Thread: New NZ 3 gun divisions

When a group of us formed the Practical Shooting Institute (PSI) in 1983 there were only 3 divisions; pistol, rifle, and shotgun. The courses of fire varied greatly from natural terrain field courses with unknown targets, to short and sharp urban scenarios. If you wished to burden your gun with all sorts of extra gear the no one cared, you just 'run what you brung'. Pistol NZ (then the NZ Pistol Assn) obstructed us at every turn and our practical pistol courses were creative adaptations of existing approved matches until we succeeded in getting IPSC approved. Suddenly the NZPA wanted to be in control of this new sport (despite their years of actively trying to prevent it) and through devious means eventually won out. The PSI had only one major rule (apart from all the normal safety requirements) and that was that the competition would always run regardless of the weather conditions. We also introduced the holster training scheme which was basically free (I am badge #1). Now the holster courses are expensive and the sport has more rules and divisions than a communist government department. 'Real life' has been replaced by rampant bureacracy!