Chapter 5 · Competitor Equipment · p.35
5.7Malfunctions – Competitor’s Equipment
A competitor who experiences a firearm malfunction while responding to the “Make Ready” command, but prior to issuance of the “Start Signal”, is entitled to retire to repair his firearm without penalty, under the authority and supervision of the officiating Range Officer and subject to the provisions of Rule 5.7.5, Rule 8.3.1.1 and all other safety rules. Once the repairs have been completed (and the provisions of Rule 5.1.7 have been satisfied, if applicable), the competitor may return to attempt the , subject to scheduling as determined by the officiating Range Officer or Range Master.
In the event that a competitor’s firearm malfunctions after the Start signal, the competitor may safely attempt to correct the problem and continue the . During such corrective action, the competitor must keep the muzzle of the firearm pointing safely downrange at all times.
Attempting to clear a suspected “squib” is specifically prohibited under this provision whether the range officer has called stop or not. Attempting to clear a squib during a is considered unsafe gun handling and will result in a disqualification (see 10.5.19).
While rectifying a malfunction, the competitor’s fingers must be clearly outside the trigger guard (see Rule 10.5.8).
In the event that a firearm malfunction cannot be corrected by the competitor within 2 minutes, he must point the firearm safely downrange and advise the Range Officer, who will terminate the (excluding any un-attempted component strings in a Standard Exercise) in the normal manner. The course of fire (excluding any un-attempted component strings in a Standard Exercise) will be scored as shot including all applicable misses and penalties.
Under no circumstances is a competitor permitted to leave a in the possession of a (see Rule 10.5.13).
Where the firearm has failed after the Start signal, the competitor must not be permitted to reshoot the or string. This includes the instance where a firearm is declared unserviceable or unsafe during a course of fire or string. However, any un-attempted component strings in a Standard Exercise may still be attempted by the affected competitor after the firearm has been repaired, and prior to when match results are declared final by the Match Director.
In the event that a Range Officer terminates a due to a suspicion that a competitor has an unsafe firearm or unsafe ammunition (e.g.
a “squib” load), the Range Officer will take whatever steps he deems necessary to return both the competitor and the range to a safe condition. The Range Officer will then inspect the firearm or ammunition and proceed as follows:
If the Range Officer finds evidence that confirms the suspected problem, the competitor will not be entitled to a reshoot, but will be ordered to rectify the problem. On the competitor’s score sheet, the time will be recorded up to the last shot fired, and the will be scored “as shot”, including all applicable misses and penalties.
If the Range Officer discovers that the suspected safety problem does not exist, the competitor will be required to reshoot the stage.