Checking Targets, Pistol in Holster or on Bench?

At the local range one day it was fairly busy but there was no RO (as usual, its pretty casual at our range - which is not always a good thing - but folks take out mags, open actions and leave pistols on the table and don't touch until range is active). There were 2 LEO's there shooting along with everyone else. The range was cleared and folks were down checking their targets. One of the LEO's was doing some sort of tactical exercises. He was rapidly drawing the pistol from his holster and pointing it downrange as if in combat mode, standing, droping to one knee etc (yes while folks were down there checking targets.) Anyhow I told them that there is no handling firearms while the range is on ceasefire and especially while folks are downrange. Well, they didn't say a single word, just game me a "who the f*ck do you think you are talking to look" but they did put the pistols away. Part of me was wishing they did say something cause I was on two minds to tear a strip off them as it was, but I just left it at that. If I had been down there checking targets and looked back to see him pointing a pistol at me...;)
 
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I think some things have not been said. Some clubs encourage the use of a holster to retain your handgun when not in use.

This is different then having a loaded holstered gun while others are down range.
 
Blackthorne said:
First off I am not sure how you holster a pistol (or revolver for that matter ) with the action open!

There are allot of different factors that will affect how your club approaches this topic. At an indoor range, with allot of people, I would suspect that the odds of theft go down.

When walking downrange to change targets etc, leaving the gun on the bench, action open, mitigates some risks:
  1. Of the gun falling off the bench and firing
  2. Of the gun being picked up and fired (can't do it if it's not loaded)
It also generally lets others know they are safe for the above reasons easily, as it's clear the firearm is clear and safe.

At an outdoor range, things can be seen a little differently, especially when shooting alone. At a smaller outdoor range, there are allot of other factors that come into play. Many smaller, rural ranges are in areas where non-members can see and walk into the safe end of the range. I don't know about anyone else, but I have experienced this a few times at our range.

People are curious and come up to the gate to ask questions, some ignore the sinage and walk right in. In this situation, I DO NOT feel comfortable laving a firearm unattended.

I started to feel this way after I turned around at the target line and started back towards the table to see a man walking into the range with his dog.

He was allot closer to the table and the pistol than I was. I didn't like that feeling.

From the safety aspect, you can lock up your ammo and take your mags downrange with you, effectivly disabling the gun. This does not mitigate the risk of theft however.

The bottom line is it's a matter of safety, (both yours and your fellow members) and that is a matter for your club to decide on.
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it should also be noted that stealing the Tactical Response Logo for your avatar and then not really knowing what your talking about makes you look retarded.
 
Gatehouse said:
I stick the handgun in the holster, with a full mag and one inthe chamber.

I will walk up to the target stands and shoot a bit as I walk, if I feel liek it.
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Agreed. Outdoor range, usually no one else there, I'm not leaving my pistol action-open on the tailgate.

This seems like a ridiculous argument. Neither of these practices is 'unsafe' when proper care is taken.
 
Question for those that holster their handgun at the range: What do you do if you've brought more than one gun that day? Multiple holsters, or lock the rest up?

I'm used to PoCo where we leave everything on the table, and I can have 3 or 4 guns sitting there.

thx
 
action open in a holster is a common carry condition for LEO on the firing line, when done, it provides for easy confirmation by the instructor in charge, or their assistants. For me, I don't care honestly, so long as it's either A) unloaded action back on a table, or action forward or back, in a holster. most holsters will allow for action back and a safe carry, you'd have to have a unique holster for this to be a problem. I also don't really care if it's loaded in the holster, so long as the proper safeties (if any) are applied.
I carry my pistols and rifles downrange when I check targets, unless I am with someone who stays with the rifles, in which case it's just me and the pistol.
this whole nonsense back east with the CSSA course, is just that, nonsense. our club has been active for over 60 years, with zero accidents, and we don't subject members to anything beyond reading a short safety paragraph, on their application form, and signing it.
 
Fremen said:
that should have read black badge.

This is the rule for my range and not law. Sorry if you thought I was stating laws.
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NP, I thought that was what you where implying, my bad. Whoever makes your range rules needs a kick in the package though........and it's a way of thinking that seems to be spreading esp. her in ontario.
 
Cocked&Locked said:
NP, I thought that was what you where implying, my bad. Whoever makes your range rules needs a kick in the package though........and it's a way of thinking that seems to be spreading esp. her in ontario.
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I really do not see anything wrong with the way it is. I do not want just any body to be able to draw and fire from holster.

Taking the black Badge course showed me alot. And it showed me alot that I was doing wrong.

But encouraging the use of a holster as a retaining device while the firearm is unloaded action closed hammer down is completely safe. And very little if any training should be needed for a person to do this safely.

CL what do you find wrong with this?
 
Many ranges are ambivalent - When there are are multiple shooters on our pistol range, everybody does the table/red line thing, pretty much voluntarily. If you're working with a holster in this situation you (get nervous funny looks from the bench shooters) leave the gun on the bench on a ceasefire and and stand back. This is pretty much both safety and courtesy, as not everybody will be down to the butts. When I'm working alone, I'm may well be all over the range with the holster, since that is the only time I really get to work on drills. To the best of my knowledge, the club doesn't have a holster rule, but many shooters are old-time benchers and you will get funny looks if you are using a holster on the line.
 
happiness is a warm gun said:
My point is that there is no holster certification in the CSSA Club Level Safety course and the instuctor should not be including this in their course....period! The course is not designed for this and should not be modified to fit the clubs criteria. If the club wants to holster certify a newbie once they can demonstrate the safe and profiecent use of firearms, then that's fine, but the basic range safety protocals should be applied to all new members. It's for theirs safey and ours that we teach the basics first. The club rules and the Club Safety Course are two differant things

What happens when "Judge Vandelay" decides to attend another club as a guest that does not allow holsters and the clubs rules are not fully explained to him, then he holsters his gun to change his target.
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Actually, the standard CSSA Club Level Safety Course was always just a beginning. CLubs can and are encouraged to add range specific material as appropriate. As long as the material is not contradictory, there is no problem.
 
Fremen said:
I really do not see anything wrong with the way it is. I do not want just any body to be able to draw and fire from holster.

Taking the black Badge course showed me alot. And it showed me alot that I was doing wrong.

But encouraging the use of a holster as a retaining device while the firearm is unloaded action closed hammer down is completely safe. And very little if any training should be needed for a person to do this safely.

CL what do you find wrong with this?
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Every time we invent another course shooters have to take we drive another one away, they can't afford it , don't have the time. ect. We should be trying to make it easier to shoot, not harder. The US manages just fine without a black badge course, what in the world do we need one for. If your club wants to run a holster course, fine, but it should be free to those who want it. Personally, I still say if you aren't safe handleing a gun in a holster, you probably shouldn't be handleing one period. Muzzle control, finger control. Same either way. All these courses start to create a liability nightmare, if someone is stupid who's fault is it? The individual, the trainer, the club, the orginization they're competeing in? The right answer is always the shooter, but try to make that one fly in court. All these saftey courses become a sort of cover your ass mentality. Where does it end? Canada needs to move back to personal responsibility and away from babysitting.
 
There is no way I am going to be leaving my 'restricted' firearm unattended in the open on a bench 20-30 yards from me. No fu*king way!! It is staying on my side which is the safest place it could be, loaded or not. You are asking for trouble if you leave your pistol on the bench IMO.
 
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