About MPSA and IPSC as sportMPSA

History of the sport (some content taken from www.ipsc.org)
The art of shooting can be traced back as far as the Middle Ages but it wasn’t until the 19th century that shooting actually developed into a sport. In the 200 years since, shooters have come together at the local, national, and international level to practice and compete in a variety of shooting disciplines.

IPSC-style competitive shooting developed in southern California, U.S.A. in the late 1950’s and quickly spread throughout the shooting world. As the sport attracted more interest, participants sought a more structured format and competition environment. As a result, in May of 1976, the International Pistol Conference was held in Colombia, Missouri where sportsmen from around the world participated in determining the structure, organization, and future of IPSC marksmanship. A constitution was established and the Confederation was born.

Accuracy, power, and speed were recognized as the quintessential elements that have become the foundation of IPSC. The motto -DVC- Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas (Accuracy, Power, Speed) was introduced to reflect these balanced elements. Safe gun handling skills, as well as procedures and rules for competitions were also adopted. IPSC athletes must blend accuracy, power, and speed into a winning combination. Handgun targets are 75 centimeters by 45 centimeters with a 15 centimeter center representing the “A zone” or bulls eye.MPSA

Most shooting takes place at relatively close distances, with rare shots out to 50 meters. Hitting a 15 centimeter zone might seem easy to an experienced pistol shooter, but is not so easy for the beginners.  In IPSC only full power handguns are used (9mm or larger).

Mastering a full power handgun is considerably more difficult than shooting a light recoiling target pistol, especially when the competitor is trying to go as fast as possible. Time is a key factor. Scores are divided by the time taken to achieve them, adding to the challenge.

Handgun shooters may enter in any one of the following Divisions depending on the style of firearm they use.  Open, standard, production, revolver, classic, production optic and production optic light. 

MPSAIPSC is not restricted to handguns and the following disciplines are cater for; Handgun, Rifle, Shotgun, Mini rifle, Action Air, Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC).

Rifle and shotgun disciplines are similar to handgun but differ in many details. The differences are found in their respective competition rules, but only a detailed comparison will show how different they are.

MPSA

Multiple targets, moving targets, targets that react when hit, penalty targets, or even partially covered targets, obstacles, movement, competitive strategies, and other techniques are all a part of IPSC shooting to keep the athletes challenged and the spectators entertained.

Although the roots are martial in origin, the sport matured from those beginnings, just as karate, fencing, and archery developed from their origins. IPSC shooting is an international sport, emphasizing safety and safe gun handling, accuracy, power, and speed, in high-level competitions around the world from Argentina to Zimbabwe.

MPSA are very competitive and produced a number of competitors who earned there national colors.  In the photo from left to right.  Hendrik Engelbrecht - handgun in the production senior division and production optics senior division, Ronnie Gower - rifle in the semi auto open division, Chrissie Wessels - MPSA Chief Range officer, Dirk Bekker - handgun in the open senior division and rifle in the semi auto open senior division, Louwrens van Schaik - combat rifle in the elite X-class, Paul Loock - handgun in the production division. Other members not in the photo - Rosco Bekker - handgun in the production junior division, Tommy Glover - shotgun open division, Jarrod McAllister - shotgun open division, Jean Engelbrecht - handgun production division and production optics senior division, Justin Peacock - handgun in the standard division, JP Potgieter - handgun in the standard division.  So 10 MPSA members received their national colours in IPSC Shooting disciplines.

Special achievements

At the World Shoot XIX in Thailand in 2022 the SA  National Production Optic Senior team achieved third place overall and won bronze medals. Jean Engelbrecht and Hendrik Engelbrecht was from our province and it was the first time in history that members from our province won any medals at a World Shoot.



FLTR: Jean Engelbrecht, Hendrik Engelbrecht, Tinus Erasmus (Team Manager), Neil Taylor, Peter Lindstrom

Our handgun standard division team Justin Peacock, J C Potgieter, Kyle van Deventer and Johannes van Biljon won the Racing Snake Trophy by finishing first in the standard division in 2022. It is the first time in history for MPSA to win this trophy.





 

FLTR: Justin Peacock, J C Potgieter, Kyle van Deventer, Johannes van Biljon (Not in photo)

General principles

  • IPSC matches are designed, constructed and conducted with due consideration to safety.
  •  Courses of fire must be designed primarily to test shooting skills and not physical ability.
  •  Accuracy, power and speed are equivalent elements of IPSC shooting.
  •  IPSC shooting challenges are diverse
  •  IPSC matches are freestyle. Competitors are permitted to shoot targets on an “as and when visible basis” in order to solve challenge in a freestyle manner.

Handgun rules

  • Minimum cartridge caliber is 9×19.
  • Minimum bullet diameter is 9 mm (Smaller calibers may be used at Club level to promote safe firearm use and interest in the sport)
  • Firearms must be safe and serviceable
  • A competitor may never use or wear on his person more than one firearm during a course of fire (Disqualification under unsafe firearm handling)
  • Handguns with shoulder stocks and/or fore grips of any kind are prohibited

 

Upcoming Events
2024-04-13 - Handgun/PCC #2

Latest News
League #1 Results added
Rifle and Shotgun Leagues added
New Calendar 2024 added

Downloads and Registrations
Register for Handgun/PCC L#2: Soon
Handgun/PCC League #2 COF: Soon

Affiliation Registration link: 2023
Apply or Renew MPSA Affiliation: Apply
Apply of Renew SAPSA Affiliation: Apply

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