International Practical Shooting Confederation - Competitive Divisions

Competitive Divisions

In the beginning, IPSC was fired with whatever handguns the competitors chose. After a relatively short period, it became clear that equipment mattered, and equipment divisions were thus designated.

Open Division is the handgun equivalent of top fuel dragsters. The pistols have compensators, red dot sights, and hi-capacity magazines. Typically chambered in .38 Super (or some variant) or 9mm Parabellum, the magazines can hold up to 29 rounds. They can be loaded to Major or Minor.

Standard Division is limited to pistols .40 caliber or larger in bore size for Major or 9mm or larger for Minor, at the shooters choice. They may not have compensators, red dot sights, and the pistol with empty magazine must fit within the "IPSC box" a set of dimensions that limit overall size. (225mm x 150mm x 45mm (with tolerance +1mm -0mm))

Classic Division was introduced for the 2011-2012 season for an evaluation period until December 31, 2014. The division is limited to guns following the classic 1911 form; features such as extended dust covers and light rails are not permitted. Restrictions are placed on the size of magazine wells allowed, as well as physical dimension as measured using the "IPSC box". Other modifications, such as slide lightening and thumb rests as allowed in Open Division, are prohibited in Classic Division. Competitors may shoot in either major or minor power factor; major power factor requires a .40 or larger projectile (with the exception of the .357 SIG, a .40 case necked-down to accept the .355 diameter projectile which can be loaded to high pressures) and are subject to a magazine capacity limit of 8. Minor power factor can be achieved using a 1911 chambered for 9mm; a limit of 10 rounds is in place for such firearms.

Modified Division is a combination: like Open guns they can have muzzle brakes, and optics. But like Standard Division pistols they must be .40 or larger in bore size to declare Major, and they must fit within the IPSC box. As of 2012, Modified Division no longer exists, due to lack of participation.

Production Division is restricted to double-action or striker fired pistols, scored at Minor, that must both meet the dimensional restrictions and are unmodified from the manufacturers specifications. Only pistols explicitly listed on the approved list from IPSC may be used. Permitted modifications are limited to the application of grip tape in limited areas, replacement of sights that do not require gun smithing, and the replacement of internal components with those of the original manufacturer and available as a factory option. Minor polishing and fitting of trigger components is allowed. There are differences in allowed pistols in IPSC Production Division when compared to USPSA Production Division.

Revolver Division does not permit muzzle brakes, optical sights. Revolvers of any capacity may be used, but a maximum of six rounds can be fired before a reload is required. Competitors can have any caliber .38 Special or larger, and may declare Major.

All Divisions fire the same stages, on the same days, as all other Divisions, in a match. However, when calculating match standings, only Divisional stage scores are compared. Thus, the top shooter in Open on a stage is the measure for all other Open shooters, and likewise for all other Divisions.

In addition to the handgun discipline, there are the rifle, shotgun and action air disciplines of practical shooting. These disciplines have competition rules similar to handgun and are scored in the same way. The divisions in all the disciplines are similar.

Competing in all three disciplines or two of them is called a tournament, with scoring similar to that of the individual disciplines. Action air is not included in the tournament structure as yet and is restricted to handgun