Saturday, April 17, 2010

USPSA Rules versus IPSC Rules, is there a difference?

I think I have something wrong here:
IPSC 2009 shows this document:
Where it presents Standard Division with matching power factor and magazine capacity of 15 rouds for .40 as a listing of the available divisions for scoring.
On the other hand I do not find the same Division listed anywhere under the USPSA, can you help me guys with this question?

Reading more I found an answer to my question.
There is no Standard Division on USPSA, the next division I can compete with a Major Factor is Limited 10 with a max MAG capacity of 10 rounds per magazine.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Roanoke, April 17th 2010 (USPSA Match#2)


I am very excited.
This year I am planning on assisting to all USPSA matches, of course there are many challenges. My personal Challenges are:

1) Weight (Have to get in good form for these matches)
2) Pistol (Decide finally which caliber I will shoot)
3) Sign with a local Range to practice more often, better if I can get something indoors.

This match has two classifier courses, Mark wrote that the requirement is 80 rounds 5 stages but I still have a bunch of questions:
- What is the smallest caliber that can be used with the USPSA or IPSC?

5.1.2. The minimum cartridge case dimension for handguns to be used in IPSC
matches is 9 X 19 mm. The minimum bullet diameter is 9 mm (.354
inches).
- What is an Open Sight?

5.1.3.1. "Open sights" are aiming devices fitted to a firearm which do
not use electronic circuitry and/or lenses. Fiber-optic inserts
are deemed not to be lenses.

- How many Classification matches you need and what is the qualification required to qualify?

I have not found answer to that one yet!

- What is a Classifier Course?

Answer researched:

IPSC Rules 1.2.2 (Special Courses of fire) Reference : http://www.ipsc.org/pdf/RulesHandgun.pdf


1.2.2.3."Classifiers" – Courses of fire published by a Regional
Directorate and/or IPSC, which are available to competitors
seeking a regional and/or international classification.
Classifiers must be set-up in accordance with these rules and be
conducted strictly in accordance with the notes and diagrams
accompanying them. Results must be submitted to the
publishing entity in the format required (with the applicable
fees, if any), in order for them to be recognized.

- What are the rules for 9mm on Production, is there a magazine limitation?
- Is .40 considered minor?

5.6.1.1. The power factor rating to enable a competitor's scores to be
included in match results is called "Minor". The power factor
floor for Minor rating, and other specific requirements
applicable to each Division, are stipulated in Appendix D.
5.6.1.2. Some Divisions offer a higher power factor rating called
"Major", which enables competitors to earn more points for
peripheral shots on scoring paper targets. The power factor
floor for Major rating, if available, and other specific
requirements applicable to each Division, are stipulated in
Appendix D.
The associated values awarded for Minor and Major scoring
5.6.1.3.
hits are illustrated in Appendices B and C. The method used to
determine power factor is explained in the following section.

All this is based on the power factor for the Division:

5.6.3.4. Power factor is calculated using the bullet weight and the
average velocity of the 3 rounds fired, according to the
following formula:
Power Factor = bullet weight (grains) x average velocity (ft p/sec)
1000
The final result will ignore all decimal places (e.g. for IPSC
purposes, a result of 124.9999 is not 125).


- What is my max magazine capacity on 9mm?

On any production firearm as long as it complies with the physical length the magazine capacity is not a limitation.

- Can I shoot limited with 9mm or .40 and if so which will give me more advantage on the Classifier?

- Which are IPSC Classifiers?

6.7. International Classification System ("ICS")
6.7.1. The IPSC Executive Council may coordinate and publish dedicated
regulations and procedures in order to manage and administer an
International Classification System.
6.7.2. Competitors seeking an international classification must use the approved
courses of fire available from the IPSC website.



The main question I have is:
Can I register and participate on the same match with two different handguns on two different categories the same day?

I guess that having my questions ready will help me to get them answered one by one, hopefully some of the readers will give me a hand with these questions.

I will shoot this Saturday April 17th is a Glock 35 caliber .40 magazine capacity is 15 rounds which gives me an advantage but I still have the qualification questions and I will try to find more answers probably I will send an email to Mark, he may help.

Ammunition to be used:

SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: 5258
Category: AMMO CENTERFIRE
Caliber :40 S&W
Bullet Type :Full Metal Jacket
Bullet Weight :180 GR
Muzzle Energy :400 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :1000 fps
Rounds/box :50 Rounds Per Box, 20 Boxes Per Case

Power Factor = (bullet weight (grains) x average velocity (ft p/sec))/1000

Power Factor = (180x1000/1000)= 180 Qualifier for Major, min 170

APPENDIX D2 Standard Division

1. Minimum power factor for Major 170
2. Minimum power factor for Minor 125
3. Minimum bullet weight No
9mm (0.354”) / 19mm
4. Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length
(0.748”)
5. Minimum bullet caliber for Major 10mm (0.40”) see below
6. Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix F2 No
7. Maximum handgun size Yes, see below
8. Maximum magazine length Yes, see below
9. Maximum ammunition capacity No
Max. distance of handgun and mags/speed
10. 50mm
loaders from torso
11. Rule 5.2.3.1 applies Yes
Restriction on position of holster and other
12. Yes, see below
equipment
13. Optical/electronic sights permitted No
Compensators, sound and/or flash suppressors
14. No
permitted
15. Ports permitted No, see below

My error was that all the time I filled my score sheet I did it under Production Division which gives more advantage to 9mm shooters.

APPENDIX D4 Production Division (effective 1 January 2010)

1. Minimum power factor for Major Not applicable
2. Minimum power factor for Minor 125
3. Minimum bullet weight No
4. Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length 9mm (0.354”) / 19mm
(0.748”)
5. Minimum bullet caliber for Major Not applicable
6. Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix F2) 2.27 kg (5lbs) for first shot
7. Maximum handgun size Maximum barrel length
127mm (5”)
8. Maximum magazine length No
9. Maximum ammunition capacity Yes, see Point 19.2 below
10. Max. distance of handgun and mags/speed
50mm
loaders from torso
11. Rule 5.2.3.1 applies Yes
12. Restriction on position of holster and other
Yes, see below.
equipment
13. Optical/electronic sights permitted No
14. Compensators, sound and/or flash suppressors
No
permitted
15. Ports permitted No

*****************************************************************************
19.2. Magazines accessible to a competitor during a COF must not contain
more that 15 rounds at the Start Signal.



Summary:

Match went perfect, the two classifiers very straight forward, we had the oportunity to reshoot them and I did better my second time.
On the pre-printed iformation there was nothing about the Standard Division which I assume is newer than the pages printed to signup for all the stages.
This was the first stage prepared which was not a classifier but still, very interesting and here the videos with the outcome on the shooting.
Had some Mikes and No shoots which made me lost points, I will run my second Classifier on limited 10 Major but will participate on Production 9mm after that.














































4-17-10 USPSA Match
Match Date: 4/17/2010
Stage No: 1 Black & White
Place Name No. Class Division Points Penalties Time Hit Factor Stage Pts Stage %
1 Jennings, Robert 2 U Limited 10 102 0 33.75 3.0222 110.0000 100.00%
2 Wilhelm, Robert 3 U Limited 10 100 10 38.44 2.3413 85.2171 77.47%
3 Gaylor, John 17 U Limited 10 107 0 45.92 2.3301 84.8094 77.10%
4 Finn, Bud 8 U Limited 10 97 10 41.76 2.0833 75.8266 68.93%
5 Bejarano, Saul 13 U Limited 10 101 20 45.84 1.7670 64.3141 58.47%
6 Leffell, Jeff 20 U Limited 10 92 20 75.71 0.9510 34.6139 31.47%
Number of Competitors: 6
Stage No: 2 Down The Line
Place Name No. Class Division Points Penalties Time Hit Factor Stage Pts Stage %
1 Wilhelm, Robert 3 U Limited 10 125 0 27.27 4.5838 125.0000 100.00%
2 Finn, Bud 8 U Limited 10 115 10 32.86 3.1954 87.1384 69.71%
3 Gaylor, John 17 U Limited 10 109 20 31.49 2.8263 77.0731 61.66%
4 Jennings, Robert 2 U Limited 10 108 10 44.72 2.1914 59.7594 47.81%
5 Bejarano, Saul 13 U Limited 10 101 20 39.34 2.0590 56.1488 44.92%
6 Leffell, Jeff 20 U Limited 10 116 0 64.21 1.8066 49.2659 39.41%
Number of Competitors: 6
Stage No: 3 Around The Barrels
Place Name No. Class Division Points Penalties Time Hit Factor Stage Pts Stage %
1 Wilhelm, Robert 3 U Limited 10 95 0 45.21 2.1013 100.0000 100.00%
2 Leffell, Jeff 20 U Limited 10 90 10 41.44 1.9305 91.8717 91.87%
3 Jennings, Robert 2 U Limited 10 88 0 47.61 1.8484 87.9646 87.96%
4 Gaylor, John 17 U Limited 10 96 0 60.63 1.5834 75.3534 75.35%
5 Finn, Bud 8 U Limited 10 83 10 56.74 1.2866 61.2288 61.23%
6 Bejarano, Saul 13 U Limited 10 79 20 55.76 1.0581 50.3545 50.35%
Number of Competitors: 6
Stage No: 4 Six
Place Name No. Class Division Points Penalties Time Hit Factor Stage Pts Stage %
1 Finn, Bud 8 U Limited 10 30 0 4.66 6.4378 30.0000 100.00%
2 Gaylor, John 17 U Limited 10 30 0 6.71 4.4709 20.8343 69.45%
3 Leffell, Jeff 20 U Limited 10 30 0 7.52 3.9894 18.5905 61.97%
4 Bejarano, Saul 13 U Limited 10 27 0 6.83 3.9531 18.4214 61.40%
5 Jennings, Robert 2 U Limited 10 25 10 4.04 3.7129 17.3020 57.67%
6 Wilhelm, Robert 3 U Limited 10 25 10 5.31 2.8249 13.1640 43.88%
Number of Competitors: 6
Stage No: 5 Seven
Place Name No. Class Division Points Penalties Time Hit Factor Stage Pts Stage %
1 Jennings, Robert 2 U Limited 10 33 0 4.72 6.9915 35.0000 100.00%
2 Leffell, Jeff 20 U Limited 10 32 0 4.86 6.5844 32.9620 94.18%
3 Wilhelm, Robert 3 U Limited 10 33 0 5.14 6.4202 32.1400 91.83%
4 Finn, Bud 8 U Limited 10 33 0 5.42 6.0886 30.4800 87.09%
5 Bejarano, Saul 13 U Limited 10 33 0 6.37 5.1805 25.9340 74.10%
6 Gaylor, John 17 U Limited 10 34 0 7.74 4.3928 21.9907 62.83%
Number of Competitors: 6
Printed: 04/18/10 7:48 PM Page 1 of 1