Recently, I asked for topic suggestions on the NROI Facebook page, and we got some good ones. But there were several SCSA questions we have also received via email. Let’s find out if these are fact or fiction.
Turning the dot off is equal to using an iron sighted gun.
Sorry, this is not true. If you want to shoot your firearm in the non-optic divisions, you will need to physically remove the whole optic. This is outlined in Appendix D for each division.
Edge hits don’t count for score.
Edge hits do count! This is why it is very important to paint the face and edges of plates. See rule 9.3.2 in the SCSA rules: If the bullet has left a clear mark on the edge or face of the plate, it will be scored as a hit. If there is no discernible mark, it will be scored as a miss.
Rimfire divisions get automatic reshoots for malfunctions.
Nope. There is not a rule to support this. Perhaps there is confusion with the rule that allows a competitor to shoot a stuck round out of the chamber (8.3.9): If the cartridge fails to extract/eject, which is common with Rimfire Pistols and Rifles, once the time has been recorded and with approval of the Range Officer, the last cartridge may be fired directly into the berm without penalty. After the cartridge has been fired the Range Officer will resume the commands from rule 8.3.8, “If clear, hammer down,” as appropriate for the firearm.
Centerfire competitors who do not have holsters can start at low ready.
Sorry, this is not allowed. See 8.2.2 for the centerfire start position: In centerfire handgun competition, hands are to be held in the “surrender” position with wrists and hands above the shoulders and fully visible from behind and handgun loaded and holstered per 8.1.
I can leave my finger inside the trigger guard during movement between boxes on Outer Limits.
This one takes a few rules, but the short answer is no. First, let’s look at the definition of movement from App. A3: Taking more than one step in any direction, or changing body position (e.g., from standing to kneeling, from seated to standing etc.)
We then have rule 8.5.1 that states: Except when the competitor is actually aiming or shooting at targets, all movement (see Appendix A3) must be accomplished with the fingers visibly outside the trigger guard.
And finally the penalty for having your finger in the trigger guard is a DQ per 10.3.7: Failure to keep the finger outside the trigger guard during movement in accordance with Section 8.5.
I hope this was helpful and keep those questions coming!