5.2 Holster, Carry, Storage And Competitor Equipment
The following rules dictate the requirements and criteria regarding the storage and carrying of firearms including the use of competitor equipment during a match.
5.2.1 Firearm Carry & Storage
Handguns must be carried unloaded, in a case or bag of a design intended or suitable for the safe carriage of firearms, or in a holster securely attached to the competitor’s belt.
Violations are subject to Rule 10.5.13.
Except when within the boundaries of a Safety Area, or when under the supervision and direct command of a Range Officer, long guns must be unloaded and held, shouldered or slung (or placed in a rack), with the muzzle pointed skwards. Long guns placed in a slip or case are not required to be pointed skywards. Failure to comply may be subject to the provisions of Rule 10.5.1. The action may be open or closed, but a chamber safety flag must be fitted at all times when the firearm is not in use. Detachable magazines must be removed. Violations will incur a warning for the first occurence, but will be subject to Rule 10.5.1 for subsequent occurrences in the same match.
5.2.1.1 Carrying Loaded Firearms
Competitors arriving at an IPSC match in possession of a loaded firearm must immediately report to a Range Officer, who will supervise unloading of the firearm. Competitors failing to comply may be subject to Rule 10.5.13.
5.2.1.2 Holstered Firearms
Handguns carried in a holster must have an empty magazine well, and the hammer or striker must be decocked. Violations will incur a warning for the first occurrence but will be subject to Rule 10.6.1 for subsequent occurrrences in the same match.
Within the provisions of Rule 5.2.1 no ammunition of any kind is permitted on the gun, or in clips or loops fitted to the gun, or to a sling fitted to the gun except when under the supervision of, and in response to a direct instruction issues by a Range Officer.
5.2.2 Firearms Handling (Action Air & Handgun Only)
Except when within the boundaries of a Safety Area, or when under the supervision and direct command of a Range Officer, competitors must not handle their firearms. The word “handle” includes holstering or unholstering a firearm, even if it is concealed bya protective cover, and/or adding or removing it to/from the competitor’s person while is is wholly or partially holstered. Violations are subject to Rule 10.5.1.
5.2.3 Shooting Equipment
Unless otherwise specified in the written stage briefing, the belt carrying the holster and all allied equipment must be worn at waist level. The belt or the inner belt or both must be either permanently sewn at the waist, or secured with a minimum of three belt loops attached to shorts or trousers.
The use of shooting sticks, sandbags, tripods and similar, or any stability improving device attached to the firearm by means of straps or tape, is prohibited.
Unless otherwise specified in the written stage briefing the competitor’s equipment belt carrying cartridges (in caddies, loops, clips, bags or pouches) and/or detachable magazines and/or speed leaders must be worn at waist level. “Chest-rigs”, bandoliers and similar carriers are expressly prohibited. Additional ammunition carriers mounted on forearms are permitted provided that cartridges are carried individually in loops or clips.
5.2.3.1 Female Competitors (Action Air & Handgun Only)
Female competitors in all divisions are subject to the same conditions as above, except that the belt carrying the holster and all allied equipment may be worn at hip level. If another belt is worn at waist level, the holster and all allied equipment must be placed on the lower belt.
5.2.3.2 Equipment Carry (Shotgun Only)
Only one equipment caryring belt is permitted. Cartridges held in loops or clips on the belt are restricted to a maximum of 170 mm total height. Rounds carried in caddies (often known as “strippers”) must not exceed 6 rounds in height.
5.2.3.3 Range Master Allowances
The Range Master may make allowances for variations to Rule 5.2.3 due to anatomical considerations. The Range Master’s decision on conformity to Rule 5.2.3 is final.
5.2.4 Competitor Ammunition
Spare ammunition, magazines and speed loaders should be carried in retention devices specifically designed for that purpose. Carriage of additional magazines and speed loaders in rear pockets of shorts or trousers is also approved.
Ammunition and speed loaders must be carried or worn on the competitor or mounted to the rifle in safely designed pouches, pockets or other suitable retention devices, unless otherwise specified in the written stage briefing.
Ammunition and speed loaders must be carried on the competitor or gun in pouches, pockets, loops, clips or other suitable retention devices, unless otherwise specified in the written stage briefing. Loops, clips or other suitable retention devices fitted to the gun, or to a sling fitted to the gun, to hold individual cartridges or speed loaders are specifically permitted.
5.2.4.1 During Stage Ammunition Carry (Handgun Only)
When a Competitor Ready Condition requires that magazines or speed loaders be placed on a table or similar, the competitor may retrieve and carry those items anywhere on their person after the Start Signal, and this will not be treated as contravention of Divisional equipment placement rules.
5.2.4.2 Belt Equipment Positioning (Handgun Only)
Unless specified in the written stage briefing, or unless required by a Range Officer, the position of the holster and allied equipment must not be moved or changed by a competitor from stage to stage.
5.2.5 Belt Equipment Waist Distance
Where a Division specifies a maximum distance that a competitor’s handgun and equipment may extend away from a competitor’s body, a Range Officer may check compliance by measuring the closest distance between the competitor’s torso and the center of the longest dimension of the handgun grip and/or any reloading devices.
When carried in loops, clips or caddies no part of any cartridge is permitted to extend further than 75 mm from a competitor’s body. Cartridges carried on the gun are exempt and loose cartridges carried in a pouch or bag are usually exempt from this rule. The Range Master’s decision will be final in this matter. Open Division competitors are exempt from this rule.
5.2.5.1 Belt Equipment Waist Distance Form Of Measurement
The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing relaxed (see Appendix E2).
Appendix E2The measurement is to be taken while the competitor is standing naturally upright.
5.2.5.2 Belt Equipment Pre-Stage Check
Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior to the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his holster or allied equipment to comply with the requirements of the relevant Division. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.
Any competitor who fails the foregoing test prior o the Start Signal will be required to immediately adjust his belt, equipment or cartridges to achieve compliance. The Range Master may make allowances for variations in these requirements due to anatomical considerations. Some competitors may not be able to fully comply.
5.2.6 Prohibited Holsters (Action Air & Handgun Only)
Handgun matches must not require the use of a particular type or brand of holster or allied equipment. However, the Range Master may deem that a competitor’s holster is unsafe and order that the item be improved to his satisfaction, failing which it must be withdrawn from the match. If a retaining strap or flap is attached to a holster and/or allied equipment, it must be applied or closed prior to issuance of the “Standby” command (see Rule 8.3.3).
5.2.7 Permitted Holsters (Action Air & Handgun Only)
Competitors must not be permitted to commence a course of fire wearing more than one holster or:
5.2.7.1 Non Belt Holsters
A shoulder holster or “tie-down” rig (visible or otherwise), except as specified in Rule 5.2.8;
5.2.7.2 Firearm Below Top Belt
A holster with the heel of the butt of the handgun below the top of the belt (see Appendix E3b), except as specified in Rule 5.2.8;
Appendix E35.2.7.3 Muzzle Distance From Ground
A holster which permits the muzzle of a holstered handgun to point futher than 1 meter from the competitor’s feet while standing relaxed;
5.2.7.4 Trigger Safety Whilst Holstered
A holster which does not completely prevent access to, or activation of, the trigger of the handgun while holstered, or a holster which requires use of the trigger finger to unlock or release the handgun when drawing.
5.2.8 Military/Law Enforcement Equipment Exemptions
Competitors deemed by the Match Director to be active law enforcement officers or military personnel may be entitled to use their duty holster and allied equipment. However, the Range Master will remain the final authority in respect of the safety and suitability of using such equipment at IPSC matches.
Equipment (including slings regardless of whether they can also carry cartridges) that is only used when fitted to the shotgun (except chokes, ammunition, speed loaders and ammunition carriers) and is to be used at any time during any COF must be fitted to the shotgun for every COF in the match.
5.2.9 Disabled Competitor Circumstances (Handgun Only)
Competitors deemed by the Range Master to be permanently and significantly disabled may be given special dispensation in relation to the type and/or placement of their holster and allied equipment, and the Range Master will remain the final authority in respect of the safety and suitability of using such equipment at IPSC matches.
5.2.10 Division Equipment Position Restrictions (Handgun Only)
In some Divisions (see Appendix D), neither the handgun, nor any of its attachments, nor the holster, nor any allied equipment, can extend forward of the line illustrated in Appendix E2 at the Start Signal. Any such items a Range Officer deems not to be in compliance must be safely and promptly adjusted, failing which Rule 6.2.5.1 will apply.
Appendix E2Chapter Rules
