RULES
AND
STANDARDS

What every athlete needs to know before stepping onto the field.

The PGPR is designed to be challenging, fair, and above all, safe.

For full details, a downloadable Rulebook will be published before March 7, 2026. Final loads, movements, and stage designs may be adjusted in that version.

This page gives you a clear overview of how the competition works, what gear you need, who can participate, and the safety rules that apply to every athlete on the field.

EVENT FORMAT

The PGPR is a one-day event made up of multiple stages that combine:

Functional fitness: sandbags, sleds, carries, box step-ups, bodyweight movements, cardio machines, and obstacles.
Live-fire pistol stages for all divisions.
Live-fire rifle stages for the 2-Gun divisions.

DIVISIONS

All divisions are co-ed but separated into categories by gender and age:

Scale
Division

Beginner
Division

Intermediate
Division

2-GUN
(Pistol + Rifle)

Allow athletes to complete the full PGPR event at their own pace, based on their current fitness and comfort level.

Safety-first, experience-focused participation
Adjustable loads, movements, and effort
Athlete-scaled workouts and shooting distances

Accessible, safe entry point for first-time tactical athletes.

Light-to-moderate functional loads
Pistol shooting under controlled stress
Designed for first-time competitors

Higher intensity for experienced athletes with regular training.

Heavier loads and longer efforts
Pistol precision while fatigued
For experienced, regularly trained athletes

Compete under your chosen movement standard with added weapon complexity.

Scale, Beginner, or Intermediate standards - athlete choice
Live-fire with pistol and rifle, including safe transitions
Positional shooting and decision-making under pressure

NOTE: All divisions include pistol shooting under fatigue. 2-Gun divisions add rifle shooting with targets placed out to approximately 90 yards.

Final loads, repetitions, and stage designs will be published in the official Rulebook and event briefing.

ELIGIBILITY & LICENSING

The event takes place at RL Shooting Club in Aguas Buenas and follows Puerto Rico’s Ley de Armas 168-2019.

To compete, athletes must:

Be 21 years of age or older and hold a valid Puerto Rico firearms license, or
Be 18 to 20 years old, hold a valid Puerto Rico firearms license, and compete under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian who also holds a valid Puerto Rico firearms license and is present on-site at all times.

Note: Athletes 18 to 20 years old may apply for a Puerto Rico firearms license only if their parent or legal guardian already holds a valid Puerto Rico firearms license. For minors, no background check is required, and processing typically takes 15–20 days. We strongly recommend starting the application early to ensure eligibility before event day.

FIREARMS & AMMUNITION

For Year 1, athletes are expected to:

Bring their own legally owned and registered pistol (and rifle for 2-Gun).
Bring their own ammunition.
Purchase any additional ammunition directly from RL’s store if available and subject to their licensing.

Participation is limited to athletes who comply with Ley de Armas 168-2019 and all club policies. This information is for orientation only and is not legal advice. For more about firearms licensing and FFLs in Puerto Rico, see the Firearms & Licensing section on our About page.

REQUIRED GEAR

Minimum required gear:

Eye protection (ANSI-rated shooting glasses or similar).
Ear protection (over-ear muffs or in-ear plugs).
Closed-toe athletic shoes with good traction.
Clothing appropriate for outdoor conditions: sun, heat, mud, rain.
Magazine pouches:
- At least 3 pistol magazine pouches.
- At least 2 rifle magazine pouches for athletes competing in the 2-Gun Division.
Ammunition:
- At least 200 rounds of the pistol caliber you will use in competition (9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP).
- At least 100 rounds of rifle ammunition for athletes competing in the 2-Gun Division (.223/5.56 or .300 Blackout).

Strongly recommended:

Knee pads or knee sleeves (crawling, kneeling, obstacle contact).
Elbow pads (optional but recommended for obstacles).
Gloves for carries, sleds, and handling rough surfaces.
Weather layers and rain gear.

Provided by the event:

Weighted vests appropriate to each division and category.
Silicon ear protection for athletes and spectators as back-up.
All fitness equipment: sandbags, sleds, battle ropes, barbells, boxes, and obstacle structures.
All AR500 steel targets (gongs and plates) and cardboard targets for the stages.

FIREARM & HOLSTER STANDARD

Pistols

Permitted calibers: 9 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP.
Slide-mounted red dots are allowed in any division.
Compensators and “race guns” are allowed; there is no equipment handicap for Year 1.

Rifles (2-Gun division only)

Permitted calibers: .223 Rem / 5.56 NATO or .300 Blackout.
Rifles must be equipped with a sling.
Magnified or non-magnified optics are allowed. For longer targets out to ~90 yards, a 3x–4x optic is recommended but not required.
Backup iron sights are allowed but not required.
Whatever setup you bring, you must run for the entire event (no switching rifles between stages, except in case of non-repairable failure and Match Director approval).

Holsters and belts

Because a small percentage of athletes currently own duty-grade holsters, and to prioritize safety for Year 1:

All live-fire stages will be designed so that pistols (and rifles for 2-Gun) begin staged on tables or designated racks under RSO control.
Drawing from a holster under the timer is not required for any division in the inaugural event.

Athletes who own holsters:

Duty-grade Level 2 retention holsters and sturdy shooting belts are strongly recommended for administrative carry between stages.
Inside-the-waistband (IWB) or outside-the-waistband (OWB) holsters may be used for transport, provided they fully cover the trigger and retain the firearm during vigorous movement.
If a holster is deemed unsafe by the Match Director or RSO staff, the athlete will be required to keep their pistol staged instead.

MOVEMENT AND LOAD STANDARDS

This section is to set expectations, not to lock in final programming. Exact weights, reps, and standards will be published in the official Rulebook and athlete brief.

SCALE

Goal: Experience-focused participation for athletes who want to enjoy the event and complete the course at their own pace.

Format:
Athletes follow the same general movement structure and shooting distances, but may scale loads, movements, reps, and pace as needed.

Movements:
Functional movements such as carries, sandbags, sleds, step-ups, and bodyweight work. Modifications are allowed.

Shooting:
Live pistol shooting only, with athlete-adjusted targets and positions for safety and comfort.

Note:
Scale is non-competitive. No rankings, podiums, prizes, or awards.

BEGINNER

Goal: An accessible and safe entry point for first-time tactical athletes.

Movements & Loads:

Women: Sandbags ~35–50 lb, dumbbells ~15–25 lb, farmer carries, sled pulls, step-ups, and bodyweight movements.
Men: Sandbags ~50–70 lb, dumbbells ~25–35 lb, farmer carries, sled pulls, step-ups, and bodyweight movements.

Cardio: Running or jogging, rower, SkiErg.

Obstacles: Low walls, controlled crawls, and sand or dirt elements.

INTERMEDIATE

Goal: Higher intensity for experienced athletes with consistent training.

Movements & Loads:

Women: Sandbags ~50–75 lb, dumbbells ~25–35 lb, heavier carries, sleds, and more complex movement combinations.
Men: Sandbags up to ~100 lb, dumbbells ~35–50 lb, heavier farmer carries, sleds, and mixed movement sequences.

Cardio: Longer carries, faster runs, and higher work density.

Obstacles: Taller walls, more demanding crawls, and multi-element sequences.

All divisions are available in Pistol or Pistol + Rifle formats, based on athlete selection at registration.

SAFETY RULES & DISQUALIFICATION

Safety is the non-negotiable foundation of The PGPR. Every athlete must agree to and follow these standards.

Range commands and control

All live-fire activity is supervised by certified Range Officers (ROs) and Range Safety Officers (RSOs).
Athletes must obey all RO/RSO instructions immediately and without argument.
Only handle firearms when and where instructed by an RO/RSO.
When in doubt, ask before acting.

Muzzle and trigger discipline

Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are on target and authorized to fire.
Breaking the 180-degree muzzle plane, sweeping another person, or any unsafe muzzle direction is grounds for immediate disqualification.

Cold range policy

Firearms will remain unloaded and staged except when under RO direction at a live-fire stage.
Loading and unloading take place only in designated areas and only under RO supervision.

Dropped firearms

If you drop a firearm at any time, do not attempt to catch or pick it up.
Notify the RO immediately and follow instructions.
Dropping a loaded firearm may result in immediate disqualification.

Behavior and sportsmanship

The following may result in warnings, penalties, or immediate disqualification:

Verbal abuse, shouting or insulting judges, ROs, staff, or other athletes.
Physical aggression or confrontation.
Excessive profanity directed at others.
Any sign of impairment from alcohol or drugs.
Refusal to comply with safety instructions.

Every athlete must attend the mandatory safety briefing on Friday, March 6 at 6:00 PM. Attendance is MANDATORY to compete.

EVENT DAY FLOW (HIGH LEVEL)

Friday, March 6 - Check-In & Safety Briefing

Athlete Check-In: 6:00 PM (Pick up athlete bag, verify registration)
Mandatory Safety Briefing: 7:00 PM
Post-briefing social: live music + light food to enjoy the experience and meet fellow competitors

* Note: Attendance to the Friday Safety Briefing is mandatory to compete.

Saturday, March 7 - Competition Day

Report Time: 6:30 AM
(Final gear, equipment, and ammo check)
Event Start: 7:30 AM SHARP
Event End + Podium Ceremony: around 4:00 PM

* Athletes must remain available through awards based on standings.

QUICK FAQ

Do I need a firearms license to compete?

YES. All athletes must comply with Puerto Rico’s firearm laws and RL Shooting Club policies. At this time, participation assumes that you legally own and can transport your pistol (and rifle for 2-Gun) or that you have made prior arrangements consistent with the law. Athletes who live outside of Puerto Rico may be able to participate by applying for a provisional shooting permit that allows them to use firearms legally during the event. The application must be submitted and processed in advance by the Puerto Rico authorities, so we strongly recommend starting the process at least one month before the event date. We will publish a step-by-step guide with more details and links as soon as that information is finalized. This information is for orientation only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions about your situation, please consult a licensed attorney or firearms professional in Puerto Rico.

Can I compete if I have never done a tactical event before?
Yes. The Beginner divisions are designed specifically for first-time participants. You should be able to walk, jog, carry moderate loads, and follow instructions under pressure. If you are completely new to firearms, we strongly recommend taking a basic safety and marksmanship class before the event.

What if I am between 18 and 21 years old?
Athletes between 18 and 20 may be allowed to participate only if they meet all legal requirements and are accompanied and supervised by a parent or legal guardian who also complies with applicable laws. Final eligibility is at the discretion of the event and RL Shooting Club.

Will exact weights and movements be published?
Yes. A detailed Rulebook with standards, rep schemes, and sample movements will be published as we get closer to March 7, 2026. This page is designed to help you start training in the right direction.

How do scoring and penalties work?
The event uses a time-plus-penalties model that balances speed and accuracy. Missed targets, failure to follow standards, or safety violations may result in time penalties or disqualification. Full scoring details will be included in the Rulebook.

Can I change divisions after I register?
Division changes may be allowed up to a certain date before the event, depending on available slots. Details will be communicated via email and on the registration page.

Can spectators attend?
Yes. Spectators are welcome in designated viewing areas and must follow all range safety rules. Ear and eye protection are strongly recommended and may be provided on site while supplies last.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Ready to prove yourself under pressure?

RULES AND STANDARDS