The approved range commands and their sequence are as follows:
- “Load and make ready” (Make Ready for starts with an unloaded firearm)
- “Are you ready?”
- “Stand by”
- BEEP – the start signal
- “Stop” – only used if something goes wrong, maybe a stage problem, maybe competitor problem!
- “If you are finished, unload and show clear”
- “If clear, hammer down, open action and insert eci”
- “Range is clear”
These range commands are spoken in English worldwide in IPSC competitions. They are the only range commands allowed to be used in sanctioned competitions. You may only remove your safety flag and lower your firearm when the “Load and make ready” command has been given by a Ranger Officer. If you un-flag or lower your firearm before this command is given, you will be disqualified from the competition.
Step by Step
Load and Make Ready
- On the command “load and make ready” the competitor will lower the firearm from muzzle up.
- With the firearm pointed down range with the “trigger finger outside” of the trigger guard.
- Loads cartridges into the magazine tube or inserts a magazine.
- If not already done so, works the action to chamber a cartridge.
- If not already engaged, applies the safety.
- The competitor now has a firearm in the ready position that has the safety on and is loaded to full allowable capacity within the division rules.
- 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.
Are you ready?
After loading and assuming the start position, the Ranger Officer will ask “ Are you ready?” If you are ready you do not have to respond to this question. If you are not ready, indicate by saying, “not ready” in a loud clear voice.
Stand By
“Stand by” is the signal to the competitor that the start signal will be forthcoming.
Start Signal
This signal may be a beep from the timer, the appearance of a target, or some other form of visible signal. Alternately you may have to start yourself by releasing or pressing an activator.
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 gun while keeping the firearm pointed safely down range. Next you will clear the live cartridge out of the chamber by racking the action. Note: It is strongly recommended to not cover the ejection port with your hand while you are racking the action. If a cartridge were to go off, you could be injured. If possible, lock the action open keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction, present the firearm to the Range Officer for inspection.
If clear, hammer down, open action
This is the command that is issued after the Ranger Officer inspects the firearm, making sure that it is unloaded. Note: The competitor is ultimately responsible for making sure that the firearm is unloaded at this point 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 returned to a rack or gun slip 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. The competitor will then open the action and insert a empty chamber indicator (flag), raise the muzzle skyward and return the firearm to the gun rack or gun slip.
Range is clear
When the Range Officer issues the command “Range is clear”, it is safe for all individuals to proceed down range.