Confused by IPSC

[Jono]

Was checking out the IPSC website tonight, followed many a link, but I'm totally confused by the division standards. What's the deal, are they different by the type of pistols or accessories that can be used, or different rules for the conduct of the competitions, or what? Also what do they mean by Major and Minor??

If there are any IPSC gurus out there I'd be interested in picking their brains...

Thanks in advance!

 

[cablemonkey]

http://www.ipscbc.com/starting.php

http://www.ipscbc.com/blackbadge.php

http://www.ipscbc.com/rules.php

 

[BCRider]

It took me a while to figure it out too but here's the Reader's Digest as I understand it.

Minor or Major power factor is related to the energy of the bullet. It's the weight in grains x velocity in FPS / 1000. Minor scores the same for a center hit but less points for the outer regions than Major. The idea is to encourage the use of "preferred" self defense ammo calibers and prevent the use of "powderpuff" loads as used in other shooting sports such as the reduced power cowboy action stuff.

Production- stock pistols, no mag wells, no fancy grips unless factory options, no sight changes, double action first shot out of the holster and single or double action OK from that point on. All scoring is done as per "Major" loads. There's no power factor scoring correction in Production. And there's a 5 lb minimum double action trigger pull before release. Single action can be as light as you can stand but don't go crazy or you risk an accidental discharge and the end of your day.

Standard - is anything but... Mag wells permitted as well as single action only so this is where 1911's show up. Minor and Major are scored differnt points so the move is to use something like .40S&W or other loads that meet the Major power factor. Mods can be done more freely but you still need iron sights. No compensators allowed.

Open- Full on race guns with red dot sights, compensators, mag wells, open mods to triggers and any other aspect of the gun. Minor and Major are used for scoring but in Standard and Open I'd say everyone shoots a round and load that meets Major.

 

[azone]

In production class the targets are scored under the MINOR scoreing guidlines not Major

 

[Backwoods]

Part of understanding those topics is taking the Black Badge course. I was fairly lost as well until I took the course. Then it starts to make sense.

 

[CeeZer]

You can change sights in Production as long as they are 'post' for the front and 'notch' for the rear, wheather they are FO, night or sights with no dots or such.
With Prod Div. it doesn't make sence to shoot anything but 9mm.
Go with Glock 17 or Glock 22 for Prod. and learn the ropes, then you'll know more and can still improve your gun (with diff sights, trigger parts and such) while improving your skill level. With G22 you can also make Major in Standard and shoot IDPA and if you reload, your ammo will be as cheap as reloaded 9mm.