Since I can't update the OP in this
Updated after new scenarios encountered. 4/24/17
As I have found out, certain scenarios have come up where the rule has been subject to different interpretations and different RO's have different opinions about things, including instructors. Here are the list of things I heard from different people and being discussed.
(Please no bashing here as this is a learning thread)
Range equipment failure - 4/24/17 update
I had this encountered last friday during a staff shoot, a no shoot was hit (full diameter hit inside) and struck a popper, I mentioned that it's range equipment failure and a reshoot. I got a confused look as a response.
9.1.5 Impenetrable – The scoring area of USPSA scoring targets and no- shoots is deemed to be impenetrable:
9.1.5.2 If a bullet strikes wholly within the scoring area of a paper target, and continues on to hit a plate or strike down a popper; this will be treated as range equipment failure. The competitor will be required to reshoot the course of fire, after it has been restored
Faulting - During the recent class I attended, if a shooter is standing on the fault line, he is considered outside the shooting area/box per that instructor as he interpreted it, Coach contradicted it during the class that as long as you're not touching the ground outside that line, you're still inside the shooting area/box. And I think majority of us agreed on Coach's argument.
Jumping from inside the shooting area to outside while still firing. - If the shooter is up in the air while shooting the target, even if the shooter is already outside the fault line but hasn't touched the ground yet, he is still considered inside the shooting area. I have heard different interpretations of this too.
Starting position - This is recently clarified Gary Johnson. And this is also the most common misinterpretation IMO as I have seen/heard different RO's interpretation about this. Our start position (chapter 8.2.2) ALWAYS defaults to appendix E3 of the rulebook even if the stage briefing says toes on marks/heels on marks, since the latter is describing the starting location, not position. I've recently seen, (even in level II matches) that this rule isn't enforced. Unless specified from written stage briefing (facing up range, hand on marks/table/above shoulders/relax at sides ect....), it always defaults to appendix E3.
Hammer position for production guns - The hammer down position is only at the start position/Handgun Ready Conditions 8.1. After the start beep, the shooter is legal to pull the hammer back for SA first shot during draw. Heard discussion about this too that it is illegal.
Securing the holster belt - Chapter 5.2.3, I've heard people say that you have to have at least 3 belt loops to be legal. It is not the case. The wording specifically says "The belt or the inner belt or both must be either securely fixed at the waist, or secured with a minimum of three belt loops. The belt may be removed between courses of fire." The key word is "or". As long as your belt is secured that when you draw or pull mags out of the pouches, your belt doesn't move up/down significantly.
Scoring on perforation/borders - Another one I've heard people say that the hole has to break/cross the perf. Per rulebook 9.5.2, the edge of the diameter only has to touch the scoring line.
The legality of using a back up gun - per 5.1.7. There's been different talks I've heard about this where you have to have exactly the same gun or platform as the main gun.
If you're planning of using the back up gun, include that gun in the chrono stage and pass the inspection. Once it passes for the division you're shooting, it doesn't matter what the gun's model/maker is as long as it passes for that division. (e.g. for production, main gun is hammer fired, back up is striker fired).
I posted these as to encouraged discussion on these and other things that are prone to misinterpretation. I hope that this will serve to help us understand the game.
Updated after new scenarios encountered. 4/24/17
As I have found out, certain scenarios have come up where the rule has been subject to different interpretations and different RO's have different opinions about things, including instructors. Here are the list of things I heard from different people and being discussed.
(Please no bashing here as this is a learning thread)
Range equipment failure - 4/24/17 update
I had this encountered last friday during a staff shoot, a no shoot was hit (full diameter hit inside) and struck a popper, I mentioned that it's range equipment failure and a reshoot. I got a confused look as a response.
9.1.5 Impenetrable – The scoring area of USPSA scoring targets and no- shoots is deemed to be impenetrable:
9.1.5.2 If a bullet strikes wholly within the scoring area of a paper target, and continues on to hit a plate or strike down a popper; this will be treated as range equipment failure. The competitor will be required to reshoot the course of fire, after it has been restored
Faulting - During the recent class I attended, if a shooter is standing on the fault line, he is considered outside the shooting area/box per that instructor as he interpreted it, Coach contradicted it during the class that as long as you're not touching the ground outside that line, you're still inside the shooting area/box. And I think majority of us agreed on Coach's argument.
Jumping from inside the shooting area to outside while still firing. - If the shooter is up in the air while shooting the target, even if the shooter is already outside the fault line but hasn't touched the ground yet, he is still considered inside the shooting area. I have heard different interpretations of this too.
Starting position - This is recently clarified Gary Johnson. And this is also the most common misinterpretation IMO as I have seen/heard different RO's interpretation about this. Our start position (chapter 8.2.2) ALWAYS defaults to appendix E3 of the rulebook even if the stage briefing says toes on marks/heels on marks, since the latter is describing the starting location, not position. I've recently seen, (even in level II matches) that this rule isn't enforced. Unless specified from written stage briefing (facing up range, hand on marks/table/above shoulders/relax at sides ect....), it always defaults to appendix E3.
Hammer position for production guns - The hammer down position is only at the start position/Handgun Ready Conditions 8.1. After the start beep, the shooter is legal to pull the hammer back for SA first shot during draw. Heard discussion about this too that it is illegal.
Securing the holster belt - Chapter 5.2.3, I've heard people say that you have to have at least 3 belt loops to be legal. It is not the case. The wording specifically says "The belt or the inner belt or both must be either securely fixed at the waist, or secured with a minimum of three belt loops. The belt may be removed between courses of fire." The key word is "or". As long as your belt is secured that when you draw or pull mags out of the pouches, your belt doesn't move up/down significantly.
Scoring on perforation/borders - Another one I've heard people say that the hole has to break/cross the perf. Per rulebook 9.5.2, the edge of the diameter only has to touch the scoring line.
The legality of using a back up gun - per 5.1.7. There's been different talks I've heard about this where you have to have exactly the same gun or platform as the main gun.
If you're planning of using the back up gun, include that gun in the chrono stage and pass the inspection. Once it passes for the division you're shooting, it doesn't matter what the gun's model/maker is as long as it passes for that division. (e.g. for production, main gun is hammer fired, back up is striker fired).
I posted these as to encouraged discussion on these and other things that are prone to misinterpretation. I hope that this will serve to help us understand the game.
