Iron plate action shooting (IPAS) is the action shooting discipline, designed specifically for Airsoft and multi shot Co2 pistols, and is another form of “speed shooting”.
IPAS is great for clubs with limited space or shooters with mobility issues as there is no movement required other than to draw the pistol. IPAS allows shooters to enjoy rapid fire pistol discipline with range equipment that’s easy to construct, set up and clear away/store.
Is IPAS a new shooting sport?
No, IPAS was started in 2000 as an alternative to the “Steel Challenge” after UK legislation changed, banning “Real Race” pistols in 1997.
What is IPAS game play?
The discipline relies on two basic principles: Accuracy and Speed, having just one of these skills is not enough to win.
IPAS training & competitions involve the shooting of several stages consisting of between two and five metal plates one of which will be a “stop plate”. Plates are set out at varying ranges and angles between 5m and 18m from the designated shooting box. These different but challenging layouts need to be hit in the fastest time possible.
Competitors are started by a shot timer’s “beep”, which will record the time of the last shot fired by the competitor.
Unless specified in the course briefing all primary plates may be engaged in any order (the stop plate is always engaged last). The competitor may fire as many rounds as they deem necessary to complete the course of fire.
Each stage is shot 5 times with the slowest of the times being discarded, the remaining four are then added together to give you a total time for the stage, this is your score. It’s fast, it’s furious but most of all, it’s fun.
Stages and Targets
Stages comprise of targets placed at various distances and angles. There are currently 20 official IPAS stages that can be used.
The targets are metal plates, the following sizes and quantity’s are used for IPAS:
10” x 10” Squares,
12” x 12” Squares,
12” x 18” Rectangles.
Each plate is mounted on an upright post, the posts being of various heights: from 18″ to 66″ in 6″ increments allowing for a vast number of stages.
All plates are painted white or grey, apart from the “Stop plate” which is either blue or red.
Gear Required
As with ALL Airsoft shooting, safety googles are mandatory at all times for everyone present. No other safety equipment is required.
The following pistols are allowed in practice/open matches:
- Airsoft 6mm pistol.
- IPAS allows Multi-shot Co2/PCP Air pistols (min 5 shots). This includes higher powered 6mm/4.5mm BB pistols such as the KJ Works KP06 and Tanfoglio Witness 1911 using Co2 mags only.
NOTE – AAA is not insured for these weapons, so they cannot be used on our site.
Other than the pistol, the main equipment is the holster. All holsters must be mounted in the vicinity of the primary side hip, at waist level. All holsters must retain the pistol.
Triggers may not be fully exposed with any holster.
There are no dress codes but again loose sporty clothing is the norm,
No clothing with offensive slogans to be worn.
Clothing that appears to be Military or Police/Law Enforcement issue or similar may not be worn, even if the shooter is a member of those organisations.
Wording based on the UK IPAS website (www.ipas.org.uk), with thanks.