What is Youth Steel / SASP?
It is an action pistol sport for youth, ages 12 through 20 and also full time college students. The courses of fire are similar to those found in USPSA Steel Challenge. However, all strings of fire are shot from a low ready position with no drawing from a holster.
What is the difference between Youth Steel and SASP?
SASP is the Scholastic Action Shooting Program, a part of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundataion. It is a team sport. Each team is made up of at least 4 members and a coach. There are local, regional and national SASP competitions. Youth Steel at CFRPC uses the SASP competition rules and courses of fire. It is designed to get junior shooters interested in the sport with the ultimate goal of getting them to join an SASP team or to form a new SASP team. The Youth Steel matches are open to individuals. However, if all members of an SASP team compete in a match, the team's score will be submitted to the SASP as part of their postal match program.
Do I have to be on an SASP team to shoot the Youth Steel match?
No. However, if you enjoy the sport, you will be encouraged to join an SASP team or perhaps start a new team. That said, our philosophy is to get as many junior shooters interested in this type of action pistol shooting as possible. As a natural consequence, this should encourage an increased interest and participation in the SASP.
What are the divisions for a Youth Steel / SASP match?
Pistol: Rimfire or Centerfire
Intermediate Division – Grades 6-8
Entry Level - 1st Year of Participation in Division
Advanced Level - After 1 Year of Participation in Division
Senior Division – Grades 9-12
Junior Varsity - 1st Year of Participation in Division
Varsity - After 1 Year of Participation in Division
College
Rimfire Rifle: Iron Sight or Optic Sight
Rookie - Grades 5 and below
Intermediate Division – Grades 6-8
Entry Level - 1st Year of Participation in Division
Advanced Level - After 1 Year of Participation in Division
Senior Division – Grades 9-12
Junior Varsity - 1st Year of Participation in Division
Varsity - After 1 Year of Participation in Division
College
What equipment do I need?
You need a centerfire pistol, a rimfire pistol, a rimfire rifle with iron sights, or a rimfire rifle with optic sights. It is strongly recommended that you have a minimum of 5 magazines, with 7 preferred for rimfire and 6 preferred for centerfire. If you have less than 5 magazines, you need someone with you who can load magazines for you while you are shooting. All strings start from a low ready position, so you don't need a holster or magazine carriers. There are 4 stages at each match, and each stage is shot 5 times. Each string requires a minimum of 5 shots. Assuming that you load a ten round magazine for each string, you would need a maximum of 200 rounds for the match. The absolute minimum round count is 100. You also need suitable eye protection and hearing protection. The eye protection should be the wrap around type, as shooting at steel targets occaisionally generates small, sharp shrapnel that can ricochet back towards the shooter or spectators. For hearing protection, we recommend BOTH ear plugs and ear muffs for maximum protection.
What kind of FIREARM can I use?
Centerfire Pistol
1. Handgun. All SASP matches will be shot with any “stock” handgun. For SASP, a stock handgun is defined in the IDPA rules covering Stock Service Pistol and Revolver with the exception that visible trigger modifications are permitted. SASP matches are shot with iron sights only – adjustable sights and fiber optic inserts are allowed but no electronic sights. No compensators, ported barrels, muzzle brakes, or barrel weights. Scopes, red-dot and laser assisted sighting systems are prohibited. Centerfire 1911’s are not permitted for SASP. Revolvers chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special are also legal, as long as .38 Special ammunition is used. The maximum rounds allowed in a magazine is 10 with one additional in the chamber. The maximum number in a revolver is 6 rounds.
2. Ammunition. While 9mm Luger (9x19) is the recommended caliber for SASP, .40 S&W, 45ACP or .38 Special may be used. The minimum power factor allowed for SASP competition is 125 (bullet weight x velocity divided by 1,000). For those using .357 Magnum / .38 Special revolvers, only .38 Special ammunition may be used with a minimum power factor of 105.
3. Disconnection or disabling of any safety device on any gun is not allowed.
4. Start Condition: DA/SA firearms will start hammer down. Firearms with a decocking lever or button will be decocked using the lever or button. If the hammer must be lowered by pulling the trigger and manually lowering the hammer, the hammer will be lowered to the lowest position possible. Manual safeties may be engaged or not at the shooter’s discretion.
5. Clearing Firearm Before Casing – Point at berm and dry fire, hammer down/striker released/forward
Rimfire Pistol
Handguns with iron sights only – adjustable sights and fiber optic inserts are allowed but no electronic sights. No compensators, ported barrels, muzzle brakes, or barrel weights. All handguns are to safely use .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Any commercially available .22LR ammunition will be considered suitable for competition.
1. Handgun. All SASP matches are shot with iron sights only – adjustable sights and fiber optic inserts are allowed but no electronic sights. No compensators, ported barrels, muzzle brakes, or barrel weights. Scopes, red-dot and laser assisted sighting systems are prohibited. All handguns are to safely use .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Any commercially available .22LR ammunition will be considered suitable for competition. The maximum rounds allowed in a magazine is 10 with one additional in the chamber. The maximum number in a revolver is 6 rounds.
2. Due to the misfire/jamming issues generally associated with rimfire, a competitor will be allowed one (1) “Mulligan” per stage if the issue is related to ammo/gun failure. When using the “Mulligan”, the shooter will be allowed to reshoot the string in which the incident occurred. It will be the responsibility of the competitor or coach to request the “Mulligan”. Mulligans must be called immediately after the string that contained the ammo/gun malfunction and re-shot at that time. This rule only applies to gun/ammo related failures and does not cover operator mistakes such as not properly seating a magazine, etc. This should be determined by the Safety Officer running the stage. If there is a question, the competitor should be given the benefit of the doubt. This rule does not apply to the Centerfire Division. When clearing a jam/misfire on the clock, the competitor may not use any tools to clear the problem. Tools may only be used off the clock.
3. Ammunition. All Handguns are to safely use .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Any commercially available .22 LR ammunition will be considered suitable for competition.
4. Start Condition: For Rimfire Division Only: DA/SA firearms can start hammer back. Manual safeties may be engaged or not at the shooter’s discretion.
5. Disconnection or disabling of any safety device on any gun is not allowed.
6. Use of Chamber Flags: For some rimfire pistols, it is not advisable to pull the trigger on an empty chamber. All rimfire firearms leaving the firing line will be required to have a chamber flag inserted in the chamber. If a chamber flag is not available, a length of weed trimmer line (long enough to be inserted in the breech end of the pistol and exit the muzzle end) will be acceptable. The slide may either be locked back or closed on the chamber flag.
Rimfire Rifle
All Rifle matches will be shot with any repeating rifle with a detachable box magazine chambered in .22LR. Tubular magazine rifles are not permitted since they present the risk of requiring hands around the muzzle to load and unload, in addition to the additional time to reload between strings of fire. The maximum rounds allowed in a magazine is ten with one additional in the chamber. Any commercially available .22LR ammunition will be considered suitable for competition.
1. Iron Sight Division – Firearms with iron sights, adjustable sights and fiber optics are allowed but no electronic sights. Compensators are permitted, no suppressors. After market barrels are permitted, but no optic sights or porting. Slings may be on the gun but not used. Firearms must have detachable box magazines.
2. Optic Division – Firearms with scopes, optic sights, light gathering scopes, battery powered optics. Compensators are permitted, no suppressors. After market barrels are permitted, but no porting. Lasers are not allowed. Slings may be on the gun but not used. Firearms must have detachable box magazines.
3. Due to the misfire/jamming issues generally associated with rimfire, a competitor will be allowed one (1) “Mulligan” per stage if the issue is related to ammo/gun failure. When using the “Mulligan”, the shooter will be allowed to reshoot the string in which the incident occurred. It will be the responsibility of the competitor or coach to request the “Mulligan”. Mulligans must be called immediately after the string that contained the ammo/gun malfunction and re-shot at that time. This rule only applies to gun/ammo related failures and does not cover operator mistakes such as not properly seating a magazine, etc. This should be determined by the Safety Officer running the stage. If there is a question, the competitor should be given the benefit of the doubt. When clearing a jam/misfire on the clock, the competitor may not use any tools to clear the problem. Tools may only be used off the clock.
4. Ammunition: All rifles are to safely use .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Any commercially available .22 LR ammunition will be considered suitable for competition.
5. Start Condition: Manual safeties may be engaged or not at the shooter’s discretion.
6. Disconnection or disabling of any safety device on any gun is not allowed.
7. Use of Chamber Flags – for some rimfire rifles, it is not advisable to pull the trigger on an empty chamber. Starting with the 2014/2015 target season, all rimfire firearms leaving the firing line must have a chamber flag inserted in the chamber. If a chamber flag is not available, a length of weed trimmer line will be acceptable. The bolt may either be locked back or closed on the chamber flag.