President
Eric Kennard
Vice President
Dan Yelverton
Executive Officer
Bill McCunne
Treasurer
John Shishilla
Secretary,
Dues, Keys &
Membership
Jim Beachboard
Chief Instructor
Don Smith
Pistol Director
Johnathan Bonham
Rifle Director
Eric Kennard
Shotgun Director
Matt Currier

IPSC / USPSA - Practical Shooting

Practical Shooting attempts to measure the ability to shoot rapidly and accurately with a handgun. Speed, accuracy, and power form the three sides of the practical shooting triangle. By design, each match will measure a shooter's ability in all three areas. Shooters take on obstacle-laden shooting courses (called stages) engaging both paper and steel, requiring anywhere from six to 30+ shots to complete. Unlike other shooting sports, most stages are “free-style”, meaning the shooter is given a starting position then given freedom to solve the stage the best way possible.

Competitors use a minimum of 9mm/.38 caliber ammunition in either a minor or major power factor. Power factor is determined by bullet weight multiplied by its speed. Minor power factor is 125,000 and major is 165,000. Almost all factory ammunition makes minor! Larger calibers like S&W .40 and 45 ACP factory ammo usually makes major! Power factor is used to determine the point value on paper targets, so shooting a major caliber will equal more points.

All a shooter needs to compete is a good attitude, eye & ear protection, a pistol, a holster that covers the trigger guard, 4 or 5 magazines with magazine pouches, and belt to put them on!


DIVISIONS

Shooters compete within their specific Division which includes Production, Limited, Open, Revolver, Single Stack and Limited 10, as well as competing in Classification of skill level which range from Unclassified to Grand Master. This means a beginner Unclassified Production shooter is NOT competing against a Master Open shooter. Division descriptions are as follows:

Production is the fastest growing Division in USPSA and the easiest to start in! This Division was developed for the shooter to be able to use a pistol that they may carry for duty or self defense. Most semi-auto pistols available in today’s market qualify! Magazines may only be loaded to 10 rounds (or less) to keep everyone on a level playing field. Only minor power factor is used in this Division. There are other rules which apply, and those may be found at USPSA website below.

Limited (and Limited 10) is similar to Production, but there is no limit on the amount of rounds loaded into a magazine, only a magazine length restriction. Major or minor power factor can be used. Limited 10 is the same as Limited but only 10 rounds may be used in your magazines. See links below for additional rules.

Open is the almost anything goes Division. Optics, compensators and high capacity magazines are the norm. If it fits in a holster you can probably use it! Major or minor power factor can be used. Ammo capacity is limited by magazine length. See links below for additional rules.

Revolver is the Division, as one might think, for wheel guns. Moon clips and speed loaders are the usual for shooters to use to assist in loading quickly. Major or minor power factor can be used. See links below for additional rules.

Single Stack is where the Model 1911 still lives on. This Division has a magazine capacity of 8 for major loads and 10 for minor loads, so more magazines (6 or 7) are usually needed. See links below for additional rules.


MATCH SCHEDULE

Port Malabar IPSC matches are scheduled for the 2nd Saturday of each month and consist of 5 to 6 stages with a round count near 150. Sign up is at 8:30 with walk thru at 9:00. Membership to USPSA is not required to compete! Cost is $10.00 for PMRPC members and $15.00 for non-PMRPC members.

Firearms must be unloaded and in a case when arriving at the range. No handling of firearms at your vehicle. Handling of unloaded firearms is only allowed at safe tables or under direction of a Range Officer. No ammunition is allowed at safe tables. Eye protection is required at all times in the Action Area.

For more information about our local matches go to: www.pmrpcipsc.com

For more information about the USPSA or rules go to: www.uspsa.org