Divisions
Rimfire Pistol
Open to any pistol firing .22 Long Rifle ammunition. There are two equipment divisions:
Rimfire Pistol Open (RFPO): This is the Rimfire race division. All legal Rimfire firearms are allowed. Optics and Compensators are specifically allowed.
Rimfire Pistol Iron Sights (RFPI): Any Iron-sighted Rimfire pistols without optic sights. Fiber-optic sight inserts are specifically allowed.
Rimfire Rifle
Open to any rifle shooting .22 Long Rifle ammunition. There are two equipment divisions:
Rimfire Rifle Open (RFRO): This is the Rimfire rifle race division. All legal Rimfire rifles are allowed. Optics and Compensators are specifically allowed.
Rimfire Rifle Iron Sights (RFRI): Any Iron-sighted Rimfire rifle without optic sights. Fiber-optic sight inserts are specifically allowed.
Pistol Caliber Carbine
Open to carbines shooting pistol caliber cartridges (9mm/.38 special/.40 S&W/10 MM/.357 Sig / .45 ACP). There are two equipment divisions:
Pistol Caliber Carbine Open (PPCO): This is the Pistol Caliber Carbine race division. All legal Pistol Caliber Carbines, to include short barreled rifles, are allowed. Optics and Compensators are specifically allowed, suppressors are not allowed.
Pistol Caliber Carbine Iron Sights (PPCI): Any iron-sighted rifle without optic sights. Fiber-optic inserts are specifically allowed.
Centerfire Pistol
Any pistol firing (9mm/.38 Special) or larger ammunition.
Open (OPN): This is the race division! All legal firearms are allowed. Optics and Compensators are specifically allowed.
Limited (LTD): Any iron-sighted pistol without a compensator, barrel ports, or optical sight. Fiber optic inserts are specifically allowed.
Production (PROD): Any double action or safe action pistol on the USPSA Production gun list. Holsters must follow USPSA Handgun Rules for the Production Division except as specifically noted.
Single Stack (SS): 1911 models only. Holsters must follow USPSA Handgun Rules for the Single Stack Division.
Revolver: Any revolver can be used for competition. Fiber optic inserts are specifically allowed. No barrel length or holster restrictions. No restrictions for maximum rounds.
Optic Sight Revolver (OSR): A revolver equipped with Electronic / Optical Sights.
Iron Sight Revolver (ISR): A revolver equipped with iron sights. Fiber optic inserts are specifically allowed.
Carry Optics (CO): A double action or safe action/striker-fired semi-automatic pistol equipped with an optic sight. Compensators or ports are not allowed.
Class
If you do not know your class, then you are probably U (unclassified).
Categories
Preteen (less than 13)
Junior (13-17)
Senior (55-64)
Super Senior (65+)
Lady (listed as female on government-issued ID/birth certificate)
Foreign
Law Enforcement (current law enforcement)
Military (current active military)
Ammunition
All ammunition used in competition must be safe, serviceable, and appropriate for the firearm being used.
Minimum cartridge for centerfire competitions (38 Special/9X19).
Rimfire firearms must be .22 Long Rifle (.22LR) only. No powerless cartridges.
No multiple-projectile or magnum loads allowed.
Any ammunition deemed unsafe or likely to damage the targets will be removed from use. Examples include, but are not limited to: Steel Jacketed, Steel core, tracer, and incendiary ammunition.
There are no minimum power factor or velocity minimums in Steel Challenge. The Pistol Caliber Carbine Divisions (PCCI/PCCO) have
a maximum velocity of 1600 feet per second.
Holsters
In general, holsters shall be mounted at the waist, must cover the trigger, and must safely hold/retain the gun. All Centerfire handguns
must be appropriate for holster use. Female competitors are permitted to wear a belt, holster and allied equipment at hip level.
Rimfire competition does not involve the use of a holster. It is permissible for a Rimfire pistol to be transported between stages in a holster.
Either a gun case or a holster must be used for transport.
Division-specific holster restrictions may apply.
Due to the unique nature of the Steel Challenge, drawing from concealment or from inside the waist band is not allowed.
The use of 3-gun carts for transporting Rimfire Rifles and Pistol Caliber Carbines is permitted at all match levels. The long gun must be flagged at all times.
Cold Range
All firearms will be kept UNLOADED except on the firing line under the direct supervision of a Match Official.
- Semi-autos must have chamber and magazine well empty. Rimfire rifles and PCC must have chamber and magazine well empty and bolt closed on a flag and be cased or secured in a cart.
- Revolvers must have all chambers/cylinders empty.
- If a competitor is thought to be in violation of the COLD RANGE rule, a Range Officer will escort the competitor to a safety area and direct the competitor to unload and show clear. If the firearm is found to be loaded, the competitor will be disqualified from the match.
- During the match, competitors will refrain from handling their firearms, except when instructed by a range officer or in designated areas (staging areas for cased long guns or safety areas).
- Pistols must be transported in either a holster or bag/case. Rimfire rifles & PCC must be transported in a case or 3-gun cart & have a chamber flag.
More detailed rules at https://uspsa.org/viewer/2020-SCSA-Rulebook.pdf