NRA PPC Rule Change

[KAC]

Just noticed this rule change regarding front sights on Distinguished Revlevers, Service Revolvers and Off Duty Revolvers.

http://www.nrahq.org/law/competitions/ppc/bulletin11-3.pdf

Although two examples are given, I wonder how far the referees will take this. Those of us with Patridge front sights on our revolvers might be finding a DQ in our future. Once again the NRA makes a PPC rule change that raises more questions than answers.

KAC

 

[RWJ]

So....

If your gunsmith mills off the front sight, cuts a slot, and pins the front sight, as the factory does, it should be OK.... but not if he cuts a dovetail. Am I reading that right?

 

[tomcatt51]

Those of us with Patridge front sights on our revolvers might be finding a DQ in our future.

My 14-7 came with a patridge factory installed.

 

[KAC]

If the officials do what they have done for years a pinned in Patridge front sight, like the factory does, would be ok. However, if they say that such and such model was never cataloged with a Patridge sight you might have a problem. For instance, my 2.5" Model 66 has a Patridge front sight. It could argued that no 2.5" 66 was ever factory built with this sight, so it "could" be DQ'ed.

I have several revolvers that were built new with Patridge sights, Models 14, 586, 686, but what concerns me are the ones that have been modified as done by S&W. I'm sure someone had a question about what sight would be allowed and, as I read the rule change, NRA responded in a way that is wide open for interpretation. What they should have said is "these sights are not allowed" without going into all the stuff about modifications to the guns.

I plan on going to a Regional before the NPSC to see how thw ref's have been instructed to enforce this rule change. I don't like surprises, and this is not the first time NRA has not thought a rule change through.

KAC

 

[MKT]

KAC,

For the August Regional I have requested a zebra, like I do every year. They've only sent one since 2001 as I recall so I also scheduled a jury panel. If the NRA sends a zebra we'll get a gauge on the interpretation. I will try to ask the zebra at Raton if I get to go in July as well. I am curious too as my 2.5" 686 has a max height patridge and a .196" rear slide. The front sight that came on the gun was a pinned red ramp so all I had to do was knock out the pin and mount & re-pin the patridge blade.

 

[CALREB]

I agree that we should be ready for the unexpected,but I would think in this case they are only questioning sight alterations that are non factory type on Distinguished revolvers,only. For service rev or off duty it states luminous or even fiber optic are allowed so I would think anything would be ok on them,but heck who knows. I just want to be able to use the aristocrate RS sight on my service auto. Im still waiting for them to explain NO high velocity ammo, BUT 5.7x28 is ok. OH Well. Bob

 

[CALREB]

OK,I went back and re-read the rule seeing where it states that this rule applies to ALL service type guns ,revolver and semi auto. SO do they mean that as long as you dont change or modify the gun itself you can stick on any type sight you want.Like you can put fiber optic sights on a glock,but if you dovetail a beretta to put a patridge sight on it ,you have then modified the gun so your in violation.
I agree with the Dist Rev rule,but you cant have it both ways for the other guns,it seems to contradict itself to some degree,oh boy.!!! Couldnt leave well enough alone. They brought this confusion on themselves with their quick reference MATRIXS which newer guys probably thought governed all the guns like they say.oh well. My Aristocrate sight requires no mod to the gun as originally made by S/W, P/C it fits right into the existing cut so should be ok. HUM!!!

 

[KAC]

Hi Bob, yeah, I replaced the TS with the RS on my PPC9 last year and it was ok'ed at NPSC. Of course, that was last year.
KAC

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

I used to send red-ramp L-frames back to S&W to have a tall Patridge sight installed. IIRC they were very reasonable and it was a factory installed sight.

I shot PPC for ten-years and got burned out on the large expense of it. I wonder if there are any other shooting sports that require such a huge cash outlay for a bunch of guns that will have no other use?

 

[tomcatt51]

I wonder if there are any other shooting sports that require such a huge cash outlay for a bunch of guns that will have no other use?

Cowboy Action Shooting.

 

[KAC]

The first time I went to the NPSC I spoke to several competitors who had their revolver sights modified at S&W and kept the receipt for the service with the gun, just in case a ref questioned it. This isn't possible if you do the work yourself.

Practically every shooting sport seems to have a class where a gun can be purpose built and won't have any other use. Used to be all you needed for PPC was an Open Revolver and a Distinguished Revolver. Then came Service Revolver and Off Duty Revolver. Distinguished Auto came along followed by Open Auto and Service Auto. Then they changed the course of fire for Off Duty to 6 round strings and everyone who had a 5 shot S&W had to buy a 6 round gun. Fast forward and the rules changed for Distinguished Auto and, if you wanted to be competitive, you had to either get an additional 6" Distinguished Auto or a 6" that would do both. You are correct, this is an expensive sport, my PPC gun case probably has $5,000 worth of guns in it, if I had to replace them today. And that doesn't take into account the speedloaders, magazines and other gotta have stuff I have accumulated over the years. Just wish NRA would think before they spit out another rule change.

KAC