Welcome to APSC!
Welcome to Austin Rifle Club! Familiarize yourself with our match procedures and safety rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Arriving at the Range
The gate opens at 8 AM for setup and closes around 10 AM after the match starts. Arrive with your firearm unloaded and the magazine well empty, in a pistol case or bag. If carrying a pistol, contact a range officer or the match director to assist with safe unloading. Do not unload in the parking lot.
Handling Firearms at the Range
Firearms can be handled in two designated areas:
- First, at the white safe tables on the right side of each action pistol bay. Here, you can unbag, disassemble, clean, repair, draw practice, and dry fire your gun. However, handling any ammunition or ammunition carrier that has loaded ammo in this area is prohibited and will result in a Match Disqualification (DQ).
- Second, during a course of fire under Range Officer (RO) supervision. Unholster your gun only after receiving the “Make Ready” command from the RO.
Firearms should remain holstered or bagged at all other times. Unholstering or showing your firearm outside designated areas is not permitted. Handguns should be either in a holster or gun bag; rifles and shotguns should be carried vertically, preferably pointing upward, or cased/bagged, with an open action and no magazine inserted, along with a chamber flag.
How the Match Works
Upon arrival, check in with our registration staff for the match. This is always going to be located in the bay with the large enclosed trailer. After checking in, offer your help with setting up stages. Attend the pre-match safety/new shooter briefing if you are a new shooter. Once the new shooter briefing is complete, we will call for the shooter’s meeting for announcements and stage information.
After the shooter’s meeting, a single member of each squad will grab a bucket containing the scoring tablet, timer, and pasters and take this to your starting bay. The shooting order will then be established, followed by a stage briefing and planning time. As the match starts, you will hear the shooting order called. Listen for the following:
- “Name A is the shooter” – This is the person shooting next once the stage is pasted and reset
- “Name B is on deck” – The person shooting after A
- “Name C is in the hole” – The person shooting after B
- “Name D is in the deep hole” – The person shooting after C
Once you hear your name in the hole, stop pasting and ensure you are getting yourself and your gear ready to shoot.
When it’s your turn, follow the RO’s commands: “Make Ready”, “Are You Ready?” and “Stand By” for the start signal. During the course of fire, adhere to key safety rules:
- Avoid sweeping yourself with the muzzle.
- Maintain awareness of the 180-degree rule to prevent the muzzle from pointing uprange.
- Keep your finger outside the trigger guard unless you are actively engaging targets.
- After completing the course of fire, follow the RO’s instructions for unloading and showing clear, then securely holster your firearm.
- Assist with resetting the stage and scoring targets.
By following these procedures and safety rules, everyone can contribute to a safe and enjoyable match experience at Austin Rifle Club.