USPSA/IPSC

Texarkana Gun Club
USPSA Information

TGC is Club #ET06
East Texas Section
Area 4

Match Director Contact: Art Skupien 580-306-6947 or Email askupien6947@gmail.com 

For Current USPSA Rule Book Click HERE.
TGC USPSA Matches are held on the 1st Saturday of the month.  TGC members pay $15; non-members pay $20.  We will have at least one classifier per club match. Please see the Club Schedule for exact times and dates.

Introduction
Practical Shooting attempts to measure the ability to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full power handgun, rifle, and/or shotgun. Those three elements – 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.

To do this, shooters take on obstacle-laden shooting courses (called stages) requiring anywhere from 6 to 30+ shots to complete. The scoring system measures points scored per second, then weights the score to compensate for the number of shots fired. If they miss a target, or shoot inaccurately, points are deducted, lowering that all-important points-per-second score.

If shooting has an “extreme” sport, USPSA-sanctioned practical shooting is it. Competitors move, negotiate obstacles, run, speed-reload, and drive their guns through each of several courses as fast as their skills will allow. Although most matches are held outdoors, in all weather, further taxing competitor skill, there are a growing number of indoor ranges conducting USPSA events.

Handgun Divisions

Open
Open division is the ‘Top Fuel’ of USPSA.  These pistols are equipped with but not limited to optics, compensators, and very high capacity magazines (170mm in length).  Minimum caliber is 9mm (.355″ or greater). Almost all of the equipment in this division is specialized in use.  Highly modified STI/SV or other 1911 style pistols dominate this class.

Limited
Limited division has more restrictions than Open division.  The main differences are no optics or compensators.  Magazine length is also limited to 140mm.  Minimum caliber to score Major is .40″.  Again, the most common pistol seen in this class are modified 1911 style pistols.

Limited 10
Limited 10 was created to satisfy the now sunset 1994 AWB.  The rules are exactly the same as Limited, except magazines are required to contain 10 rounds or less.

Production
Production class was created to allow stock pistols with few if any modifications.  All ammo must be 9mm or greater and 125 power factor or higher is scored minor.  There are also restrictions on holsters and equipment placement.  Specifically NO single action pistols are allowed.  Glocks, Berettas, Springfield XD’s, Sig Sauer, and similar double action / safe action pistols are the most common.

Single Stack
Single Stack is currently a provisional division catering to those that wish to shoot single stack 1911’s.  Magazine capacity is limited to 10 rounds for minor, and 8 rounds for major.  Equipment restrictions are similar to Production.

Revolver
Revolver is strictly for double action revolvers limited to 6 rounds.  There are very few modifications allowed to these pistols, and it must be a production firearm (i.e. – no custom one off’s).

Power Factor
Power Factor determined by knowing the bullet weight (grains) and bullet velocity (ft/sec).  The formula for a bullet’s Power Factor (PF) can be expressed as Mass times Velocity divided by 1000.  The Power Factor for Major is 165, Minor is 125.  (Most factory .40S&W ammunition makes Major with 165gr or heavier bullets, most all factory 9mm ammunition 115+gr meets the 125PF floor.)  For example, a 180gr bullet  must have a minimum velocity of 916.6 Ft/Sec to make Major.  A 115gr bullet at the same Power Factor must achieve 1,434.8 Ft/Sec.  (This might give you an idea for the power of an ‘Open’ gun…  Imagine 27+ rounds of .357 Magnum at your finger tips!)

If you have a safe, reliable handgun in 9mm or greater caliber and a desire for intense fun PLEASE come out and enjoy our sport!  Many first time shooters feel intimidated by the expensive Open class pistols.  A common question is “What pistol do I need to use to compete?”.  The correct answer is, “The one you currently own.”  USPSA has a division for almost every firearm short of a Dillon Aero Minigun…  The fact is, anyone can be competitive with a quality firearm produced by Glock, Beretta, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Smith & Wesson, CZ, 1911 style pistols, and many more.

Match Preparation
Please have proper eye and ear protection (see range rules).  A baseball cap is also highly recommended.  Most matches are comprised of 4 stages, requiring 120+ rounds to complete.  You can always take the spare ammo home.  A properly fitting belt type holster is required.  Most competitors carry at least 4 magazines (or 32 rounds) on their belt (magazines and magazine holders).  For further information please see the USPSA Website.