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Speed Steel Safety Rules

(Updated February 2017)

 Rules

  1. The range is “COLD!” Firearms will not be loaded except as directed by Squad Range Officers.
  2. Semi-autos will have an empty chamber and magazine well, and all chambers and revolver cylinders will be kept empty.
  3. Range officers will escort any person suspected to be in violation of this rule to a safety area, where they will ask the competitor to “unload and show clear.” If the firearm is not loaded the competitor receives no penalty. If the firearm IS loaded the competitor will be disqualified from the match.
  4. During loading and unloading, engaging the course of fire and during remedial action in the event of a
    malfunction, the muzzle of the gun must ALWAYS be kept pointed down range. If the muzzle of the gun points rearward of the 180 degree imaginary line of the shooter’s box or the muzzle rises above the level of the
    berm/backstop, the contestant will be instructed to unload and will be disqualified from the match.
  5. After completion for the stage, no contestant may leave the shooting box until the firearm has been unloaded, inspected and cleared by the Range Officer. The firearm will then be holstered or placed in a case or bag.
  6. In the event a firearm cannot be unloaded due to a broken or failed mechanism, the shooter will notify the Range Officer. In no case will the contestant leave the shooter’s box with a loaded firearm.
  7. During the match, contestants will refrain from handling their firearms, except when instructed by a match official or in designated areas.
  8. Should a firearm be dropped during a course of fire, the contestant will not pick up the firearm, but allow a match official to do so. The match official will unload and inspect the firearm.

 

Safety Violations

The following violations will result in a match disqualification:

  1. Pointing a firearm up range (breaking the 180 degree rule) or pointing the muzzle above the
    level of the berm/backstop.
  2. Dropping a loaded firearm.
  3. Leaving the shooter’s box with a loaded firearm.
  4. Any accidental discharge, including: any discharge or detonation during loading/unloading, manipulation, malfunction clearance, lowering the hammer, and any shot that leaves the confines of the range (over the berm).
  5. Picking up a dropped firearm without direction of a match official.
  6. Any shot fired into the holster or into the ground within 9ft of the contestant.
  7. Unsafe handling of a firearm (including, but not limited, to having a finger inside the trigger guard during loading/unloading, manipulation, malfunction clearance, etc.)
  8. Contestants under the influence of a controlled substance. (Alcohol or drugs)
  9. Any behavior or action in violation of sportsmanship, or that which directly and or adversely affects the
    performance of another competitor.
  10. Any disrespectful words and/or gestures to or toward match officials.

 

Starting Commands

  • “Make Ready” Command signifies that you may charge your gun to get ready for the strings of fire.
  • “Are You Ready?” The lack of any negative response indicates that the competitor is fully ready to commence with the course of fire.
  • “Standby” This command will be followed by the start signal within 1 to 4 seconds.
  • “Stop” Any range officer assigned to a stage may issue the ‘Stop” command at any time. The competitor must immediately cease fire, stop moving and wait for further instructions from the range officer.

 

Starting Positions

  • For All Firearms: The primary safety must be engaged for/during the start signal on every string of fire.
  • Competitors are to be fully in the shooter’s box before charging their firearm.
  • Rimfire Handgun Shooters are to be pointing their muzzle at the center X painted 12ft in front of the shooter’s box. The primary safety must be engaged for/during the start signal on every string of fire.
  • Center Fire Handgun Shooters’ hands are to be held in the “Surrender Position” (wrists above shoulders) with the wrists and full hands visible from behind. All center fire firearms must ALWAYS use the primary safety designed for the gun. DA/SA guns can either be started in SA if there is an additional safety or must start in the DA mode if there is no external safety.
  • Pistol Caliber Carbine and Rim Fire Carbine start with the carbine shouldered and muzzle pointing at the center X painted 12ft in front of the shooter’s box. The primary safety must be engaged for/during the start signal on every string of fire.
  • Note: due to the nature of rimfire guns, firing pins slamming into the breach face upon dry firing, rimfire guns are not required to drop the hammer on an empty chamber. It is then the sole responsibility of the shooter to insure that the chamber is completely empty prior to leaving the shooter’s box. All center fire guns must drop a fully cocked hammer on an empty chamber to insure a clear gun prior to leaving the shooter’s box.