Valid range rule?

petemacmahon

petemacmahon

SWCA Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2008
Messages
482
Reaction score
357
Location
Mohnton, PA
So I went through an orientation this past weekend to a local range that is just about the only one in our area that has a rifle range over 200 yards. What is really cool is that at special times, you can get on steel at 600 yards.

As it was described to me, they stated "we are a muzzle down club". Ok, so don't walk around the range with your rifle pointed up in the air.

Now, they had us go through a test firing and reloading of any weapon we wanted to bring, to show our safe handling skills. I brought my stalwart DAO model 15. I was the only revolver there, go figure. When I laid it on the bench, I was asked how I was going to reload that and as I described the proper way to, while using speed loaders, to reload a revolver - they reminded me about the muzzle down rule.

Go ahead, search the web, there is not one tactical guru or guide book that prescribes and/or recommends a muzzle down tactical clearing of a double action revolver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think it's a bit much.

Your thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
You don't have to do "tactical" reloads at a range , pretend you are a NRA Bullseye Match shooter and do a non tactical reload .
After your probationary time , the rule maker's might be open to letting go tactical on the reloads .
I shot Bullseye Match for about 20 years and got by fine with no speed loaders and no tactical reloads....just do it for a while , maybe you can educate the rule makers about the ways of revolvers .
For now ...just stick to the rules .
Gary
 
I would be willing to bet, that if you are on the range and look up at the overhead, you will see bullet strikes everywhere. There's a reason they have instituted the muzzle down rule and enforce it.
The Fish & Game club range that I use, has power lines that cross overhead between the bench area and the target line. Everyone one of the power lines has been spliced multiple times, WTH. Couple years ago the club invested in putting nice covers over the shooting positions and it didn't take long before holes started being shot in the new covers.
 
Loading a revolver muzzle down is no problem, but ejecting fired cases should really be done muzzle up. It prevents unburned powder/debris from getting under the extractor and allows the cases to drop free. To comply with their rules, partially extract fired case just enough to get get hold of one or two, then allow the extractor to reseat before pulling them out.

Once you've been a member for a while, talk to the powers that be and ask how they handle revolvers.

Their policy makes me wonder how the club deals with traditional muzzleloaders. Anti-gravity black powder is hard to find! ;) :rolleyes:
 
Some folks are just plain ignorant of firearms. They understand the one in their hand, but have no understanding or tolerance for those that shoot something different from "what they think they know".
 
You don't have to do "tactical" reloads at a range , pretend you are a NRA Bullseye Match shooter and do a non tactical reload .
Click to expand...
^^^^ THIS!


Besides the shooters next to you on the line will be appreciative.;):D
 
Sorry, gotta rant.I'm working on a pistol range on the land I have now and I couldn't be happier. Theres very few clubs up here but tons of fed land. The problem is we seem to have some exceptionally bored forest rangers since they came to my house to inquire about the "trash I'd been dumping" his words. He was referring to the trash can I had chained to a tree by the shooting spot with a note in a zip loc that had my name on it explaining it was for garbage left from shooters and that I'd been emptying it periodically. I told myself then no more shooting on property didn't own.
 
Last edited:
You might succeed if you motion to demonstrate that the during the revolver reload process , cylinder open, muzzle up cylinder clearing is safe and practical. Open minds may well allow this exception to the muzzle up rule.
Good luck
Jim
 
Last edited:
Years ago I belonged to a metro Atlanta gun range. Somebody instituted a policy that all shooters step away from the tables when people needed to go down range. Not a bad policy for TAB’s (temporarily able-bodied shooters) but there were nearly a dozen handicapped members in wheelchairs or electric scooters who had difficulty repositioning themselves. The Board insisted there would be no changes. An attorney with a copy of the ADA straightened The Board out real fast.
 
I believe the muzzle down thing is based on the idea that an AD going up into the air goes who knows where, and if one goes into the berm or even ground, at least that's that.

Back when I tried IPSC I used to get yelled at a lot. As a shotgunner first and foremost, I had hammered it in my head that up was safe. When there was a problem or concern, I instinctively pointed up! Couldn't untrain myself!
 
The Board insisted there would be no changes. An attorney with a copy of the ADA straightened The Board out real fast.
Click to expand...


I suppose I could go along with this with one proviso.

If any of these "handicapped shooters" so much as touched a gun while I was downrange, they would be immediately ejected from the range and told to never come back. (Needless to say, I don't have much trust in folks that consider themselves "experts" when it comes to gun safety)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top