Designed to test shooter’s shooting ability vis-à-vis equipment and techniques; the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) is the national governing body of practical shooting in the United States. The practical shooting which USPSA governs tends to measure the ability to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full power handgun, and or a Pistol Caliber Carbine. Practical shooting comprises three (3) elements: speed, accuracy, and power. USPSA matches are designed to measure the shooter’s ability in all the three elements equally.
Based on participation, USPSA is the most popular modern action shooting sport in the United States and the second-largest region within IPSC (International Practical Shooting Competition) after the Russian Federation of Practical Shooting. USPSA is the United States’ region of IPSC. So it’s safe to say that being a member of USPSA is an automatic membership to IPSC.
How it began
In 1976, an international group of enthusiasts (which comprises private individuals, law enforcement officers, and Military personnel) met in Columbia, Missouri to discuss what had become of practical shooting. That meeting, which was led by the late Jeff Cooper, birthed the formal establishment of the sport of practical shooting after years of independent efforts around the country to build upon the handgun skills and training for self-defense. The organization was named International Practical Shooting Competition (IPSC).
USPSA was incorporated as the US Region of IPSC in 1984. Ever since its incorporation 30+ years ago, USPSA has grown to be the largest practical shooting organization in the United States. Today, the organization has over 31,000 active members and over 440 affiliated clubs across the eight (8) areas in the country.
USPSA Divisions
There are eight (8) USPSA divisions, each of which is defined by the type of guns and the approved modifications to such guns. The creation of these divisions is to ascertain that every competitor is given the fair chance to participate on a level playing field by using similar equipment and firearms. Below are the features of each of the divisions:
Open Division
- Minimum Power Factor (PF) of 165 and 125 for Major and Minor respectively
- Optical and electronic sights are permitted
- Compensators are allowed
- Minimum bullet weight of 112 grains for major power factor
- Minimum bullet caliber of .38 caliber
- No specific approved handgun for this division
- No maximum ammunition capacity
Limited Division
- Minimum PF of 165 and 125 for Major and Minor respectively
- Bullets can be of any weight but minimum cartridge dimension of 9x19mm
- Minimum bullet caliber of .40 caliber or 10mm (0.40”) or .357 SIG (for Major)
- Optical or electronic sights permitted
- Compensators aren’t permitted
- No maximum ammunition capacity
Limited-10 Division
- This division is the same as the Limited division except that the Limited-10 division has a maximum ammunition capacity. It has a maximum of 10 rounds loaded in any magazine after the start signal.
Production Division
- No minimum PF for Major but a minimum PF of 125 for Minor
- No minimum bullet weight and no compensators allowed
- A Minimum caliber of .38 caliber
- Maximum ammunition capacity of 10 rounds loaded in any magazine after the start signal
- Optical or electronic sights permitted
- Maximum gun weight of 59 ounces with an empty magazine inserted
- Only Double Action, Double/Single Action, and Safe Action/Striker Fired handguns are allowed
Single-Stack Division
- Minimum PF of 165 and 125 for Major and Minor respectively
- No minimum bullet weight and no compensators allowed
- Minimum bullet caliber of .38 caliber
- Optical or electronic sights permitted
- Maximum ammunition capacity of 8 rounds loaded in any magazine after the start signal for Major PF and 10 rounds for Minor PF
- Maximum gun weight of 43 ounces with empty magazine
- Only 1911 production type pistols are allowed – Original or replica
Revolver Division
- Minimum PF of 165 and 125 for Major and Minor respectively
- Minimum bullet caliber of .38 caliber
- Maximum of 6rounds fired before reload for Major PF and 8rounds for Minor PF
- Optical or electronic sights aren’t allowed
- Self-loading revolvers with retractable slides aren’t allowed
- Compensators aren’t permitted
Carry Optics Division
- Minimum PF of 125 for Minor
- Minimum bullet caliber of 9x19mm
- Magazine length shouldn’t exceed 141.25mm (5.561″)
- Compensators aren’t allowed
- Maximum gun weight of 59 ounces with optic and empty magazine inserted
- Optical or electronic sights required. But must be attached to the slide of the gun
- Only Double Action, Double/Single Action, and Safe Action/Striker Fired handguns are allowed
Pistol Caliber Carbine Division
- Permitted calibers are 9mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, 10mm, and .45 ACP
- Minimum PF of 125
- Optical or electronic sights allowed
- Compensators are permitted
- Magazines must be carried on the belt or in apparel pockets
- Side-by-side magazine couplers aren’t allowed
- Gun must have stock attached and capable of being fired from the shoulder position
Categories and Levels
In a bid to provide more playing grounds for its shooters, USPSA approved categories within each division to recognize different groups of competitors. However, division status must be achieved before categories are recognized. The categories approved by USPSA are:
- Lady: Gender as listed on a government-issued ID
- Junior: Competitors under the age of 18 on the first day of the match
- Senior: Competitors over the age of 55 on the first day of the match
- Super Senior: Competitors over the age of 65 on the first day of the match
- Military: Military personnel on current active duty orders
- Law: Full-time law enforcement officers with arrest powers
Aside from the categories, USPSA has four levels of matches across the country. The levels are:
- Level I: This level represents club matches that are held at the local level throughout the year
- Level II: This level represents sectional and state matches that are conducted annually
- Level III: This level represents the annual Area Championship
- National Level: This is the final level and it represents matches conducted at the national level
Note:
- There should be a minimum of 5 competitors per Division in Level I and Level II
- There must be a minimum of 10 competitors per Division in Level III and National Level
- There must be a minimum of 5 competitors per Division Category
Equipment and Ammunition Required
To shoot competitively in USPSA, the following are the basic requirements:
- A pistol, revolver, or carbine – caliber 9mm or greater (Please refer to the divisions for special handgun requirements)
- A holster that covers the trigger and holds your gun securely
- A belt/pouch system to carry extra magazines and ammo
- Eye and ear protection equipment
- A minimum of three to five magazines
- An average of 200 rounds (it is advisable to go with plenty of extra rounds in case of misses or reshoots)
Targets Scoring in USPSA
From establishing interesting stages, to maintaining a high-class competitive balance, and building a very strong national organization, USPSA has been continuously attracting new shooters over the years. However, their scoring system is frustrating to many new shooters because it is too complex to be easily understood. Let’s simplify it…
Major and Minor Power Factor
Power Factor (PF) is calculated by multiplying the bullet weight (in grain) by the average velocity (feet per second) all over 1000. For example, a 145-grain projectile going at 870 feet per second will produce a PF of 126. i.e., 145×870/1000=126 (the final result will ignore all decimal places). All rounds with a PF above 165 are classified Major, and rounds below 165 are classified Minor. However, all rounds must have at least 125 PF to be eligible for competition.
The Targets
Most targets used in USPSA matches are divided into three scoring zones; A-zone, C-zone, and D-zone. A hit on the A-zone with both Major and Minor PF counts for 5 points. A hit on the C-zone with a Major PF counts for 4 points and 3 points with a Minor PF. A hit on the D-zone with a Major PF counts for 2 points and 1 point with a Minor PF. But when steel poppers and metal plates are used as targets, a hit counts for 5 points regardless of the PF used.
The Hit Factor
The hit factor is calculated by dividing the points scored by the time it took to complete the stage. In a simpler term, it means points per second. For example, if a stage has 12 targets that are required to be shot two times, the points available for that stage are 120 if all A-zones are hit – Each target worth 10 points because it’s required to be shot twice, and A-zones hits worth 5 points each. 12 targets multiplied by 10 points each equals 120 points. So let’s say it takes 21 seconds to hit all the A-zones, the hit factor will be 120/21=5.714; that’s the score for that stage. The shooter with the highest hit factor wins the stage after everyone has shot the stage.
Note:
- A target miss is -10 points
- Hitting a no-shoot target is -10points
- Failing to follow the stage procedure is -10 points
USPSA Stages
USPSA features stages of fire that are constantly changing and testing the shooters’ ability to maneuver through a course of fire while shooting fast and accurately. However, a written stage briefing will be made available for every shooter prior to the commencement of the match. The stage briefing will provide the following information:
- Scoring method
- Targets (type and number)
- Minimum number of rounds
- The firearm ready condition
- Start position (which will be demonstrated by the Range Officer)
- Time starts (audible or visual signal)
- Procedure
Range Commands and Range Safety
The range commands used in USPSA matches are practically the same as we have in the Steel Challenge. Safety is sacrosanct in all of the shooting sports, and USPSA is no exception. Read about the safety of handling firearms in one of my previous write-ups.
On a Final Note
In a single match of USPSA, all the elements of shooting are combined. There is shooting while moving, shooting at moving targets, and combine reloads all in a match. There is an opportunity to shoot paper targets and reactive steel targets too. The point is, you can start shooting at your own pace and advance through learning as a mentor will be assigned to you by USPSA. You won’t be bored with the same boring targets in all the matches of USPSA. To ascertain that joining USPSA won’t be a wrong choice, top competitors are regularly employed as trainers for elite police and military units.
Thanks for taking the time to read my article. I hope you found it enjoyable and informative.
If you have any comments or thoughts, Please feel free to leave them below.
Have a Great Day!
-Chuck
www.fivecharlie.com