Help me create a training day

[higginsworksforme]

I'm looking to start a barricade/prop training event at my local range. My intent is to line up tank traps and other props and steel at various ranges and run it as a hot range so people can shoot from wherever they want. It needs to be viable for all experience levels so my biggest questions are the safety aspects. I assume the best procedure is to load once you get to your chosen prop and chamber when you're level/pointed at the berm. Is it best to go on safe when moving at all or just when you break position? I need to make it as simple as possible.

If anyone has run something like this please give me any suggestions.

 

[ToddKS]

All movement should be done with an open bolt. If the shooter is using a gas gun, the procedure is to put the rifle on safe and verbally call out "safe" when moving. Muzzles should be down range at all times, the 120 degree rule needs to be applied.

If this is an event for all skill levels, I would recommend grouping people together such that each group has one or more experienced shooters that can assist newer shooters and also help ensure safety guidelines are adhered to.

 

[higginsworksforme]

That makes sense thank you.

 

[OREGUN]

Imagine the Friday of most two day matches…all the props are there, there are targets to shoot at from all of them…it’s a range….so basic range rules apply as if each of the props was a bench on the firing line.

Add standard match rules like move with the bolt open or the gas gun on safe. No “sky loading”. Mags out until you are ready to shoot.

I would also suggest being careful about picking props that will be less prone to causing safety problems. Tank traps, for example, lend themselves to problems for new shooters. A new shooter is less likely to let their gun slide off a barricade then they are likely to let it drop off the tip of a tank trap.

I would absolutely try to get a volunteer who has some match experience at each prop. The best train up days I have seen have people cycling through props as if it was a match but with a volunteer “instructor” at each prop giving tips and feedback. If that’s not feasible, try to group anyone who has no match experience together and have a volunteer work with them for both safety and so they developed good habits.

You will really help out inexperienced shooters, and people with less gear if you give them good range information from each prop to some known set of targets. You have to assume that lots of people will show up without a way to accurately range a target. There will be nothing more frustrating to people than shooting from an uncomfortable (new to them) position to a target at which the range is unknown. Known distances will take a variable out.

 

[higginsworksforme]

The range is 200 yards and my plan is to post a drawing with distances to the targets. And at the far end I'll have paper set up at 50 and 100 for confirming zeros, so we'll at least be in the ballpark on most of the steel.

 

[higginsworksforme]

If someone wants to move from prop #1 to #3, and someone is using #2, is it best to have them unload the gun entirely?

 

[OREGUN]

If someone wants to move from prop #1 to #3, and someone is using #2, is it best to have them unload the gun entirely?

Magazine out, bolt back, chamber flag in, muzzle vertical (up). No exceptions.

 

[OREGUN]

You can support/instill good match habits by insisting that everyone uses a chamber flag that goes into the chamber (not just a magazine block) and by insisting that firearms be carried with muzzles vertically up at all times.

People get flagged at crowded matches when guys pick their guns up like suitcases and or carry them “over the shoulder” like some kind of 1960s deer hunter.

So there’s really only three conditions for a match gun. This is where you want an experienced shooter demanding good match habits for new guys:
-Mag out, chamber flag in (being carried to a stage or staged at a prop, waiting to shoot, all other times not listed below)
-Mag in, bolt open (waiting for stage start command, transitioning between targets from a single position, or moving from position to position ON SAME STAGE)
-Mag in, bolt closed (target in sights, ready to press trigger)

 

[JR1200W3]

No offense but if you have this level of questions you might consider that you probably shouldn't be running a freestyle training event with dozens of people.

There's a few different formats for running ranges. Having one person to manage the overall range and multiple, focused RSO's on individual bays/ props/ drills to issue load, unload, and clear instructions and watch the shooters for safety is a time tested method. RSOs don't need to be walking off, so an independent free roaming adjudicator should be present. PRS matches use a looser version of this and it mostly works because people are only loading, shooting, and unloading on command. People likely aren't going to self-adhere to some safety rules like range fan, safety while moving positions, and correct unload sequence with semi autos, but they will be more conscious and diligent when they know someone is watching.

A hot range is defined as everyone is loaded and holstered/ slung all the time and keeps mags and guns topped off at will, without the supervision of an RO. The scenarios where hot ranges are run is when a specific unit with a very high level of selection, training, and SOP exists. Having people roam around with loaded guns is bad idea when you're dealing with John Q Public. You have no idea what the level of experience, expertise, or mental capacity is.

In a public range event where the attendees are unknown quantities, no one should have a loaded rifle until they're on a station or in a shooting box and an RSO/ squad mom/ safety clarifies with the shooter what the drill is and is ready to administer.

Have an idea about how each person is going to shoot the stages or props and give a safety brief prior to the event starting and outline that. Don't let anyone shoot who didn't attend the safety brief. Think about a basic, non-scenario specific, broad spectrum list of safety protocols you need to inform everyone of. "Don't point your gun at anything you don't...". "know what's inline with your target..."

You would probably be surprised how high up in the tiers these basic things I've outlined are followed religiously. As a matter of professionalism.

 

[higginsworksforme]

Yeah I'm not expecting to run it myself. I'm really hoping a couple local people with the experience will be interested in getting it going.