Match Rules, Procedures and Commands

MATCH RULES

Your presence on the range indicates acceptance of all personal and property liability.

This is a cold range. Load only when told to do so at the firing line by a Range Officer.

When shooting is in progress, shooters and spectators must wear eye and ear protection.

All firearms must be holstered or cased with magazines removed. Long guns may be staged with actions open and an empty chamber indicator installed if racks are provided.

Neither magnum pistol cartridges nor rifle cartridges with steel cores may be used on steel targets.

Failure to obey a Range Officer's commands, ex: shooting over a berm, shooting into the ground, dropping a loaded gun, and breaking the 180 rule will disqualify a shooter.

Do not leave the firing line with a loaded firearm under any circumstances.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the range.

Pets are not permitted on the range.

MATCH PROCEDURES

MALFUNCTIONS
If a shooters gun malfunctions they should clear it while keeping the muzzle down range then continue shooting the stage. If unable to do so, they should stand fast, lower their firearm, safely point it down range and raise their free hand to signal a Range Officer. The Range Officer will then examine the firearm. If the firearm cannot be made safe, it will be taken by a Range Officer to a safe area for troubleshooting.

UNABLE TO FINISH THE COURSE OF FIRE
When a shooter is unable to complete a course of fire or wishes to terminate the course of fire, he will raise his free hand to call for a Range Officer. The Range Officer will give the "unload and show clear" command. The shooter will clear the gun, holster or bag it, and leave the line.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

All Range Officers commands must be obeyed immediately and completely. If a shooter displays unsportsmanlike behavior, a Range Officer will disqualify them.

MATCH COMMANDS

MAKE READY
The shooter will face targets with ear and eye protection in place and load their firearm to make ready. The shooter will then assume the ready position described in the course description. If the start position is facing up range, loading must be completed and the firearm holstered or held as stated in the course description before turning away from the targets.

ARE YOU READY?

The shooter will indicate he is ready after the Range Officer issues the "are you ready" command. If they are not ready, they must indicate “not ready.”

STANDBY
After the Standby command is issued, the Range Officer will start the timer within one to four seconds.

IF YOU ARE FINISHED, UNLOAD AND SHOW CLEAR
After the shooter is finished shooting, they will unload their firearm with the muzzle pointed down range and hold it with action open for the Range Officer to inspect. Shooters with semi automatic guns will remove their magazine and lock their slide back. Shooters with double action revolvers will unload their cylinder and keep it open. Shooters with single action revolvers will open their loading gate and empty all cylinders.

STORING GUNS

The Range Officer will confirm the shooter's gun is unloaded and have the shooter make it safe. Commands to semi-automatic handgun shooters: slide forward, hammer down, holster. Commands to revolver shooters: cylinder closed, hammer down, holster. Commands to long gun shooters: chamber closed, hammer down, insert empty chamber indicator, case firearm. If a long gun rack is provided, insert an empty chamber indicator in the rifle and place it in the rack muzzle up.

RANGE IS CLEAR

Shooters may not move forward of firing line before this command is given. Once it is, match participants may move forward to score, tape, reset targets and pick up brass.

We follow the rules, procedures, and commands of several shooting organizations in addition to our specific range rules. Competitors must become familiar with all of these rules, procedures, and commands. For more information, see: