3 Gun Rules

General:

• Refer to Divisions documentation for definition of shooting divisions.
• The Match Director is free to modify the equipment and scenarios to fit the range, range rules and local laws where necessary.

Scoring:

• Utilize Modified Paladin scoring , Failure to neutralize (FTN) method
• Pistol (all calibers) one hit in the 5 zone or two hits on the target to neutralize
• Rifle (all calibers) one hit in the 5 zone or two hits on the target to neutralize
• Shotgun Slug must score have  one hit in the 5 zone or two hits on the target to neutralize
• Poppers must fall to neutralize
• Clays must break to neutralize

Targets

• We will utilize the entire inventory of targets and target presentations, with some special targets just for this discipline.
• Targets will be engaged until neutralized, in accordance with the COF procedures, and will be scored as follows:
• Failure to Neutralize = 5 second penalty
• Designated “No Shoot” targets that are hit will incur a 10 second penalty for each that is hit
• Knock down style targets (i.e. poppers, bowling pins) must fall to score
• Failure to engage a target will result in a 15-second penalty.

Procedural penalties, 5 seconds, assessed for failing to follow stage procedures.
Hit on Non-Threat (HNT) is a ten (10) second penalty
Failure to Engage (FTE) is a fifteen (15) second penalty
A Failure to Do Right (FTDR) penalty adds twenty (20) seconds to total score.

• Is assessed for any attempt to circumvent or compromise the spirit or rationale of any stage by the use of inappropriate devices, equipment or techniques.
• Is assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct, unfair actions, or the use of illegal equipment, which, in the opinion of the MD, tends to make a travesty of the sport.

RULES
SAFETY:
Our position on safety is simple: Violate a safety rule and you are disqualified! You must pack up your gear and you will not be permitted to fire another round during the match. We make no exceptions.

• Events will be run on cold ranges.
• Participant’s firearms will remain unloaded at the event site except under the direction and immediate supervision of an Event Official.
• Firearms may only be handled and/or displayed in a designated safety area.
• Safety areas will be clearly marked with signs.
• No firearm may be loaded in a safety area.
• No ammunition (including dummy ammunition or snap caps) may be handled in a safety area.
• Firearms may be transported (always unloaded) to, from and between stages only in the following conditions:
  • Handguns must be cased or holstered, de-cocked (hammer down) and with the magazine removed.
  • Rifles and shotguns must be cased, secured muzzle up or muzzle down in a stable gun cart/caddy, or carried slung with the muzzle up. Actions must be open and detachable magazines removed. The use of high-visibility open bolt indicator devices is recommended as a courtesy to other event participants.
• A match participant who causes a negligent or accidental discharge will be stopped by an Event Official as soon as possible, and will be disqualified. Examples of negligent/accidental discharges include but are not limited to:
  • A shot, which travels over a backstop, a berm or in any other direction deemed by Event Officials to be unsafe. Note that a shooter who legitimately fires a shot at a target, which shot then travels in an unsafe direction, will not be disqualified (i.e. ricochet off target)
  • A shot which strikes the ground within 10 feet of the shooter, except when shooting at a target closer than 10 feet to the participant.
    • Exception - a shot which strikes the ground within 10 feet of the shooter due to a “squib” or if specified by the course of fire.
  • A shot which occurs while loading, reloading or unloading any firearm.
    • Exception - a detonation which occurs while unloading a firearm is not considered an accidental discharge. A “detonation” is defined as the ignition of the primer of a round, other than by action of a firing pin, where the projectile or shot does not pass through the barrel (e.g. when a slide is being manually retracted, when a round is dropped etc.).
  • A shot which occurs during remedial action in the case of a malfunction.
  • A shot which occurs while transferring a firearm between hands.
  • A shot which occurs during movement, except while actually engaging targets.
• A participant who performs an act of unsafe gun handling will be stopped by an Event Official as soon as possible, and shall be disqualified. Examples of unsafe gun handling include:
  • Dropping a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, at any time after the ”Load” or “Make Ready” command and before the “Range Is Clear” command.
  • Dropping an unloaded firearm before the “Load” or “Make Ready” command or after the “Range Is Clear” command will not result in disqualification, provided the firearm is retrieved by an Event Official.
  • Using any unsafe ammunition as defined in Section 3.
  • Placing/staging a firearm during a stage in any location other than a designated location as stipulated in the course of fire. Firearms may only be placed/staged in one of the following conditions:
    • iLoaded, safety catch fully engaged, muzzle pointed in the designated safe direction.
    • Unloaded (no ammunition in the firearm), detachable magazine removed, muzzle pointed in the designated safe direction.
  • Unloading any firearm in an unsafe manner, or discharging a firearm while not legitimately engaging a target.
  • Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to break the 180 degree safety plane.
  • Engaging a steel target in an unsafe manner, such as by:
    • Engaging steel targets with handgun ammunition at a range of less than 23 feet.
    • Engaging steel targets with shotgun birdshot shot ammunition at a range of less than 16 feet.
    • Engaging steel targets with shotgun slug ammunition at a range of less than 131 feet.
    • Engaging steel targets with rifle ammunition at a range of less than 164 feet.
  • Allowing the muzzle of a firearm to point at any part of the participant’s body during a course of fire (i.e. sweeping).
    • Exception - sweeping of the lower extremities (below the belt) while drawing or re-holstering a handgun, provided that the competitor’s fingers are clearly outside of the trigger guard.
  • Using a tube-type shotgun speed-loading device without a primer relief cut.
  • Pointing a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, in any direction deemed by Event Officials to be unsafe.
  • Grounding of a firearm during a Course of Fire
    • When grounding a firearm: if loaded SAFETY ON or unloaded bolt open.
    • Failure to follow either of these courses of action will result in a DQ.
  • Unless otherwise stipulated in the course of fire, required firearms will begin the stage in the following ready conditions:
    • Handgun: Loaded to division start capacity with a round in the chamber and holstered. In the case of single-action semi autos or double-action semi autos with manual override safeties, the safety catch must be in the “safe” position. In the case of double-action semi autos, safe action semi autos and revolvers, the hammer must be down/forward.
    • Rifle: Loaded to division start capacity with a round in the chamber and held in the low ready position. Safety catch must be in the “safe” position.
    • Shotgun: Loaded to division start capacity with a round in the chamber and held in the low ready position. Safety catch must be in the “safe” position.
• Participants may not touch or hold any firearm loading device or ammunition after the “Standby” command and before the “Start Signal” (except for unavoidable touching with the lower arms).

GENERAL:

• Shooters with physical impairments will be accommodated whenever possible. For example, a shooter with a bad knee might be allowed to take a shot standing rather than kneeling. Shooters will find that consistency and accuracy count more towards a high score than quick feet or a fast draw. Shooters with physical limitations or disabilities that would hinder or prevent their ability to complete a course of fire as prescribed should advise the appropriate Match Official (see below) of such condition so that accommodation for the condition can be made.
• Match Director Duties/Authority:
  • Final Authority of the match
• Safety Officer:
  • Safety Officers are the people whose purpose and goal is for all the shooters at the match to have a safe and enjoyable day at the range bydirecting the shooter through the course of fire.
  • Focus on the shooter’s firing hand and gun.
  • Remember that the shooter is always given the benefit of any doubt.
  • Run contestants through a course of fire safely and smoothly so that the shooter may enjoy the shooting experience.
  • Treat the shooter with courtesy and respect.
  • Answer all questions regarding the CoF.
  • Control all details of the CoF.
  • Define all muzzle safe points as directed by the CoF and range.
  •  SO should generally stand about three (3) feet to the side and three (3) feet to the rear of the shooter. The safety officer must be aware of his position as the competitor re-holsters.
  • The SO should be on the gun hand side of the shooter. The gun-hand side changes depending on CoF requirements.
  • SO should make sure they stay with the shooter, but not in the shooter’s way.

Special allowances

• For youth shooters
• Equipment not specified in the rules
• Shooters with disabilities

Ammunition:

• No tracer, armor piercing (AP), or armor piercing incendiary (API) ammunition.
• Steel jacketed ammo is permissible, steel core is not.
• Unacceptable ammo includes (but not limited to) US M855, European SS109, and Canadian C77 steel-core .223 ammunition.
• For pistols, jacketed, cast lead, or hollow point ammo is acceptable.
• For shotgun stages no shot larger than #4 will be allowed when shooting steel.

HANDGUNS:

• Any caliber ammunition
• Handguns: Semiautomatic and revolver type handguns may be used. If the handgun has a user-actuated safety (many semi auto’s do, most revolvers don't), it must be in good working order.
• Many handgun stages require the shooter to draw from a holster. As a general rule all holsters will be strong side and “vertical” (including “FBI” cant) in orientation. Cross draw holsters and shoulder holsters are prohibited! Holsters that are ill-fitting or without an adequate mechanism to retain the weapon while the shooter is moving may not be used. Magazine carriers may be worn on belt, thigh pouch or vest. The final decision as to the adequacy of any holster resides with the Match Director or Safety Officer.

SHOTGUNS:

• Shotguns must be no smaller than 20 gauge. (special allowances will be made for youth shooters)

RIFLES/CARBINES:

• Any caliber ammunition
• Spare magazines or clips must be carried on the gun or your person, properly secured Optics (including flip to side magnifiers) are allowed, but once installed, may not be removed or changed during the match

OTHER EQUIPMENT:

• The use of knee or elbow pads is allowed.
• Vests, chest rigs, etc. are allowed.

SHOOTER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The shooter is responsible for understanding the requirements of a particular course of fire before coming to the firing line to begin his/her run. Prior to the beginning of each Multi-Gun/Tactical stage, the Match Director or designate (with the assistance of any stage designers) will conduct a course walk-through of each stage. Shooters are offered the opportunity to see action props work and ask questions.
• Shooters are usually given the opportunity to move about to plan and consider their run. However some stages are designed to present novel/surprise situations for the shooter to handle in real time in which case such a walk through may be prohibited. At the time a shooter moves to the line to begin a run, he/she is assumed to understand and be prepared for the course of fire.

SAFETY OFFICER COMMANDS:

• The Safety Officer uses the following commands to start the run:
  • Range going hot! This signal is used after the SO assures himself that there are no people downrange from the shooter. The Range going hot command signals people behind the line that firing is about to commence and that appropriate eye and hearing protection must be worn.
  • Load and make ready. On this command, the shooter will face downrange (regardless of the starting position), fit ear protectors, safety glasses, load/check their weapon(s), and make it/them ready (e.g., insure the safety(s) are on if applicable). The shooter then takes up the specified starting position for the stage. All shooters will begin each stage with their weapon's safety on.
  • Shooter ready? If the shooter is not ready at this command, he/she should say, not ready. Don't be surprised to hear the SO use similar phrases, such as, Shooter ready, or Nod if you are ready, in place of is the shooter ready.
  • Standby! This is the shooter's alert that the start signal will follow shortly. Most stages are begun with the SO causing an audible beep to be sounded from the timer. The starting procedure will be clearly explained if a different starting technique applies (such as the shooter beginning fire after a second beep orwhen a target begins moving).
  • BEEP! At the designated start signal, the shooter is expected to begin and complete the course of fire in accordance with the specified description. It is usually the shooter's responsibility to determine when his/her run is done. The timer captures the time after each shot is fired, so the official time for the run is the time on the readout after the last shot has been fired.
• When the Safety Officer concludes that the shooter has finished, the following commands are used to complete the run and make the range safe again
  • Unload and show clear.
    • Long guns. Point firearm in safe, downrange direction, remove magazine, eject any chambered round, lock bolt back, inspect chamber and insert appropriate yellow safety flag/chamber flag (OBI) into the chamber. The Safety Officer will direct the shooter to sling/hold the firearm in a safe manner.
    • Shotguns. Point firearm in safe, downrange direction, remove magazine (if applicable), eject any chambered round, lock bolt back, inspect chamber and insert appropriate yellow safety flag/chamber flag (OBI) into the chamber. The Safety Officer will direct the shooter to sling/hold the firearm in a safe manner.
    • Handguns: Point firearm in a safe, downrange direction, remove magazine, eject any chambered round, inspect chamber and at direction of Safety Officer, close slide, pull trigger and safely holster; for revolver, point in a safe, downrange direction, open the cylinder, remove all live rounds/empty shell casings, inspect and at direction of Safety Officer, close cylinder and safely re-holster.
  • Range is clear! This command signals that people can move downrange to score, tape, reset targets, pick up brass, etc.
• The Safety Officer may issue other commands:
  • STOP! Usually indicates that an emergency or other, unusual/unsafe situation has occurred. When the shooter hears this command he/she immediately stops the run, holds position and awaits specific instructions from the Safety Officer
  • Finger! The shooter is moving and not engaging targets and should remove their finger from the trigger.
  • Muzzle!  The muzzle of the gun is about to point in an unsafe direction.  The shooter should immediately point the gun downrange.