singlestacksig
Master
New to shooting sports?
though each sport has its own set of rules here is some advice that will help you when you first go to a match.
1. assume it is a COLD range, that means the condition of your gun not bring a coat.
a cold range requires you to have your gun unloaded, no mag in it , & possibly hammer down. You will not get into trouble if you show up and follow this.. If the range allows hot carry it will still be safer for you to have a cleared gun for your first few times out.
2. Know your gun; does it have a safety?, does it have a slide lock.. a hammer drop? a mag safety..
know how to operate all controls on your gun.. your time & score will be better if you did not spend 10 seconds finding out the safety was on...
remember when it is your turn you will have lots of people watching you.. you might not think it matters.. but when someone gets in front of a crowd simple tasks can get stressful..
3 know how to reload your gun with the muzzle pointed down range ( towards the targets...)
I really like to see new shooters come out.. I hate having to kick them out of the match because they pointed the gun back at the crowd while reloading...
4 do not pull your gun out to show someone it...
do not mess with your gun until it is your time to shoot and Range officer tells you it is ok to take your gun out..
same as above, your first match will be very short if you take out gun during shooters meeting...
5. Please do not bring the habit of pointing your gun up after each target and while moving... it is an easy way to point muzzle over your shoulder at crowd, or worse a good way to put a bullet into your chin...
6. have an idea how to clear a jam... yes they can be rare.. but i have yet to see a match without at least one of my group getting a jam.. and most happen to a new shooter who does not have any idea of what to do...
by planning & practicing clearing you will be much safer when the stress of a crowd & clock are there..
though each sport has its own set of rules here is some advice that will help you when you first go to a match.
1. assume it is a COLD range, that means the condition of your gun not bring a coat.
a cold range requires you to have your gun unloaded, no mag in it , & possibly hammer down. You will not get into trouble if you show up and follow this.. If the range allows hot carry it will still be safer for you to have a cleared gun for your first few times out.
2. Know your gun; does it have a safety?, does it have a slide lock.. a hammer drop? a mag safety..
know how to operate all controls on your gun.. your time & score will be better if you did not spend 10 seconds finding out the safety was on...
remember when it is your turn you will have lots of people watching you.. you might not think it matters.. but when someone gets in front of a crowd simple tasks can get stressful..
3 know how to reload your gun with the muzzle pointed down range ( towards the targets...)
I really like to see new shooters come out.. I hate having to kick them out of the match because they pointed the gun back at the crowd while reloading...
4 do not pull your gun out to show someone it...
do not mess with your gun until it is your time to shoot and Range officer tells you it is ok to take your gun out..
same as above, your first match will be very short if you take out gun during shooters meeting...
5. Please do not bring the habit of pointing your gun up after each target and while moving... it is an easy way to point muzzle over your shoulder at crowd, or worse a good way to put a bullet into your chin...
6. have an idea how to clear a jam... yes they can be rare.. but i have yet to see a match without at least one of my group getting a jam.. and most happen to a new shooter who does not have any idea of what to do...
by planning & practicing clearing you will be much safer when the stress of a crowd & clock are there..
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