In 2023, USPSA introduced Limited Optics as a provisional division. Provisional is shorthand for “Let’s see if it flies.” Apparently, it achieved cruising altitude, because it’s now installed as a regular division in USPSA and a provisional division in Steel Challenge.
Some shooters wondered why, with Carry Optics already an established and popular division, that Limited Optics was even introduced. On the surface that’s a valid question, because the two divisions share commonalities. Both Carry Optics and Limited Optics are shot Minor scoring with 9 mm as the minimum cartridge allowed. Each requires an optical sight mounted directly to the slide (no frame mounts) and located between the ejection port and the rear of the slide. And each allows 141.25 mm magazines with no capacity restrictions.
On the surface that would seem to make them identical. But a deeper look reveals some significant differences.
A Carry Optics gun is basically a Production pistol with a red dot and a higher ammo capacity. The gun must be on the USPSA Approved List with a maximum weight of 59 ounces with an empty magazine inserted. Operating actions must be either striker-fired or double-action/single-action with the hammer down at the start. Thumb rests are not allowed. Aftermarket flared magazine wells are prohibited, as is aftermarket magazine well flaring and extended grips that create a makeshift magazine well. Holsters are the same as for Production division with limits on how far the front can be cut down below the ejection port well, and holster and magazine carriers may not be located further than 2⅛ inches from the body.
Any Carry Optics gun can compete in Limited Optics. But the reverse is not true.
A legal Limited Optics gun is nothing more than a Limited pistol with an optic sight properly installed. Cocked and locked single-action guns are allowed. The 141.25 mm magazine is allowed for double stacks, with a 171.25 mm magazine legal for single-stack guns. There is no maximum handgun size or handgun weight. Holster restrictions are limited to USPSA Rule 5.2.7.2, which applies to all USPSA divisions, and requires that the heel of the handgun butt not be lower than the top of the belt (except for Military and Law Enforcement using duty gear). The holster and magazine carriers may also be moved out to 3⅜ inches away from the body. This allows race gun holsters and magazine carriers. Along with that, thumb rests and aftermarket flared magazine wells are perfectly legal in Limited Optics.
This results in markedly different handling characteristics between the two division guns. It’s doubtful that many shooters would disagree with the contention that a cut-down race gun holster is a bit quicker than the required Carry Optics holster, or that a light and crisp single-action trigger pull for every shot is a distinct advantage over a striker-fired or double-action/single-action trigger pull. As well, the big, flared magazine well that graces most Limited guns is likely to promote more fumble-free reloads than the more abbreviated magazine well required on Production and Carry Optics guns. And, some shooters find a thumb rest promotes a more positive and consistent grip. These are performance enhancers.
Whether that’s enough to motivate a shooter into investing a few thousand dollars in a 2011 9 mm and optics combo is debatable. But there’s one sizable group of shooters who won’t need to. They already have an appropriate gun, holster, magazines, components and reloading equipment.
There are a significant number of USPSA members who have spent years shooting Limited with .40 S&W guns in Major. The inevitable effects of aging on the eyes have diminished their ability to see iron sights clearly and, as a result, many of these guns and their gear are languishing in gun safes. Limited Optics provides the perfect opportunity to put these “safe queens” back in action, and several shooters are doing just that. They’ve also discovered some unexpected positives.
The .40 S&W loads to Minor as easily as it makes Major. A 165-grain bullet at 785 f.p.s. makes a comfortable 129.5 Power Factor. A 180-grain bullet at 730 f.p.s. makes 131 Power Factor. From a full-sized Limited gun, these loads produce ridiculously soft recoil—the true definition of a “Mouse Puff Load.” In fact, some shooters report that the recoil is so soft that it initially affected their shooting rhythm. Some just retrained while some bumped their PF up to the 145 to 150 range. These reduced loads may require a lighter recoil spring in a gun tuned to Major caliber, but they are readily available and inexpensive.
Converting the gun will obviously require the installation of a reflex sight onto the slide. There are a number of gunsmiths who can cut a slide for plate mounting systems. A less expensive approach, and one used by many, is an EGW mount. It replaces the dovetailed rear sight with a Picatinny rail and allows the optic to mount. It also allows the shooter to remove the EGW mount and reinstall the iron sights if needed.
If there is a perceived drawback to shooting .40 Minor over 9 mm, it’s the magazine capacity. Most 9 mm 141.25 mm magazines will hold between 22 and 24 rounds (depending upon the maker and base plate). The same size .40 magazine will hold two or three rounds less. For some reason this brings on an anxiety attack in some shooters, but it shouldn’t.
It is extremely rare for a stage to require more than 20 rounds of continuous fire with no opportunity to reload. Shooters who understand how to build their stage speed will determine during the walk through where those periods of non-shooting activity occur and make a speedy reload there. With a big, flared magazine well, those speed loads eat little—if any—time.
For many USPSA shooters, Limited Optics provides a golden opportunity to unlimber those “safe queens” and get back in the game.
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