Division Decisions

Info to Know Before You Go!

By Patrick E. Kelley

Like any other game it is a good idea to know the rules before you begin. A simple task in most any formalized sport, the 3-gunner is challenged with knowing a “floating” set of rules that are subject to change depending on the match director!

Most of the major events are run under some variation of the IMGA (International MultiGun Association) rules. The United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) has an extensive set of rules in actual book form that governs all its events. While most of the deviation between the two are found in the areas of scoring and match administration, safety is where they share common ground.

Safety

Events will be run on Cold ranges (all firearms will remain unloaded until directed to load by a match official).

Designated Safety Areas (Marked with signs, unloaded firearms only and no ammunition is allowed.

Methods of firearm transport to and from shooting areas (long guns cased or slung muzzle-up, handguns cased or holstered).

Ear and eye protection is mandatory for all persons on the range.

Disqualifications > D.Q.

A negligent discharge, dropping a loaded firearm, allowing the muzzle to “break the 180” except while holstered, drawing or re-holstering

A D.Q may be issued at some events for hitting a steel target with a shotgun slug closer than “X” yards from the muzzle. The ricochet can be vicious.

Sportsmanship and Conduct: This should be self explanatory.

Ammunition: No tracer, no steel jacket or armor piercing, slugs and shot LEAD only

For the most part these first few are universal but you may find exceptions.

A match or two may say that depending of the severity of the safety transgression the competitor may only be disqualified from the stage (rather than the entire match). An example would be leaving a loaded round in your shotgun magazine tube with the chamber empty. Your penalty would be a zero score for that stage.

Firearms: Must be serviceable and safe, if rendered unserviceable the replacement firearms must be OK’d by the match director or designee. The same configuration shall be used for the entire match.

Firearms Classification / Divisions: Too many variations here for me to list as Match Directors have their own idea of what should be … or not. You must find and read the rules for each specific match you attend to know what’s what.

Holsters and Equipment: Holsters must retain the handgun under vigorous movement. Holsters must completely cover the trigger. Holsters and magazine pouches must be worn at waist level. Shoulder holsters and not allowed due to safety concerns. Cross draw holsters will be judged on an individual basis (180-degree muzzle concerns).

Match Administration

Rather than make this a debate about USPSA vs. IMGA I’ll just point out a few differences.

USPSA has established a set of standards that all matches run under its banner are supposed to follow. Things like targets. Steel and paper targets will be of a certain size, shape and construction. Minimum distances to steel targets are set to ensure safety.

At major events range officials must be certified by the USPSA. Stage designs must be approved by official committee.

IMGA events have no such constraints. Targets can be anything one can dream up. Stage designs are only limited by the creativeness of the designer. Range officials are volunteers with levels of experience from master to beginner.

Both have merit and weaknesses.

USPSA has consistency. No matter what state, region or area you can expect each match to be run using the same rules and targets.

IMGA events have the freedom to be whatever the match director wants. If your tastes run contrary to the MD’s then you just don’t go to that match. The problem is you won’t know until you try it and that costs money.

Scoring: While most matches use “Time-Plus Penalties” scoring there are many variations on what constitutes a penalty. Generally all paper targets must have at least one “A zone” hit or two hits anywhere to be “neutralized”. A failure to neutralize receives penalties. Penalties can range from 5 seconds added to your “raw time” for any one hit other than an “A” to 10 seconds for failing to hit the target at all. Some match directors desiring to put more emphasis on accuracy may make the penalties more severe. Again it is important to read the rules for the specific match you intend to shoot!

Standard “Time-plus” (standard penalties)

In my thinking this gives the course designer the greatest flexibility in creating stages. If the object on a particular stage is accuracy, then present small targets or add “no-shoots” to the mix. Want shooters to show some speed, then leave the targets full size and wide open. This balanced approach makes for a match with a greater variety with stages that test both speed and accuracy.

Variant 1 “Time-plus” (heavier penalties)

In my opinion the penalties in this scoring system “flavors” the entire match into one based on accuracy at the sacrifice of speed. The “accuracy-first” match format is not a bad thing but can become the only thing when the penalties are too severe.

The “rules” of IGMA are subject to revision and interpretation based on the thinking of the match director. Some of the variations in the rule set may be due to range and or target restrictions. Others may be driven by a concept held by the MD.

IGMA Examples:

When is a match DQ not a match DQ: at a particular match or two it is a stage DQ.

When is a box magazine-fed shotgun not restricted to Open division: when attending one of a couple events during the year.

There was a match or two that issued a match DQ for not using full power slugs in the Heavy Metal division.

Depending on the match, a DQ may or may not be issued for shooting a “birdshot designated” steel target with a shotgun slug. You may get to finish the stage with the score standing. You might receive a monetary fine for the offense or perhaps get a re-shoot.

It is generally OK to use coupled magazines in your rifle except at one match where you may not have them coupled as to create a wide base for use as a rest.

Some fore-end attachments that may serve to improve stability from a barricade are not allowed at some events.

Some matches may restrict the amount of rounds that a shotgun may “start” with at the beginning of a stage. Others hold the gun to a set amount and if you go over that amount you are bumped to Open division.

Drum magazines are OK at some matches and not at others.

These are just a few examples of what you may find at some of the major events around the country, let alone the local scene. Please don’t let any of this put you off showing up and getting into the game. The 3-Gun community is ready, willing and able to help you in starting your 3-Gun addiction; all you have to do is ask.

Posted on 6/28/2011