STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES AND RANGE RULES

The Board of Directors has adopted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all handling of guns at Coxsackie Sportsmen’s Club. Copies will be available at all ranges and online. Please read and familiarize yourself with them, for we are all responsible for safety.

Only the highest degree of safety and good sportsmanship will be tolerated. All standard operating procedures, general and range specific rules and club by-laws must be followed by all persons on the club property. Violations will result in Board of Directors’ disciplinary action and possible criminal action against the member or guest involved. Trespassers will be arrested and prosecuted.

General Range Rules:

Eye and Ear protection required on all ranges including bystanders.

All Ranges are Cold Ranges!

Cold Range:  All guns will be unloaded and cased.  Guns will be removed from the case only at the shooting bench or booth.  When shooting with a group, appoint a range officer for the group and the range officer will clear all guns!  When the appointed range officer declares the range is cold then it will be safe to go down range to place or check targets.  If there is anyone down range, the range is cold and no guns are to be handled. It is acceptable to load detached magazines when the range is cold. Please communicate and cooperate when a trip down range is required making sure all users of the range are aware of range status. Never proceed down range without confirming with all participants that the range is cold.  Bolts and actions should be open. If you’re action doesn’t lock open please use an Unloaded Chamber Indicator.

Hot Range (It’s unsafe to go down range): Please communicate and verify the range is hot with all participants and make sure everyone is wearing eye & ear protection before handling guns and firing.  Unloaded and   loaded guns must always be pointed downrange at the berm.

THE 4 RULES OF GUN SAFETY:

Treat All guns as if they are always loaded.

Never let the muzzle of the gun point any place but down range!

Keep your finger off of the trigger and outside the trigger guard, indexed along the frame or slide until you are on target and have made the decision to fire.

Identify your target and what is behind it.

Standard Operating Procedure for all ranges:

All guns must be unloaded and cased at all times from the car to the firing line or shooting booth.

Use the log book to sign in and out.

Put target stands away and leave the range in better condition than when you arrived.

If garbage cans are full empty them in the dumpster.

When exiting, unload and place gun in the case at the firing line or shooting booth (while maintaining muzzle control) for safe transport to the car. When exiting you must wait until all shooters are behind the firing line.

Any member has the right to challenge unknown persons for proof of membership.  Our insurance only allows for members of the public on the property as a guest or at scheduled events.

Anyone may call a CEASE FIRE. The command is “CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE, CEASE FIRE”. All shooters must then MAKE THEIR GUNS SAFE and await further instructions.

MAKING YOUR GUN SAFE:  Magazine removed, slide locked to the rear or bolt open, cylinder open, chamber visibly empty.  The appointed range officer must visually inspect all guns to verify they are safe before declaring SAFE TO GO DOWN RANGE and permitting anyone to go downrange.

When you are finished firing, MAKE YOUR GUN SAFE.

No guns chambered in .50 BMG (.50 Caliber Browning Machine Gun or any derivative of that round) will be allowed on any of our ranges.  Violation of this rule will result in immediate termination of membership!

Eye and Ear protection required on all ranges for shooters and bystanders.

All shots must impact the berm.  No shots should hit the ground or any other place at any time, with the exception of club supplied steel targets.

 No privately owned steel targets are allowed on any ranges. Only club supplied or BOD-approved steel targets are allowed.

The steel gong on the left side of the rifle range is to be used for SHOTGUN PATTERNING ONLY. Ammunition is limited to birdshot/target loads of #6 or less – buckshot or slugs will cause damage to the target and are not allowed. If you are unsure of ammunition type, do not use – seek assistance.

No angle shooting. Shoot only perpendicular to backstop line. Stay in your target’s lane.

No fully automatic guns are allowed on any range.  This includes bump stocks or any trigger activator.

No alcoholic beverages or drugs allowed on club property!  No shooting under the influence!

No armor piercing ammunition is allowed.  Anyone intentionally damaging club property will lose their membership.

No bottles or glass targets, exploding targets or hard targets, such as bricks or rocks.

Club Range Safety Officers have the authority to take control of the firing line at any time. They will assist shooters in fundamental safe gun practices if necessary.

A parent or guardian who is a CSC member must accompany persons under the age of 18 and understand the rules of gun safety.

When there are two (2) or more persons on the range, whether or not they know each other, will designate a range officer to call the line and coordinate the activity to ensure safety.  All persons are responsible for following all general rules and the rules of the particular range that they may be shooting on.

Members may have a maximum of two (2) guests at any given time.  Members are responsible for their guests while on club property and must accompany guests at all times.

Trigger finger control.  If your sights are off target, your finger needs to be out of the trigger guard.

When members are waiting, shooters will be limited to 50 rounds.  Be courteous to your fellow members.

Slow fire ONLY on ALL ranges.  Slow Fire = 1 shot per second.  Double taps (i.e., two shots in rapid succession) are permitted – but, you must pause for a least one second between each two shot group.

When moving to and from different ranges or shooting points on the same range, all long guns will be unloaded and secured in a case.

Pistols – Unloaded, cased and/or Holstered with magazine removed.

FISHING is available, however fishermen must put up the yellow rope with the sign designating that someone is downrange. Remove the rope and sign before leaving the premises. Please note that fishing is allowed at any time, but fishermen must yield to range users when requested. MEMBERS WANTING TO FISH DURING TRAP MUST INFORM THE TRAP COMMITTEE OF THEIR INTENTIONS BEFORE STARTING, AND MUST STAY BEYOND THE RIFLE RANGE FIRING POINT.

Dogs welcome.  Must be leashed at all times.  You must clean up after your dog.

No vehicles are allowed past the trap house.

Note:  All ranges are under video surveillance!  If you are caught using unsafe gun handling practices you range and/or club access will be terminated.

300 Yard Range:

The 300 yard range is available only during scheduled events.  Unauthorized use of the range will result in instant loss of membership. If you have interest in use of this range, please contact the club.

You must qualify for the use of the 300 yard range.  You must shoot with a qualified range officer. 

The 4th Friday of the month from 9 am to 12 noon the club will be closed for 300 yard range use, for members who have qualified ONLY.  

The club property forward of the firing line must be cleared of persons and your car must block the driveway. The rope and sign must be placed across the driveway to signify that the 300 yard range is in use.

OUTDOOR ARCHERY RANGE:   Archery range rules will be established in the future.

CLUB EVENTS:

All SOPs apply.

SAFE AREA: Pistol

 A Safe Area is defined as a designated area where the following rules apply:

               a. Each safe area must be clearly identified by visible signage and include a table with the safe direction   and boundaries clearly shown.

               b. Unloaded guns may be handled at any time.  This area is used for bagging or un-bagging a gun,   holstering, drawing, dry firing, or equipment adjustment.

               c. A safe area may also be used for inspections, stripping, cleaning, repairs and maintenance of guns,     ammunition feeding devices or related equipment.

               d. The muzzle of the gun must be pointed in a safe direction.

               e. Handling of ammunition, loaded ammunition feeding devices, loose rounds, dummy ammunition,      snap caps, simunitions (non-lethal training ammunition) or loaded guns is not permitted in safe areas.

               f. A safe area may also be used, while accompanied by a range officer, to render safe a gun that has    locked up and contains a live round or rounds.

               g. Reload practice within the safe area is not allowed.  An empty magazine may be inserted into a gun          to test functionality or to drop the hammer on a gun with a magazine disconnect, but reload practice is          prohibited.

A safe muzzle direction must be maintained at all times.

When moving to and from different ranges or shooting points on the same range, all long guns will be unloaded and secured in a case.

Pistols – Unloaded, cased and/or Holstered with magazine removed.

Absolutely no handling or touching guns for any reason behind the shooting line. 

All shots must impact the berm, with the exception of club supplied steel targets.  No shots should hit the ground.

All damages to club property; facilities, ranges, equipment, buildings must be reported to the Board of Directors promptly, (within 24 hours) or to the activity director in charge at the time the damage occurs, by the person causing the damage.

INDOOR RANGE:

All SOPs apply.

Exhaust fan must be used while shooting!

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week unless a previously scheduled activity, meeting or class is scheduled. Please refer to the Event Calendar located on the club website for availability.  

Only straight walled handgun rounds, jacketed or plain lead, up to and including .44 Remington magnum are allowed in the indoor range. (Not allowed; 454 Casull, 460 S&W, 500 S&W, etc.)

No BB guns allowed. However, Pellet guns shooting lead pellets, are allowed.

.22 long rifle, .17HMR and .22 Mag are allowed on the indoor range.

All shots must impact the target area inside the blue lines.  No shots are allowed to hit the floor, ceiling or walls.

If the indoor range is occupied, wait until conditions are safe before entering. Wait until shooters are either prepping magazines or posting new targets and verify that the line is safe.

Maintain strict muzzle control, pointing muzzle downrange from the firing line at all times when uncased. At no time shall the gun leave the confines of the shooting booth until unloaded and cased.

No drawing from the holster except for BOD approved activities. No hip shooting, point shooting, or fanning unless approved by the BOD and during a supervised activity.

When exiting, unload and place gun in the case at the firing line or shooting booth (while maintaining muzzle control) for safe transport from the range.  When exiting you must wait until all shooters are behind the firing line.

OUTDOOR PISTOL RANGE:

All SOPs apply.

There is NO PARKING ALLOWED in the area next to the outdoor pistol range.

Eye and ear protection must be worn BEFORE entering the firing point. This includes all spectators.

On the covered firing point range, all shooting must be done from inside the firing point building, unless authorized during a club event.

.22 long rifle, .17HMR and .22 Mag rifles are allowed on the outdoor range.

Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC) may be used on the outdoor range.  .38, .357, .40, .45 and 9mm.

If the outdoor range is occupied, wait until conditions are safe before entering. Wait until shooters are either prepping magazines or posting new targets and verify that the line is safe.

Maintain strict muzzle control, pointing downrange from the firing line at all times when uncased.

No drawing from the holster except for BOD approved activities. No hip shooting, point shooting, or fanning unless approved by the BOD and during a supervised activity.

When exiting, unload and place gun in the case at the firing line or shooting booth (while maintaining muzzle control) for safe transport to the car. When exiting you must wait until all shooters are behind the firing line.

Use of the plate rack is as follows:

  • All shooting must be done from inside the firing point building.
  • Eye and ear protection is mandatory.
  • Targets must be reset using the provided rope. Firearm must be made SAFE and placed on the bench BEFORE resetting the rack.
  • One shooter at a time on the plate rack.
  • Only straight walled pistol cartridges up to and including .44 Remington Magnum jacketed, fired from handguns are allowed on the plate rack.
  • Intentionally damaging targets is grounds for revocation of membership – accidental damage must be reported.
  • Steel plate rack shooting lane is reserved for use of the plate rack ONLY. Use of other targets in this lane is prohibited.

OUTDOOR RIFLE RANGE: (see also below: Shotgun Patterning Board/Gong)

All SOPs apply.

The Rifle range is for Rifle and Shotgun use ONLY.

Pistols are not allowed on the rifle range without approval from a member of the BOD. Please refer to the club website for contact information. 

Absolutely no handling or touching guns for any reason while there are shooters forward of the firing line and down range. Step away from all guns while shooters are downrange.

Maintain strict muzzle control, pointing downrange from the firing line at all times when uncased.

Use of the 200 yard berm is restricted to the two furthest West side (right side facing the berm) benches only!   No firing at the 100 yard berm from these two benches.

No shooting in the direction of the lake!

The rifle range is closed during maintenance operations.

No vehicles are allowed past the trap house.

Shots may only be fired from the firing line, not ahead or behind it, with the exception of shotgun patterning. (see Shotgun Pattering reference below) 

Target stands may be placed at distances less than 100yds. Steel targets are for 100yd minimum use unless approved by BOD for sanctioned events.

All shots must impact the berm or club supplied steel target.  No shots should hit the ground at any time.  Use a target stand to facilitate hitting the berm for different distances.  ie… short ones at the berm, tall ones at 25, 50 and 75 yards.  Place target so your shot will hit the berm.

Shooting the club owned steel targets on the rifle range:

No guns larger than .30-06 allowed on the steel targets.

Stay in your lane – do not shoot across lanes, especially when shooting at steel targets.

The steel targets on the 200 yard range are only to be shot from West side (right side facing the berm) benches. Stay in your lane.

Absolutely NO ARMOR PIERCING STEEL OR TUNGSTEN CORE PROJECTILES ALLOWED ON STEEL TARGETS. If you are not sure of your ammo, test the bullet on the magnet attached to the post.

Damaging targets will result in loss of membership. 

Shotgun Patterning Board/Gong:

The steel gong on the left side of the rifle range is to be used for SHOTGUN PATTERNING ONLY.

Ammunition is limited to birdshot/target loads of #6 or less – buckshot or slugs will cause damage to the target and are not allowed. If you are unsure of ammunition type, do not use – seek assistance.

Do not paint this target. Patterns on this target are inspected using a coating of grease.

The pattern board can be locked in 2 positions and shall only be fired upon when locked into the Firing position.

The pattern board must be locked in the Safe position when not in use.

The pattern board shall only be fired upon from the firing line, unless supervised by a member of the Trap committee. The entire firing line must be cleared before any such activity.

TRAP RANGE:

All SOPs apply.

A safe muzzle direction must be maintained at all times.

All persons, shooters or spectators, are required to wear ear and eye protection while on or near any range where guns are in use.

Shotguns must only be loaded when the competitor is standing on the shooting station, facing the trap with the gun pointed towards the target flight area and only after the course of fire has started.

When shooting is interrupted, the gun must be opened and any cartridges and cartridge cases must be removed.

No competitor may turn from the shooting station before his gun is open and empty.

Absolutely no handling or touching guns for any reason while there is anyone forward of the firing line.  Actions must be open, chambers empty and placed on the rack when anyone is downrange.

Single shot, double barrel and over/under shotguns must be carried empty with the breech visibly open, muzzle forward.

Semi-automatic and pump action shotguns must be carried with the breech bolt visibly open and the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, up to the sky.

Shotguns not in use must be placed in a gun rack or case.

Entering or exiting the trap house with a gun, the action must be open, muzzle pointed straight up or down to keep from sweeping the bystanders in the trap house.

OUTDOOR COMBAT PISTOL RANGE:

All SOPs apply.

This range is closed if the outdoor pistol range is in use!

Limited to 1 shooter at a time.

Targets to be attached to the snow fence or target stands.

If shooters are waiting, limit your course of fire to 50 rounds.

No handling of guns of any kind on a shooting range when persons are down range.

A safe muzzle direction must be maintained at all times.

Drawing from the holster is allowed.

No shooting past 7 yards.

No steel targets allowed.