IPSC & USPSA Division Equipment Rules, Explained
What each handgun division allows for optics, compensators, magwells, weight, size and magazines, in plain English, with the rulebook references for each division.
01 Sport
02 Division
IPSC Open: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 160 · Minor 125 · Major bullet at least 120 gr |
|---|---|
| Optics | Allowed. |
| Compensators | Allowed: compensators and barrel ports. |
| Magwells | No restriction. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | No capacity limit. Magazines are measured standing upright, base pad included. |
| Max magazine length | 170 mm |
| Grips | No restriction. |
| Controls | No restriction. The trigger must not stick out past the width of the trigger guard. |
| Base pads | Any, as long as the magazine is 170 mm or shorter. |
| Other | Major needs a bullet of at least 120 gr. No size or weight limit. Lasers are not allowed. In Australia, IPSC Australia and state law can add limits such as magazine capacity. |
Source: IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · Appendix D1, Appendix E1, Rule 5.1.3.3. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
IPSC Standard: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 170 · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | Not allowed: no compensators or barrel ports. Slide porting is allowed. |
| Magwells | Allowed, as long as the gun still fits the box. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Size / box | With an empty magazine in, the gun must fit inside a 225 x 150 x 45 mm box, slide parallel to the long side. Every magazine must fit. |
| Magazine capacity | No capacity limit. Magazine length is limited by the box. |
| Grips | Allowed, as long as the gun still fits the box. |
| Controls | Extended controls and thumb rests are allowed if the gun still fits the box with them fully extended. |
| Base pads | Any that keep the gun and magazine inside the box. Telescoping magazines and compressible base pads are not allowed. |
| Other | Major needs a .40 / 10 mm bullet or larger (.357 SIG allowed for Major until 31 Dec 2029). At the start signal the gun, holster and all magazine pouches must sit behind the hip bone. In Australia, state law can limit magazine capacity. |
Source: IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · Appendix D2, Rule 5.2.10, Appendix E2. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
IPSC Classic: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 170 · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | Not allowed. |
| Magwells | Allowed up to 35 mm outside width. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Size / box | With an empty magazine in, the gun must fit inside a 225 x 150 x 45 mm box. Every magazine must fit. |
| Magazine capacity | Up to 8 rounds at Major or 10 at Minor in any magazine at the start signal. |
| Grips | Custom grip panels, checkering and finger grooves are allowed. The gun must keep the 1911 profile. |
| Controls | Custom magazine releases, safeties, triggers and hammers are allowed. Extended slide stops and thumb shields are allowed if they do not work as a thumb rest. Weak-hand thumb rests and slide rackers are not allowed. |
| Base pads | Any, if the gun and magazine fit the box and the capacity limit is met. |
| Other | 1911-style single-stack with a one-piece metal frame, a stirrup-cut slide and a dust cover no longer than 75 mm (front edge to the rear of the slide stop pin). Slide lightening cuts are not allowed. Major needs a .40 / 10 mm bullet or larger (.357 SIG allowed until 31 Dec 2029). At the start signal the gun, holster and all magazine pouches must sit behind the hip bone. |
Source: IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · Appendix D3, Rule 5.2.10, Appendix E2. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
IPSC Production: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major not available · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | Not allowed. |
| Magwells | Not allowed: no flared, enlarged or add-on magwells. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Size / box | No box. Barrel length up to 127 mm. |
| Magazine capacity | Up to 15 rounds in any magazine at the start signal. |
| Grips | Aftermarket grip panels are allowed if they do not extend below the frame or speed up reloads. Stippling is allowed, and one layer of grip tape in the marked grip areas only (not on levers or buttons). Rubber grip sleeves are not allowed. |
| Controls | Extended slide stops, weak-hand thumb rests and racking handles are not allowed. Aftermarket triggers (keeping any factory trigger safety) and hammers are allowed; magazine releases, safeties and slide stops must be factory parts. |
| Base pads | Bumper pads are allowed if they add negligible weight. The 15-round limit applies. |
| Other | The gun must be on the IPSC Production Division List. Trigger pull at least 2.27 kg for the first shot (or 1.36 kg for every shot). Guns with an external hammer fire the first shot double action, except from an empty-chamber start. At the start signal the gun, holster and all magazine pouches must sit behind the hip bone. |
Source: IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · Appendix D4, Appendix E3a, Appendix E4a, Appendix E4b, Rule 5.2.10, Appendix E2. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
IPSC Production Optics: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major not available · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Required: exactly one optic on the upper rear of the slide. The slide may be milled and aftermarket mounting plates are allowed, but no racking or cocking handle may form part of the optic or its mount. |
| Compensators | Not allowed. |
| Magwells | Not allowed: no flared, enlarged or add-on magwells. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Size / box | No box. Barrel length up to 127 mm. |
| Magazine capacity | Up to 15 rounds in any magazine at the start signal. |
| Grips | As Production: panels must not extend below the frame; stippling and one layer of grip tape (marked grip areas only, not on levers or buttons) are allowed. Rubber grip sleeves are not allowed. |
| Controls | As Production: extended slide stops, weak-hand thumb rests and racking handles are not allowed. Aftermarket triggers (keeping any factory trigger safety) and hammers are allowed; other controls must be factory parts. |
| Base pads | Bumper pads are allowed if they add negligible weight. The 15-round limit applies. |
| Other | The gun must be on the IPSC Production Division List. Same trigger pull rules as Production. Guns with an external hammer fire the first shot double action, except from an empty-chamber start. At the start signal the gun, holster and all magazine pouches must sit behind the hip bone. |
Source: IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · Appendix D4a, Appendix E3a, Appendix E4a, Appendix E4b, Rule 5.2.10, Appendix E2. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
IPSC Optics: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major not available · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Required: exactly one optic on the rear of the slide. The slide may be milled. |
| Compensators | Not allowed: no compensators or barrel ports. Slide porting is allowed. |
| Magwells | No restriction. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | No capacity limit. Magazines up to 141.25 mm long (170 mm in single-stack guns). |
| Max magazine length | 141.25 mm |
| Grips | No restriction. |
| Controls | No restriction. |
| Base pads | Any, within the 141.25 mm magazine length (170 mm in single-stack guns). |
| Other | New division in the January 2026 rulebook. Minor only. No size or weight limit. The hip-bone position rule applies, measured to the slide. |
Source: IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · Appendix D6, Appendix E1, Appendix E2. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
IPSC Revolver: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 170 · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | Not allowed. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | No cylinder limit, but revolvers holding 7 or more rounds score Minor even with Major ammunition. |
| Other | Self-loading revolvers with a moving slide are not allowed. |
Source: IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · Appendix D5. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Open: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 165 · Minor 125 · Major bullet at least 112 gr |
|---|---|
| Optics | Allowed. |
| Compensators | Allowed: compensators, barrel ports and slide ports. |
| Magwells | No restriction. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | No capacity limit. Magazines up to 6.742 in (171.25 mm) long; no curved or extendable magazines. |
| Max magazine length | 171.25 mm |
| Grips | No restriction. |
| Controls | No restriction. The trigger must not stick out past the width of the trigger guard. |
| Base pads | Any, within the 171.25 mm magazine length. |
| Other | Major needs a bullet of at least 112 gr. No size or weight limit. USPSA's inch measurements are the official ones. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D1, Appendix E1, Rule 5.1.5. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Limited: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 165 · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | No compensators or barrel ports. Slide ports are listed as allowed, but a 7 Sep 2026 NROI ruling treats slide porting that acts as a compensator as a compensator. Ask your Range Master. |
| Magwells | No restriction. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | No capacity limit. Magazines up to 5.561 in (141.25 mm), or 171.25 mm in single-stack guns. |
| Max magazine length | 141.25 mm |
| Grips | No restriction. |
| Controls | No restriction: thumb rests and extended controls are allowed. |
| Base pads | Any, within the magazine length limit. |
| Other | Major needs a .40 / 10 mm or larger bullet (so .45 ACP qualifies), or .357 SIG. No size or weight limit. A light/laser unit may be fitted (a dead one can serve as a weight), but the laser must not be used. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D2, Appendix A3 (Compensator, NROI ruling 7 Sep 2026). Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Limited 10: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 165 · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Allowed. |
| Compensators | No compensators or barrel ports. Slide ports are listed as allowed (see the 7 Sep 2026 NROI compensator ruling). |
| Magwells | No restriction. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | Up to 10 rounds in any magazine after the start signal. Magazines up to 141.25 mm (171.25 mm single-stack). |
| Max magazine length | 141.25 mm |
| Grips | No restriction. |
| Controls | No restriction. |
| Base pads | Any, within the magazine length limit. |
| Other | Major needs a .40 / 10 mm or larger bullet (so .45 ACP qualifies), or .357 SIG. A light/laser unit may be fitted (a dead one can serve as a weight), but the laser must not be used. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D3. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Limited Optics: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major not available · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Required, fixed directly to the slide between the rear of the slide and the ejection port. Frame-mounted optics are not allowed. |
| Compensators | No compensators or barrel ports. Slide ports are listed as allowed (see the 7 Sep 2026 NROI compensator ruling). |
| Magwells | No restriction. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | No capacity limit. Magazines up to 141.25 mm (171.25 mm single-stack). |
| Max magazine length | 141.25 mm |
| Grips | No restriction. |
| Controls | No restriction: thumb rests are allowed. |
| Base pads | Any, within the magazine length limit. |
| Other | Minor only: Major is not available in this division. No size or weight limit. A light/laser unit may be fitted (a dead one can serve as a weight), but the laser must not be used. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D9, Rule 6.2.5.1.1. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Carry Optics: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major not available · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Required, fixed directly to the slide between the rear of the slide and the ejection port. The slide may be milled. |
| Compensators | No compensators or barrel ports. Slide ports are listed as allowed (see the 7 Sep 2026 NROI compensator ruling). |
| Magwells | No external magwells, factory or aftermarket. The inside of the magwell may be opened up. Grip panels must not form a magwell. |
| Weight limit | 59 oz (1,673 g), with optic and empty magazine |
| Magazine capacity | No capacity limit. Magazines up to 5.561 in (141.25 mm). |
| Max magazine length | 141.25 mm |
| Grips | Stippling, grip tape, checkering, trigger-guard undercuts and finger-groove changes are allowed. Replacement panels must not extend below the butt to form a magwell, and grips must not be modified to create a thumb rest or beavertail. |
| Controls | Aftermarket magazine releases, slide stops, thumb safeties, triggers and hammers are allowed, but every factory safety (including a trigger safety) must still work. Thumb rests and slide racking devices are not allowed. |
| Base pads | Aftermarket magazines and base pads are allowed within the 141.25 mm length. Grip tape on base pads is allowed. |
| Other | Double action, DA/SA or striker-fired only, and the model must be USPSA-approved for Carry Optics (on the Production list, or approved through an NROI manufacturer's declaration). Anything not specifically allowed is not allowed. Weigh the gun with optic and an empty magazine. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D7, Appendix E1. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Production: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major not available · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | No compensators or barrel ports. Slide ports are listed as allowed (see the 7 Sep 2026 NROI compensator ruling). |
| Magwells | No external magwells, factory or aftermarket. The inside of the magwell may be opened up. |
| Weight limit | 59 oz (1,673 g), with empty magazine |
| Size / box | With an empty magazine in, the gun must fit a box 8-15/16 x 6 x 1-5/8 in (227 x 152 x 41 mm). Every magazine must fit. |
| Magazine capacity | Up to 15 rounds in any magazine after the start signal. |
| Grips | Stippling, grip tape, checkering, trigger-guard undercuts and finger-groove changes are allowed. Replacement panels must not extend below the butt to form a magwell. Non-factory grip changes (adding or removing material) that create a functional feature, such as a beavertail or thumb rest, are not allowed. Revolver grips can be any shape, profile or texture. |
| Controls | Aftermarket magazine releases, slide stops, thumb safeties, triggers and hammers are allowed, but every factory safety (including a trigger safety) must still work. Thumb rests and slide racking devices are not allowed. |
| Base pads | Aftermarket base pads are allowed if every magazine still fits the box. |
| Other | The gun must be on the USPSA Approved Production list; double action, DA/SA or striker-fired only. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D4. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Single Stack: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 165 · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | Not allowed: no compensators, barrel ports or slide ports. |
| Magwells | No specific magwell rule, but the gun must still fit the box and weight limit and nothing may act as a weight. Check with your Range Master. |
| Weight limit | 45 oz (1,276 g), with empty magazine |
| Size / box | With an empty magazine in, the gun must fit a box 8-15/16 x 6 x 1-5/8 in (227 x 152 x 41 mm). Every magazine must fit. |
| Magazine capacity | Up to 8 rounds at Major or 10 at Minor in any magazine after the start signal. Single-stack 1911 magazines only. |
| Grips | No specific rule beyond the ban on external weights and recoil devices. |
| Controls | Thumb rests, and parts that can act as one, are not allowed. Slide racking devices are not allowed. |
| Base pads | No specific rule; every magazine must fit the box. |
| Other | 1911-type pistols with a metal frame only. Modular 1911-style frames are allowed only if they use traditional single-stack 1911 magazines; wide-body magazines are not allowed, even if adapted to feed single-column. Light rails are allowed only if factory-installed, with the dust cover no longer than 3.25 in (rear of the slide stop pin to the front of the dust cover). Slide lightening cuts are not allowed. Cone and flanged barrels are not allowed, and a barrel bushing is required unless the barrel is 4.20 in or shorter. Major needs a .40 / 10 mm or larger bullet (so .45 ACP qualifies), or .357 SIG. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D5. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
USPSA Revolver: equipment rules
Checked against rulebook| Power factor | Major 165 · Minor 125 |
|---|---|
| Optics | Not allowed. |
| Compensators | Not allowed. |
| Weight limit | No weight limit |
| Magazine capacity | No cylinder limit, but at most 6 rounds fired before a reload at Major, or 8 at Minor. |
| Other | Self-loading revolvers with a moving slide are not allowed. A working light/laser unit may be fitted, but the laser must not be used. |
Source: USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition (effective 1 Sep 2026)) · Appendix D6. Summaries are plain-English and simplified; the rulebook and your Range Master decide.
Official rulebooks
IPSC Handgun Competition Rules (January 2026 edition) · USPSA Competition Rules (September 2026 edition)
These are simplified summaries to help you plan a build. The current rulebook, its official interpretations and the Range Master at your match are the final word. Rules change; check the edition shown.
Division questions
Which rulebook is this based on?
The IPSC Handgun Competition Rules, January 2026 edition, and the USPSA Competition Rules, September 2026 edition. The edition is shown with each division. Check your match information, because a match can run under a different edition.
Who decides if my gun is legal?
The Range Master at your match, applying the rulebook and its official interpretations. These summaries help you plan; they do not replace the rulebook.
Do Australian rules differ?
They can. IPSC rules allow local rules where the law requires them, such as state limits on magazine capacity. Check IPSC Australia's rules and your state's firearms law.
Can I use an aftermarket magwell or base pad?
It depends on the division. Some limit magwells and overall size or weight, and some limit magazine length or capacity. Choose your division above to see what applies.
