IPSC - Rifle Discipline

[u/OkDistrict6324]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to get into practical/competitive shooting but as you know recent bans made it impossible to get a handgun. Is the rifle discipline of IPSC active in Ontario?

Can I join the black badge program with a semi-auto? If not, is it possible to rent a handgun solely for IPSC shooting? Are there ranges/clubs that allow practical shooting with a rifle?

I am located in GTA and unfortunately couldn’t find a lot of information online. I can travel so doesn’t have to be in the GTA.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Is the rifle discipline of IPSC active in Ontario?

You need to get a pistol Black Badge before you qualify for rifle in Ontario.

Ontario is running a shotgun Black Badge, but it only qualifies you for shotgun matches - which are rare - and not other disciplines.

I am not sure why IPSC Ontario is making the new shotgun black badge so limited.

[u/Specialist_Chard5231 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

$$$$. Members would be mad if their current BB didn't cover them for the new sport. New people non members are a source of cash

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/Specialist_Chard5231]

$$$$. Members would be mad if their current BB didn't cover them for the new sport.

Here is what I don't understand regarding the new IPSC Shotgun Black Badge in Ontario.

The pistol Black Badge opens the door to all IPSC disciplines.

The new shotgun Black Badge has been pigeonholed into "shotgun only."

I can accept that the new shotgun Black Badge doesn't qualify you for pistol, but it should be treated like a regular Black Badge and allow you to shoot other long gun matches too (rifle, mini-rifle, etc.)?

The Instagram post advertising the new shotgun Black Badge says it will cost roughly the same as the pistol Black Badge, so it's not like it's any cheaper. It seems to imply that you will have to take additional courses to qualify for other types of matches. Who has that much time and money to jump through hoops for the one rare sanctioned shotgun match a year.

[u/SpectreBallistics → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

The purpose of the black badge is to make sure you're safe and know the rules of the sport. It does make some sense that shotgun would be shotgun only since it's a bit different than pistol or rifle.

That being said, the pistol one doesn't cover shotgun or rifle. Movement with a long gun is a bit different than a pistol. Rifle and pistol scoring are different than shotgun.

IMO, any black badge so qualify you for any discipline. The differences are not that big and can easily be picked up.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/SpectreBallistics]

IMO, any black badge so qualify you for any discipline. The differences are not that big and can easily be picked up.

100% agree, especially considering the state of the sport.

You would think IPSC Ontario would ensure the Shotgun Black Badge opens the door to dynamic shooting in Ontario.

Awareness of mini-rifle also seems pretty low in Ontario. I was chatting with my club's Black Badge coordinator, and I got a blank stare when I brought up mini-rifle.

Steel Plate Challenge would be perfect for a 10/22 too, but nothing in Ontario as far as I'm aware.

[u/SpectreBallistics → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

We do a bunch of Steel Challenge here in AB. It's great fun. Not really action shooting like IPSC though.

It's surprisingly easy to do steel challenge that I'm somewhat surprised it's not happening at more ranges.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/SpectreBallistics]

Not really action shooting like IPSC though.

Yeah, I was thinking in Ontario, it could be a good alternative for clubs to offer something more exciting than target shooting. Since it's not dynamic shooting like IPSC, perhaps the risk tolerance to run such events maybe lower.

[u/Specialist_Chard5231 → u/SpectreBallistics]

 The pistol BB covers all disciples( rifle, mini rifle, shotgun ext). The shotgun BB only covers shotgun. There is no shotgun content in the pistol BB. You can have never shot a Shotgun before and use one in a match if you have a pistol BB.

[u/Specialist_Chard5231 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

IPSC is very slow to make decisions. A lot of the decisions are not made by people on the front of action shooting. They are not made to welcome new people, just look at all the complaints you hear on here. Just a FYI BB is only a IPSC Canada thing IPSC matches in other countries don't require it.

There are concepts they teach in the BB that if you take a action shooting course from a IPSC champion they will specifically tell you are wrong. 

Just take the pistol BB, avoid the other ones. 

If you are only considering one match a year consider not shooting IPSC. You require the BB ($300) and a IPSC membership (120$) plus match fees(45$) and your BB expires in a year of not shooting.

Get a form 6 NIA and hit matches in the states. Lots of Americans are on record as willing to loan guns if you don't have them.

[u/Funkmobile → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

From BC's perspective, it's about ease of handling and safety for a newbie. The theory is that it's a lot easier to handle a shotgun and not break 90 compared to a handgun (because of the length of the gun, it's easier to see where you are pointing the shooty end of the gun).

[u/OkDistrict6324 → u/Hot_Cheesecake_905]

Would they let me rent a handgun to complete the black badge? Are there any clubs you would recommend? Still not quite sure where to start.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/OkDistrict6324]

Would they let me rent a handgun to complete the black badge? 

Yes, finding a club with rental handguns to complete a black badge is a bit of a challenge. You can try Aurora Gun Club, Target Sports, or Gangon. There maybe a few others in the GTA with loaners guns for members.

[u/edyuster → u/OkDistrict6324]

The problem with rentals and BB course is that, the ranges that have rentals usually don't run any BB course and vice versa. Also, BB requires you to have experience in shooting (a bit hard if you're not using the same handgun you practiced on at the course)

I hate to say this every time I hear people complain about borrowing a gun, but if you don't have a handgun you really need to make friends and earn the trust of people in the community. This can be a gun range you go to, or courses you take. With the state of handguns right now, no one is willing to lend out a firearm they cannot replace easily, especially to people they barely know.

[u/SpectreBallistics]

IPSC mini-rifle (22lr) is gaining popularity and there are matches happening. Some provinces are running mini-rifle black badge courses even.

IPSC Rifle was getting a tiny bit of traction before the 2024 bans, but I think is mostly dead now.

[u/OkDistrict6324 → u/SpectreBallistics]

Yup, it’s unfortunate, I am starting to consider looking into options in Buffalo, it’s just a few hours drive.

[u/Hot_Cheesecake_905 → u/OkDistrict6324]

Buffalo

I don't think NYS allows handgun rentals to foreign vistors.

[u/edyuster]

There are a few places that runs handgun and mini-rifle matches.

Black badge so far has only been handgun and I think there’s been at least 1 for shotgun this year. It’s possible to rent a handgun from someone, the club or the instructor (make some friends and ask around).

As far as practical shooting with rifle goes, I don’t think I’ve seen many ranges allowing it. It’s not so much they don’t let you do it, there’s really no space for you to run around to do any dynamic shooting. There’s also a very strict rule of movement while shooting, you need someone with a Black badge to RO for you if you’re running around.

[u/OkDistrict6324 → u/edyuster]

Any clubs you would recommend or another starting point?

[u/edyuster → u/OkDistrict6324]

tl;dr - find members from different clubs and tell them to forward you any events you're looking for.

I did my BB course through Lower Trent, got the email invitation from being part of the club member mailing list. They advertised it as well on their site. The course was open to non members as well (not sure how non members heard about it).

There were talks about a BB for shotgun and mini-rifle but nothing official was announced. I know people have mentioned that Guelph actually ran a BB course for shotgun. This wasn't advertised on IPSC Ontario site.

[u/IndividualCertain358]

im taking a BB for IPSC shotgun this weekend, its growing since the handgun ban, and all the rifles are banned too.