USPSA APPENDIX D4 clarification please

[Hamma Slamma]

So I spent some time reading the USPSA rules ( http://uspsa.org/rules/2009RifleRules2-5.pdf )to make sure I don't mod my AR rifle improperly and put me into open on accident. Ideally I'd stay in Limited or Production. Let me excuse myself as a newb before anyone else accuses me. This is probably a dumb question anyways.

So the Appendix D4 states:

APPENDIX D4

Factory Production Criteria

1 Any complete rifle that has been produced by a factory in units of at least 500 in any 12-month period.

2 Prototypes are specifically not allowed.

Replacement barrel

Replacement of sights

Replacement of safety catches. Ambidextrous safety catches are allowed.

Enlargement of ejection ports.

Enlargement of loading ports.

Replacement of fore-ends and stocks. Pistol-grip style stocks are allowed.

Checkering of fore-ends and stocks.

Cosmetic enhancements that do not provide a competitive advantage such as

custom grips, plating, etc.

Vertical fore grips allowed, must be installed on the rifle for the entire match.

May not be any longer than 7.5 inches, from center of rifle barrel.

3 External modifications that are allowed:

4 Internal modifications to improve accuracy, reliability, and function are allowed,

e.g. replacement of trigger mechanisms.

My interpretation of the rules is that I am not allowed to replace my sights or replace my barrel, grip, stock, float tube etc...

I think I must be reading this wrong, because even if you look at APPENDIX D2, Tactical Rifle Division; it states:

16 Modifications allowed Yes, see Appendix D4

17 Factory produced guns only Yes, see Appendix D4

If I were to simply change my AR15 pistol grip to something like a Hogue pistol grip that would put me in open because it's not factory?! That must be wrong but like I said I am a total newb to USPSA, but to me that's how the rules read. Excuse my ignorance.

Edited July 16, 2011 by Hamma Slamma

[Gary Stevens]

All of those thing you listed are permitted.

[Hamma Slamma]

I knew I had to be wrong, it just didn't make any sense. But the way the rules are written it was confusing. So now based on your information I am assuming the following mods are all allowed...

• Replacement barrel

• Replacement of sights (but must be iron sights for limited and production???)

• Replacement of safety catches. Ambidextrous safety catches are allowed.

• Enlargement of ejection ports. (This is allowed? shocking.)

• Enlargement of loading ports. (This is allowed? shocking.)

• Replacement of fore-ends and stocks. Pistol-grip style stocks are allowed.

• Checkering of fore-ends and stocks.

• Cosmetic enhancements that do not provide a competitive advantage such as

custom grips, plating, etc.

• Vertical fore grips allowed, must be installed on the rifle for the entire match.

May not be any longer than 7.5 inches, from center of rifle barrel.

3 External modifications that are allowed:

4 Internal modifications to improve accuracy, reliability, and function are allowed,

e.g. replacement of trigger mechanisms.

So let's say for example, I took a DPMS AP4, changed the barrel, float tube, pistol grip, and trigger, and flip up rear buis, this would all keep me in production?

[Gary Stevens]

Your example left out one important part, "External modifications that are alowed."

Under Production there are a list of external modifications that are allowed and also a reference to internal modifications.

Compare your project to those permitted modifications and you should be OK.

I believe your modifications would be OK, but that is worth what you paid for it

Edited July 17, 2011 by ima45dv8

[Hamma Slamma]

"3 External modifications that are allowed: " is exactly how the rule book reads. There are no examples listed. http://uspsa.org/rules/2009RifleRules2-5.pdf page 77

Edited July 17, 2011 by Hamma Slamma

[Gary Stevens]

"3 External modifications that are allowed: " is exactly how the rule book reads. There are no examples listed. http://uspsa.org/rules/2009RifleRules2-5.pdf page 77

From the uspsa webpage:http://www.uspsa.org/rules/2008RifleRuleswedits1-10.pdf page 77

[Too_Slow]

Hamma,

All of the things listed from 'Replacement Barrel' down through the part about Vertical Foregrips are actually in section (3) not in section (2). They are the allowed modifications.

Brian

Edited July 17, 2011 by Too_Slow

[Hamma Slamma]

You need a damned lawyer to read and re-read and cross refrence all the articles just to understand these rules.

[Hamma Slamma]

Thanks all for the help1

[ima45dv8]

You need a damned lawyer to read and re-read and cross refrence all the articles just to understand these rules.

Uh......that's a..... damned RANGE laywer.