We just completed the 2026 Factory Gun Nationals and there was chatter on social media about the lack of Open Division and the 12 competitors who went subminor power factor. Let’s look at the rules and discuss what happened.
[Read more…] about No score or Open?Rules Q&A
Are You Compensating?
The firearms industry is constantly innovating, coming out with new and improved versions of existing firearms, or building new ones from the ground up. One recent trend has been to add compensators, regardless of size, i.e., single port, to carry guns and the like. Adding a compensator to the end of the slide has been done as well–not attached to the barrel, per se, but still diverting gases to reduce recoil. That’s what a compensator does, and what it has done since their inception on competition guns back in the 1990’s. That and the introduction of optical sights, i.e, red dots, spurred USPSA to create new divisions, namely Open and Limited, to differentiate firearm types and even the playing field.
[Read more…] about Are You Compensating?Per occurrence, per target or per shot
There are a couple rules where ROs need to determine if the violation is a significant advantage or not and that decision affects how many penalties the competitor will earn. One of those is foot fault penalties. Let’s look at what the rules say!
[Read more…] about Per occurrence, per target or per shotGet down to business at Make Ready
We have been getting many questions, honestly way more than expected, about the wording changes of 8.3.11 and 8.7.1 which happened earlier this year. Specifically if taking one step at the “Make Ready” command is still allowed. Let’s settle this debate!
[Read more…] about Get down to business at Make ReadySimplifying stacking
In May 2023 we did some revisions to the wording of the rule dealing with stacked shots. We recently received some questions about stacked shots and even though it’s been awhile since the revision, this is a topic that is often confusing so let’s take a closer look.
[Read more…] about Simplifying stackingFixed Time WSBs
The second Fixed Time question I got from a former student is a bit more complex. The questioner stated that on a Fixed Time stage at a larger match, the Written Stage Briefing did not list all the potential penalties under Fixed Time. They thought this was not correct and it should be spelled out in the WSB.
[Read more…] about Fixed Time WSBsFixed Time vs. Virginia Count
Recently I received an email from a former student as to whether Extra Shots and Extra Hits applied to Fixed Time stages. Actually, his question dealt more with extra shots fired under the time limit. I think he understood any extra hits would be penalized if they were on the scoring area of the target.
[Read more…] about Fixed Time vs. Virginia CountMake Ready vs Start Position
In the 2025 Competition Rules update, there was a small change to the wording of a couple rules. This change was done to reflect what actually happens at matches and what NROI has been teaching in the RO class for years. Let’s discuss why the change was made.
[Read more…] about Make Ready vs Start Position