BUG (Backup Gun) Match

GENERAL rules for a TGC BUG Match:

This is an “Outlaw” match. It is not affiliated with any shooting sports organization (USPSA, IDPA, etc.), and will be considered a “BETA” match at first. Therefore, rules may be modified or amended as seen fit and/or necessary at a later date.

  1. Firearm is brought to the firing line UNLOADED inside of a case or holster. Both hard and soft cases are allowed. There is no drawing from the holster or reloads on the clock.
  2. Magazines and cylinders are to be loaded with no more than five rounds. Ammunition may be loaded into magazines or speedloaders before being brought to the firing line, BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES shall the magazine be inserted or the firearm loaded until directed to do so by the stage Range Officer. Violation of this rule will result in an immediate DQ of the match.
  3. All Courses of Fire (COF/s) will consist of five rounds with a 30 second PAR time. A variety of paper and steel targets may be used for the COFs.
  4. A “Time Plus” method of scoring will be utilized. This consists of the shooters time shooting the COF, assessed penalties (added time), and scored hits (time subtracted). It is possible to have an overall time that is negative, as well as over PAR.
  5. USPSA/IPSC targets and STEEL are scored as follows: -2 seconds for “A” zone, -1 second outside “A” zone. No more than two hits are allowed per paper target unless explicitly called for in the Stage Brief. Otherwise, the two lowest-scoring hits will be scored, regardless of the order shot. The entire head region of USPSA targets will be scored as “As”. All hits on Steel will be score -2 seconds. Special targets may be utilized and will be scored no more than -2 seconds.
  6. Penalties are as follows: No Shoot target +5 seconds, Procedural +5 sec, Target not engaged +10 seconds, Complete Miss +10 seconds, Stage not Fired 2 minutes.

DIVISIONS: NOTE that firearms may be any caliber from .22 Short to .45. “Magnum” handguns above .357 will not be allowed.

  • HIDEOUT-Must fit within a box measuring 4″x5.25″ with magazine inserted (“pocket” .22, .25, .32, etc., as an example)
  • BUG-(single stack magazine pistols and revolvers)- Must fit within a box measuring 5.25″x7″ with magazine inserted. (Ruger LCP, Kahr CT380, most “K” and “J” frame revolvers, etc., as examples)
  • BUG DOUBLE- same box requirements as BUG, except it is intended for compact double-stacked magazine pistols, and “cut down” versions of full-sized handguns. (G26, XDM Compact, etc., as examples)
  • BIG IRON- any centerfire handgun not meeting the box size requirements of the HIDEOUT or BUG Divisions.
  • BIG IRON .22- any rimfire handgun not meeting the requirements of the HIDEOUT or BUG Divisions.

(Please note that minor “fudge” room may be given, at least initially, so long as it does not give the competitor an unfair advantage in a division.)

Remember, the goal is to have fun. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact the match director.

Match Director, Roger “Morton” Hand 903-490-1184.