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IPSA RULES ----
INTERNATIONAL PIN SHOOTING ASSOCIATION 29 OCT 1997
DEFINITION:
Pin
shooting is the sport of shooting regulation bowling pins
off a table under controlled conditions utilizing range
commands and recording elapsed time. Handguns of various
calibers, Shotguns with buckshot, rifles and shotguns with
slugs are used to shoot numerous events that vary to the
likeness of each club.
FOUNDING
PRINCIPLES:
To
organize, promote and support the sport of competition bowling
pin shooting. All shooters are of equal importance to the
sport. Classifications allow for the equitable distribution
of prizes and the competitive growth of the shooter. Classifications
are based on competitive times shot at recognized ranges
using IPSA standards for range commands, scoring and table
sets. IPSA guidelines may be modified by shoot organizers,
individual clubs, or host facilities to meet their unique
circumstances. Guideline variations should be published
for contestants to review prior to registration.
SAFETY
REGULATIONS:
Safety
is of upmost importance. The sport should remain safe and
enjoyable for all who participate. Unsportsmanlike conduct
by any competitor may result in disqualification of that
shooter. Experienced shooters should set examples for others
to follow. Maximum safety requirements for both competitors
and spectators must be maintained.
All
weapons must be handled in a safe manner at all times; firearms
should be cased, holstered, or carried with the clips removed,
slides back and cylinders open. There can be no loaded weapons
unless authorized by range officers or the shoot director.
Eye and ear protection must be worn at all times while in
restricted areas. Safety glasses and ear protection should
be available for spectators to use, rent, or buy. Special
arrangements for inexperienced shooters should be made to
allow them to compete. It may be necessary to allow an experienced
shooter to accompany them to the line for safety reasons.
Local range safety rules, gun handling areas, and safety
regulations for a particular shoot or range should be posted.
Practice, dry fire, and restricted areas should be well
marked. Copies of rules should be provided to both shooters
and spectators. Safety regulations must be posted for all
to read. Releases should be signed by all individuals after
reading safety regulations. Shotgun ammunition should be
restricted to lead shot size of #4 buck or larger. Additional
ammo restrictions for the protection of competitors and
equipment, should be listed in the match description or
flier.
MATCH
PROCEDURES:
Various
procedures may be used in the actual running of the match.
This is by no means the only procedure that may be used.
It can and may be modified by individual match personnel
for a specific match. Any special treatment given a specific
individual should be documented and explained. All shooters
must register, pay necessary fees, and sign releases prior
to competition. It is recommended that all guests also be
required to sign releases so safety regulations can be explained.
Glasses and hearing protection can be sold or provided at
this time. Competitors may be required to shoot their main
event prior to competing in optional event competition.
Score cards can be given to competitors prior to competition
or may be held until the shooter is called to the line.
Competitors should be required to sign their score cards
after each event. Duplicate cards or carbon copies may then
be given to the competitor. Fees are to be determined by
the match organizers. They should be posted and included
in all literature to shooters. If competitors fail to make
it to the shoot, match organizers will decide if a refund
should be given. The match organizers may elect to modify
or cancel any event for reasons beyond their control. If
shooters are not allowed to compete, refunds must be made.
Fees collected for canceled events must be returned.
Shoot
results should be posted, mailed, or delivered to all registered
shooters in a timely manor. Prize distribution should be
included as part of the shoot information. Final prize distribution
and payoffs should be published and included with the results.
SCORING
PROCEDURES:
All
scoring is the time it takes a competitor to clear his/her
table of pins. Timing commences with a start signal and
stops when the final pin hits the ground or backstop, unless
otherwise listed in the rules. The IPSA classification and
preferred timing system utilizes two or three timers with
digital stop watches. Timers will start timing when the
start signal is given and stop timing when the last pin
hits the ground. The average is used unless one time is
obviously an error, or the timer knows he/she made a mistake
on the start or stop. Competition in IPSA recognized main
event matches, Pin Gun, Stock Gun and Revolver, consists
of shooting 6 tables. The best 5 of the 6 times are combined
for an aggregate total to determine the event winner. The
6th best time becomes the tie breaker. The main events may
be entered only once. Optional events are typically scored
as single tables with the best time used to determine the
winner. If two or more shooters tie, the second, third,
forth, etc. best time is then used to determine the winner.
Several ranges restrict the number of attempts or tables
any competitor can shoot. At some facilities it may not
be possible to time pins hitting the ground. Timing may
stop when all pins have left the table. In pin shooting
this is the least desirable method of timing. Electronic
timers may be used to time the last shot. This method should
not be used unless the event is using steel knock down targets.
Electronic timers then become the best method of timing.
MATCH
RULES AND SHOOTING FORMAT:
At
Registration the competitor will be given score cards for
the events he/she signs up for. The IPSA preferred table
assignment method allows the shooter to turn the cards into
the timer at the table of his/her choice. The Timer will
place the cards in order and notify the shooter when he/she
is on deck. It is the competitor's responsibility to be
ready when they are called to the line.
RANGE
COMMANDS:
The
range commands at a specific shoot should remain constant.
"Timers ready", "Shooters ready", "Gun
on the rail", then the "Start" command. An
audible tone, a gun shot using blanks, a horn or some other
distinctive sound is recommended to start each event. The
Range Officer ensures the range is clear and issues the
command " Shooters On the line, you may load".
Once the line is ready the Range officer gives the commands.
"Timers Ready" The Timers check to see the shooter
is ready to go and that their watch is reset to zero. "Shooter
Ready", "Gun on the Rail" The shooter must
now touch the rail with his hand or the gun barrel. The
Range Officer then delivers the start signal. The approximate
time between commands in 3 to 5 seconds.
START
POSITION:
Shooters
are positioned behind a rail which is approximately 36 inches
high and 25 feet from the front edge of the pin table. The
start position is with the gun or hand touching the start
rail. Long guns must have the barrel touching the start
rail. The gun, hand, and arm must be in an approximate 45%
angle with the ground. The safety may be off or the hammer
cocked as the range officer allows. If a shooter has an
accidental discharge downrange, and the line is hot, that
shooter may proceed but cannot reload that round. If during
the start commands a shooter is not ready, he/she should
indicate this to the time keeper. If the Timer does not
stop the start commands, the shooter should stand down and
a restart will be given. It is the timer's responsibility
to let the range officer know when his/her shooter is ready.
As long as a competitor does not fire a shot, he/she will
be allowed a restart. At the start signal the competitor
addresses the pins and begins firing. The pins can be shot
in any order.
The
competitor continues until the last pin is cleared from
the table. If necessary the shooter may reload or if using
a revolver may go to a backup revolver and continue firing.
A maximum time of 15 seconds is allowed per run at most
matches. If the shooter begins to raise the firearm prior
to the start signal and does not return the barrel to the
rail he/she will be assessed a 2/10's second penalty for
that table. When finished with a table the competitor may
advance without command to the next table and make ready.
When finished with the tables assigned to the shooter the
Range Officer will issue the command, "Slides Back,
Cylinders Open". Both the Range Officer and the Timers
make sure the line safe. all handguns will be holstered
or, revolvers will be placed on the rail with the cylinders
open and the ammo removed. Auto's will be placed on the
rail with the slide locked back, clip removed and the ejection
port side up so the barrel can be inspected. Shotguns will
be unloaded and leaned against the rail with the actions
open. When announced safe the Timers will go forward and
set pins. When finished on the line the competitor will
holster or bag the firearm and withdraw from the line.
PIN
SETS & EVENT SPECIFIC RULES:
Graphic
examples of pin sets and table dimensions are listed on
the IPSA web page under Pin Sets. The listed examples are
used at the IPSA Nationals in Iowa. Specific match and related
events information is also available on the IPSA web page
under upcoming shoots and information. A variety of pin
layouts are possible. IPSA recommends the Pin Gun, Stock
Gun and Revolver matches be shot from 25 feet on tiered
tables, using the standard 5 pin set and scoring the best
five of six tables. Local organizers are encouraged to design
optional events that are popular with local shooters. The
listed pin placements, firearms and calibers are not the
only options available to match organizers. Table design
and pin set combinations may vary as available resources,
time, material and space dictates. Historically matches
were shot on 4 foot by 8 foot flat steel tables. Pin Gun:
5 pins set 3 down and 2 up on a tiered table. Any legal
handgun, revolver, or simi-automatic may be used for this
event. Revolver shooters may use a backup revolver if needed.
The back-up firearm may be drawn from a holster or placed
on the rail in front of the shooter.
Shooters
using automatic weapons may reload their gun if necessary.
A maximum of eight rounds may be loaded in the firearm at
the start. Shooters found loading more than eight rounds
will be given a maximum time for that run. Compensators,
porting, scopes, optical sights, weighted grips and added
weight are generally allowed, individual matches may vary
so be sure to check with the match organizers.
STOCK
GUN:
5
pins set 3 down and 2 up on a tiered table. The stock gun
event provides an avenue for new shooters to compete in
the sport of pin shooting without the need to purchase a
custom firearm. Guns in the stock event must be standard,
out of the box, factory guns. Compensators, porting, scopes,
optical sights, weighted grips and added weight are not
allowed. Function modifications are allowed such as improving
the action, grips, grip safeties and sights. Factory ported
firearms may be used if the ports are sealed off. The shooter
cannot wear weighted wrist straps, gloves, etc. Match definitions
vary on what is accepted as Stock. If you have questions
ask the Match director prior to competing in the event.
It is the shooters responsibility to know and abide by all
rules. Weapons not meeting the stock gun requirements may
be disallowed by the match officials, or protested by any
shooter. Posted times will be disallowed and no reshoots
given if protested guns do not meet stock gun requirements.
Some matches allow the use of optics and scopes, others
impose additional restrictions. Additional restrictions
may include the following. Barrel length restrictions with
a maximum of 5" on semi-automatic weapons and 8 3/8"
on revolvers. Maximum weight limits will be 44 ounces on
semi-automatic weapons without a clip, and 54 ounces on
revolvers. Both weight limits are while guns are empty.
REVOLVER:
5
pins set 3 down and 2 up on a tiered table. Any revolver,
8 rounds maximum, a backup revolver may be drawn from a
holster or placed on the rail in front of the shooter. Optics,
porting, and added weight are all allowed. As in the pin
gun and stock gun events, the shooter will shoot 6 tables
of five pins for an aggregate total of the best 5 tables.
REVOLVER
RELOAD OR EIGHT PIN:
This
event is limited to revolvers only. 4 pins are set 12"
apart on each level of a tiered table for a total of 8 pins.
This is the same set used for the Individual and two person
shotgun events. The pins are set 3 feet form the back edge.
A mandatory reload is required to complete a table for a
score. If all pins leave the table after six or less shots,
the shooter must reload and fire one shot down range to
stop the time and record a score. The Shooter can start
with no more than six rounds in the revolver.
NINE
PIN:
Nine
pins are set one foot from the back edge of the shooting
table. They are 6 inches apart. Center fire guns of 9mm
or larger are allowed in these events. Unlimited ammo capacity
is allowed in this event. 22 MINI-PINS: On a tiered table,
three pins are set on each level, total six mini-pins. The
spacing is the same on both levels and lower dots are also
used in the 5 pin event. The tops of regulation bowling
pins are cut off and used as targets. Unlimited ammo capacity
is allowed.
SHOTGUN:
4
pins are set 12" apart on each level of a tiered table
for a total of 8 pins. This is the same set used for the
Revolver Reload event. The pins are ser 3 feet form the
back edge of the table. Shot size is restricted to #4 buck
or larger. In the 2 person shotgun event, both shooters
address the same 8 pins for a single table time.
2-PERSON
TEAM EVENTS (HANDGUN):
18
pins set 3 pins down and 3 pins up on 3 attached tables.
The spacing is the same as the bottom tier of the 5 pin
events. Shooters are restricted to 8 rds loaded at any time.
Revolver shooters may use backup guns. Restrictions specify
how teams can be formed. Restrictions specify how many top
shooters may be on a specific team.
THREE-PERSON
TEAMS:
18
pins set 3 pins down and 3 pins up on 3 attached tables.
The spacing is the same as the bottom tier of the 5 pin
events. Shooters are restricted to 8 rds loaded at any time.
Revolver shooters may use backup guns. One handgun shooter,
One Simi-auto shotgun shooter, and one pump shotgun shooter.
Teams formed with a lady shotgunner may use two simi-auto
shotguns. Restrictions specify how teams can be formed.
Restrictions specify how many top shooters may be on a specific
team.
CLASSIFICATION
PROCEDURE:
Classifications
are based on each individuals best competitive times shot
at recognized ranges using IPSA standards for range commands,
scoring and 5 pin main events. IPSA classifications are
currently set using results from Second Chance, the North
American Pin Shooting Nationals, The PA State Championships,
and the Smith and Wesson East Coast Challenge. Class breaks
are determined and reviewed annually to place approximately
10% of the shooters in Class-A, 30% of the shooters in Class-B,
and 60% of the shooters in Class-C. IPSA Standards; Range
commands are - "Timers ready", "Shooters
ready", "Gun on the rail", then the "Start"
command. An audible tone, a gun shot using blanks, a horn
or some other distinctive sound is recommended to start
each event. Scoring - The IPSA classification and preferred
timing system utilizes two or three timers with digital
stop watches. Timers will start timing when the start signal
is given and stop timing when the last pin hits the ground.
Competitors shoot 6 tables. The best 5 of the 6 times are
combined for an aggregate total score. Main Events - IPSA
classifications are established from times shot in the Pin
Gun, Stock Gun and Revolver events.The events are shot from
25 feet on tiered tables, using the standard 5 pin set and
scoring the best five of six tables. Classifications are
encouraged to distinguish between shooters of varied abilities.
Prize distributions are then distributed accordingly. Classifications
are also used to pair up shooters for team events. Top shooters
are restricted from shooting together on teams. Regional
or local shoots may have specific reasons for using a different
method of classification. Competitors at these shoots may
be a unique cross section of all shooters. The method of
classification to be used should be specified and detailed
in all literature about the shoot.
TABLE
CONSTRUCTION:
It
is not possible to mandate specific table construction because
of materials available or resources available to invest
in these materials. Table construction and design for a
specific shoot should be specified at the time entry materials
are made available to the shooters. Steel tables survive
extensive wear and sustain minimal damage. As thickness
of the steel decreases, support materials must be added
to eliminate sag and maintain table flatness. As steel thickness
increases, less support is required and less damage occurs.
It is recommended that tables be measured and marked with
paint for all events prior to the match. This will facilitate
consistent pin setting during the match. Shooters may ask
for a pin placement change or to have a specific pin replaced
prior to engaging a table. Match officials should honor
these request.
PROTEST:
Once
a shooter fires on a table of pins no protest can be filed
regarding pins or pin placement on that table. If a shooter
has a problem it must be addressed before the shooter fires
that string or single table. All protest at any particular
shoot should be handled by a predetermined review process.
All decisions rendered by this process at any specific shoot
are final. Specific problems should be logged for future
reference. Favorable or unfavorable rulings should be forwarded
to IPSA for review. Future regulations and rules may result
from this process. Shooters will be asked to sign their
score card and given a copy of their scores when they complete
that event. The shooter is responsible to review his / her
scores at that time place any protest relating to the accuracy
of the time prior to leaving the line.Once shooters sign
their score cards no protest may be made. Shooters are responsible
to retain their copy of the score card and notify match
officials of any errors in match postings.
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