Bylaws

The definitions below highlight the differences between IPSC and USPSA divisions.

Always refer to the official IPSC rule-book to confirm the requirements for each division.

Open

Variations from USPSA Division requirements are indicated in RED

#	Definition	Value	Information
1	Minimum power factor for Major	160
2	Minimum power factor for Minor	125
3	Minimum bullet weight	120 grains for Major	See Item 15 below.
4	Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Minimum bullet caliber for Major	No
6	Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix E4a)	No
7	Maximum handgun size	No
8	Maximum magazine length	170 mm
9	Maximum ammunition capacity	No
10	Maximum distance of handgun and allied equipment from torso 5.2.5 Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor's body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices. 5.2.5.1 The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2). 5.2.5.2 Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.	50 mm (see rule 5.2.5)
11	Rule 5.2.10 / Appendix E2 applies	No
12	Optical/electronic sights	Yes
13	Compensators, ports, sound and/or flash suppressors	Yes
14	Weight(s) attached to barrel that extend beyond the muzzle	Yes
	Special Considerations	Yes
15	Ammunition which fails to meet the minimum bullet weight above, but which chronographs at Major power factor, will be treated as unsafe and must be withdrawn (see Rule 5.5.6). If the weight of the first bullet weighed under Rule 5.6.3.3 fails to meet the minimum bullet weight required for Major power factor, Rule 5.6.3.7 will apply, and a second bullet will be weighed as a final and definitive bullet weight test.	Yes

Standard (Limited)

Variations from USPSA Division requirements are indicated in RED

#	Definition	Value	Information
1	Minimum power factor for Major	170
2	Minimum power factor for Minor	125
3	Minimum bullet weight	No
4	Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Minimum bullet caliber for Major	10 mm (0.40") / .357 SIG	See Item 18 below.
6	Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix E4a)	No
7	Maximum handgun size	Yes	See Items 15-16 below.
8	Maximum magazine length	Yes	See iItems 15-16 below.
9	Maximum ammunition capacity	No
10	Maximum distance of handgun and allied equipment from torso 5.2.5 Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor's body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices. 5.2.5.1 The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2). 5.2.5.2 Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.	50 mm (see rule 5.2.5)
11	Rule 5.2.10 / Appendix E2 applies 5.2.10 In some Divisions (see Appendix D), neither the handgun, nor any of its attachments, nor the holster, nor any allied equipment, can extend forward of the line illustrated in Appendix E2 at the Start Signal. Any such items a Range Officer deems not to be in compliance must be safely and promptly adjusted, failing which Rule 6.2.5.1 will apply.	Yes
12	Optical/electronic sights	No
13	Compensators, ports, sound and/or flash suppressors	No	See Item 17 below.
14	Weight(s) attached to barrel that extend beyond the muzzle	No
	Special Considerations
15	A handgun in its ready condition (see Section 8.1), but unloaded and with an empty magazine inserted or empty cylinder closed, must fit wholly within the confines of a box which has internal dimensions of 225 mm x 150 mm x 45 mm (tolerance of +1 mm, -0 mm). Note that all magazines must comply.
16	The handgun is placed inside the box (and ultimately removed) by the competitor with the slide parallel to the longest side of the box. Rear adjustable sights may be slightly depressed but the slide must be fully forward, and all other features of the handgun, (e.g. collapsible and/or folding sights, slide rackers, thumb rests, grips etc.), must be fully extended or deployed when the gun is seated inside the box. Additionally, telescoping magazines and/or magazines with compressible base pads are expressly prohibited.
17	Only porting of barrels is prohibited. Slides may be ported.
18	.357SIG is an approved caliber for Major, subject to achieving the applicable minimum power factor. This concession has been extended until 31 December 2025.

Production

Variations from USPSA Division requirements are indicated in RED

Note that USPSA's Production Division is significantly different from the IPSC Production Division which strictly regulates the type, and scope of modifications.

#	Definition	Value	Information
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	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Minimum bullet caliber for Major	Not Applicable
6	Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix E4a)	2.27kg (5lbs.) for first shot or 1.36kg (3lbs.) for every shot	See Item 16 below.
7	Maximum handgun size	Maximum barrel length 127 mm	See Item 15 below.
8	Maximum magazine length	No	See 19.1 below.
9	Maximum ammunition capacity	Yes, see item 18.2 below	See Item 18.2 below.
10	Maximum distance of handgun and allied equipment from torso 5.2.5 Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor's body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices. 5.2.5.1 The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2). 5.2.5.2 Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.	50 mm (see rule 5.2.5)
11	Rule 5.2.10 / Appendix E2 applies 5.2.10 In some Divisions (see Appendix D), neither the handgun, nor any of its attachments, nor the holster, nor any allied equipment, can extend forward of the line illustrated in Appendix E2 at the Start Signal. Any such items a Range Officer deems not to be in compliance must be safely and promptly adjusted, failing which Rule 6.2.5.1 will apply.	Yes
12	Optical/electronic sights	No
13	Compensators, ports, sound and/or flash suppressors	No
14	Weight(s) attached to barrel that extend beyond the muzzle	No
	Special Considerations
15	Only handguns listed as approved in the Production Division List on the IPSC website may be used in Production Division. Note that handguns deemed by IPSC to be single-action-only are expressly prohibited. The official IPSC protocol used to measure barrel length is described in Appendix E4b.
16	The minimum trigger pull must either be 2.27kg (5lbs.) for the first shot fired and no restriction for subsequent shots fired, or 1.36kg (3lbs.) for every shot fired.
17	Handguns with external hammers must be fully decocked (see Rule 8.1.2.5), at the Start Signal. First shot attempted must be double action. Competitors in this Division who, after the issuance of the Start Signal and prior to attempting the first shot, cock the hammer on a handgun which has a loaded chamber, will incur one procedural penalty per occurrence. Note that a procedural penalty will not be assessed in respect of courses of fire where the ready condition requires the competitor to prepare the handgun with an empty chamber. In these cases, the competitor may fire the first shot single action.
18	Original parts and components offered by the OFM as standard equipment, or as an option, for a specific model handgun on the IPSC approved handgun list are permitted, subject to the following: 18.1 Modifications to them, other than minor detailing (the removal of burrs and/or adjustments unavoidably required in order to fit replacement OFM parts or components), are prohibited. Other prohibited modifications include those which facilitate faster reloading (e.g. racking or cocking handles, flared, enlarged and/or add-on magwells, etc.), and/or adding stippling. Changing the original color and/or finish of a handgun, and/or adding stripes or other embellishments is permitted. 18.2 Magazines accessible to a competitor during a COF must not contain more than 15 rounds at the Start Signal. Identifying marks or decals, internal capacity limiters, bumper pads and additional witness holes, which add or remove negligible weight to/from magazines, are permitted. 18.3 Sights may be trimmed, adjusted and/or have colors applied. Sights may also be fitted with fiber optic or similar inserts.
19	Aftermarket parts, components and accessories are prohibited, except as follows: 19.1 Aftermarket magazines are permitted, subject to 18.2 above. 19.2 Aftermarket open sights (see Rule 5.1.3.1) are permitted, provided their installation and/or adjustment requires no alteration to the handgun. 19.3 Aftermarket grip panels which match the profile and contours of the OFM standard or optional grip panels for the approved handgun and/or the application of tape on grips (see Appendix E3a) are permitted. However, rubber sleeves are prohibited. 19.4 Aftermarket springs are permitted, provided they are in the same configuration as original. 19.5 Aftermarket trigger assemblies are permitted, subject to 16 above. A trigger assembly is defined as a mechanism that, once the trigger is pulled, activates the firing sequence of a firearm. Note that, if the original trigger includes a trigger safety, then the aftermarket trigger must also include a trigger safety. 19.6 Aftermarket hammers are permitted.

Production-Optics (Carry Optics)

Variations from USPSA Division requirements are indicated in RED

Note that USPSA's Carry Optics Division is radically different from the IPSC Production-Optics Division which strictly regulates the type, and scope of modifications.

#	Definition	Value	Information
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	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Minimum bullet caliber for Major	Not Applicable
6	Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix E4a)	2.27kg (5lbs.) for first shot or 1.36kg (3lbs.) for every shot	See Item 16 below.
7	Maximum handgun size	Maximum barrel length 127 mm	See Item 15 below.
8	Maximum magazine length	No	See 19.1 below.
9	Maximum ammunition capacity	Yes, see item 18.2 below	See Item 18.2
10	Maximum distance of handgun and allied equipment from torso 5.2.5 Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor's body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices. 5.2.5.1 The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2). 5.2.5.2 Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.	50 mm (see rule 5.2.5)
11	Rule 5.2.10 / Appendix E2 applies 5.2.10 In some Divisions (see Appendix D), neither the handgun, nor any of its attachments, nor the holster, nor any allied equipment, can extend forward of the line illustrated in Appendix E2 at the Start Signal. Any such items a Range Officer deems not to be in compliance must be safely and promptly adjusted, failing which Rule 6.2.5.1 will apply.	Yes
12	Optical/electronic sights	Mandatory, see item 15 below
13	Compensators, ports, sound and/or flash suppressors	No
14	Weight(s) attached to barrel that extend beyond the muzzle	No
	Special Considerations
15	Only handguns listed as approved in the Production Division List on the IPSC website and fitted with one optical/electronic sight may be used in Production Optics Division. Note that handguns deemed by IPSC to be single-action-only are expressly prohibited. The official IPSC protocol used to measure barrel length is described in Appendix E4b.
16	The minimum trigger pull must either be 2.27kg (5lbs.) for the first shot fired and no restriction for subsequent shots fired, or 1.36kg (3lbs.) for every shot fired.
17	Handguns with external hammers must be fully decocked (see Rule 8.1.2.5), at the Start Signal. First shot attempted must be double action. Competitors in this Division who, after the issuance of the Start Signal and prior to attempting the first shot, cock the hammer on a handgun which has a loaded chamber, will incur one procedural penalty per occurrence. Note that a procedural penalty will not be assessed in respect of courses of fire where the ready condition requires the competitor to prepare the handgun with an empty chamber. In these cases, the competitor may fire the first shot single action.
18	Original parts and components offered by the OFM as standard equipment, or as an option, for a specific model handgun on the IPSC approved handgun list are permitted, subject to the following: 18.1 Modifications to them, other than minor detailing (the removal of burrs and/or adjustments unavoidably required in order to fit replacement OFM parts or components), are prohibited. Other prohibited modifications include those which facilitate faster reloading (e.g. racking or cocking handles, flared, enlarged and/or add-on magwells, etc.), and/or adding stippling. Changing the original color and/or finish of a handgun, and/or adding stripes or other embellishments is permitted. 18.2 Magazines accessible to a competitor during a COF must not contain more than 15 rounds at the Start Signal. Identifying marks or decals, internal capacity limiters, bumper pads and additional witness holes, which add or remove negligible weight to/from magazines, are permitted. 18.3 Sights may be removed, trimmed, adjusted and/or have colors applied. Sights may also be fitted with fiber optic or similar inserts.
19	Aftermarket parts, components and accessories are prohibited, except as follows: 19.1 Aftermarket magazines are permitted, subject to 18.2 above. 19.2 Aftermarket open and optical/electronic sights (see Rules 5.1.3.1 and 5.1.3.2) and mounting plates are permitted, provided their installation and/or adjustment requires no alteration to the handgun other than the milling of the slide in order to facilitate the installation of an optical/electronic sight. 19.3 Aftermarket grip panels which match the profile and contours of the OFM standard or optional grip panels for the approved handgun and/or the application of tape on grips (see Appendix E3a) are permitted. However, rubber sleeves are prohibited. 19.4 Aftermarket springs are permitted, provided they are in the same configuration as original. 19.5 Aftermarket trigger assemblies are permitted, subject to 16 above. A trigger assembly is defined as a mechanism that, once the trigger is pulled, activates the firing sequence of a firearm. Note that, if the original trigger includes a trigger safety, then the aftermarket trigger must also include a trigger safety. 19.6 Aftermarket hammers are permitted.
20	Optical/electronic sights must be mounted on the upper rear of the slide either in addition to, or replacement of, the rear open sight. Racking or cocking handles or other similar protuberances cannot form part of the sight or its mounting.

Classic (Single-Stack)

Variations from USPSA Division requirements are indicated in RED

#	Definition	Values	Information
1	Minimum power factor for Major	170
2	Minimum power factor for Minor	125
3	Minimum bullet weight	No
4	Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Minimum bullet caliber for Major	10 mm (0.40") .357 SIG	See Item 21 below.
6	Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix E4a)	No
7	Maximum handgun size	Yes	See Items 15-16 below.
8	Maximum magazine length	Yes	See Items 15-16 below.
9	Maximum ammunition capacity	Yes, see item ?? below	See Item 20 below.
10	Maximum distance of handgun and allied equipment from torso 5.2.5 Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor's body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices. 5.2.5.1 The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2). 5.2.5.2 Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.	50 mm (see rule 5.2.5)
11	Rule 5.2.10 / Appendix E2 applies 5.2.10 In some Divisions (see Appendix D), neither the handgun, nor any of its attachments, nor the holster, nor any allied equipment, can extend forward of the line illustrated in Appendix E2 at the Start Signal. Any such items a Range Officer deems not to be in compliance must be safely and promptly adjusted, failing which Rule 6.2.5.1 will apply.	Yes
12	Optical/electronic sights	No
13	Compensators, ports, sound and/or flash suppressors	No
14	Weight(s) attached to barrel that extend beyond the muzzle	No	Flashlights are not permitted.
	Special Considerations
15	A handgun in its ready condition (see Section 8.1), but unloaded and with an empty magazine inserted, must fit wholly within the confines of a box which has internal dimensions of 225 mm x 150 mm x 45 mm (tolerance of +1 mm, -0 mm). Note that all magazines must comply.
16	The handgun is placed inside the box (and ultimately removed) by the competitor with the slide parallel to the longest side of the box. Rear adjustable sights may be slightly depressed during insertion but the slide must be fully forward when the gun is seated inside the box.
17	Handguns must be based on and visibly resemble the profile and contours of the classic 1911-genre design. This means a single-stack, one piece metal frame, slide with stirrup cuts, and a dust cover (with or without an accessory rail) which has a maximum length of 75 mm when measured from the leading edge of the dust cover to the rear of the slide stop pin. 17.1 Magazine wells cannot exceed a maximum outside width of 35 mm. Compliance is checked by way of a 35 mm wide, and at least 5 mm deep, notch carved into the outside of the box, or by use of a ruler or caliper, as approved by the officiating Range Master.
18	Prohibited modifications / parts are slide lightening cuts, weak hand thumb rests and slide rackers.
19	Permitted modifications are shaped slides (flat-top, tri-top etc.), shaped trigger guards (squared, undercut etc.), bob-tail backstraps, bull or coned barrels, external extractors, finger-grooves (machined, add-on, wrap-around etc.), custom magazine release buttons, triggers, hammers, single/ambidextrous thumb safeties, any open sights (which may be embedded into the slide), and extended slide lock levers and thumb shields provided they do not act as a thumb rest. 19.1 Other modifications permitted include those of a cosmetic nature (e.g. custom grip panels, scrimshaw or similar surface engravings, checkering, serrations etc.).
20	Magazines accessible to a competitor during a COF must not contain more than 8 rounds (for Major power factor) or 10 rounds (for Minor power factor) at the Start Signal.
21	357SIG is also an approved caliber for Major, subject to achieving the applicable minimum power factor. This concession has been extended until 31 December 2025.

Revolver

Variations from USPSA Division requirements are indicated in RED

#	Definition	Values	Information
1	Minimum power factor for Major	170
2	Minimum power factor for Minor	125
3	Minimum bullet weight	No
4	Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Minimum bullet caliber for Major	No
6	Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix E4a)	No
7	Maximum handgun size	No
8	Maximum magazine length	Not Applicable
9	Maximum ammunition capacity	No	See Item 15 below.
10	Maximum distance of handgun and allied equipment from torso 5.2.5 Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor's body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices. 5.2.5.1 The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2). 5.2.5.2 Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.	50 mm (see rule 5.2.5)
11	Rule 5.2.10 / Appendix E2 applies	No
12	Optical/electronic sights	No
13	Compensators, ports, sound and/or flash suppressors	No
14	Weight(s) attached to barrel that extend beyond the muzzle	No
	Special Considerations
15	No limit on cylinder capacity. Revolvers with a capacity of 7 rounds or more do not qualify for Major, even if rounds achieve Major power factor during testing by chronograph.
16	"Self-loading" revolvers with retractable slides are prohibited in this Division.

Pistol Caliber Carbine

Variations from USPSA Division requirements are indicated in RED

#	Definition	Values	Information
1	Minimum power factor for Minor	125 (Minor scoring only)
2	Maximum bullet velocity	500 meters (1640 feet) per second	See Item 13 below.
3	Minimum bullet weight	115 grains	See Item 14 below.
4	Minimum bullet caliber / cartridge case length	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Permitted calibers	9x19 mm, 9x21 mm, .357 SIG, .38 Super, .38 Super Comp, .40 S&W, .45 ACP
6	Maximum ammunition capacity (maximum to be loaded)	33 rounds (32 in magazine)
7	Magazine couplers permitted	No
8	Restriction on action type	No
9	Optical/electronic sights	Mandatory in PCC Optics division, and prohibited in PCC Irons division	See Item 16 below.
10	Compensators, sound and/or flash suppressors permitted	Yes
11	The use of bipods, barricade stops and similar permitted	No
12	Vertical front grip permitted, max length 152mm (6 inches) from the centerline of the barrel	Yes
	Special Considerations
13	Ammunition which exceeds the maximum bullet velocity will be treated as 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 fails to meet the minimum bullet weight required, a second bullet will be weighed as a final and definitive bullet weight test.
15	Kits that convert a handgun or rifle into a pistol caliber carbine are permitted.
16	Only carbines fitted with one or more non-magnifying optical/electronic sight(s) may be used in PCC Optics Division.

The proposed Optics division was accepted at the 2025 General Assembly and will likely go into effect in January 2026. The definitions of this division are shown below but a final authorized version has not yet been published.

Optics

This new division is essentially the same as USPSA's Limited Optics.

#	Definition	Value	Information
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	9 mm (0.354") / 19 mm (0.748")
5	Minimum bullet caliber for Major	Not applicable
6	Minimum trigger pull (see Appendix E4a)	No
7	Maximum handgun size	No
8	Maximum magazine length	141.25 mm / 170 mm in single stack guns (see Appendix E1)
9	Maximum ammunition capacity	No
10	Maximum distance of handgun and allied equipment from torso 5.2.5 Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor's handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor's body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor's torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices. 5.2.5.1 The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2). 5.2.5.2 Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.	50 mm (see rule 5.2.5)
11	Rule 5.2.10 / Appendix E2 applies 5.2.10 In some Divisions (see Appendix D), neither the handgun, nor any of its attachments, nor the holster, nor any allied equipment, can extend forward of the line illustrated in Appendix E2 at the Start Signal. Any such items a Range Officer deems not to be in compliance must be safely and promptly adjusted, failing which Rule 6.2.5.1 will apply.	Yes	See Item 15 below.
12	Optical/electronic sights	Mandatory	See Items 17-18 below.
13	Compensators, ports, sound and/or flash suppressors	No	See Item 16 below.
14	Weight(s) attached to barrel that extend beyond the muzzle	No
	Special Considerations
15	Appendix E2 will consider the slide, not the Optical sight, as the foremost limit behind the hip bone.
16	Only porting of barrels is prohibited. Slides may be ported.
17	Only handguns fitted with one optical/electronic sight may be used in Optics Division.
18	Optical/electronic sights must be mounted on the upper rear of the slide either in addition to, or replacement of, the rear open sight. Milling of the slide is permitted to install the optical/electronic sight.