... But that a DA/SA gun converted/modded to a SAO is NOT legal....especially if the actual DA trigger that it comes stock with is somehow modded or pinned/set-screwed to deactivate the DA capability.
I was under the impression that in the
ENHANCED service pistol division, as long as the gun still fit in the box and you met the caliber and magazine limits, you were generally OK. (
That's a way over-simplified synopsis, but its more true than not.)
It's been a while since I've shot IDPA, but I have maintained my membership -- and I just did a quick read of the IDPA 2017 Rule Book (but not any of the more recent updates). That rule book says NOTHING about a DA/SA gun being converted to SAO being illegal. Maybe I just missed it?
There is an inclusive list of modifications that ARE allowed, and a smaller list of modifications that are NOT allowed -- only three are mentioned -- and converting a gun from DA/SA to SAO isn't addressed in either of the lists. (Page 28 - 29.) The fact that action work is allowed to enhance trigger pull, that trigger position (and pull length) may be changed, and that trigger stops are allowed, seem to suggest that the conversion from DA/SA to SAO is either OK or irrelevant. (The only significant difference between a DA/SA CZ and a SAO,
in terms of how the internal mechanism works is that the disconnector is removed in the SAO gun.)
The IDPA Rule Book does NOT address whether modifications can be made to a given model or style of pistol; it only address the features of the gun must have (or not have) when that handgun is used in a given DIVISION.
I've never seen a DA/SA > SAO conversion addressed at a match, at a SAFETY OFFICER's CLASS, nor have I read that it's illegal. If someone HAS a definitive answer, please let us know!!