Different equipment divisions exist to create level playing fields for different gun types. You must declare a gun division and ammunition power factor – (major or minor) on your score sheet.   If you are uncertain about where your current equipment or ammo best fits, ask a range officer.   For your first couple of matches, we strongly suggest that you shoot what you now have.

Once you get some experience, you'll learn that to be competitive, your choice of equipment should follow your choice of division.   It's widely known that certain divisions are competitively dominated by certain types of guns in certain calibers.   With only a couple of exceptions, one gun does not fit well in multiple divisions.   Without this knowledge you can easily make expensive mistakes.   After your first “try it out” match, start doing your research before spending more money – ask experienced practical shooters who have no vested interest in selling you something. The following are general descriptions of each division - for more detailed information, ask a range officer, or consult the USPSA rules.

Production Division:   

This division is all about factory guns - most practical. This division is a great place to start because it's inexpensive. Many prefer this division because they can improve their skills with their carry gun. Magazine capacity is limited to loading 10 rounds in each (You can start with an additional round in the chamber, often called the “Barney round” in recognition of Barney Fife). Scoring is always Minor, even if your ammo power may be major. 9mm and .40 are most common, with 9mm being a bit more competitive due to reduced recoil, (unless you hand-load reduced power .40.) Glocks, Springfield XDs, CZ's, Beretta 92's, S&W MPs, and Sig-Sauer types are common. No single action types are allowed. Double-action types (like Sig-Sauer) start with hammer down. Holsters must not be “competition-style”.   Magazines and gun must be worn at the sides and toward the rear of belt. External gun modifications are limited to sights and adding grip tape.   Magazines must be factory designed for the model. All safeties must function.

Single-Stack Division:

This Division uses the classic 1911 style gun. Almost stock 1911 single-action style pistols dominate with magazines holding no more than 8 rounds for major - (9 rounds with minor ammo is allowed but rarely seen).   Like production division, you can start with an additional round in the chamber. .45 caliber is most common, some .40. Magazines and gun must be worn at the sides and toward the rear of belt. Holsters and mag holders must not be “competition-style.”

Limited Division:

Competition holsters and mag holders are okay here.   No compensators or optical sights though.   Double-stack hi-capacity guns such as STI / SVI or Para-Ordnance are most popular, - in .40 caliber - making major power factor. 9mm minor is rarely seen.   Some .40 Glocks are competitive, particularly the model 35. Magazines are limited to 140mm unless they are the single stack types (rare).   Larger, aftermarket magazines and bases are typically used to increase capacity to 18-22 rounds.

Limited Ten Division:

Same as Limited but with only ten rounds allowed in each magazine (plus one in the chamber to start). 1911 .45s using long 170mm magazines are common, sometimes seen are double stack magazine guns downloaded to 10 rounds.

Open Division:

Very few limitations exist here - red-dot optical sights are generally used with tuned compensators. If your gun doesn't fit the above divisions, it should fit here. Most competitive open guns are expensive, tuned race machines, shooting with minimal muzzle flip. 38 super and 9x23 calibers are common. Some cost-sensitive competitors use 9x19 (Parabellum) carefully uploaded to major power factor.   170 mm 28 round mags are common. This division is great fun, but can be expensive.

Revolver Division:

You are limited to 6 rounds between reloading.   .45acp caliber is most common, 38 / 357 is also seen.   S&W 625's are common.   Reloading is done with moon clips or speed loaders.

Holsters & mag pouches

Your choice of division determines what's optimal.   For USPSA Production and Single stack, standard leather or kydex types are common, worn flush with the belt.   For Limited and Open division, competition-only-type holsters and magazine carriers prevail.   Most important is to make sure you carry enough mags for your division – for Production, Limited-10, and revolver, four, (six for revolver) might be required, as you will sometimes encounter 32 round stages, and you don't want to skip a strategic reload because you don't have enough.  Also, you might miss and have to make up a shot. For Limited and Open, with their greater capacities, carrying 2 extra is common.

At right, Jessie Abbate performs a speed mag change using Glock equipment in production division.