In USPSA competitions, accuracy, power, and speed are equally important and are the basis of the organization’s motto, diligentia vis celeritas.  You may shoot around a barrier, through a window, with your weak hand, or at a disappearing target. Always against the clock, you’ll need to reload along the way, “run and gun” from target to target, knock down steel plates, keep from shooting “good guy” targets swinging in front of “bad guy” targets and much, much more. This fast-paced sport is dominated by semi-automatics, both factory stock and customized, but revolver shooters are also welcome and have their own shooting class.

USPSA competition involves more than firing a gun. It requires shooters to draw, move, reload, navigate obstacles, analyze the course and shoot, all while the timer runs. The clock stops only when you’ve completed all tasks and fired the last shot. If your gun malfunctions or you need to reload, a quick, safe resolution is on you—there are no breaks, except for range equipment failure or safety concerns. USPSA places as much emphasis on gun handling as on shooting, and you skill is measured on the following:

USPSA also uses a hit factor to measure how well competitors balance speed and accuracy. Hit factor is the number of points scored per second on a stage, and a higher number is better. Competitors are awarded a class based on a series of percentages, which are calculated by dividing their hit factor on a stage by the maximum hit factor for that stage.

Safety

Safety is paramount in USPSA. At a match, unless you are shooting or working on your pistol in the safety area, your pistol must remain unloaded and holstered. Breaking this rule results in immediate disqualification, as does pointing a firearm, loaded or not, at oneself, another person or up range of the firing line. Two range officers supervise each shooter, and strict adherence to safety rules contributes to USPSA’s exemplary safety record. Despite the high stakes, new shooters need not worry. Before your first match, the host club provides a safety orientation or check, verifying your gear and familiarizing you with the necessary protocols through shooting exercises.

Firearms

USPSA matches have many different firearm divisions.

Production Division:  This division requires a basically stock semi-automatic handgun like most Glocks, Springfield XD/XDm’s, S&W M&P’s, Sigs etc.  There is a published list of approved handguns on the USPSA website.  Production shooters are limited to 10 rounds in each magazine at the start of a course of fire.  Restrictions exist for holster/magazine placement on the belt, permissible firearm modifications, etc.   

Many new shooters will compete in this division because it allows them to be competitive with a “stock” firearm they already own.  No fancy race holsters are allowed in Production.  A standard leather or Kydex holster attached to the belt is a great start (and no drop-leg holsters are allowed unless you’re active LEO or MIL and then you need to speak the MD for approval). 

You’ll want to start with at least 5 magazines in total.  A 32 round stage with some steel targets on it can eat up ammunition fast, and nothing is more frustrating than running out of ammo before running out of targets.

Limited Division:  Limited division competitors do not have an ammunition capacity restriction, though there is a 140mm magazine length restriction.  Magazines may be fully loaded, and some magazines will hold as many as 21 rounds! 

Modifications to Limited guns are much less restrictive.  Things like magazine wells and thumb rests are allowed.  No ported or compensated barrels or optics are allowed in Limited Division.  “Race-type” holsters like the DAA Racemaster and the Ghost are allowed.  Magazine and gun location on the body are relaxed.

Limited-10 Division:  Same as Limited Division, but with a 10 round magazine restriction.

Open Division: The “almost anything goes” division.  Magazines up to 170mm in length are allowed and some configurations will hold as many as 29 rounds!  Ported/compensated barrels and red-dot type optics are permitted.  These are the “Formula One” guns in the competitive handgun world.

Single-Stack Division:  For 1911 style single-stack guns.  Any caliber 9mm or above is allowed.

Revolver Division:  Self-explanatory.

Other Equipment

You’ll need a belt that attaches securely to your body.  It should make use of the belt loops on your pants.  You’ll also need a holster that securely holds your firearm and fully encloses the trigger guard.  An Outside-Waist-Band holster is not required, but is strongly recommended.  Magazine pouches should hold your magazines securely on your belt.  You’ll be running with your gun, so everything needs to stay where you put it. 

It’s rare that a local match will require more than 200 rounds of ammunition.   If you bring 200 rounds you should be fine unless you’re prone to missing a lot, in which case use your best judgement.  And of course you’ll need good, impact rated eye protection at all times when you’re on the range and hearing protection which are required to be worn at all times at our facility.