Chapter 8 · The Course of Fire · p.46
8.3Range Communication
The approved range commands and their sequence are as follows:
“Make Ready” – This command signifies the start of “the ”. Under the direct supervision of the Range Officer the competitor must face downrange, or in a safe direction as specified by the Range Officer, fit eye and hearing protection, and prepare the firearm in accordance with the Written Stage Briefing. The competitor must then assume the specified . The Range Officer will not proceed with any further range commands until the competitor is still and is in the correct start position.
Once the “Make Ready” command has been given, the competitor must not move away from the prior to issuance of the “Start Signal” without the prior approval, and under the direct supervision, of the Range Officer.
Sight pictures may be taken during the “Make Ready” process and while preparing for the next string. the competitor experience an accidental while taking a a disqualification under rule 10.4.3 shall be issued.
“Are You Ready?” – The lack of any negative response from the competitor indicates that he fully understands the requirements of the and is ready to proceed. If the competitor is not ready at the “Are You Ready?” command, he must indicate to the Range Officer that he is not ready.
“Standby” – This command should be followed by the start signal within 1 to 4 seconds.
“Start Signal” – The signal for the competitor to begin their attempt at the . If a competitor fails to react to a start signal, for any reason, the Range Officer will confirm that the competitor is ready to attempt the course of fire and will resume the range commands from “Are You Ready?”.
In the event that a competitor begins his attempt at the prematurely (“” prior to the issuance of the start signal) the Range Officer will, as soon as possible, stop and restart the competitor once the course of fire has been restored.
“Stop” – Any Range Officer assigned to a stage may issue this command at any time during the . The competitor must immediately cease firing, stop moving and wait for further instructions from the Range Officer.
“If You Are Finished, Unload and Show Clear” or “Unload and Show Clear” – If the competitor has finished shooting, he must lower his firearm and present it for inspection by the Range Officer with the muzzle pointed downrange, magazine removed, slide/bolt locked or held open, and chamber empty. Revolvers must be presented with the cylinder swung out and empty.
If a competitor has been stopped by the Range Officer, they will be given “Unload and show clear” as the command.
When conducting Standard Exercises, Range Officials may issue other interim commands on completion of the first string, in order to prepare the competitor for the second and subsequent strings. (e.g. “Reload if required”). This option may also be applied when two or more courses of fire share a common shooting bay or area.
“If Clear, Hammer Down, Holster” (self-loaders) or “If Clear, Cylinder Closed, Holster” (revolvers) or “If Clear, Hammer Down, Flag” () – After issuance of this command, the competitor is prohibited from firing (see Rule 10.4.3).
While continuing to point the firearm safely downrange, the competitor must perform a final safety check of the firearm as follows:
Self-loaders/ – release the slide/bolt and pull the trigger (without touching the hammer or decocker, if any).
Revolvers – close the empty cylinder (without touching the hammer, if any).
If the gun proves to be clear, the competitor must holster/flag his firearm. A carbine must then be transported with the muzzle reasonably vertically up or down, while scoring is done, and then off the stage to a rack or case. Flagged carbines may also be cased at this time and transported off the stage in the case. When casing ’s, the muzzle must point at a side berm, backstop, or up/down. Failure to point the muzzle at a side berm, back stop, or up/down during casing will result in a DQ per 10.5.18.
“Range Is Clear” – This declaration signifies the end of the . Once the declaration is made, officials and competitors may move forward to score, patch, reset targets etc.