Another bad habit, muzzle in the air - Page 2

ColoradoDave · May 1st, 2009, 06:16 PM

Thanks for all the info guys.

nedrgr21 · May 1st, 2009, 09:22 PM

You need to consider the area. I work at a range that has concrete in the parking lot as well as on the range - muzzle down is out as Jang pointed out. Also, (from personal observation) people consider anything less than horizontal as down - that wouldn't cut it. Pointing the muzzle downrange all the time will result in sweeping the shooters on the line while in the parking lot or checking in and we do have people bring deer rifles still loaded from last years season. Up is all that's left. Up is also easier for RSO's to verify and more comfortable for shooters. While bullets can travel 5+ miles, that is when fired at a 45 deg angle and we are miles from the nearest town. Any ND's, if the muzzle is up will most likely land in the woods or in a field. Sometimes it's a least of all evils thing.

Janq · May 2nd, 2009, 12:04 AM

Long guns being transported to or from a line/bench position at a populated (1 or more other persons) range should be done so as cased...all the way up to the line/bench position. To be uncased for direct inspection and thereafter the chamber opened and locked as such while out and in use between shots of fire.
As for handguns they should be on body holstered or cased if not carried in a container (not by hand). Same rules apply toward their actions being kept open at the line/bench.

This is just basic firearm safety sense.

As nedgr noted people do show up stupid and do stupid unthinking things like transport firearms that have been stored loaded and 'forget' that they are loaded.

Also you don't want to be the club that has an errant round as fired up into the air that arcs and catches wind to land on some persons head far outside the range. It's a public relations nightmare for your facility and the personal legal and financial liability is steep.

Police: target shooter may have hit NASCAR fan
Man fired 5 or 6 rounds near rifle range five miles from speedway
updated 2:38 p.m. ET, Mon., Nov . 3, 2008
FORT WORTH, Texas
Police: target shooter may have hit NASCAR fan - Motor Sports- nbcsports.msnbc.com

All of this really should be a no brainer.

- Janq

"1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction." - The National Rifle Association

64zebra · May 3rd, 2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janq

Bingo.

It's an operator static position method of at guard environmental observation.
Very much specific in condition and not general purpose use for Joe Blow civilian moving to and fro at a public range.

- Janq

well, not just static observations, for movement too but we won't go there since thats not the topic

as I said, it would be up to the SO and the situation, as I and others have said each range has its own situations....ground material, table/line setups, etc, each range-own rules

I think the OP's statement of walking up to the line would need to be defined in detail....if it was meant with other people on the line already and OP walking up to line with hot weapon from 15 ft behind them then heck no, but I thought it was meant to be 3ft behind line with nobody around him then it would be ok
I wasn't detailed in my post enough....should have said joe blows walking around all over gun range should not use Sul...that was not my intention

TerriLi · May 3rd, 2009, 01:26 PM

I've been to military ranges LEO ranges Civilian ranges, and private ranges. The only rule that has stayed the same is dont point it at anything you dont want to destroy. Considering the various things with various firearms ammo types, and placement of everything else, the Safe direction is differant at each range. Follow the range rules, but keep your brain ingear too where you're pointing.

May 1st, 2009, 06:16 PM	#11
ColoradoDave Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 175	Thanks for all the info guys. __________________ NRA Life Member. H&K USP Compact .40 Among others.

May 2nd, 2009, 12:04 AM	#13
Janq VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,521	Long guns being transported to or from a line/bench position at a populated (1 or more other persons) range should be done so as cased...all the way up to the line/bench position. To be uncased for direct inspection and thereafter the chamber opened and locked as such while out and in use between shots of fire. As for handguns they should be on body holstered or cased if not carried in a container (not by hand). Same rules apply toward their actions being kept open at the line/bench. This is just basic firearm safety sense. As nedgr noted people do show up stupid and do stupid unthinking things like transport firearms that have been stored loaded and 'forget' that they are loaded. Also you don't want to be the club that has an errant round as fired up into the air that arcs and catches wind to land on some persons head far outside the range. It's a public relations nightmare for your facility and the personal legal and financial liability is steep. Police: target shooter may have hit NASCAR fan Man fired 5 or 6 rounds near rifle range five miles from speedway updated 2:38 p.m. ET, Mon., Nov . 3, 2008 FORT WORTH, Texas Police: target shooter may have hit NASCAR fan - Motor Sports- nbcsports.msnbc.com All of this really should be a no brainer. - Janq "1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction." - The National Rifle Association __________________ "Killers who are not deterred by laws against murder are not going to be deterred by laws against guns. " - Robert A. Levy Monday, March 12, 2007 -- Op Ed -- The Washington Post

May 3rd, 2009, 01:26 PM	#15
TerriLi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 831	I've been to military ranges LEO ranges Civilian ranges, and private ranges. The only rule that has stayed the same is dont point it at anything you dont want to destroy. Considering the various things with various firearms ammo types, and placement of everything else, the Safe direction is differant at each range. Follow the range rules, but keep your brain ingear too where you're pointing. __________________ I know not what this "overkill" means.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

May 1st, 2009, 09:22 PM	#12
nedrgr21 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: KCMO Posts: 556	You need to consider the area. I work at a range that has concrete in the parking lot as well as on the range - muzzle down is out as Jang pointed out. Also, (from personal observation) people consider anything less than horizontal as down - that wouldn't cut it. Pointing the muzzle downrange all the time will result in sweeping the shooters on the line while in the parking lot or checking in and we do have people bring deer rifles still loaded from last years season. Up is all that's left. Up is also easier for RSO's to verify and more comfortable for shooters. While bullets can travel 5+ miles, that is when fired at a 45 deg angle and we are miles from the nearest town. Any ND's, if the muzzle is up will most likely land in the woods or in a field. Sometimes it's a least of all evils thing.