Why bring rifles to the line uncased?

[Tim Singleton]

You leave a bolt in at a match it will immediately called to your attention by someone They can see it!

 

[AckleymanII]

Our range in S. Ca. had the roof on the firing line shot full of holes, lots of AD's. It never ceased to amaze us at how many people ride around with a round in the chamber. Perhaps it is better to shoot your own car vs another club member?

I questioned many. I was told that they had never unloaded the rifle from the deer or elk hunt that they had been on the previous year.

Rifle Range etiquette is not known by many, neither is Gun Safety.

 

[Rsadams]

Same at our range here in Central Texas , new holes in the roofs everytime it's open to the public.... Don't have much problems with the actual members.... I have seen some real stupid stuff on the range... One idiot walked out in front of my rifle on a hot line last year while I was looking through the scope with my finger on the trigger , I had an actual meltdown on that guy.... Let's just say he is not allowed back anymore , to put it nicely.... You just can't fix stupid people , yet they are allowed to breed....

 

[Nowhere Man]

"...unloading his gun in the parking lot..."

How, and why would it ever occur that one would remove a loaded rifle from a firing line?

At least with an uncased rifle, the empty chamber indicator (or lack thereof) is readily apparent.

Well, I was thinking they ARRIVED at the range with a loaded gun but I can see where you could understand the opposite.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Our range requires bolts to be out of rifles before being removed from car. Nothing safer then a bolt out the gun. Alot of guys use wagons to bring their guns, rests and other equipment to the line. It can be a little hard to case and carry a 80 to 100 pound gun to the line. Matt

Even with the bolt out of the gun, there could still be a round in the chamber ready to fire as soon as the bolt is closed.

 

[ttfreestyle]

Even with the bolt out of the gun, there could still be a round in the chamber ready to fire as soon as the bolt is closed.

Chamber flags can prevent this, bottom line there has to be common sense used.

 

[jpx2rk]

What is the normal distance you guys have park your vehicle away from the firing line? Just curious as carrying a rifle pointed downrange from a vehicle parked 10-20 yds behind the firing line means the muzzle is pointed at somebody on the firing line?? Just curious about the distance.

 

[Leo Smith]

Our club uses the Flag System. Green flag, NO Handling of guns or ammo, Red Flag, Guns not loaded for shooting require chamber flags.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Carrying the rifle to the line, cased or not, pointing down range puts everybody at the line right in front of the muzzle

 

[6MMsteve]

Our range requires bolts to be out of rifles before being removed from car. Nothing safer then a bolt out the gun. Alot of guys use wagons to bring their guns, rests and other equipment to the line. It can be a little hard to case and carry a 80 to 100 pound gun to the line. Matt

case and forklift point taken...I shot at PA 1000 you don't need a case just the bolt out....plus I don't own a case

 

[6MMsteve]

if the bolt is out of the gun which should be the rule everywhere...why is the need for a case...the case conceals whether or not the bolt is out or in...furthermore if the gun is in a case and the bolt is in the rec then your on your way home no ? asked

 

[JMayo]

Bench rest we have our guns in cleaning stands pointing every which way in our tables.
The Bolt is stored out. Mostly in a bolt holster.
If you're caught with a bolt in... You're outta there ...
Both rimfire & centerfire ...

 

[AckleymanII]

Rifle range safety:

do not unload, handle, or remove guns from the vehicle during a cease fire.

Many people figure that if they have not just killed a person, then what they are doing is safe.

 

[Warren Dean]

This is getting good....

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Rifle range safety:

do not unload, handle, or remove guns from the vehicle during a cease fire.

Many people figure that if they have not just killed a person, then what they are doing is safe.

Id hate to get shot in the back during a cease fire. Id hate even worse getting shot in the back while i was doing my part shootin them bugholes

 

[dkhunt14]

Even with the bolt out of the gun, there could still be a round in the chamber ready to fire as soon as the bolt is closed.

By then the gun is on the line and set up on target. You are not allowed to install the bolt till given the command install bolts, ready, fire. Matt

 

[johara1]

Gun in a case, is an accident waiting to happen. Maybe they want to speed up ranges closing, and law suits ..... think...... jim

 

[KMart]

All safety rules/regulations are written to prevent a potential incident or correct an incident that has already happened.
If any of you have been through an OSHA investigation after an incident occurred, you will find out after the investigators and lawyers are finished, that there is no such thing as an accident. YOU just didn't plan far enough ahead to prevent the incident.
In this case, the rules are written and they vary somewhat from one range to the next. It is your job as a member or visitor to follow those rules as they are written.
If you are at odds with the rules, you have a couple of options. One is to plead your case and try to get the rules changed. Another option is, that if you are seriously at odds with the rules and you can't change them, find another facility where the rules are to your liking.

 

[WyleWD]

Chamber flags can prevent this, bottom line there has to be common sense used.

+1^^^ WD

 

[hogpatrol]

With all the newbie AR and CM fanboys going to ranges now, common sense, range safety and safety period have gone downhill. I got in to a major peeing match at one club when I suggested mandatory chamber flags. It was shot down. I felt like telling them wait until someone is killed or maimed, their family will own the club and you'll all have to find another sandbox to play in. Stupidity and lack of common sense isn't limited to members. The executive boards sometimes lack it too.

Edit: Five years later, chamber flags are still an option.