Training scars

[SevenSixTwo]

Having been trained to clear stoppages and 'get back in the fight' as quickly as possible I'm having a real hard time adjusting to the civilian practice of sticking your hand up and asking 'Dad' (the RCO) to assist. I had a light strike today but, contrary to the roolz, I cleared it immediately and instinctively; met by a scowling glare from the boss man.

I understand the reasons of course but it's often hard to break old habits.

Anyone else have / had any training scars that were difficult to work through?

[DaveB]

The idea of sticking my hand up and asking the RCO to clear a simple malfunction would never occur to me, or anybody else I know.

Generally, or at least on any of the ranges I have been on here in NZ, you are expected to clear your own malfunction. You are not expected to ask for help unless you are a complete novice, it can't be cleared while still pointing the firearm in a safe direction, or it can't be cleared at all and you need the RCOs approval to remove it from the range. Mind you, most of the shooting I do is clay birds, Service Rifle, IPSC and the like. It may be different in formal target rifle clubs.

[Mezzer]

762

Just clear it, put the dodgy round to one side for proper disposal later and get on with it. If the problem is a bit more than a simple stoppage and requires an element of 'mechanical intervention', then it's time to attract the RCO's attention and discuss what you intend to do. Just remember, the RCO may not be familiar with your particular rifle type but if he knows you (and you know him), you should be able to come to an amicable solution.

Mezzer

[dromia]

The purpose of notifying the RCO is not to have him clear or assist in clearing the misfire, that job is the responsibility of the firer.

The risk that is to be managed is the danger of a round going of during extraction and thus unsupported. When shooting with multiple shooters on a firing point close together then there is a hazard to those to the right (RH action) and rear of the fire arm.

Notifying the RCO is to manage that risk.

If there is a potentially dangerous situation then the RCO needs notifying.

Having seen and heard an unsupported round go off (Indian 303 round that let go after the 30 second wait on target) I can assure you that the misfire procedure is a good idea to protect the shooter and anyone near the firearm.

In the overwhelming majority of cases that I came across the missfire is a firing pin dropped on an empty chamber, didn't count the rounds or short stroked the bolt but we didn't know that till the missfire had been cleared.

Always better to be safe than sorry and as civilian shooters we can take the time to be so.

[ovenpaa]

Until I saw a video of a true hangfire, again at maybe 15-20 seconds or longer I would automatically un-chamber a round with a light strike and inspect it. These days I keep a hold of the rifle and give it a good minute.

[Christel]

SevenSixTwo,

Been there, done that. Utterly confused myself. Always been taught that when the Boss shouts stop...one pulls the bolt back and steps away from the rifle.

Where I shoot these days the rules states clearly that when the RCO shouts stop, one stops and steps away from the rifle.

So there I am pulling the bolt back and getting a telling off...

[ovenpaa]

Ah, now that is down to the RCO's specific view on how to deal with a STOP STOP STOP. In my briefing I tell people to stop shooting keep your finger clear of the trigger and keep the rifle pointing down range at the target, do not un-chamber, remove the bolt or magazine until instructed to do so.

[dromia]

Stop! Stop! Stop! means just that you stop, finger off the trigger and await further instructions.

[SevenSixTwo]

Yep. I was always taught to simply apply safety catch when a stop is called. Then await order to unload, make safe or carry on.

[Christel]

Point is, once something has been drilled into you then it is difficult to get your head around another way of reacting to the same situation.