Range Equipment

4.1 Targets – General Principles

4.1.1 Only targets listed in Appendix B are to be used for USPSA Handgun matches.

4.1.2 Scoring targets used in all USPSA Handgun matches must be of a single color, as follows:

4.1.2.1 The scoring area of scoring paper targets must be of a typical cardboard color.

4.1.2.2 The entire front of scoring metal targets must be painted a single color, preferably white. Scoring metal targets may not be painted black, red or green.

4.1.3 No-shoots must be clearly marked or be of a single color different from scoring targets. Metal no-shoots in the general size and shape of authorized paper targets may be used. Metal no-shoots do not have a non-scoring border. No-shoots may not have holes cut in them and be used as penalty targets that must be shot through to hit a scoring target; see 9.1.5.

4.1.4 Targets used in a course of fire may be partially or wholly hidden through the use of hard or soft cover:

4.1.4.1 Cover provided to hide all or a portion of a target will be considered hard cover. When possible hard cover should not be simulated but constructed using impenetrable materials (see Rule 2.1.3). Whole paper targets must not be used solely as hard cover.

4.1.4.2 Cover provided merely to obscure targets is considered soft cover. Shots which have passed through soft cover and which strike a scoring target will score. Shots that have passed through soft cover before hitting a no-shoot will be penalized. All scoring zones on targets hidden by soft cover must be left wholly intact. Targets obscured by soft cover must either be visible through the soft cover or a portion of the affected target(s) must be visible from around or over the soft cover.

4.1.5 Declaring a single, intact target to represent two or more targets by use of tape, paint or any other means is prohibited.

4.2 Approved Handgun Targets – Paper

4.2.1 There are two types of paper targets approved for use in USPSA Handgun matches (see Appendix B). These types must not be included together in any stage. This includes using one type as scoring and the other as a no-shoot.

4.2.2 Paper targets must have scoring lines and non-scoring borders clearly marked on the face of the target, however, scoring lines and non-scoring borders should not be visible beyond a distance of 33 feet. The scoring zones reward power in USPSA matches.

4.2.2.1 The face of paper no-shoots must include a sufficiently distinguishable non-scoring border. In the absence of perforations or other suitable markings, the Range Master must order that all affected targets have a replacement non-scoring border drawn or fitted thereon.

4.2.3 Paper targets must never be required to receive more than 12 hits before being scored and patched.

4.2.4 When the scoring area of a paper target is to be partially hidden, course designers must simulate hard cover in one of the following ways:

4.2.4.1 By actually hiding a portion of the target (see Rule 4.1.4.1).

4.2.4.2 By physically cutting targets to remove the portion deemed to be hidden by hard cover. Such targets must be fitted with a replacement non-scoring border, which must extend the full width of the cut scoring area (see Rule 4.2.2).

4.2.4.3 By painting or taping the portion of the target deemed to be hidden by hard cover a single and visibly contrasting color.

4.2.5 Hard Cover (and overlapping no-shoots) must not completely hide the highest scoring zone on a partially hidden paper target. The minimum requirements are specified in Appendix B.