4.3Approved Targets – Metal

Approved metal targets for use in USPSA Competition matches (see Appendix B2 and B3) are as follows:

4.3.1.1 USPSA and IPSC Poppers, as well as Colt Speed Steel targets (aka Poppers) are approved targets designed to recognize power and must be calibrated as specified in Appendix C1.

Mini Poppers (USPSA and IPSC) are approved targets designed to recognize power, are intended to simulate regular sized Poppers placed at greater distances and must be calibrated as specified in Appendix C1.

USPSA and IPSC Poppers, as well as Colt Speed Steel targets of all sizes may be included in the same course of fire.

Various sizes of metal plates may be used (see Appendix B3) in Level I and II matches only, however, metal plates must not be used exclusively in a course of fire. At least one authorized cardboard target or Popper must be included in each course of fire.

Scoring metal targets must be shot and fall or overturn to score. Scoring poppers which fail to fall when hit are subject to the provisions of Appendix C1, 6 & 7. Scoring metal targets which a Range Officer deems to have fallen or overturned due to a shot on the supporting apparatus or prematurely fallen or moved for any reason will be treated as range equipment failure (See Rule 4.6.1). All Poppers shall follow the guidelines below:

1. That a minimum of 50% (100% for mini poppers) of the calibration zone be available at some point in the COF.

2. That the calibration will be done from a point on the COF where the calibration zone is available, closest to where the contested shot was fired.

3. Visible evidence of a hit must be present to calibrate the popper. If no evidence is present, the request for calibration shall be denied.

Unlike Poppers, metal plates are not subject to calibration or calibration challenges. If a scoring metal plate has been hit but fails to fall or overturn, the Range Officer shall declare range equipment failure and order the competitor to reshoot the course of fire, after the faulty plate has been rectified.

4.3.1.6.1 A plate that has been hit a second time and falls or overturns before a Range Officer can stop the competitor, will be scored as hit and there will be no reshoot issued.

Metal scoring targets must, if hit, be painted after each competitor. An inadvertent failure to paint one or more targets prior to a competitor’s attempt at the course of fire shall not be grounds for a reshoot.

4.3.1.7.1 Level I matches are encouraged to paint after each competitor but are not required to do so. Poppers that are not repainted between shooters can be challenged for calibration, unless the RO determines that the popper was not hit.

Metal no-shoot targets which are designed to fall when hit, but which fail to fall or overturn when struck by a full or partial diameter hit, shall incur the penalty or penalties in accordance with Rule 9.4.3. Failure to fall is not grounds for a reshoot per range equipment failure.

Metal no-shoot targets must, if hit, be repainted after each competitor ends their attempt at the course of fire, failing which subsequent competitors must not be penalized for hits visible on their surface.