The United States Practical Shooting Association is the largest action pistol organization in the country. For 2026, it held its handgun nationals as two separate championships, grouped by the type of gun competitors use.
Two championships
According to Shooting Sports USA:
Race Gun Nationals were held at Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio, with an early match August 19 and 20 and the main match August 21 to 23. It covered the Open, PCC (pistol-caliber carbine), Limited, Limited Optics and L10 divisions.
Factory Gun Nationals were held at Southern Practical Shooting in Hurricane, Utah, with an early match September 16 and 17 and the main match September 18 to 20. It covered the Carry Optics, Single Stack, Revolver and Production divisions.
Each main match had 36 squads of 13 shooters, or 468 slots. Shooting Sports USA also reported that Jessie Harrison won the Ladies Open title at Race Gun Nationals.
What the divisions mean
- Open: Anything goes: compensators, red dots, big magazines. The fastest guns in the sport.
- Limited and Limited Optics: No compensators; Limited Optics allows a red dot.
- Carry Optics: Stock-style pistols with a red dot. The most popular division in USPSA today, and the easiest to enter with a gun you might already own.
- Production: Stock-style pistols with iron sights and 10-round magazines.
- Single Stack: 1911-style pistols.
- Revolver: Exactly what it sounds like.
- PCC: Pistol-caliber carbines, usually 9mm, often the most beginner-friendly long gun.
How USPSA works
Each stage is a short course of fire. Shooters engage paper and steel targets from different positions, often while moving, as fast and accurately as they can. Scoring combines points earned with the time it took. Safety rules are strict: muzzles must stay pointed downrange, and breaking the safety rules means disqualification from the match.
Starting out
Most competitors started at a local club match with a stock pistol, a sturdy belt, a holster, three or four magazines and magazine pouches. Many clubs require a short new-shooter safety briefing before your first match. Show up early, introduce yourself to the match director and tell your squad you’re new. Your first goal isn’t winning. It’s shooting safely and finishing every stage.
