowed provided they do not extend below the butt of the gun to form a make-shift magwell. • Revolver grips may be replaced with or grips of any shape, profile and surface texture. • Special Notes/Clarifications: See 22.2, below, for specifics with regard to modifications on revolver grips.

21.5Exchange of minor INTERNAL components

INTERNAL parts: A broad range of INTERNAL parts may be modified or replaced – either with or after- market parts. Special Notes/Clarifications: • Strikers, sears, springs, connectors/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). • Guide rods are considered an “internal part” and may be modified and/or replaced with OFM or after- market guide rods even though part of the guide rod is externally visible when the gun is in battery. Note that the weight limits in H3-18 remain in force and relevant. Internal magazine disconnects are • legal as they are internal parts that do not show while in battery.

21.6Exchange of minor EXTERNAL components

Sights, firing pins, firing pin retainers, pins, extractors, magazine releases, slide stops, thumb safeties, triggers, hammers, bushings, and ejectors MAY be replaced with or parts. Exchange of OFM parts between different models of Production approved guns is allowed.

21.7Magazines

and magazines and base-pads may be used. However, any and all magazines used in competition must fit into the USPSA box while empty and inserted in the handgun as described in item 7 of this appendix. Grip tape and/or skate board tape are specifically allowed on magazines and base-pads.

22Specifically 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 that specifically declares that it is allowed in the Division. Removing or disabling firing-pin blocks or any other factory safety mechanism in Production division is specifically prohibited.

22.1Disabling of any external safety or externally operated safety

External and externally operated safety mechanisms must remain operable. Special Notes/Clarifications: • For purposes of this clause, a “trigger safety” is externally visible, and must remain operable. • 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 design. • 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). 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.

22.2Grips – any addition or removal of material which changes the factory profile or adds function such as beavertail or thumb rest.

Non grip modifications (addition or removal of material) that provide function, such as a beavertail or thumbrest are prohibited. Revolver grips may be replaced with grips of any shape, profile, or texture. Adding or removing material to change the profile of Revolver grips is ALLOWED.

22.3External plugs

External plugs which alter the grip profile or extend past (0.1”) the bottom of the grip are PROHIBITED.

22.4Magwell opening Special conditions: 1. Only Double Action, Selective Action, and Safe and must be on the approved list. Guns with external down. A hammer is considered to be in the "hammer is placed there by pulling the trigger while manually decocking) or by activating the decocking lever half-cocked position is not allowed and will result Open division. Handguns with external hammers signal. If a decocking lever is installed and used, where the hammer rests once the decocking lever installed decocker to bring the hammer to rest allowed. 2. Unless specifically authorized above, modifications revolvers are subject to all restrictions above, unless 3. A handgun model may be approved and added Handgun List after the NROI Manufacturer’s Declaration 500 complete models of that handgun have been general public has been submitted and NROI has 4. UNLESS a modification is SPECIFICALLY authorized authorized in an official, published NROI interpretation, MODIFICATION.

No or external magwells. Internal magwell dimensions may be increased. External flaring is prohibited. Action/Striker Fired guns are allowed, hammers must start hammer down" position when the hammer lowering the hammer, (manually if present. Manually decocking to the in the competitor being moved to must be fully decocked at the start the term fully decocked is the position has been used. Altering a factory at less than a half-cocked position is not are prohibited. Except for Item 7, otherwise noted. to the USPSA Approved Production Form stating that a minimum of manufactured and available to the inspected the handgun for compliance. in the rules or SPECIFICALLY it is considered a PROHIBITED