Moving to fill the market demand for rifle/pistol matches Phoenix Rod and Gun Club is running a new format of Carbine match.  Divisions are based upon the equipment shooters wear rather than the accessories on their guns.  This may seem counter-intuitive if you are used to the way most other matches are run, but the CQB nature of the match reduces or eliminates any equipment based advantages.  The physical nature of the stages also makes what a shooter chooses to wear to compete more of a distinguishing factor.

Heavy Weight Division:

• Plate carrier with plates & soft armor panels.
• Chest rigs, tac vest, Battle/duty belt , CCW and/or drop holsters.
• Sling mandatory for transition stages.
• Helmet optional (including light weight ‘skate board’ types).
• back pack optional

Lightfighter Division

• No armor requirement , soft armor (no plates) optional
• Chest rigs, Tac-Vests, etc and/or
• Batt belts,CCW & drop holsters permitted.
• sling mandatory for transition stages.
• pack optional

Note: Heavy/LF div; weapon mounted lights for both rifle/pistol are optional and encouraged.

Recreational division

• no armor or tactical gear requirement
• common three gun/sport gear permitted
• No pistol or sling requirement

Results, I was 2nd place Heavy, 2nd place over all.

The scored drills format is definitely a good skills tune up vs elaborate stage designs. If the format continues like this it will give competitors a good gauge of their skills month to month, even if the stages/drills aren’t the same.

I also liked having a division where armor is required, I don’t feel like I’m sabotaging my score by shooting with it on this way.