Airsoft Practical Shooting Club Alberta (APSCA) Range Officer Reference Document Taken and adapted from IPSC Rules and Regulations (ipsc.org) Version 1.1, December 11 2009 Author: Don Papp WHAT THIS IS This is the How to be a Range Officer manual. This includes procedure for qualifying new shooters (i.e. it is the Training Course and qualification.) After completing the course a shooter will be able to understand all range commands, handle their equipment and compete safely. WHAT THIS IS NOT DOES NOT explain scoring of matches or match design. DOES NOT detail safety infractions or penalties. DOES NOT teach shooting technique (other than as part of safe handling.)
This qualification course is based on IPSC rules for live ammo competition. It doesn't matter that we are only using airguns. Whenever possible the identical rules and procedures as for real firearms are used, we don't want to teach anyone bad habits they will have to break if they ever actually move to IPSC or any other real firearm event! The rules regarding courses and setup are sometimes changed by the organizers, usually for special events. But the safety rules are never changed and must always be followed. Significant changes between IPSC rules and these rules: Item IPSC Rule APSCA Rule Ammunition ( ammo ) definition Checking Clear Stripper Magazine use Live fire practice Cartridges (projectile and propellent) are ammo. RO visually confirms magazine is not present and no round in the chamber. During Load and Make Ready a magazine containing 1 round only is used to chamber a round, then a full magazine is inserted to load the gun to full capacity. IPSC.org suggested live fire training focuses on full size IPSC targets and ranges. BBs (projectile) are considered ammo. Magazines (propellant) are also considered ammo. Because chambers are not normally directly observable, to check clear the RO visually confirms magazine is not present, then uses a loading rod or similar tool to confirm no BB is chambered (one will be ejected if present.) APSCA omits the requirement for a separate stripper magazine. The typical practice of loading mag capacity + 1 does not really apply to GBBs and is not required. APSCA live fire training stages are modified to better apply to airgun targets and distances. What You as a Range Officer Will Do 1. Show new shooters the different areas and what they are for. 2. Explain the ground rules which always apply. 3. Walk them through safely gearing up, then safely loading their mags. 4. Explain the range commands and what they mean. 5. Walk them through Dry Practice. 6. Walk them through Live Practice. 7. Administer the Live Fire Qualification course (all shooters must pass this.) 8. Walk them through safely packing their gear.
Table of Contents Section 1 Basic information Section 2 Step by step process for orienting and qualifying new shooters (from arrival to packing up) Section 3 Sample signs
SECTION 1 Basic Information (provided to shooters ahead of time) Shooter's Equipment An airsoft pistol with a gas blowback action. Rigid belt ( duty belt is what to look for in equipment listings.) Belt should not move around when worn. Hip holster (must hold gun firmly, must cover the trigger guard of the gun when inserted, and must not move on the belt.) No leg or shoulder holsters. Spare magazines. Reloads are mandatory for most shooting stages. Magazine pouches (optional but highly recommended.) Front of magazines should face forward, magazines should be held firmly by the pouch. Eye protection (any type of impact resistant shooting glasses are acceptable.) Items that are not allowed AEPs or NBBs * Camouflage clothing Holsters that are not worn on the hip, or that do not cover the trigger guard. Shooter's Basic Responsibilities Guns and ammo are not handled in the same place. There is one place to handle your gun and another place to load your mags. Never any shooting except as directed by the Range Officer. Gun stays in holster, mag out, hammer down, and safety on. Eye protection stays on the entire time. When it is your turn to shoot, the Range Officer will tell you what to do and when. For Range Officers Only Additional equipment required: Loading rod or similar tool with which to verify GBB chambers as clear, and eject chambered BBs if present. * Only GBBs are allowed for matches, but a Range Officer may make an exception for any gun if the Range Officer determines it is possible for the gun to be proven clear and safely handled. The clearing procedure and handling may be adjusted as needed for this purpose. Alternately, the Range Officer may allow a nonstandard gun by requiring the owner to uncase the gun immediately prior to shooting the match, then recase it immediately afterwards (as part of If clear, hammer down and holster. ) The gun is therefore not handled or carried in any way outside of shooting the stage.
SECTION 2 Orienting and Qualifying new Shooters (step by step) SETUP Safe Area, Ammo handling area, and Range should all be labeled. (Signs are at the end of this document.) Range Officers should be geared up. 1. When new shooters arrive, have them drop their stuff off in the safe area and wait for you to start things. Shooters do not unpack yet. 2. When you are ready to start, call the shooters together and tell them you will: Explain the basic things everyone needs to know Demonstrate how a match is shot Teach them how to do it (everyone has to pass this to qualify before shooting with APSCA.) EXPLAINING THE BASICS 1. Show the different areas and explain what they are for (consult the sign text if needed.) 2. Explain the basic rules: Gun handling (e.g. uncasing and recasing) only in the Safe Area. No Ammo. Magazines and ammo handled only in the Ammo Area. No gun handling. Guns stay in holsters with mags out, hammer down, safety on, hands off. Shooting is only done at the Range Officer's command. Eye protection stays on the whole time. 3. Show and Tell equipment briefly. Hit the following bases: Belt is rigid and does not slide around. Holster is on the hip and covers the trigger guard. At least 2 magazines, facing forward in mag holders (which are optional) Eye protection (glasses or goggles are OK) 4. Get them to gear up first, then load their magazines. Make sure they uncase guns and gear up in the Safe Area and handle the mags, gas, and BBs in the Ammo Area. Check that guns are mag out, hammer down, safety on when done. 5. Once people are safely geared up and everyone is clear on the process, tell them that it is expected that they gear up like this by themselves every time from now on.
DEMONSTRATION 1. Have another Range Officer shoot a simple match at normal speed (you give the range commands) while students watch. 2. Then do it exactly the same again, but with the shooter SLOW MOTION while you give the range commands and explain what is going on. Tell the shooters not to try to memorize, just watch. RANGE COMMANDS 1. Tell the shooters you will explain each Range Command. These are the things you will hear, and what to do for each. You will explain each one first, then afterwards the shooters will learn them. 2. Go through each range command (page 9) and explain each one. First show, then tell. DRY PRACTICE 1. First have all shooters (ROs included) leave all magazines in the Ammo Area. Dry practice is done with no ammo. 2. Have everyone face downrange. 3. Conduct the Dry Practice (page 11). Remember to make people do it slow motion. LIVE PRACTICE (Live ammo but no actual firing) 1. Everyone gets their magazines from the Ammo Area. 2. Have everyone face downrange. 3. Conduct the Dry Practice (page 11) again but this time with live magazines. Remember to make people do it slow motion. There is no actual firing. Make sure those fingers are off the triggers.
This is a good time for a break. If anyone does not have their magazines all loaded up, they should do it now. LIVE FIRE EXERCISES 1. Each shooter should mount a target of some kind, and should have replacements and/or patching material on hand (if applicable). 2. Everyone should have their loaded magazines on their person. 3. Have everyone face downrange. 4. Conduct the Live Fire exercises (page 12). As the Range Officer you have discretion as to when to move on or whether a shooter needs more practice before moving on. The number of iterations on stages are suggestions, and you may even want to skip or combine stages. The Qualification Test (final test, one shooter at a time) is on the next page.
CONDUCT THE QUALIFICATION TEST (One shooter at a time) 1. This is the final test for a shooter. Each shooter must perform this test to the RO's satisfaction. Shooter must demonstrate safe handling, understanding of range commands, and acceptable marksmanship (meaning every shot goes into the target.) FINAL TEST (turning, shooting, and moving) Distance Time Targets Rounds 4 Start Position 4m and 12m 10 seconds 2 (see diagram) Area A back to target, hands at shoulder height. Procedure: From area A turn, draw, and engage T1 with 2 rounds. Reload. Proceed to area B and engage T2 with 2 rounds. Finger out of trigger guard during movement, and muzzle downrange at all times. T1 T2 Area B 4m Area A 12m WRAP UP 1. Make sure each shooter that passed the Qualification has their name recorded. 2. Finish up properly by walking shooters through how to put their stuff safely away. Tell them they are expected to do this themselves each time. Ensure all guns are clear before leaving the range. Remember no handling ammo or magazines in the safe area! Guns get cased up in the safe area. Congratulations! Any shooter that has completed the qualification course safely can now compete in APSCA matches!
Range Commands and Definitions Load and Make Ready. Said when the range is ready for shooter to shoot the match. (Note: loading the first round with a stripper magazine is omitted for Airsoft purposes) Unholster the pistol, keeping your finger out of the trigger guard and immediately point it downrange. Disable the safety if your gun requires it in order to rack the slide. Tilt the gun to the side in order to see the mag well. Insert a magazine. Extend the arm and pistol straight out in front of you. Tilt it to the weak side. Grasp the rear of the slide and pull it all the way back, then release to chamber a round. Immediately apply the safety. Holster the pistol. Do not point the gun back to find the holster. The gun is now loaded, cocked, and holstered with the safety applied. Are you ready? asked of you prior to the start signal. If you are ready, say nothing. Just be ready for the start signal. If you are NOT ready, say Not ready. When the start signal is given, shooter draws his or her gun and shoots the match. The shooter should holster the gun when finished. It may also be held pointing downrange to wait for the RO's attention. If You are Finished, Unload and Show Clear. said to shooter when the Range Officer sees shooting is finished. If you are finished shooting, draw your gun as you did for Load and make ready. Remove the magazine. Pull back the slide and lock it back. Hold it like that for inspection by the Range Officer. Your finger never goes inside the trigger guard. Range Officer will confirm no magazine is present, and that no BB is in the chamber.
If Clear, Hammer Down and Holster. said to shooter after the Range Officer confirms gun is clear. Bring the pistol up and extend it out in front of you. Grasp the rear of the locked open slide, pull it back slightly to unlock it and ease it down closed. Do not allow the slide to slam shut, ease it closed by hand. Always pointing downrange, pull the trigger to drop the hammer. Do not ease the hammer down. Holster the pistol. Do not point the gun backwards to find the holster. Note: The slide easing and hammer dropping procedure is more meaningful for real firearms, but we follow the same steps anyway. Dropping the hammer for example is done so that there is no possibility of holstering a live firearm if by any chance the gun is somehow still loaded, dropping the hammer will discharge it in a controlled fashion. The Range Officer may allow easing the hammer down if there is a legitimate concern that dry firing will harm the gun. However this is discouraged since it is a bad habit that will need to be overcome if the shooter ever gets into real firearm shooting. Range is Clear. said after the Range Officer is satisfied all is clear. Stand easy until you hear this. Do not move from the spot, pick anything up, or anything until this is said. CEASE FIRE or the Range Officer touches you this happens if there is a major safety infraction, an emergency, equipment malfunction, etc. Stop shooting RIGHT THIS INSTANT and immediately unload and clear your pistol.
DRY PRACTICE (Basic Handling) Have all shooters leave behind their magazines. Confirm this has been done. Bring the shooters to the range for basic handling practice with imaginary magazines. Always while shooters face downrange, and always in slow motion and without ammo: Give the command Load and Make Ready. Then give the following commands: 1. Unholster your pistol, keeping finger out of trigger guard. 2. Immediately point it downrange, keeping elbow bent. 3. Disable the safety (if required in order to rack the slide.) 4. Tilt gun to the side to see the magwell. 5. Insert an imaginary magazine. 6. Extend the pistol out in front of you. 7. Tilt it slightly to the weak side. 8. Grasp the rear of the slide, pull it all the way back and let it snap forward. 9. Immediately apply the safety. 10. Holster the pistol. Ensure that Safety has been applied (tell them to put hands on heads to check) Muzzle is always downrange and finger always outside the trigger guard Pistol is not pointed backwards to find the holster. Give the command If You are Finished, Unload and Show Clear then say: 1. Unholster your pistol and immediately point it downrange, finger out of trigger guard. 2. Remove the imaginary magazine and put it in your pocket, or let it drop. 3. Pull back the slide and lock it back. (Remove safety first if needed.) 4. Hold it like that for inspection. Ensure that the pistols are clear (no magazine, chamber empty.) Confirm chamber empty with a loading rod inserted into the muzzle. Give the command If Clear, Hammer Down, Holster then say: 1. Hold the slide then release it, easing it forward by hand (do not let it slam shut.) 2. Pull the trigger to drop the hammer. 3. Apply the Safety. 4. Holster the pistol (don't point the gun backwards to find the holster.) Give the command Range is Clear Explain that only after this command can shooters pick something up, move, etc. Repeat this process enough times to get people feeling comfortable. At various points, direct the shooters to put their hands on their heads, and verify safeties have been applied.
LIVE FIRE EXERCISES Each shooter should have a target downrange. (Preferably a paper target, but any setup that allows the stages to be shot safely is acceptable.) A sheet of paper is a suitable target for the distances we will use. A shooter must place ALL shots on target in each stage to qualify. If using IPSC standard targets, at least 50% of the shots must be in the A zone. Score and patch targets between each stage. Concentrate on shooters demonstrating safe muzzle control and trigger discipline. Remember: Careful is smooth and smooth is fast! Be careful and smooth and fast will follow. STAGE 1 Distance Time Targets 1 Rounds 6 Start Position Procedure: 4 m Not timed Hands at sides Shooters draw and fire one round at the target in their own time, apply the safety, then holster. (Safety is re applied after each shot.) This is done 6 times. Sights on target finger on the trigger. Sights off target finger off the trigger.
STAGE 2 (same as 1 but with a time limit) Distance Time Targets 1 Rounds 6 Start Position Procedure: 4 m 2 seconds Hands at sides Shooters draw and fire one round at the target in 2 seconds, apply the safety, then holster. (Safety is re applied after each shot.) This is done 6 times. STAGE 3 (double taps) Distance Time Targets 1 4 m Rounds 12 Start Position Procedure: 3 seconds Hands at sides Shooters draw and fire two rounds at the target in 2 seconds, apply the safety, then holster. (Safety is re applied after each shot.) This is done 6 times. At some point tell the shooters to put their hands on their heads, and check that safeties have been applied.
STAGE 4 (longer range) Distance Time Targets 1 Rounds 6 Start Position Procedure: 7 m Not timed Hands at sides Shooters draw and fire one round at the target in their own time, apply the safety, then holster. (Safety is re applied after each shot.) This is done 6 times. Longer range requires more careful aiming. STAGE 5 (same range but timed and double taps) Distance Time Targets 1 7 m Rounds 12 Start Position Procedure: 3 seconds Hands at sides Shooters draw and fire two rounds at the target. This is done 6 times. Make sure shooters have not forgotten to apply the safety before each holstering.
STAGE 6 (introducing reloads) Distance Time Targets 1 4 m Rounds 12 Start Position Procedure: 7 seconds Hands at shoulder height (arms straight out to the sides, palms facing down.) From now on, shooters require at least two magazines. Shooters draw and fire two rounds at the target, reload, then fire another two rounds at the same target in a total of 7 seconds. This is done 3 times. Reloads should be smooth and unhurried. STAGE 7 (multiple targets) Distance Time Targets 2 4 m Rounds 12 Start Position Procedure: 7 seconds Hands at shoulder height (arms straight out to the sides, palms facing down.) Draw and fire two rounds at one target, reload, then fire another two rounds at the other target in a total of 7 seconds. This is done 3 times. Reloads should be smooth and unhurried.
STAGE 8 (turning and engaging multiple targets) Distance Time Targets 4 m Rounds 12 Start Position Procedure: 12 seconds 3 (each two target widths apart) Back to targets, hands at shoulder height. Turn, draw, and fire 2 rounds on each target, reload, then fire another 2 rounds on each target. Do not draw until facing completely downrange. Dry practice the turn and draw first before shooting. Watch for muzzle direction and smooth magazine changes. SECTION 3 Signs (next page)
SAFE AREA Uncase (and re case) your gun HERE. Handle your gun HERE ONLY. No magazines, BBs, or gas here Holster your gun before leaving this area. Mag out Safety on Hammer down No handling guns outside this area.
RANGE No shooting unless directed by a Range Officer All Guns Holstered Mag out Safety on Hands off
AMMO AREA HANDS OFF YOUR GUN Load and gas your mags here (and only here)
POINT YOUR GUN THIS WAY (This sign should at least be in the Safe Area)