IPSC

Background

The sport of Practical Pistol Shooting is exciting and challenging as well as being one of the fastest growing shooting sports in the world.The IPSC is a globally recognised competitive shooting sport conducted across all continents. Competitions are held regularly at local, state, national, regional, and international levels. IPSC matches emphasise a balance of speed and accuracy, and the sport continues to grow in popularity due to the dynamic and diverse nature of its courses of fire. Participants engage with a wide array of target types, including paper and steel targets, as well as stationary, moving, and penalty targets, making each match both challenging and engaging.

All individuals wishing to participate and compete in IPSC events must be members of their respective regional body, such as IPSC Australia.

The pistols

IPSC features multiple divisions, including optics, to accommodate different types of pistols and shooting styles, ensuring fair competition across varied equipment. Each division has specific rules governing firearm modifications, calibres, and accessories, ranging from fully customised pistols in the Open division to more production-based firearms in Production division. This structure allows shooters to compete on an even playing field while showcasing a wide array of pistols suited to their preferences and skills. Competitors must undertake a competency and holster safety course before being permitted to compete in IPSC.

Course of fire

IPSC courses of fire are designed to challenge competitors with dynamic stages that test both speed and accuracy. Each match incorporates a mix of short, medium, and long stages with varying target types and shooting positions. This diversity ensures that no two matches are the same, highlighting the competitor’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure.

IPSC does not prescribe a fixed method for engaging targets, empowering competitors to develop their own strategies and sequences based on personal skill, physical ability, efficiency, and the specific stage layout.

Scoring

A key distinction between IPSC and other shooting competitions lies in how a competitor's final score is calculated. In most traditional formats, scores are determined solely by adding the values of the scoring zones hit. In contrast, IPSC incorporates both accuracy and speed into its scoring system. A competitor’s total points, based on target hits, are divided by the time taken to complete the stage, resulting in a "hit factor." This means that the faster and more accurately a competitor completes a stage, the higher their final score will be. 

Schedule

Shot on alternating Saturdays and Sundays during the year.