Edition 2026-03 · effective 2026-03-01
USPSA Competition Rules
Chapters
2
Course Construction and Modification
3
Course Information
4
Range Equipment
5
Competitor Equipment
6
Match Structure
8
The Course of Fire
9
Scoring
10
Penalties
- 10.1Procedural Penalties – General Regulations4
- 10.2Procedural Penalties – Specific Examples10
- 10.3Match Disqualification – General Regulations7
- 10.4Match Disqualification – Accidental Discharge7
- 10.5Match Disqualification – Unsafe Gun Handling19
- 10.6Match Disqualification – Unsportsmanlike Conduct3
- 10.7Match Disqualification – Impairment4
11
Arbitration & Interpretation of Rules
12
Miscellaneous Matters
PRINCIPLES of USPSA Competition
- Practical competition is open to all reputable persons without regard to occupation. It may specifically NOT be limited to public servants.
- Accuracy, power and speed are the equivalent elements of practical shooting and practical competition must be conducted in such a way as to evaluate these elements equally.
- Firearm types are not separated within their respective divisions; all compete together without handicap. This does not apply to the power of the firearms as power is an element to be recognized and rewarded.
- Practical shooting competition is a test of expertise in the use of practical firearms and equipment.
- Practical competition is conducted using practical targets, which reflect the general size and shape of such objects as the firearm used may reasonably be called upon to hit in their primary intended use.
- The challenge presented in practical competition must be done with the utmost safety in mind. Courses of Fire should follow a practical rationale and simulate hypothetical situations in which firearms might reasonably be used.
- Practical competition is diverse, never permitting unrealistic specialization of either technique or equipment. Problems are constantly changed. The exception is Classifier Stages which are used to measure practical shooting skill.
- Practical competition is . In essence, the competitive problem is posed in general and the participant is permitted the freedom to solve it in the manner he considers best within the limitations of the competitive situation as provided.