Range Commands and Safety Protocols
Listed below are range commands and safety protocols all shooters will receive and be expected to know. The Safety Officers (SO’s) for the Mohave Defensive Shooters Club take their job very serious and will not tolerate any abuse of the safety requirements. We want everyone to have a good time but not at the cost of safety. These commands were established to protect the RO’s/SO’s, the shooters, and guests from a negligent discharge of a weapon. It is the shooters responsibility to know and understand all safety protocols and range commands. If you don’t understand what is expected of you or you need clarification of a safety issue, ask an RO for help before you do anything.
Arriving at the range
When you arrive at the range, you will assume the range is “Cold” (no magazines/live rounds in any weapons). If you arrive with a loaded weapon, advise any RO/SO. You will be directed to a “Safe Area” where you can safely remove of any ammunition from your weapon. At no time will a weapon be handled “Hot” (loaded mag. in weapon) except at the “course of fire” under the supervision and direction of an RO. You may gear up at your vehicle, holster, magazine pouch, and unloaded weapon in holster. You may load and store your magazines. If it becomes necessary for you to handle a weapon for any reason outside the course of fire, contact a RO/SO to accompany you to an established “Safe Area”. The handling of or removal of any weapon from a holster, “Hot or Cold”, behind the line of fire will result in your being asked to leave. The safety of everyone at the range is paramount.
Safety Briefings
There will be a safety briefing at the beginning of every club meet explaining any safety issues for the range in use. There will also be a “Stage Briefing” prior to any stage being shot describing the scenario, the course of fire, 180* Rule, and exactly what the shooter is required to do.
Course of Fire
This is the area of the range where props and targets are set up to create shooting scenarios for the shooters. This area is distinguishable by the orange safety cones that outline its boundaries. No shooter is allowed in this area of the range after it goes hot. When a stage has been shot and cleared, the RO will say “the range is clear”. The orange cones delineate the 180* boundary and a safe direction for shooting.
When the Range Goes Hot
At the beginning of each stage, the RO will announce “Going hot”. When the range goes hot all shooters are required to have ear/eye protection on. You must be located behind the orange cones (line of fire) in the on deck area to one side of the scoring table. The SO scoring the stage must be able to see and hear what is happening on the course, so after the range goes hot, all conversations will stop until the shooter has completed the stage and the RO gives a range clear command. As you wait for your turn to shoot, you should be paying attention to those shooting ahead of you. This will give you a better idea of how to shoot the stage. Each shooter will be directed by the RO to move forward to their starting position giving the shooter these specific range commands:
1. Shooter, do you understand the course of fire: If you answer yes, the RO will proceed to your next command. If your answer no, the RO will hold up for any questions you may have.
2. Shooter, face down range, load, and make ready: You will remove your weapon from your holster while maintaining a safe muzzle direction, and keeping your finger outside the trigger guard. Insert a loaded magazine or speed loader, rack your slide to load the weapon, activate your safety, and holster your weapon. You are now considered “Hot” and waiting for your next command.
3. Shooter ready: If you are ready and understand the course of fire, you will acknowledge the RO’s command by saying yes, or nodding your head. If you are not ready, tell the RO and the staging will be stopped.
4. Stand by: Upon hear this command; the shooter must remain motionless in a ready position with their hands at their side before the RO will activate the timer. Upon hearing the timer the shooter may begin to shoot the stage.
Safety Commands on the Course of Fire
If at any time during the course of fire the RO sees the shooter doing something unsafe or dangerous, the RO will give the shooter verbal commands to correct the safety issue. These commands are:
1. Finger: hearing this command means you have your finger on/in the trigger guard during a reload or while moving between barricades. Remove your finger immediately from the trigger guard. A repeat offense of this action can result in the RO stopping the stage and/or removing the shooter from the range. 2. Muzzle: if you hear this command from your RO, you have/are pointing your weapon in an unsafe direction, breaking the 180* rule. This is a very serious infraction and one offense can result in the shooter being asked to leave the range. The RO will immediately redirect the muzzle of any weapon that breaks the 180* rule. A shooter who repeatedly ignores this command and does not redirect his weapon immediately may be asked to leave the range.
3. Stop: hearing this command, the shooter must stop shooting immediately and stop all movements. An unsafe range conditions, stage malfunctions, weapon failure or misfire (squib), or a shooters failure to follow commands can result in the RO stopping the stage.
When you have completed the course of fire, you will stop all movement keeping your weapon pointed down range in a safe direction and wait for the RO’s next command. The RO will give you four commands.
1. Unload and Show clear: Safely remove the source of ammunition from your weapon by removing your magazine (auto loaders), or ejecting any live rounds (revolvers). The shooter will show the RO a clear chamber or cylinder.
2. Slide down or cylinder closed: Shooter releases the slide or closes the cylinder.
3. Hammer down: the shooter will point their weapon down range and dry fire the weapon to show clear.
4. Holster your weapon: you may now holster your weapon.
The Range is Clear Command
After you have completed shooting your stage and have cleared and holstered your weapon, the RO will announce “The Range is clear”. Only then will the RO, SO, the shooter, and tapers be allowed down range.
Scoring
It is the shooters responsibility to walk with the RO through the course of fire while their targets are being scored. This allows the shooter to see where they are shooting so corrections can be made, and obtain clarification on questionable hits. This ultimately speeds up the shoot, and eliminates conflicts and disagreements later. Once the shooter has left the course of fire, no challenge can be made to their scoring. P.S. everyone not shooting is expected to help tape targets and pick up brass.