IPSC Handgun Divisions
IPSC Divisions recognize different firearms and equipment. The dominant pistol that was used in IPSC when it was first started was the Colt 1911 in .45 ACP. Over the years, as firearm technology and calibres improved, the choice for the competitor has increased. Now there are many different models and manufacturers of firearms used in IPSC. The 1911 style of firearm still makes up a large segment of the equipment that competitors use.
It is common practice for most competitors to have their pistols modified to suit their personal needs. Make sure that you check the rulebook to determine what modifications are allowed in each Division.
There are currently six Divisions in IPSC Handgun. Below is quick overview of the current Divisions. Please refer to the IPSC Rulebook for complete rules and descriptions.
Open Division
- Optic/electronic sights are permitted
- Ports/compensators permitted
- No minimum trigger pull
- No maximum size of firearm
- No restrictions on holster position
Production Optics Division
- Optic/electronic sights are mandatory
- No ports/compensators permitted
- Minimum trigger pull 2.27 kg. (5 lbs.) for first shot or 1.36 kg. (3 lbs.) for every shot
- Restrictions on holster position
- Firearm must be approved by IPSC
Production Division
- No optic/electronic sights are permitted
- No ports/compensators permitted
- Minimum trigger pull 2.27 kg. (5 lbs.) for first shot or 1.36 kg. (3 lbs.) for every shot
- Restrictions on holster position
- Firearm must be approved by IPSC
Optics Division
- One optic/electronic sight is mandatory and must be mounted on the upper rear of the slide
- Only porting of barrels is prohibited. Slides may be ported
- No minimum trigger pull
- Restrictions on holster position
- Magazine size limits
- No major power factor
Standard Division
- No optic/electronic sights are permitted
- No ports/compensators permitted
- Minimum calibre for major 10mm/.40
- No minimum trigger pull
- Restrictions on holster positions
- Must fit wholly within the confines of the IPSC box
Classic Division
- No optic/electronic sights are permitted
- No ports/compensators permitted
- No minimum trigger pull
- Restrictions on holster positions
- Must fit wholly within the confines of the IPSC box
- Must be based on and visibly resemble the classic 1911-genre design
Revolver Division
- No optic/electronic sights are permitted
- No ports/compensators permitted
- No maximum size of firearm
IPSC Shotgun
For IPSC shooters looking to branch into shotgun, the discipline presents a very different technical challenge from handgun or PCC. IPSC Shotgun follows its own dedicated ruleset while maintaining the same core principles of accuracy, speed, and power.
Stage design heavily emphasizes movement, target transitions, and most importantly reload management. Capacity and loading efficiency often determine match outcomes. Courses of fire typically use birdshot for steel and paper targets, with occasional buckshot or slugs depending on stage design.
Because of higher round counts and frequent reloads, strong ammo management and advanced loading techniques (such as quad-loading) are critical competitive skills.
Shotgun Divisions:
- Open: Optics, compensators, detachable magazines, and extensive modifications permitted.
- Standard: Tube-fed semi-autos with iron sights and no compensator.
- Standard Manual: Pump or other manual-action shotguns.
- Modified: Limited enhancements between Standard and Open (where offered).
IPSC Shotgun is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding and technically challenging IPSC disciplines, rewarding efficient loading, stage planning, and recoil control as much as pure shooting speed.
IPSC Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC)
IPSC PCC Competitions have been gaining in popularity over the last few years. Most PCC matches in BC, when available, run alongside a Handgun match over the same weekend. It is currently up to the Match Director whether they want to add IPSC PCC to a match.
There are currently two Divisions in PCC, Optics and Iron.
PCC generally follows the same rules as handgun with slight modifications for rifles. A separate rulebook is published specifically for PCC competitions.
- Minor Power Factor scoring only
- Minimum bullet caliber of 9×19 mm
- Compensators are permitted
- Bipods are not permitted
- Restrictions on vertical grips
- Handgun conversion kits are permitted
- PCC Optics: non-magnifying optical/electronic sights are mandatory
- PCC Iron: Optical/electronic sights are not permitted
For Divisions in other IPSC disciplines, please see visit the ipsc.org website.