Steve David
One of the criteria for SSP Division and remember this is Stock Service Pistol division us the gun must have at least 2,000 pistols made in one year or for discontinued models a total production of 20,000 units. This Division really is for box stock pistols. Modifications are quite limited. Buy it and shoot it.
The Tac Five is an interesting pistol in that it isn't listed in the 2008 Para catalogue yet Para is producing it in limited runs. For awhile their US division was indicating it was out of production. IF the latter were true and I don't believe it is then the pistol would not be eligible for SSP unless Para made 20,000 units in total.
The gun also comes with a magwell which is OK, as it now stands, as the magwell is a "feature" of the gun and not an "add-on".
So where does that leave us? The Tac Five is legal now in SSP and ESP. IF the rule book were to change to read in SSP Division "excluding guns 'featuring a magwell'" then the gun would be eligible for ESP only. As long as the gun is being produced in quantity then it remains eligible for SSP and ESP.
Owners of the Tac Five will have a division to play in, might not always be in SSP though.
All of this is really about attempting to provide a level inexpensive playing field in each division and a place to play for all the different handguns out there. Not a particularly easy task but one in which IDPA continues to address. Essentially the sport does not want to see an equipment race where one gun or style becomes the must have gun for the division.
Take Care
Bob