SECTION III: Handguns

A. Production

1. A pistol or revolver that is or was a catalog item as of January 1, 1977, or before, for Big Bore competition, or before January 1, 1979 for Small Bore (.22) competition, and was readily available to the general public.

2. Barrel length not to exceed 10 3/4", by manufacturers specifications. If a muzzle brake/compensator is used in Small Bore (.22), it must be included in the barrel measurement. If it is optionally removable as manufactured, and removing it allows the handgun to qualify under the barrel length rule, then the handgun may be used without the muzzle brake/compensator.

3. Weight shall not exceed 4 pounds, unloaded with magazine for open-sight categories, and 5 pounds for the Field Pistol Production Any Sights category, including optical equipment. The weight of any C02 or other propellant containers shall be included in the gun weight for the Air Pistol category.

4. The overall length of Production handguns shall not exceed 18 inches. Measurements to be square and parallel to the centerline of the bore.

5. The handgun must be complete at all times in form, finish, and mechanical function as manufactured. Only parts which are manufacturers' catalog items for the particular model may be used for repair or replacement.

6. Small Bore (.22) Production handguns shall include:

a) All standard .22 caliber pistols as manufactured in the USA.

b) All .22 caliber pistols manufactured outside the USA which conform to the criteria and specifications of UIT rules for Sport Pistol and Standard Pistol, as well as all IHMSA rules and criteria.

7. The original sights (front, rear, or both) may be replaced, except in the AIR category, with sights which are catalog items, manufactured to fit the handgun without alteration to the sights or handgun. Replacement sights may not extend the original sight radius by more than 1 inch. In the Air Pistol category only, the front or rear sights may be filed to raise or lower the point of impact, and the rear sight opening may be widened.

The following are allowed or not allowed:

a) Covered front sights are allowed.

b) Scope rib type sight bases are allowed.

c) Tube sights are not allowed.

d) Covered rear sights are not allowed.
Exception: .22 caliber Browning Buckmark Model with covered rear sight is allowed as previously approved.

8. Stocks which are standard catalog items, and which are finished by the stock maker to standard patterns, may be used as replacement parts.

9. Removal of factory checkering, in the process of refinishing any Production handgun stock, grip, or forend, is not allowed.

10. Adjustable grips as provided by the manufacturer on Small Bore (.22) UIT pistols are allowed. However, no adjustments of such grips are allowed after the competitor has begun a course of fire. No other adjustable grips will be allowed on any Production handgun.

11. A trigger job may be performed on a Production handgun. Sear engagement surfaces of the hammer and trigger may be smoothed and re-hardened to achieve a controlled release. The factory trigger spring may be stretched. bent, or cut. No other springs from any other manufacturer may be used. Polishing the sides of the hammer, trigger, or insides of the frame is not permitted. No internal parts other than standard catalog parts from the manufacturer of the handgun may be used. No other modifications are allowed.

12. Sights may be smoked or painted any color to suit the competitor. This includes painting of sight setting marks.

13. Hammer extensions are allowed. Extensions must be a manufacturer's catalog item and may not be altered.

14. Optical equipment may be used in the Field Pistol Production Any Sights category only. Scopes, mounts, and other optical devices shall be as manufactured with no modifications.

15. Production handguns may be drilled and tapped for scopes and still be used in the Production gun categories so long as the holes are fitted with filler screws.

16. Open sights may be removed to install a scope mount for Field Pistol Production Any Sights (PAS).

17. Scopes and optical devices must be removed from handguns which are used in a Production gun open sight category.

18. It is permissible to leave scope mounts on Production handguns, provided they are not used as a shooting aid.

19. No other external or internal changes may be made to a handgun which is used in a Production gun category. Exception: Engraving of metal parts of a handgun by the manufacturer or other party is allowed, provided it is strictly commemorative or decorative and does not constitute nor is used as a shooting aid.

20. A revolver or semi-automatic pistol used in any Production gun category must be loaded with five rounds and fired as such. Revolvers and pistols used in Unlimited categories may be loaded and fired single-shot, at the option of the competitor.

21. Bolt action handguns are not allowed in any Production category, with two exceptions: Remington XP-100, 10 3/4" inch barrel, chambered for the .221 Fireball cartridge is allowed for the Big Bore Production category and bolt action handguns are allowed for the Air Pistol Production category.

22.Fox Ridge Outfitters and Thompson Center (T/C) Custom Shop replacement barrels are allowed on T/C Contender and Encore frames.

23. No Production Air Pistol shall have a manufacturer's suggested retail price greater than $150.00 U.S. based on 2001 MSRP.

24. The Evaluation Committee shall have the responsibility for determining the category in which any new model handgun will compete. Any handguns manufactured after January 1, 1977 for Big Bore or January 1, 1979 for Small Bore (.22), will be subject to examination by the Evaluation Committee and such Officers and Directors of IHMSA as may be appointed by the President. Such handguns and/or accessories will be allowed to compete in Production categories if so warranted by majority vote. Otherwise, such equipment may be eligible to compete in Unlimited categories only. All design changes and/or modifications of handguns approved for Production must be submitted to the Evaluation Committee for approval. All new equipment, design changes, and modifications must be approved at least 90 days prior to the annual International Championships to be allowed for use in that competition.

B. Unlimited

1. A handgun with a maximum barrel length and sight radius of 15 inches and a maximum weight of 5 pounds, unloaded, with magazine, may be used in all Unlimited categories.

2. A handgun with a maximum barrel length of 15 inches and a maximum weight of 6 pounds, unloaded, with magazine, including telescopic or other optical device and mounts, may be used in the Unlimited Standing, Unlimited Any Sights, and Unlimited Any Sights Half-Scale categories. Scopes and other optical devices must be removed from handguns that are to be used in the Unlimited and Unlimited Half-Scale categories. It is permissible to leave scope mounts on such handguns, provided they are not used as a shooting aid.

3. The sight radius shall be measured from the rear edge of the front blade or aperture insert of a covered sight to the rear surface of the rear sight leaf, blade, peep hole, or aperture, as seen by the eye in the sighting position. The overall length of the sighting apparatus including hoods, covers, tubes, sunshades, extensions, or other device shall not exceed 18 inches.

4. The official barrel length shall be the distance between the bolt or breech face and the highest part of the muzzle crown. This distance shall be measured by inserting a rod down the barrel bore until it makes contact with the bolt or breech face, then a straight edge is placed across the muzzle at the highest part of the crown. The rod may then be marked and measured. An alternate method shall be a rod with a fixed stop that is pre-set to the maximum barrel length. If a muzzle brake is used, it must be measured as part of the barrel length.

5. The overall length of Unlimited handguns may not be more than 25 inches. Measurements shall be square or parallel to the centerline of the barrel bore.

6. Adjustable grips are not allowed on any pistol in this category, except Air Pistol unlimited categories.

7. All .22 caliber UIT Free pistols are classed as Unlimited handguns, provided they comply with other IHMSA handgun rules.

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