Racegun
{{distinguish|Starting pistol}}
File:John Pride at the 2008 NRA Bianchi Cup.jpg operating a racegun]]
A racegun or race gun is a firearm that has been modified for accuracy, speed, and reliability. Often a semi-automatic pistol, raceguns are used primarily in practical shooting competitions and are modified to function best within a certain set of rules, such as weight, size, and capacity requirements.
Use
Raceguns are typically purpose-built for speed,{{cite web |url=https://www.targetbarn.com/broad-side/what-is-a-race-gun/ |title=What Makes A Race Gun, A Race Gun? |author=Caleb |website=targetbarn.com |date=October 16, 2019 |access-date=May 26, 2020}} and may be based on common guns. Competitions they may be used in include The Bianchi Cup and the Steel Challenge, and various events organized by the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), or United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA).
Features
File:Teemu Rintala at the 2017 IPSC Rifle World Shoot.jpg competitor in an IPSC event]]
Typical racegun modifications to semi-automatic firearms include a match-grade barrel fitted with a recoil compensator, electronic optical sight, match-grade hammer and sear, a tuned trigger, and cutouts to reduce mass ("skeletonizing").{{cite web |url=http://www.billscustomautomatics.com/open-class-race-gun/ |title=Open Class "Race Gun" |website=billscustomautomatics.com |access-date=May 26, 2020}} Depending upon competition requirements, some raceguns are modified with reduced-force recoil springs to allow the use of lightly loaded ammunition that is just powerful enough to cycle the gun's mechanism, in order to minimize recoil and permit a faster rate of accurate fire.{{cite web |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/6/30/building-a-race-gun-with-new-ar-components/ |title=Building a Race Gun with New AR Components |first=B. Gil |last=Horman |website=American Rifleman |date=June 30, 2017 |access-date=May 26, 2020}}
Additionally, a typical pistol racegun specifically tailored for The Bianchi Cup open division has a "barricade shroud" that completely encircles the slide with "wings" attached to opposing sides, a "moving target scope mount" with a pivoting base adjustable for predetermined lead depending on the bullet's velocity and speed and direction of the moving target, and a form of grip extension that elevates the gun for better line of sight while shooting in the prone position.{{cite web |url=https://clarkcustomguns.com/custom-gun/1911-custom-bianchi-open/ |title=1911 Custom Bianchi Open |website=clarkcustomguns.com |access-date=May 26, 2020}}
Restrictions
Some sanctioning bodies, such as IPSC and USPSA, require ammunition to meet specific power factors.{{cite web |url=https://www.ssusa.org/articles/2016/1/27/understanding-the-power-factor |title=Understanding the Power Factor |first=Chris |last=Christian |website=Shooting Sports USA |date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2020}} Other organizing bodies, such as the IDPA{{cite web |url=https://www.idpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IDPA-Rulebook-2017.pdf |title=IDPA Rulebook |date=2017 |publisher=International Defensive Pistol Association |via=idpa.com |page=26 |quote=Non-IDPA-Legal Features and Modifications for All Divisions |access-date=May 26, 2020}} and the production division of The Bianchi Cup,{{cite web |url=http://rulebooks.nra.org/documents/pdf/compete/RuleBooks/Action/act-book.pdf |title=NRA Action Pistol Rulebook |date=2020 |pages=9–10 |quote=3.2.2 Production Firearm |access-date=May 26, 2020}} ban most or all of the modifications that distinguish raceguns from stock firearms, as they feel that such extensive modifications turn the sport into a technology race rather than a true contest of skill, and thus are not "practical"—that is, applicable to real-life self-defense shooting situations. In the case of The Bianchi Cup, restrictions were put in place to increase participation at the grassroots level, in order to reduce the equipment cost associated with competing in the open division. Cost can run upwards of $3,500 or more on a Bianchi racegun, as compared to $400 to $1,000 for a stock gun.{{cn|date=May 2020}}
See also
Further reading
- {{cite web |url=https://firearmusernetwork.com/2012/06/10/race-guns-vs-regular-guns/ |title=Race Guns vs. "Regular" Guns |first=John M. |last=Buol Jr. |website=firearmusernetwork.com |date=June 10, 2012 |access-date=May 26, 2020}}
- {{cite web |url=https://www.juliegolob.com/bianchi-cup-open-gun |title=The Anatomy of an NRA Bianchi Cup Open Gun |first=Julie |last=Golob |website=juliegolob.com |date=March 12, 2018 |access-date=May 26, 2020}}
External links
- [https://competitions.nra.org/competitions/nra-national-matches/action-pistol-championship/ Bianchi Cup] at NRA.org
- [https://scsa.org Steel Challenge]