What Is IPSC?

IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) is the international confederation of practical shooting. It is a dynamic shooting discipline that combines speed, accuracy and power. IPSC shooting is very popular all over the world and is considered one of the most demanding and most exciting shooting disciplines. Here are the main characteristics and aspects of IPSC:

Main characteristics of IPSC:

1. Dynamic shooting: Unlike traditional shooting disciplines, IPSC involves the shooter moving while shooting. The shooter has to move between different positions, which makes the shooting very dynamic and demanding.
2. Different targets: The shooter faces different types of targets, including static and moving targets, steel and paper targets, which can be placed at different distances and angles.
3. Time: Time is an important factor in IPSC. The shooter has to complete each stage as quickly as possible, and the score is a combination of speed and accuracy.
4. Complex stages: IPSC courses are designed to be challenging and varied. Stages can include obstacles, doors, windows, different types of cover and different shooting positions.
5. Three main criteria: IPSC scoring focuses on three basic factors known as "DVC" (Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas):
   • Diligentia (accuracy): the accuracy of the hits on target.
   • Vis (power): the power of the shooter and the ability to hit the target.
   • Celeritas (speed): the time needed to complete the stage.

IPSC disciplines:

IPSC has several disciplines based on the type of firearm used:

• Handgun: the most common discipline, where various types of pistols are used.
• Rifle: long guns, most often the AR-15 platform, but also the AK-47, vz. 58 and others.
• Shotgun: shotguns, often in combination with different types of ammunition.
• Action Air: IPSC for airsoft guns, popular in countries where firearms regulation is strict.

Rules and safety:

IPSC has very strict safety rules. Every shooter must follow the rules of safe gun handling throughout the whole match.

IPSC offers an exciting and demanding shooting discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental abilities as well as technical skill with the firearm.

What should you know if you want to start with IPSC?

Safety comes first. In IPSC, safety is always the top priority. You arrive at the match with an unloaded firearm. You may never handle the firearm anywhere outside the holster or a gun bag or case. You may handle it only in the SAFETY AREA, pointing in a safe direction, where no ammunition may be present. You may load the firearm only on a stage, and only on the Range Officer's command – always, of course, in a safe direction.

It is also important to prepare your gear. The basics are hearing and eye protection. Next you need a suitable belt for the pistol holster and the magazine pouches. With a pistol, a single stage can require up to 32 rounds, so it is a good idea to have enough magazines. In Production and Standard it is usually 4 magazines.

Let us take a closer look at the IPSC pistol.

In IPSC handgun there are several divisions that group shooters according to the type of pistol they use and the modifications that may be made to it. Each division has its own rules and restrictions on modifications to keep the competition fair and balanced. These are the main IPSC handgun divisions:

1. Open Division

• Characteristics: This division allows the widest range of modifications and upgrades.
• Firearms: Pistols may be fitted with red dot (optical) sights, compensators, extended magazines and other modifications that improve the performance of the gun.
• Advantages: The shooter can use technology and upgrades to achieve maximum performance.

2. Standard Division

• Characteristics: Fewer modifications and upgrades than in Open Division, but certain changes are still allowed.
• Firearms: Pistols must fit into a box measuring 225 x 150 x 45 mm with an empty magazine inserted. Optical sights and compensators are not allowed. Apart from 9x19, the .40 S&W calibre is often used here, as it gives the shooter the better Major power factor instead of the basic Minor scoring.
  
• Advantages: A balance between modifications and the standard performance of the gun.

3. Production Division

• Characteristics: This division is intended for almost stock factory pistols with minimal modifications.
• Firearms: Only very limited modifications are allowed, such as changing the sights and adjusting the trigger mechanism. The firearms must be on the IPSC list of approved models. The most basic condition is a maximum of 15 rounds in the magazine. Commonly used pistols are the CZ Shadow, Glock 17 and similar. The most common calibre is 9x19 mm.
  
• Advantages: The emphasis is on the shooter's skill with a minimum of technological advantages.

4. Classic Division

• Characteristics: Focused on the traditional pistol design, especially the 1911 (both 9x19 mm and .45 ACP).
  
• Firearms: Pistols must be single-stack and meet certain restrictions on modifications. Compensators and optical sights are not allowed.
• Advantages: Traditional style and simple modifications.

5. Revolver Division

• Characteristics: This division is intended for revolvers.
• Firearms: Revolvers with minimal modifications. Optical sights and compensators are not allowed.
• Advantages: Competing with traditional revolvers, which brings different challenges compared with pistols.

6. Production Optics Division

• Characteristics: Allows the use of optical sights on pistols that otherwise meet the Production Division rules.
• Firearms: Pistols with optical sights, without compensators or other extensive modifications.
• Advantages: A combination of standard firearms with modern optical sights.

7. Production Optics Light Division

• Characteristics: Similar to Production Optics, but the pistols must be lighter.
• Firearms: Light pistols with optical sights that otherwise meet the Production Division rules.
• Advantages: Focus on light, fast pistols with optical sights.

These divisions allow for variety and ensure that shooters compete with similar firearms and modifications, which makes IPSC matches fairer and more competitive.

In IPSC rifle there are several divisions that group shooters according to the type of rifle they use and the modifications that may be made to it. The most commonly used rifles are direct-impingement AR-15s because they are so easy to modify, but there are still enthusiasts using the AK-47, vz. 58 and other rifles. These are the main IPSC rifle divisions:

IPSC rifle divisions:

1. Semi Auto Open (SAO)
2. Semi Auto Standard (SAS)
3. Manual Action Contemporary (MAC)
4. Manual Action Bolt (MAB)

Main requirements and restrictions:

1. Minimum power factor for Major:

• SAO, SAS, MAC, MAB: 320

2. Minimum power factor for Minor:

• SAO, SAS, MAC, MAB: 150

3. Maximum magazine capacity:

• SAO, SAS, MAC, MAB: not specified
  

4. Type of action:

• SAO: Semi Auto
• SAS: Semi Auto
• MAC: Manual
• MAB: Bolt

5. Optical sights allowed:

• SAO: yes
• SAS: no
• MAC: yes
• MAB: yes

6. Compensators, flash hiders or suppressors:

• SAO: yes
• SAS: maximum 30 x 90 mm
• MAC: yes
• MAB: yes

7. Use of bipods and barricade stops:

• SAO: yes
• SAS: no
• MAC: yes
• MAB: yes

8. Vertical foregrip:

• SAO: not restricted
• SAS: yes, maximum length 152 mm (6 inches) from the centre line of the barrel
• MAC: not restricted
  
• MAB: not restricted

Special conditions:

1. Definition of a manual rifle:

   • A firearm that fires one round with each pull of the trigger, but after firing requires manual operation to prepare the next shot – extracting and ejecting the empty case, reloading and cocking the mechanism. If any of these steps is performed other than by the shooter's manual action, the firearm does not meet the criteria of a manual rifle.

2. Spring-assisted operation in MAC Division:

   • Allowed, provided the energy for the spring was supplied by the shooter's manual action after the start signal.

3. Definition of a bolt action:

   • A firearm where the bolt is opened and closed manually by the shooter using a handle directly attached to the bolt.

4. Measuring compensator length:

   • Measured from the end of the rifling to the tip of the device.

5. Use of a bipod:

   • One bipod per course of fire; the maximum extended length must not exceed 90 cm (35.5 inches), and it must not raise the centre line of the barrel more than 90 cm (35.5 inches) above the surface on which the bipod stands with its legs fully extended. Bipods may be removed and changed between courses of fire.

These rules define the basic technical requirements and restrictions for the individual IPSC rifle divisions and ensure that matches are fair and balanced for all participants.

IPSC PCC is a very popular division because it lets you shoot pistol stages with a carbine and offers extreme speed and fun. This division has gained many fans very quickly.

IPSC PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine) divisions:

Divisions:

• PCC Optics
• PCC Iron

Main requirements and restrictions:

1. Minimum power factor for Minor:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: 125 (Minor scoring only)

2. Maximum bullet velocity:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: 500 metres (1,640 feet) per second
  

3. Minimum bullet weight:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: 115 grains
  

4. Minimum bullet calibre / case length:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: 9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")

5. Permitted calibres:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: 9x19 mm, 9x21 mm, .357 SIG, .38 Super, .38 Super Comp, .40 S&W, .45 ACP

6. Maximum ammunition capacity (fully loaded):

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: 33 rounds (32 in the magazine)

7. Magazine couplers allowed:

• PCC Optics: No
• PCC Iron: No

8. Restriction on type of action:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: No

9. Optical/electronic sights:

• PCC Optics: Yes
• PCC Iron: No

10. Compensators, suppressors and/or flash hiders allowed:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: Yes

11. Bipods and similar devices allowed:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: No

12. Vertical foregrip allowed:

• PCC Optics and PCC Iron: Yes, maximum length 152 mm (6 inches) from the centre line of the barrel

Special conditions:

13. Ammunition that exceeds the maximum bullet velocity will be deemed unsafe and must be withdrawn (see Rule 5.5.6).

14. If the weight of the first bullet weighed under Rule 5.6.3.3 does not meet the required minimum bullet weight, a second bullet will be weighed as the final and definitive bullet weight test.

15. Kits that convert a pistol or a rifle into a pistol calibre carbine are permitted.

16. Only carbines fitted with one or more non-magnifying optical/electronic sights may be used in the PCC Optics division.

Video: IPSC Handgun European Championship 2019, Serbia

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Video: IPSC Rifle World Shoot 2019, Sweden

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