On the range, during a competition, you will hear the following range commands:

• Load and make ready
• Are you ready?
• Stand by
• Start signal
• Stop
• If you are finished, unload and show clear
• If clear, hammer down, holster
• Range is clear

You may only un-holster your firearm when the “Load and make ready” command has been given by a Ranger Officer. If you un-holster your firearm before this command is given, you will be disqualified from the competition.

Load and Make Ready

• On the command “load and make ready” the competitor un-holsters the firearm.
• A sight picture may be taken if necessary and allowed. Please refer to your match booklet to determine if sight pictures are allowed or when in doubt ask a Range Officer.

• Points the firearm down range with the “trigger finger outside” of the trigger guard.

• Inserts a full magazine.

• Grasps the slide and with a push/pull works the slide so that a cartridge is stripped off the magazine and inserted into the chamber.

• Applies the safety.
• Removes the magazine and inserts a full magazine.
• Holsters the firearm.
• The competitor now has a firearm in the holster that has the safety on and is loaded to full capacity.
• At all times during this procedure, the firearm should be pointed down range in a designated safe direction.
• At all times the trigger finger is outside of the trigger guard.
• The firearm and all magazines should always be loaded to full capacity.

The double action firearm is loaded using the same sequence outlined above. When loading, remember that on most double action pistols, when the safety is activated, it will drop the hammer. The hammer drop safety is safe but can be unnerving to some individuals.

With a revolver, to “load and make ready”, you draw the firearm, open the cylinder, load the chambers with cartridges, close the cylinder and then reholster.

If you are finished, unload and show clear

When you are finished a course of fire, the Range Office will ask; “If you are finished, unload and show clear”. At this time you will have your finger outside of the trigger guard. Now you unload the firearm by releasing the magazine while keeping the firearm pointed safely down range.

Next you will clear the live cartridge out of the chamber by racking the slide. Note: It is strongly recommended to not cover the ejection port with your hand while you are racking the slide. If a cartridge were to go off, you could be injured. Grasp the rear of the slide when racking the slide.

If possible, lock the slide open. While keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction, present the firearm to the Range Officer for inspection.

This is the same procedure for the unloading and showing clear of a double action, semi automatic firearm.

The procedure for a revolver will be to open the cylinder and dump out the cartridges. With the cylinder open and the muzzle pointing down range in a safe direction, present the pistol for inspection.

If clear, hammer down, holster

This is the command that is issued after the Ranger Officer inspects the firearm, making sure that it is unloaded. The competitor then will close the action of the firearm, point the firearm in a safe direction and pull the trigger, causing the hammer to drop on what should be an empty chamber. This will insure that there is no possibility that the firearm will be holstered with a live cartridge in the chamber. If for some reason a cartridge was overlooked and was in the chamber of the firearm, it would be discharged safely down range. Note: The competitor is ultimately responsible for making sure that the firearm is unloaded.