Appendix D7 · pages 67–71
Carry Optics Division
NA for Steel Challenge
NA for Steel Challenge
NA for Steel Challenge
9x19 mm (0.354” x 0.748”) For competitions only in countries where common military calibers are prohibited, .380 ACP is allowed.
No
No
Yes, 141.25 mm (5.561”)
No
Handgun and Mags: 2 1/8” (width of an overlay)
Yes
No
Optical/electronic sights REQUIRED; must be attached directly to slide between rear of slide and ejection port, and may not be mounted to the frame in any way
Yes, must be functional. Use of lasers prohibited.
No
No
Yes
Yes. 59 ounces with optic and empty magazine inserted
Yes, see Special Conditions
• 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). • The drop offset type holster is allowed in Carry Optics Division as long as the heel of the butt of the gun is above the belt.
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 Carry Optics use and shall move the shooter to Open Division.
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.
Cosmetically enhancing the finish of a slide or frame is ALLOWED in Carry Optics Division. Stippling on the frame to provide texture or additional grip surface is specifically allowed.
A slide may be modified specifically for the purpose of installing optical 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.
SLIDES: You may replace the slide with an or slide. BARRELS: You may replace the barrel with an OFM or aftermarket barrel.
Replacement grip panels are allowed provided they do not extend below the butt of the gun to form a make-shift magwell. 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 specifically allowed. Grip tape or grip sleeves cannot disengage a grip safety. Grips may not be modified to create a thumb rest or beavertail.
INTERNAL parts: A broad range of INTERNAL parts may be modified or replaced – either with or 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 H6-18 remain in force and relevant. Internal magazine disconnects are • legal as they are internal parts that do not show while in battery.
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.
and magazines and base-pads may be used. Grip tape and/or skateboard tape are specifically allowed on magazines and base- pads.
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 Carry Optics Division if there is a rules clause or interpretation, which specifically declares that it is allowed in the Division. Removing or disabling firing-pin blocks or any other factory safety mechanism in Carry Optics division is specifically prohibited. Slide racking devices, even if attached to the optic, are prohibited.
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”, that handguns must be “serviceable and safe” and that the Range Master is the final authority on the definition of “safety” as it pertains to the mechanism of the gun • 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.
External plugs which alter the grip profile or extend past (0.1”) the bottom of the grip are PROHIBITED
No or external magwells. Internal magwell dimensions may be increased. External flaring is prohibited.
Special conditions:
- Only , Double Action/, and Safe Action/Striker Fired handguns are allowed, and must be on the approved list. Guns with external hammers must start hammer down. A hammer is considered to be in the "hammer down" position when the hammer is placed there by pulling the trigger while manually lowering the hammer (manually decocking) or by activating the decocking lever if present. Manually decocking to the half-cocked position is not allowed and will result in the competitor being moved to Open division. Unless specifically authorized above, modifications are prohibited.
- Handguns with external hammers must be fully decocked at the start signal. If a decocking lever is installed and used, the term fully decocked is the position where the hammer rests once the decocking lever has been used. Altering a factory installed decocker to bring the hammer to rest at less than a half-cocked position is not allowed. Manually decocked hammers must be fully down.
- A handgun may be approved specifically for Carry Optics division provided that the model of the pistol used is on the USPSA Approved Production Handgun List AND meets Carry Optics criteria. Any manufacturer of a pistol that is not on the approved Production list, but meets Carry Optics criteria, must submit a Manufacturer’s Declaration Form to DNROI stating that a minimum of 500 complete handguns have been manufactured and are available to the general public.
- UNLESS a modification is SPECIFICALLY authorized in the rules or SPECIFICALLY authorized in an official, published NROI interpretation, it is considered a PROHIBITED MODIFICATION.