2. Competitor Equipment

2.1 Belt and Holster

Required for all stages where the competitor is shooting a handgun, unless otherwise specified by the WSB.

2.1.1 Belt at waist level

The competitor's belt must be worn at waist level.

2.1.2 Holster secured to belt

The holster must be secured to the competitor's belt.

2.1.2.1 Leg-strap holsters

Holsters that have an additional leg-strap for stabilization are specifically allowed, as long as the belt attachment that holds the holster is reasonably rigid and keeps the handgun secured to the competitor's body during vigorous movement even when the accompanying leg strap is not in use.

2.1.3 Trigger guard coverage

The holster must completely cover the trigger guard of the competitor's holstered handgun.

2.1.4 Holster Position

The holster must be positioned on the belt between the competitor's 12 and 4 o'clock positions for right handed competitors, or 12 and 8 o'clock positions for left handed competitors. There are no restrictions on the cant and orientation of the holster as long as the handgun can always be drawn safely, and the handgun is held such that the muzzle does not point further than 1 meter from the midpoint of the competitor's feet when the competitor is standing relaxed.

2.1.5 Malfunctions of belt and/or holster

If a competitor's belt and/or holster becomes unsecured from their person, the 180 rule (Section 15.4) applies to the holstered handgun with a 1 meter exclusion radius from the midpoint of the competitor's feet. Competitors have the option to correct these issues on the clock as long as the holstered handgun remains under direct physical control of the competitor continuing to adhere to the 180 rule, otherwise a "Stop!" call shall be made and the situation must either be handled via Section 15.2 (loaded firearm) or Section 14.2 (unloaded firearm).

2.2 Magazines and Magazine Pouches

2.2.1 Pouches not required

While recommended, magazine pouches are not required. Competitors may elect to carry magazines on their person (such as in a pocket).

2.2.2 Starting position

At the start of a stage, all magazines to be used other than the initial mags loaded in the firearms per the WSB must be secured somewhere on the competitor's person, and NOT held in any way (unless otherwise specified by the WSB).

2.2.3 No spare magazines mounted to firearms

No spare magazines may start directly mounted to competitor's firearms in any way such as in stocks, chassis, or attachments that hold a spare magazine on the gun (e.g. Flux Raider). Coupled (side by side, or end-to-end) magazines are not considered to be mounted to the firearm.

2.3 Sling

Some stages may require the use of a sling.

2.3.1 Slings not required throughout match

Slings are not required to stay on the firearm(s) for the duration of the match.

2.3.2 Removing sling mid-stage

If the WSB requires a sling as part of a start condition, the competitor may elect to remove and abandon the sling mid-stage as long as all other rules and procedures outlined in the WSB are followed.

2.4 Types of firearms and their definitions

• All firearms must be airsoft guns that fire 6mm polymer BBs.
• Operating types are restricted to the following:
  • Handgun: Gas blowback (GBB) handguns with a reciprocating slide that simulates recoil.
  • Carbine: Carbine rifles that simulate recoil and accept a flag insert for securing.
  • Shotgun: Shotguns that replicate the same shell ejection action as real firearms (subject to change).
• Handgun-to-carbine conversion kits are not permitted in multi-gun matches.

2.4.1 Handgun

2.4.1.1 Magazine in grip or revolver

Must accept its magazine inside its grip or be a revolver.

2.4.1.2 Single grip only

Must only have a single grip. A handguard, foregrip, shroud, or other related hardware designed for gripping the firearm in a location other than the primary grip are not allowed.

2.4.1.3 No stocks or stabilizing devices

Must not have any stock or stabilizing device that allows the firearm to be fired from the shoulder or stabilized using any part of the body other than the hands forward of the wrists.

2.4.2 Rifle

2.4.2.1 Stock or stabilizing device required

Must have a stock, brace, or stabilizing device that may be used to fire the firearm from the shoulder. A buffer tube is not considered to be a shoulderable stabilizing device.

2.4.2.2 Two-handed platform with integrated shouldering structure

Must be a platform designed for stable two-handed operation, with a shouldering structure integrated into the firearm's primary structure.

• Primary structure refers to the core structural body that supports and connects the essential functional components of the firearm.
• It refers to the central structure that forms the firearm's structural rigidity and fundamental operating system.
• Equipment classification is based on the overall structural and functional operating characteristics of the firearm as a whole, not the presence or absence of individual components.

2.4.3 Shotgun

2.4.3.1 Stock or stabilizing device required

Must have a stock, brace, or stabilizing device that may be used to fire the firearm from the shoulder.

2.4.3.2 Shell ejection system

Must be a shotgun that replicates the same shell ejection action as a real firearm, where BBs are loaded into individual shells and the shells are ejected upon firing. Subject to change.

2.5 Firearm, and equipment changes throughout the match

Competitors may swap out or reconfigure any of their equipment, including firearms, in between stages, provided that at all times during a course of fire all the competitor's equipment meets the criteria for the competitor's declared division, and the following conditions are followed:

2.5.1 Muzzle velocity and BB weight changes

Since there are no restrictions on muzzle velocity, BB weight, or gas pressure for firearms, there are likewise no restrictions on muzzle velocity or BB weight for firearms and equipment swapped during a match.

2.5.2 Division compliance

If any firearms or equipment that a competitor uses on a course of fire no longer meets the criteria of their division, they will either be moved to Competition Division (for PCSL Air 2-Gun, Pistol Caliber 2-Gun, Rifle, or Pistol formats), Open Division (for PCSL Air Shotgun or 3-Gun formats), or in the case that the firearms or equipment used are not legal within any available division, the competitor's scores shall be removed from the match results.

2.5.3 One of each firearm type per stage

Competitors may only use one of each required firearm type on each course of fire.

2.5.3.1 Stage guns

"Stage Guns" that may be integrated into the course of fire are considered separate from the competitor's firearms for the stage.

2.6 Safe Conditions Defined by Firearm Type

2.6.1 Long Guns

The firearm is unloaded, or the manual safety is applied, or the external hammer is decocked.

2.6.2 Handguns

The handgun is unloaded or one of the following:

2.6.2.1 SAO or DA/SA handguns

A SAO or DA/SA handgun with the manual safety applied or hammer decocked.

2.6.2.2 Striker-Fired/Safe Action handguns

A Striker-Fired/Safe Action handgun.

2.6.2.2.1 Manual safety not required

Handguns with internal safe action mechanisms that also have an external manual safety do not need to have the manual safety applied to be in a safe condition.

2.6.2.2.2 Safe Action defined

"Safe Action" refers to handguns with a system of internal safeties to prevent accidental firing, rather than an external manual safety lever. These safeties disengage automatically with the trigger pull, such as a trigger safety lever (a small lever on the trigger face that is depressed as the trigger is being pulled) or other internal mechanisms.

2.7 Prohibited Firearms and Accessories

If used, see Section 14.10.

2.7.1 No manual safety present without a decocker

Any long gun that lacks a manual safety, unless the long gun has an external hammer that can be manually decocked.

2.7.2 Broken or disabled safety

Any firearm which has a broken or disabled manual safety that allows the trigger to be pulled even while applied.

2.7.3 Multiple rounds per trigger pull

Any firearm that may fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

2.7.4 Multiple barrels

Any rifle or handgun with more than one barrel, regardless of each barrel's caliber.

2.7.5 Full-auto or burst-capable firearms

Any fully automatic or burst-capable firearm used in full-auto or burst mode.

2.7.5.1 Match Director exception

MDs may elect to allow fully automatic or burst-capable firearms on a per-match basis, provided the match is not a Level 1 or higher PCSL Air Pistol, Rifle, or 2-Gun event.

2.7.6 Simulated full-auto accessories

Any accessory that allows the firearm to simulate full-auto fire or provides a mechanically enhanced fire rate such as but not limited to:

2.7.6.1 Forced reset devices

Any forced reset type device used in forced reset mode (such as a forced reset trigger, Hoffman Super Safety, etc)

2.7.6.2 Binary triggers

All binary type triggers, regardless of mode used

2.7.6.3 Bump stocks

Bump stocks

2.7.6.4 Match Director exception for simulated full-auto

MDs may elect to allow accessories that simulate full-auto fire on a per-match basis, provided the match is not a Level 1 or higher PCSL Air Pistol, Rifle, or 2-Gun event

2.7.7 Full-auto and simulated full-auto Strike

Violating the full-auto or simulated full-auto prohibitions shall also receive a Strike (Section 13.1.4)

2.8 Ammunition Restrictions

If used, see Section 15.11.

2.8.1 Prohibited ammunition types

Any ammunition other than 6mm polymer BB is prohibited.

2.8.1.1 No color or weight restrictions

6mm polymer BBs are permitted regardless of color or weight.

2.8.2 Multiple projectiles per shot prohibited

Any rifle or pistol ammunition that allows the firing of more than one projectile per shot is prohibited.

2.8.3 Shotgun Ammunition

2.8.3.1 Minimum shell length

Shotshells must be a minimum of 2-3/4 inches OAL.

2.8.4 Specialty ammo for Stage Guns

MDs may, upon taking careful risk decisions and within legally permissible limits, allow specialty ammo otherwise prohibited herein for Stage Guns.

2.9 Firearms with magazine disconnects

For airsoft guns that can fire without a magazine inserted, follow the same procedures as real firearms. However, most airsoft GBB firearms will not fire without a magazine inserted. This may present issues during the unload and show clear process (Section 5.1.5) or the engagement of DMT targets (Section 7.5). Reference the following procedures for these scenarios:

2.9.1 Show Clear process for firearms with a magazine disconnect

1. Remove magazine and lock action back to allow RO to remove BB from the chamber
2. Visually confirm that no BBs remain in the chamber or barrel
3. Pull the trigger with firearm pointed in a safe direction
4. Resume standard procedures

2.9.2 DMT process for firearms with a magazine disconnect

1. Drop magazine and insert an empty magazine
2. Engage DMT with remaining chambered round, resulting in slide/bolt lock
3. Close action on top of empty magazine
4. Remove magazine, resume standard procedures

2.10 Concealment

When required by a division or category, equipment must remain concealed prior to the start signal (not directly visible, including through mesh fabric) from all directions when the competitor is standing normally with their arms raised parallel with the ground.

2.10.1 WSB override

The WSB may override this requirement.

2.10.2 Clip exemption

Clips used to attach equipment inside of clothes or pockets are exempt (e.g. Neomag Magnetic Pocket Mag Carrier).

2.10.3 Distance from belt

All portions of the holstered firearm, holster, magazines, magazine pouches, and related equipment must remain within 86mm(3.375", length of a standard credit card) of the inner edge of the competitor's belt system.

2.10.4 IWB holsters & ammunition carriers

IWB (Inside the Waistband) holsters follow standard requirements as outlined in Section 2.1.4. There is no restriction on positioning of IWB ammunition carriers.

2.10.5 OWB holsters & ammunition carriers

OWB (Outside the Waistband) holsters may only be worn on the competitor's strong side between 2 and 4 o'clock, or 8 and 10 o'clock. The strong side hip bone denotes the position of 2 o'clock for right handed, or 10 o'clock for left handed competitors. OWB ammunition carriers may not be further forward than the hip bone, but may extend past 4 or 8 o'clock to the rear (moon clips are exempt from this restriction).