IPSC Rules & Guidelines
Your essential guide to safety, fairness, and competitive shooting excellence.
Ensuring safety and skill in every match.
Core Principles
IPSC Rules form the basis of our sport, as does the rules for any sport. The Rules set standards for competition around the world and ensure safety and good order in our sport.
Officials organize and run competitions so competitors may shoot an IPSC match anywhere in the world in a safe organized manner.
The following general principles of course design list the criteria, responsibilities and restrictions governing course designers as the architects of the sport of IPSC shooting.
Safety
IPSC matches must be designed, constructed and conducted with due consideration to safety.
Quality
The value of an IPSC match is determined by the quality of the challenge presented in the course design. Courses of fire must be designed primarily to test a competitor’s IPSC shooting skills, not necessarily their physical abilities.
Balance
Accuracy, Power and Speed are equivalent elements of IPSC shooting, and are expressed in the Latin words ‘Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas’ (“DVC”). A properly balanced course of fire will depend largely upon the nature of the challenges presented therein, however, courses must be designed, and IPSC matches must be conducted in such a way, as to evaluate these elements equally.
Diversity
IPSC shooting challenges are diverse. No single course of fire must be repeated to allow its use to be considered a definitive measure of IPSC shooting skills.
Freestyle
The value of an IPSC match is determined by the quality of the challenge presented in the course design. Courses of fire must be designed primarily to test a competitor’s IPSC shooting skills, not necessarily their physical abilities.
Difficulty
IPSC matches present varied degrees of difficulty. No shooting challenge or time limit may be appealed as being prohibitive. This does not apply to non-shooting challenges, which should reasonably allow for differences in competitor’s height and physical build.
Challenge
IPSC matches recognize the difficulty of using full power firearms in dynamic shooting and must always employ a minimum caliber and power level to be attained by all competitors to reflect this challenge.
Your essential guide to safety, fairness, and competitive shooting excellence.
Discipline-Specific Rulebooks
IPSC issues official rulebooks for each firearm discipline, regularly updated — latest editions released in January 2025 covering:
Handgun, .22LR, Shotgun, Rifle, Mini-Rifle, PCC, and Action Air
These rulebooks provide detailed guidance on:
Equipment standards (firearms, optics, clothing)
Power factors and scoring zones
Stage design and target types
Safety procedures and mandatory protective gear
Range commands and competitor conduct
Penalties, appeals, and disqualification processes
Explore the rules for your discipline to compete confidently and safely
Equipment & Power Factor
Each firearm used in IPSC must comply with strict division-specific equipment rules and minimum power factor requirements.
Equipment Rules
Divisions regulate the use of optics, compensators, magazine capacity, and magazine length
All gear must be safe, fully functional, and remain consistent throughout the match
Equipment changes mid-match are not allowed unless approved by officials
⚡ Power Factor Requirements
Power factor measures the momentum of the projectile and affects scoring:
| Discipline | Minimum Power Factor |
|---|---|
| Handgun | 125 kgr·ft/s (~2.47 Ns) |
| Rifle | 150 (Major) / 320 (Minor) |
| Shotgun | 480 |
| PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine) | 125 (Minor) |
Match Conduct & Commands
IPSC matches follow a standardized flow of commands and clearly defined roles to ensure fairness and safety from start to finish.
Standard Range Commands
Every competitor follows a consistent sequence of voice commands:
“Load and Make Ready”
“Are You Ready?”
“Standby”
“Start Signal (audible beep)”
“Stop”
“Unload and Show Clear”
“Clear, Hammer Down, Holster”
“Range Is Clear”
These commands guide every shooter through their course safely and clearly.
Safety Protocols
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Eye and ear protection is mandatory for all shooters and officials
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Violations may result in penalties or reshoots
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Safe firearm handling is enforced at all times
Key Match Officials
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Range Master – Oversees safety, rule enforcement, and final decisions
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Match Director – Manages event logistics and administration
Precision, speed, and fair judgment, all in one system.
Scoring & Appeals
Comstock Scoring
Every shot counts, and time does too. Your score is calculated by dividing total hit points by the time taken. Faster, cleaner runs mean better scores — it’s a test of control under pressure.
Major vs Minor
Your power factor affects how your shots are scored. "Major" calibers earn more points in lower zones, while "Minor" demands greater accuracy. Your setup matters — and smart choices pay off.
Appeals Process
You’re protected by a step-by-step review path: First, the Range Officer, then the Chief Range Officer, and finally the Range Master if needed. Fair and consistent just like the sport itself.
Follow the rules. Stay in the match.
Penalties & Disqualification
- Safety breaches and rule violations incur procedural penalties or disqualification
- Competitor substitutions, equipment changes mid-match, or unsafe handling lead to penalties
Tools, guidelines, and official references to support every competitor.
Additional Resources
- Diagrams available: target dimensions, magazine sizes, popper targets, and more
- Anti-Doping regulations are enforced at Level III and above events
- Rule interpretations and equipment check manuals are available for clarity: January 2019 editions etc.
