Chapter 5 · Competitor Equipment · p.28
5.1Firearms
Firearms are separated and defined by Divisions (see Appendix D) however, courses of fire must remain consistent for all Divisions.
The minimum dimension for firearms to be used in USPSA matches is 9x19 mm. The minimum bullet diameter is 9 mm (.354 inches).
Sights – Types of sights identified by USPSA are:
“Open sights” – aiming devices fitted to a firearm which do not use electronic circuitry and/or lenses.
“Optical/electronic sights” – aiming devices fitted to a firearm which use electronic circuitry and/or lenses.
The Range Master is the final authority in respect of the classification of any sights used in an USPSA match and/or their compliance with these rules, including the Divisions in Appendix D.
Unless required by a Division (see Appendix D), there is no restriction on the trigger pull weight of a firearm, however, the trigger mechanism must, at all times, function safely.
Triggers and/or trigger shoes that extend beyond the width of the trigger guard are expressly prohibited.
Firearms must be serviceable and safe. Range Officers may demand examination of a competitor’s firearm or related equipment, at any time, to check they are functioning safely. If any such item is declared unserviceable or unsafe by a Range Officer, it must be withdrawn from the match until the item is repaired to the satisfaction of the Range Master.
Competitors must use the same firearm and type of sights for all courses of fire in a match. However, in the event that a competitor’s original firearm and/or sights become unserviceable or unsafe during a match, the competitor must, before using a substitute firearm and/or sights, seek permission from the Range Master who may approve the substitution provided he is satisfied:
The substitute firearm satisfies the requirements of the relevant Division.
In using the substitute firearm the competitor will not gain a competitive advantage.
The competitor’s replacement firearm and its appropriate ammunition must be chronographed per Rule 5.6, regardless of whether or not the original firearm was previously tested.
If the original firearm/ammunition was not previously tested, and if the original firearm has already been used on a stage and can be safely fired (i.e. the malfunction is not related to an inability to safely fire the firearm), then the original firearm and its ammunition supply remain subject to testing.
A competitor who substitutes or significantly modifies a firearm during a match without the prior approval of the Range Master may be disqualified (see 10.6). Significantly modifying includes substituting slides, barrels, upper receivers, optics and adding or removing items such as flashlights, bipods, telescopes, foregrips, or grip panels, etc. These may be removed or added prior to the Make Ready command on the first stage of a match, but must remain in that configuration for all other stages of the match. Scope covers, tape, dust covers and bungee cords are exempt from this requirement.
A competitor must never use or wear more than one firearm during a (see Rule 10.5.7).
Handguns with shoulder stocks and/or fore grips of any kind are prohibited.
Handguns offering “burst” and/or fully automatic operation are prohibited. PCCs with full auto/burst fire triggers are allowed but may only be used in semi-automatic mode. See 10.5.17; Appendix D8 #18.
Binary Trigger, Forced Reset Trigger, or any trigger system that allows one round to be fired upon pulling the trigger and another on releasing the trigger use is prohibited. Use of bump fire stocks or mechanisms are prohibited. See 10.5.17; Appendix D8 #19.
All other handgun equipment rules apply to . See Appendix D8 for PCC specific equipment rules.