USPSA Range Commands Reminder

Folks,

A competitor got DQ'd yesterday because the RO said "Do you understand the course of fire?" and the competitor thought he said "Make Ready" The competitor then pulled his gun out the holster and the RO DQ'd him.

I'm posting this for both ROs and competitors. There are very specific range commands that must be used and they cannot be altered. They are listed in section 8.3 of the rulebook, available here (http://www.uspsa.org/rules/2010HandgunRulesProof3web.pdf). Those range commands do NOT include the question "Do you understand the course of fire?"

Competitors: Be sure that you hear the phrase "Make Ready" before you unholster your gun or you will be done shooting for the day. If you think the RO said that, but are not sure, ASK.

ROs: Stick to the range commands in the book. That is what the competitors are expecting from you. I understand that y'all have been doing this a while and some habits are hard to break. Rule 8.3.6.1 provides the only provision for non standard commands, such as "reload as nessesary and holster" during standard exercises.

If y'all know me, I make sure to speak very loudly and clearly, and I say little else to the competitor during the COF.

FWIW, other things I have heard ROs say that are not listed in section 8.3 include;

"Slide forward"
"Range is safe"
"Cylinder closed" after 'If you are finished, unload and show clear" with a revo shooter.

It doesn't matter if you are Ro-ing a revo shooter, you still need to say "If clear, hammer down".

Be safe,

Chris

Being a new shooter and shooting the MS Classic, it's always good to have these little reminds.

Very good post Chris.

Yes sir...

Good post


I agree totally. I took the RO course and test last year...and actually passed

It expires after a year though

I think everyone who plays in USPSA should take an RO course, whether you intend to RO or not.

msredneck wrote:Yes sir...

Good post


I agree totally. I took the RO course and test last year...and actually passed

It expires after a year though

I think everyone who plays in USPSA should take an RO course, whether you intend to RO or not.

I agree that folks serious about USPSA should take a RO course. I plan to take the next one offered in the area.

I agree chris.

I always laugh when I say "make-ready" and the shooter asks why I didn't ask if they understand the cof.

Thanks Chris,
I really hate it for the shooter who got the DQ. There were extraneous noises and kidding between the r.o. who dq'd him and others on the squad (the r.o.'s pals) and in my opinion the commands he was calling out were inconsistent (and different than what I am used to) all day.
A shooter standing in the box, with ear protection, should be afforded at least some quiet from the gallery and only the correct and clear call-outs to begin the cof.
That r.o. guy NEEDS to go back for a refresher-update course. The shooter got screwed

Where was this?

Cliff, It was at the April Pearlington Match.