USPSA 2008 Rule Book: General Observations 2

Continuing with the Geek Stream-Of-Consciousness commentary on the new USPSA rule book, I believe we left off with Chapter 3.

The next stop is --

Chapter 4: Range Equipment
The most prominent 'new thing' here is:

4.2.5 Hard cover (and overlapping no-shoots) must not hide the highest scoring zone(s) on a partially hidden target. The minimum requirements are specified in Appendix B

The previous version of rule 4.2.5 included: At least 50% of the highest-scoring zone must be available to all competitors from at least one location or view.

Appendix B refers to "Target Presentation" (and I have no idea why the illustrations use "Classic" targets, presumably this will be changed to feature 'Metric' targets.) One of the rules included in the 'forbidden actions' update is:

"At least 25% of the A-zone must remain visible around hardcover or overlapping no-shoots."

This, then, is the now notorious "25% Rule".

I find the organization of the rule to be cumbersome. Why is the 25% rule hidden in Appendix B? Again, we'll just have to wait and see, but I hope it is not too obscure to be widely recognized and acknowledged in all USPSA clubs.

Frankly, even the 50% version is new to me. My dying 'little grey cells' tell me that previous rules mandated that the highest-scoring zone must be completely visible, but that's a side issue and I won't bother to research it now. Perhaps later.

There is a question about WHICH A-zone must remain visible. If it is both A-zones, that's one thing. But if it's 25% of EITHER A-zone, we may find our self presented with only a 2" square in the middle of the B-zone to shoot at, which would be a travesty of fairness for competitors compelled to shoot minor power.

In "Approved Handgun Targets - Metal":
In passing, I note that rule 4.3.1.1 refers to "poppers", and rule 4.3.1.2 refers to "mini poppers". I believe these are what we previously referred to as "Pepper Poppers" and "USPSA Poppers", respectively.

Unfortunately, Rule 4.3.1.3 refers to "Pepper Poppers and Classic Poppers".

This is obviously an oversight, and I'm sure the 'final final version' of this rule book will correct this minor deficiency.

Here's an interesting rule:

4.3.1.8 Metal no-shoots must, if hit, be repainted after each competitor ends their attempt at the course of fire, failing which subsequent competitors must not be penalized for hits visible on their surface.

There is no provision for Level I matches here. However, with Metal scoring targets, Level I matches are not required to repaint between competitors.

Rule 4.5.1.1 specifically allows the competitor "... to move stone, sand or other loose material at the starting position for the purposes of achieving level and stable footing."

Finally in this chapter, there's an expansion of previous rules:

4.6.1 Range equipment must present the challenge fairly and equitably to all competitors. Range equipment failure includes, the displacement of paper targets, the premature activation of metal or moving targets, the failure to reset moving targets or steel targets, the malfunction of mechanically or electrically operated equipment, and the failure of props such as openings, ports, and barriers.

That seems familiar, but this is new:

4.6.1.1 The declaration and/or use of any loaded (see Rule 10.5.13) or unloaded firearm as "range equipment" is prohibited.

What this means, I think, is that if the host club provides a firearm for every competitor to use 'in common' ... if the gun don't work, you eat the penalties.

I've seen this in a club match, once or twice. Typically, it's a firearm which gets a lot of use with little or no maintenance between shooters and is subject to jams due to, if nothing else, powder fouling. Good idea to avoid this, I think, since it can kill your match score when the gun jams on you.


Chapter 5: Competitor Equipment

This chapter distinguishes between "Open Sights" and "Optical/Electronic Sights". The difference involves "... electronic circuitry and/or lenses".

I don't know whether a scope which uses magnifying lenses, such as (for example) a Burris 4x sight with no electronic circuitry (not a 'red dot') would be considered an "Open" or "Optical/Electronic" sight.

But I do think that a clearer definition is definitely in order here. Even though we don't see a lot of Burris 4x optical sights in Practical Pistol, we should bear in mind that these rules are the basis for Multigun competition rules.

It may save some future problems if USPSA could review this section and work to resolve the inherent confusion.

...

5.1.8 A competitor who substitutes or significantly modifies a handgun during a match without the prior approval of the Range Master will be subject to the provisions of Section 10.6.

Is this new? I don't recognize it. Regardless, this rule does require the competitor who needs to use a 'backup gun' (due to problems with the gun he started out with) to secure prior approval of the Range Master before switching guns. The consequences are an Unsportsmanlike Conduct Match Disqualification.

Chapter 6: Match Structure
There are no changes to the rules of particular interest to this summary.
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I remind the reader that this commentary is not intended to be all-inclusive, nor to identify all changes in the competitive rules. The competitor is strongly encouraged to read the entire published version(s) of the USPSA 2008 Rules and familiarize himself with the differences between the current and the 'new' versions.

This is intended to be a logical extension of the article titled "USPSA 2008 Rule Book: General Observation".