IPSC mag capacity limit rules: rifle/SG

[Gun Control Advocate]

Pistol 10 rounds, plus one in the chamber.
PCC 10 rounds, plus one in the chamber.
That's fairly simple.

Shotgun - edit: NROI states max capacity is restricted to 5 for tube fed semiautos, as marked I.e. if my Benelli takes 5.9 3" shells or 6 of 2.75", is it possible to start with 6 in the tube, 1 in the chamber, and 1 ghost loaded?

Rifle - 5 or 10 or whatever fits?
What mags do people prefer?
What is your favourite mag carrier?

 

[ADHD]

At IPSC Shotgun nationals last September, they had SAAMI spec shells machined to test for compliance. As long as the 6th round of the longest shell your scattergun could fire did not pass the shell retention latch, you passed compliance. I ran a Breda B12i (3" chamber) and passed compliance with 7 rounds of 2 3/4" shells in the tube. One in the chamber, one ghost loaded left you with 9 rounds total. Can't speak for 3.5" chambers but I'm fairly certain they got 8 in the tube.

Here's me running it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro4Fojf2gaw

I can't speak for IPSC Rifle as I've never shot a match, but when we were out for beers with the Sean Hansen at nationals it sounded like the highest they'd go for an AR was 10 round LAR pistol mags. I know the boys out in NB run IPSC rifle matches so they would know better.

As for what mags to run, I've run MFT pistol mags, CPD gen 2 steel pistol mags, PCV .50 mags, E-lander .50 mags, and E-lander .458 mags. The only malfunction I've had in a match (3-gun) was with my oldest E-lander .50 mag, one of the 20-round length ones, and it was muddy.
I'd advise you to use what you like and, if they allow in IPSC, the highest cap you can legally use. If I had to use a pistol mag for IPSC rifle, I'd probably go with my MFT mags but I'd trust any of the ones I listed in my rifle.

Since I started 3-gun I've only used the BladeTech double AR pouch, it's fast, light, adjustable and well made. Honestly though any proven Kydex carriers will be great. LAG tactical, Weber Tactical, the list goes on (forever).

 

[welder179]

At IPSC Shotgun nationals last September, they had SAAMI spec shells machined to test for compliance. As long as the 6th round of the longest shell your scattergun could fire did not pass the shell retention latch, you passed compliance. I ran a Breda B12i (3" chamber) and passed compliance with 7 rounds of 2 3/4" shells in the tube. One in the chamber, one ghost loaded left you with 9 rounds total. Can't speak for 3.5" chambers but I'm fairly certain they got 8 in the tube.

I have a VersaMax and yes I can get 8 in the tube, however for standard division your limited to no more then 9 in the gun at the start signal. So with that being said the only advantage is to be able to do 2 full quad loads, but only if your mag is empty and you have one in the chamber anyways. Otherwise a 3" gun with a 7 round tube, one chambered and a ghost load has 9 in the gun to start also.

 

[tomo333]

I have a VersaMax and yes I can get 8 in the tube, however for standard division your limited to no more then 9 in the gun at the start signal. So with that being said the only advantage is to be able to do 2 full quad loads, but only if your mag is empty and you have one in the chamber anyways. Otherwise a 3" gun with a 7 round tube, one chambered and a ghost load has 9 in the gun to start also.

Can you please explain the math for getting 8 in the tube?

 

[redryder]

At IPSC Shotgun nationals last September, they had SAAMI spec shells machined to test for compliance. As long as the 6th round of the longest shell your scattergun could fire did not pass the shell retention latch, you passed compliance. I ran a Breda B12i (3" chamber) and passed compliance with 7 rounds of 2 3/4" shells in the tube. One in the chamber, one ghost loaded left you with 9 rounds total. Can't speak for 3.5" chambers but I'm fairly certain they got 8 in the tube.

Here's me running it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro4Fojf2gaw

Thanks for that vid. Thought it was great. Lots of shooting including buckshot and slugs and some ballerina moments as well. Good job.

 

[old303]

At IPSC Shotgun nationals last September, they had SAAMI spec shells machined to test for compliance. As long as the 6th round of the longest shell your scattergun could fire did not pass the shell retention latch, you passed compliance. I ran a Breda B12i (3" chamber) and passed compliance with 7 rounds of 2 3/4" shells in the tube. One in the chamber, one ghost loaded left you with 9 rounds total. Can't speak for 3.5" chambers but I'm fairly certain they got 8 in the tube.
...
I can't speak for IPSC Rifle as I've never shot a match, but when we were out for beers with the Sean Hansen at nationals it sounded like the highest they'd go for an AR was 10 round LAR pistol mags. I know the boys out in NB run IPSC rifle matches so they would know better.

A 3" chamber semiauto shotgun would have to have under 18" in the mag tube to not take that sixth round; a 3.5" chamber means you have to come in under 21" to be compliant. Six 2.75" shells will fit in 16.5" so would have a chance of fitting in a 3"-chamber gun, but seven of them need 19.25" and would have to have a 3.5"-chamber-compliant tube, if my understanding and math are correct. I can't see how anyone could legally fit 8 unless they went with those wee dwarf 1.75" shells.

IPSC Ontario does rifle, and the 10-round-of-.223 LAR magazines are the usual thing.

 

[npre]

What are the rules for mag-fed shotguns with pump action magazines?

 

[Runningfool]

What are the rules for mag-fed shotguns with pump action magazines?

Rules state if you can get through a stage without a malfunction you win! Just kidding, I don’t know what the rules state, I just know I’ve yet to see a mag fed shotgun function flawlessly for a match

 

[Dexter Morgan]

What are the rules for mag-fed shotguns with pump action magazines?

Detachable magazines are 10 rounds maximum for IPSC shotgun matches.

 

[johnsks]

Can you please explain the math for getting 8 in the tube?

full sammi spec shell for length
I make and run full power 2 inch shells in my versa max so you do the math

 

[Sassybee]

A 3" chamber semiauto shotgun would have to have under 18" in the mag tube to not take that sixth round; a 3.5" chamber means you have to come in under 21" to be compliant. Six 2.75" shells will fit in 16.5" so would have a chance of fitting in a 3"-chamber gun, but seven of them need 19.25" and would have to have a 3.5"-chamber-compliant tube, if my understanding and math are correct. I can't see how anyone could legally fit 8 unless they went with those wee dwarf 1.75" shells.

IPSC Ontario does rifle, and the 10-round-of-.223 LAR magazines are the usual thing.

Your math might be off. A 2.75" shell is only that length after firing. Most shells are at least 1/4 in shorter than advertised when loaded. My shotgun mag tube is 16" right to the loading port and it holds 6 rounds of 2.75" with about 2mm of movement left.

 

[Freedom Ventures]

I’ve yet to see a mag fed shotgun function flawlessly for a match

I saw two in my squad at the nats last year; both tuned by Tactical Ordnance. I sent mine to them shortly after.

 

[welder179]

Can you please explain the math for getting 8 in the tube?

Depends on brand of shell, remember just because it says their 2-3/4" doesn't mean they actually measure to that. With Score I was able to get an 8th one in no problem and still meet the capacity with the SAAMI spec dummy rounds they had to test. The math doesn't work as straightforward as your making it

That being said that was with bird shot shells only, slugs and buck shot are a bit longer so only 7 then.

 

[old303]

Your math might be off. A 2.75" shell is only that length after firing. Most shells are at least 1/4 in shorter than advertised when loaded. My shotgun mag tube is 16" right to the loading port and it holds 6 rounds of 2.75" with about 2mm of movement left.

Ahh, silly me thinking they actually were what they say on the box. Seems it's the length of the chamber including room for the end to open up, and unfired it can be half an inch shorter give or take a tad. Granted, that means that the nominally-3.5" shells are only about 3" long too, but since crimped ends are going to be the same idea in any 12ga shell, the advantage of being shorter than advertised is going to proportionately help cram more shorter shells into a given tube.

 

[tomo333]

full sammi spec shell for length
I make and run full power 2 inch shells in my versa max so you do the math

Thanks for your input.

 

[Northaways]

At IPSC Shotgun nationals last September, they had SAAMI spec shells machined to test for compliance. As long as the 6th round of the longest shell your scattergun could fire did not pass the shell retention latch, you passed compliance. I ran a Breda B12i (3" chamber) and passed compliance with 7 rounds of 2 3/4" shells in the tube. One in the chamber, one ghost loaded left you with 9 rounds total. Can't speak for 3.5" chambers but I'm fairly certain they got 8 in the tube.

ADHD,

Was great watching you and your buddy shoot and enjoying a beer with you guys after the match. I was your RO on 11 and 12. The Gods willing hopefully we’ll see you guys and a few more Alberta lads at the match this fall.

Didn’t realize you were running a Breda B12i. I noticed you seemed to have a couple issues in the video you posted with yours on one of the buckshot and one slug stage. Wondering if you could give me your thoughts and feedback your B12i?

I recently picked up a used B12i from another guy that shot the match. He started the match with it but was having issues and had to switch to his old backup SG to finish the match. I used my VM Tactical, which ran flawlessly... thanks to Casey at TacOrd... in the match. I plan to use my VM again in this falls SG Nationals and use the B12i as my backup SG. But want to ensure it’s going to be a reliable backup, so appreciate your thoughts on yours.

Edit to add: my VM ( w/ 3.5” chamber) holds 7 - 2.75” shells in the tube and my Breda B12i (w/ 3” chamber like most Benelli’s) only holds 6 - 2.75” in the tube.

 

[Musky Hunter]

for ipsc shotgun are all the stages the same ammo? if you are running a mag how do you switch between different ammo.

 

[npre]

Detachable magazines are 10 rounds maximum for IPSC shotgun matches.

Is this true for semi-auto as well, if they can take pump mags?

 

[Northaways]

for ipsc shotgun are all the stages the same ammo? if you are running a mag how do you switch between different ammo.

Yes. In IPSC Shotgun all the Ammo is the same for that stage. It’ll be either a birdshot, slug or buckshot stage. So no need to ‘rainbow’ shells in like you will see in some 3 Gun matches.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Is this true for semi-auto as well, if they can take pump mags?

Detachable shotgun magazines are limited to ten rounds. Action type is irrelevant.

This is a worldwide IPSC shotgun rule. Nothing to do with Canadian laws.