Quick Guide to Divisions
The full division rules are listed in the SoCo 3 Gun Rules. This is just a quick guide based off of most people's equipment, and should not be construed as part of the rule set.
Division List:
Patrol
Limited
Tactical Optics
Open 2x4
PCC Only
Division List:
Patrol
Limited
Tactical Optics
Open 2x4
PCC Only
Patrol Division
Patrol division is a new SoCo 3 Gun division for 2018! The segment below is long, but these are the exact rules:
2018 PATROL DIVISION: (final 2018)
Pistol:
*No double stack single action only (SAO) pistols.
*Must start hammer forward if DA/SA.
*Frame weights are not allowed.
*Pistol lights must be operational.
*15 round magazine limit. Can be larger magazine that is downloaded.
*Otherwise limited division pistol rules apply.
Rifle:
*AR-15 pattern rifle
*Fixed magnification optics or iron sights allowed.
*If magnifier is used on a red dot, it HAS to be affixed in magnified position for duration of the match.
*30 round magazine maximum. Basepads allowed if they do not add any capacity.
*Offset irons are not allowed. Backup irons or cowitnessed are allowed.
*Otherwise limited division rifle rules apply.
Shotgun:
*Pump action 12 gauges only
*8 round tube max (plugs okay in extended tubes)
*No detachable mags. (local match will allow them for the 2018 season only so as to evaluate how the advantages and disadvantages play out vs 8rd tube guns. Maxed at 8rds still)
*Otherwise limited division shotgun rules apply.
Intent:
The goal of this is to not be stupid restrictive but to still have a completely different division than limited, still be encouraging to new shooters, and be a place for military and police to exercise their duty gear as well as new shooters who have defensive gear at home. I’ve been asked why no double stack SAOs. The only common double stack SAOs are race guns. They have been eliminated to allow for a more competitive division for defensive / duty gear.
Side Note:
I understand that some double action pistols do not allow safeties to be on in double action. Loaded guns can be downed in either SA or DA, and all safeties must be on that can be placed on in that condition without modification of the intended safety function of the manufacturer. If a gun doesn’t have a safety because it is intended by the manufacturer to be decocked as its safety, then the gun must be decocked. No loaded pistol while in single action is allowed to be without all safeties engaged when downed. No exceptions.
2018 PATROL DIVISION: (final 2018)
Pistol:
*No double stack single action only (SAO) pistols.
*Must start hammer forward if DA/SA.
*Frame weights are not allowed.
*Pistol lights must be operational.
*15 round magazine limit. Can be larger magazine that is downloaded.
*Otherwise limited division pistol rules apply.
Rifle:
*AR-15 pattern rifle
*Fixed magnification optics or iron sights allowed.
*If magnifier is used on a red dot, it HAS to be affixed in magnified position for duration of the match.
*30 round magazine maximum. Basepads allowed if they do not add any capacity.
*Offset irons are not allowed. Backup irons or cowitnessed are allowed.
*Otherwise limited division rifle rules apply.
Shotgun:
*Pump action 12 gauges only
*8 round tube max (plugs okay in extended tubes)
*No detachable mags. (local match will allow them for the 2018 season only so as to evaluate how the advantages and disadvantages play out vs 8rd tube guns. Maxed at 8rds still)
*Otherwise limited division shotgun rules apply.
Intent:
The goal of this is to not be stupid restrictive but to still have a completely different division than limited, still be encouraging to new shooters, and be a place for military and police to exercise their duty gear as well as new shooters who have defensive gear at home. I’ve been asked why no double stack SAOs. The only common double stack SAOs are race guns. They have been eliminated to allow for a more competitive division for defensive / duty gear.
Side Note:
I understand that some double action pistols do not allow safeties to be on in double action. Loaded guns can be downed in either SA or DA, and all safeties must be on that can be placed on in that condition without modification of the intended safety function of the manufacturer. If a gun doesn’t have a safety because it is intended by the manufacturer to be decocked as its safety, then the gun must be decocked. No loaded pistol while in single action is allowed to be without all safeties engaged when downed. No exceptions.
Limited Division
Pistol can have any modification that doesn't reduce safety, but magazines are limited to 140mm (about 22-24 rounds of 9mm) and you MAY NOT have any optics or compensator / porting on the pistol.
Rifle may have 1 non-magnified optic (red dot) or iron sights. No bipods or supporting devices are allowed. Most other modifications are allowed. Muzzle break cannot exceed 1"x3".
Shotgun cannot have box magazines (only tubes), and cannot have any optic. Only a bead or iron sights (fiber optics are allowed). No porting (including chokes) is allowed
Rifle may have 1 non-magnified optic (red dot) or iron sights. No bipods or supporting devices are allowed. Most other modifications are allowed. Muzzle break cannot exceed 1"x3".
Shotgun cannot have box magazines (only tubes), and cannot have any optic. Only a bead or iron sights (fiber optics are allowed). No porting (including chokes) is allowed
TacOps (Tactical Optics) Division
The divisional requirements are the same as Limited Division, but you are allowed to have one optic of any magnification. Offset iron sights are allowed, but offset red dots are not.
Open 2x4 Division
2x4 is a new division for the 2019 season from the new UML rules we're running.
Open division shooters can bring up to 4 guns to the match: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, and Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC).
On each stage, the shooter must choose 2 of the guns to shoot (unless the stage instructions say otherwise). If there are aerial clay targets, they must be engaged with a shotgun! Likewise, close up steel targets may NOT be engaged with a rifle.
Open division is where all of the toys show up. Almost anything goes as long as it does not cause a safety concern. Optics on pistols, 2 optics on rifles, and optics on shotguns all bump you to open division. A pistol or shotgun with porting or a compensator (including chokes) will put you in this division.
Pistol magazines are limited to 170mm's.
Shotgun can have box magazines (saiga, MKA1919, vepr, etc)
Rifle can have a bipod on it.
Accessories can be mounted or removed depending on the stage, but primary optics or uppers cannot be changed.
Open division shooters can bring up to 4 guns to the match: Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, and Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC).
On each stage, the shooter must choose 2 of the guns to shoot (unless the stage instructions say otherwise). If there are aerial clay targets, they must be engaged with a shotgun! Likewise, close up steel targets may NOT be engaged with a rifle.
Open division is where all of the toys show up. Almost anything goes as long as it does not cause a safety concern. Optics on pistols, 2 optics on rifles, and optics on shotguns all bump you to open division. A pistol or shotgun with porting or a compensator (including chokes) will put you in this division.
Pistol magazines are limited to 170mm's.
Shotgun can have box magazines (saiga, MKA1919, vepr, etc)
Rifle can have a bipod on it.
Accessories can be mounted or removed depending on the stage, but primary optics or uppers cannot be changed.
Pistol Caliber Carbine Only (PCC Only)
Another new division for 2019 - shooters in this division may only use a single PCC for the match.
Any kind of optics or iron sights are allowed, and there are no limitations on accessories such as bipods.
Caliber cannot be changed during the match, if your gun has interchangeable barrels.
Aerial clay targets may NOT be engaged with PCC, alternate mini steel targets will be set up for PCC only shooters.
Any kind of optics or iron sights are allowed, and there are no limitations on accessories such as bipods.
Caliber cannot be changed during the match, if your gun has interchangeable barrels.
Aerial clay targets may NOT be engaged with PCC, alternate mini steel targets will be set up for PCC only shooters.