How do you run the range?

[BrianSW99]

I'm looking for some practical advice on how some of the other instructors here run the course of fire at the range. The DPS range had turning targets, but most other ranges don't. For each set of timed shot(s), how do you indicate the start and stop? Do you use a whistle? If you whistle the start and stop, do you have problems with students thinking the stop signal is the start of the next shot, like in the 1 shot in 2 seconds, 5 times sequence, or do you stop after each one and call the next shot?

Do you have the students load only 5 or 6 rounds at a time like they did at the DPS range?

Thanks,
Brian

[2up1down]

I'm looking for some practical advice on how some of the other instructors here run the course of fire at the range. The DPS range had turning targets, but most other ranges don't.
For each set of timed shot(s), how do you indicate the start and stop? Do you use a whistle?
Whistle blast 1 to start 2 or 3 (quickly) to stop, Voice commands, Timer Buzzer, what ever you use you must do a thorough briefing and demo to communicate how they will know when to and when not to shoot.

If you whistle the start and stop, do you have problems with students thinking the stop signal is the start of the next shot, like in the 1 shot in 2 seconds, 5 times sequence, or do you stop after each one and call the next shot?

Stop after each course and only load what is required for that course. "The next course of fire is 1 round every two seconds 5 times for a total of 5 shots in ten seconds, starting at the first whistle blast and time will end when you hear the 3 quick blast at which time you will CEASE FIRE!" Then change courses AFTER insuring all weapons are clear and benched.

Do you have the students load only 5 or 6 rounds at a time like they did at the DPS range?


You may also want to contact your local NRA trainer for the NRA Range Safety Officer course to improve your range operations and safety skills. http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[ Good Luck/color]

Thanks,
Brian

[longtooth]

Everything is explained before going to range. Reviewed at the rage.

My range commands are:

Load X# rds.
They hold the loaded mag up head high so I know when all are ready.

Load, charge your weapon, muzzles down range.
That is insert mag, drop slide, muzzle down range.

This will be a 1 shot exersize. Fire one shot & one shot only on command. You will have 2, seconds to fire each rd. Ready - fire.
I dont have a stop watch. Same command all the time only chg the #of shots & #of seconds. I have told a few to slow down quit rushing. Only a couple of times had to say, need to speed up a little.

Magazines out, holster your weapon. (in a furnished carpenters nail apron. gun strong side pocket, ammo support side pocket.

Before moving back to the next shooting line they show clear before holstering, turning around & going to the next distance.

[gringop]

I'm looking for some practical advice on how some of the other instructors here run the course of fire at the range. The DPS range had turning targets, but most other ranges don't. For each set of timed shot(s), how do you indicate the start and stop? Do you use a whistle? If you whistle the start and stop, do you have problems with students thinking the stop signal is the start of the next shot, like in the 1 shot in 2 seconds, 5 times sequence, or do you stop after each one and call the next shot?

Do you have the students load only 5 or 6 rounds at a time like they did at the DPS range?

Thanks,
Brian

I use a whistle, because some students can't hear my timer. Differentiate the whistle tones, I use a short blast to start and a long blast to stop the string.

Load what can be shot in the same string. For string 2 at 3 yards, load 10 rounds for SA, 6 and then 4 for NSA.
(Exception: strings 2 and 3 at 7 yards, 2 in 4 sec and 3 in 6 sec, load 5 rounds for both strings). Let the students know that they will not shoot the guns dry on string 2 at 7 yards.

Let students know that after the 3 yard stage they should have shot 20 rounds and have 30 remaining. After the 7 yard stage they should have shot 40 rounds and have 10 remaining. If they have too many remaining, determine what the problem is and decide what happened and score accordingly. It's helpful to know when shots were dropped instead of getting to the end and seeing 4 unfired rounds in the box and only relying on counting holes on the target.

Having individual scorecards helps when you have shooters firing late rounds after the whistle. Mark them and move on.

Being a long time competitive shooter, I use the "Shooter ready, Stand by, (whistle)" sequence to start the string. Seems to work pretty well.

Gringop

[BrianSW99]

This will be a 1 shot exersize. Fire one shot & one shot only on command. You will have 2, seconds to fire each rd. Ready - fire.
I dont have a stop watch. Same command all the time only chg the #of shots & #of seconds. I have told a few to slow down quit rushing. Only a couple of times had to say, need to speed up a little.

If you don't use a stopwatch, how do you time it? Are you counting to yourself, like one-one-thousand, or other way?

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. This will be really helpful.

Brian

[longtooth]

Yes sir just a simple personal count.

[Venix]

Yes sir just a simple personal count.

I do the same as well. If anyone is a little slow I ask them to speed it up. I more often have to have people take a breath for a moment and slow it down so they can aim.

[goheeled]

I've made a video of the first few sequences of fire that I play in class after going over a quick range command brief. Upon arrival at the range, I give a more extensive range safety brief that goes over the commands again. I place a laminated course of fire card at each firing position for the shooter's reference. I tend to qualify my renewals first so the newbies can watch them, again getting a general idea of how it goes.

As far as delivering the range commands, I sack up and use my big boy voice. Difficult to do on some indoor ranges so I sometimes use a tac light to initiate and stop firing. When it turns on...fire. Stop when it turns off.