Tim
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2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
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As an RO and match director I see a ton of shooters go through stages. I wanted to take a second to talk about a couple issues that happened at our match this weekend and then hear from other experienced ROs about how they mitigate the inevitable safety issues inherent in our sport. What protocols do you use, how do you decide where to physically position yourself, are you splitting attention between scoring hits and watching the shooter....I know what *I* do, I want to hear what you do.
Each discipline (3Gun, RnG, PRS, Steel Challenge, USPSA, etc. ) has a unique match flow and protocol, so I want to learn what I can outside of my 2/3-Gun and Run n Gun bubble.
At the carbine match this Saturday we had 2 incidents that came about from somewhat common issues.
1. A Match DQ was handed out when a competitor tripped on a prop and lost control of his loaded rifle. This scenario is probably my biggest concern overall because as soon as a competitor loses his balance, you lose a lot of control over where that muzzle is going. We had emphasized engaging safety while moving as part of the brief and called out the trip hazard. The shooter is an experienced and far better than average competitor, absolutely welcome back. Just one of those things; if you shoot matches long enough you'll eventually catch a DQ.
2. I decided not to DQ this one, because the safety process worked and the RO was at least partially at fault. At the end of a stage with pistol in hand, the process is for the RO to instruct the shooter to "unload and show clear"...
- Shooter drops magazine and works the slide, ejecting a live round
- shooter shows the RO an empty chamber
- RO instructs "slide down, hammer down and holster" ensuring the hammer/striker is dropping on an empty chamber.
We had an incident where the the shooter and RO both failed to see the live round eject. When he got to the 'hammer down' part, a shot was put into the berm. Everybody safe, and a clear reinforcement of why we do that process.
I often times see shooters at the end of a stage rushing the 'unload and show clear' process. They get ahead of the RO and roll through the process without a lot of thought. I've seen shooters 'hammer down' while fiddling with sticking magazines back in pouches, or trying to catch the ejected round before it hits dirt...doing everything but paying attention to their muzzle. Yes, an ND like described above is a rarity, but it happens. That process is there for a reason, and it worked in this case.
So...ROs, what do you watch for and how do you ensure safety on match day?
Each discipline (3Gun, RnG, PRS, Steel Challenge, USPSA, etc. ) has a unique match flow and protocol, so I want to learn what I can outside of my 2/3-Gun and Run n Gun bubble.
At the carbine match this Saturday we had 2 incidents that came about from somewhat common issues.
1. A Match DQ was handed out when a competitor tripped on a prop and lost control of his loaded rifle. This scenario is probably my biggest concern overall because as soon as a competitor loses his balance, you lose a lot of control over where that muzzle is going. We had emphasized engaging safety while moving as part of the brief and called out the trip hazard. The shooter is an experienced and far better than average competitor, absolutely welcome back. Just one of those things; if you shoot matches long enough you'll eventually catch a DQ.
2. I decided not to DQ this one, because the safety process worked and the RO was at least partially at fault. At the end of a stage with pistol in hand, the process is for the RO to instruct the shooter to "unload and show clear"...
- Shooter drops magazine and works the slide, ejecting a live round
- shooter shows the RO an empty chamber
- RO instructs "slide down, hammer down and holster" ensuring the hammer/striker is dropping on an empty chamber.
We had an incident where the the shooter and RO both failed to see the live round eject. When he got to the 'hammer down' part, a shot was put into the berm. Everybody safe, and a clear reinforcement of why we do that process.
I often times see shooters at the end of a stage rushing the 'unload and show clear' process. They get ahead of the RO and roll through the process without a lot of thought. I've seen shooters 'hammer down' while fiddling with sticking magazines back in pouches, or trying to catch the ejected round before it hits dirt...doing everything but paying attention to their muzzle. Yes, an ND like described above is a rarity, but it happens. That process is there for a reason, and it worked in this case.
So...ROs, what do you watch for and how do you ensure safety on match day?
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