IPSC Primer
rec.guns FAQ: IX.B.1. Basic Intro to IPSC
by Josh Grosse
(jdg00@juts.ccc.amdahl.com)
Practical Shooting (aka IPSC competition) is a sport which combines speed, accuracy, and
power in equal measure. Just like Sporting Clays, every competition is different, and requires you to bring
different skills and approaches to be successful. The acronym IPSC stands for the
International
Practical Shooting Confederation, the world wide sanctioning body.
Competition is usually with pistol, though there are rifle and shotgun matches in some IPSC countries.
Matches are conducted as a series of courses of fire, known as stages. There are several types of
stages. In all cases, the courses are timed. In most cases, the time is open ended, and your score for a stage
is your target score (minus penalties) divided by your time in seconds.
The power of your firearm will also affect your score. So IPSC competition is a blend of three things:
Too much of one and not enough of the others will hurt your score.
Firearm power is defined with an easy-to-use formula, called Power Factor.
Power Factor = bullet weight (in grains) X muzzle velocity (in ft/sec), divided by 1000.
Your firearm's power factor will place you in one of two scoring categories, called
major and
minor. To "make major," your handgun power factor floor is 175, to "make minor," the floor is
125.
[ Update ] The new power factor ratings per USPSA Rule Book, 14th Edition 2001 are as follows:
- Open - 165
- Limited - 165
- Production - 125
- Revolver - 165
- Limited 10
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In U.S. IPSC rifle competitions, the power factor floor for major is 340, and for minor the floor is 160. In
U.S. IPSC shotgun competition, 20-gauge and above is required to "make major."
There are also divisions between stock firearms and customized race guns.
The minimum handgun caliber allowable is 9x19mm or .38 Special, even though some .380 Auto cartridges
might be able to attain minor power factor.
Targets are either steel or cardboard. Some steel targets are designed to be knocked over. Steel and
cardboard targets with various scoring zones are designed so that you cannot clearly see the scoring zones,
and must aim for the center of the target area. Targets may be blocked by soft cover (shoot
through possible), hard cover (no shots possible through cover), or no-shoot
("hostage") targets.
There are 4 scoring zones (A/B/C/D) on IPSC targets. There is no difference in points between major and
minor for the A-zone, which is the bullseye. But outside the A-zone, shooters who can "make major" have
a scoring advantage. Shooters who "make minor" must rely on lower recoil and faster recovery speed to
make up the difference.
- A - 5 points for major / 5 for minor. (Steel targets that fall are A-zone targets only.)
- B- 4 points for major / 3 for minor
- B- 4 points for major / 3 for minor
- B- 2 points for major / 1 for minor
Misses, no-shoots, and procedural faults are -10
each!. Should your shot hit a no-shoot target,
you'll miss the 5 point bullseye, then get docked -10 points for the miss,
and -10 points for
the no-shoot. You'll be 25 points behind! Recall that your score forfor a stage is your target points divided
by your time. Take an extra second or two to get a 5 point bullseye, rather than speed up and drop back as
much as 25 points. A slow hit is usually much better than a fast miss!
It's easy to get started. For IPSC pistol matches your required equipment is:
- Handgun
- 4 magazines or speedloaders (2-3 may suffice, but more is better)
- Holster
- Belt
- Magazine/speedloader carriers
Handgun competitions are the most common. IPSC was designed as a handgun sport. Rifle and shotgun
matches are also popular. Many clubs run
3-gun matches that include rifle and shotgun stages,
and, in informal club matches, you may often be allowed to compete in individual categories, so you don't
need to have all three types of firearms.
For Rifle, an autoloader with detachable magazines (and multiple magazines) is best. Slings or bipods may
be helpful. For Shotgun, an autoloader or pump will work fine, though extended magazines are required to
be competitive, and many competitors use speedloading tubes as well.
At your first competition, tell the organizers that it's your first time. Ask for instructions on
safety procedures you'll be expected to follow.
Be sure to tell the Range Officers that run the stages that you are new.
They will explain the courses of fire in greater detail than they otherwise would, and will explain the match
procedures to you carefully. You should watch a few competitors, paying attention to their gun handling,-
not their speed! The R.O. will tell you to keep your muzzle pointed down-range at all times, and to
be sure your finger is outside your trigger guard when moving on a field course. Take your time, try to
relax, and try to place all your shots in the A-zones!
Good luck!
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