So I participated in my first Fclass competition this weekend. Overall I had a very good time and I learned a lot. Unfortunately that includes how casual many people, which I have reasons to believe are very experienced in competitions, are when it comes to handling a gun. I lost count of the number of times I saw a gun pointed at me or someone else, or just sitting there pointed at the whole crowd. Yeah, it was probably unloaded and being a newbie I chose to keep my mouth shut. I grew up in a world where gun safety was taken seriously, where the muzzle up rule was an absolute. I'm still in shock at how many competitors violated this very basic concept and how lax the RO's were in enforcement. Very disappointing. I just sent my 90 year old father a big thank you for raising me right, he can be a real ass sometimes but I kinda wish he was there this weekend... he would not have kept his mouth shut and no one would ever forget it.
A shocking lack of safe gun handling practices
- Thread starter ORjeff
- Start date
Bat Rastard
Gold $$ Contributor
Bolts in? Or out?
morpheus
Gold $$ Contributor
When it comes to safety violations at a match, I don't think you are ever obligated to keep your mouth shut - new guy or not. If I spoke up about a safety concern at a match and was chastised for doing so, I would never go to a match at that venue again. It's just a tragedy waiting to happen.
46and2
Silver $$ Contributor
It does not matter. Safe practices at all times.
Complacency breeds tragedy.
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
Muzzle discipline comes first.
Now imagine how many people had EDC weapons concealed on them with one in the chamber that were pointing straight at you
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
I'm a rifle instructor for my county 4H team. It's basic and even adults need it, and that is M.A.T. Muzzle in safe direction always, Action rendered safe which is open and on safe, trigger is finger off until ready to fire. I see adults muzzle sweeping more than kids.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Do F Class Matches adhere to a strict “bolts out rule” such as we have in Short Range Benchrest?
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
Nope. Empty Chamber Indicator ie. chamber flag. And generally not f'ing with the gun until you're in prep (on the line, right before the record time starts.
And FWIW, I've seen people @ SR BR matches be faffing about with their gun on the bench during the 'bolts out' time (people down range changing targets) and grab the bolt (out of habit) and stick it in the gun. It's not magically fool-proof.
Typically when people see someone's muzzle peeking out when they're in prone, the RO/MD will ask them to fix the situation - by putting it in the car, or back behind the ready line.
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coldboreshot
Silver $$ Contributor
Not sure about all venues but the one's I have participated, no. Just empty chamber indicators.
dgeesaman
Gold $$ Contributor
Benchrest rifle safety focuses on where the bolt is. Match rifle safety focuses on chamber flags. Muzzle direction is often a secondary consideration.
I personally hate to point rifles in random directions but when the bolt is only within the action on a hot line, and the safety protocols and rifle storage practices follow that, then there really is no risk.
What I DO hate is when a shooter comes off the line and puts their bolt back in when they are stowing the rifle without regard for the direction of the muzzle. Geez, basics.
David
Not exactly the same, but attended a gun show many years ago. Several police officers were checking pistols and rifles as we entered. All good, until I watched an office check a semi-automatic pistol, drop the slide, and then fire the pistol through the table and hit the lady behind me! Fun times. Not. Both he and the lady left on stretchers.
Paul
Paul
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
On Memorial Day, we attended a service at a small rural cemetery where my wife's father is buried (WW2 Purple Heart recipient for injuries at the Battle Of The Bulge). The VFW Honor Guard did a very good job but how they handled the M1's was more than a bit scary. One member put the butt on the ground, grabbed the muzzle and with it pointed right at his face...tried to cycle it with his right foot.
The service over, all 10 M1's...not unloaded...got piled into a lump in the back of a pickup and off they went to the next cemetery.
I asked about how they handled loading the guns. They loaded them full in the morning, shot two at each service and had four services.
The service over, all 10 M1's...not unloaded...got piled into a lump in the back of a pickup and off they went to the next cemetery.
I asked about how they handled loading the guns. They loaded them full in the morning, shot two at each service and had four services.
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Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
My 15 yo nephew is shooting his 2nd 100 yard rimfire match with me this weekend. I'm sure I will need to remind him, chamber flag during cease-fire.
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