Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,160
- 7,987
Some of my "civilian" shooting friends, even former military types, are a little taken aback when they visit my LE range and discover it's a "hot" range.
They're used to gun clubs and public shooting ranges where a loaded gun is only permitted on the firing line, loading may be done on command only, and things are rather restrictive. In LE work, a "hot range" is common. What's a "hot range" ?
Everyone is packing a loaded sidearm in their holster, just like they do at work. It's their responsibility to NOT haul it out and work with it when there are other officers downrange patching targets, scoring or firing. It's their responsibility to load and unload the weapon safely, without bothering the Rangemaster (me) about it. If they run out of ammo during a string of fire, or have a malfunction, it's their duty to reload as necessary and clear any malfunctions and continue firing.
The officers drive out to the range on duty, in a patrol car, get out of the car with their duty handgun holstered and sign in. Sometimes we simply shoot up their duty ammo, and I issue them replacement ammo right there. That's a nice test of the gun and ammo that they carry, and a good way for me to ensure no one is carrying ancient duty ammo. I want them to have good, fresh, clean and reliable ammo in their magazines. Shooting up premium duty ammo though is expensive.
If they're going to be shooting inexpensive range ammo, say CCI Blazer for instance, they'll charge up either spare mags, or replace their duty ammo with training ammo while waiting a chance to shoot. The way our range is set up, they're getting fresh ammo behind the 50 yard line, and all I ask is that they don't point a loaded weapon downrange while we're down there shooting and working.
Some visitors get a little unnerved at the sight of all these holstered guns and all this loading and unloading of magazines without it being by the numbers, on command. I don't want them waiting for my command to reload when needed in the field. It's mostly psychological, they are in charge of their duty weapons, and responsible for handling them competently. That doesn't mean I'm not watching.
Penalties for safety violations are severe. Ya really don't want to get sent back from the range, to your Sergeant with a safety violation...
A hot range is a good thing, when everyone is trained for it. I find myself hopping back and forth between range types as I'm also a member of a local gun club and I sometimes shoot at other ranges around the Pacific Northwest. Find myself chafing a little at the restrictions, but I understand them.
Thought I'd introduce the topic, as a lot of recreational shooters I meet don't seem to have ever heard the term "hot range".
FWIW, Guy
They're used to gun clubs and public shooting ranges where a loaded gun is only permitted on the firing line, loading may be done on command only, and things are rather restrictive. In LE work, a "hot range" is common. What's a "hot range" ?
Everyone is packing a loaded sidearm in their holster, just like they do at work. It's their responsibility to NOT haul it out and work with it when there are other officers downrange patching targets, scoring or firing. It's their responsibility to load and unload the weapon safely, without bothering the Rangemaster (me) about it. If they run out of ammo during a string of fire, or have a malfunction, it's their duty to reload as necessary and clear any malfunctions and continue firing.
The officers drive out to the range on duty, in a patrol car, get out of the car with their duty handgun holstered and sign in. Sometimes we simply shoot up their duty ammo, and I issue them replacement ammo right there. That's a nice test of the gun and ammo that they carry, and a good way for me to ensure no one is carrying ancient duty ammo. I want them to have good, fresh, clean and reliable ammo in their magazines. Shooting up premium duty ammo though is expensive.
If they're going to be shooting inexpensive range ammo, say CCI Blazer for instance, they'll charge up either spare mags, or replace their duty ammo with training ammo while waiting a chance to shoot. The way our range is set up, they're getting fresh ammo behind the 50 yard line, and all I ask is that they don't point a loaded weapon downrange while we're down there shooting and working.
Some visitors get a little unnerved at the sight of all these holstered guns and all this loading and unloading of magazines without it being by the numbers, on command. I don't want them waiting for my command to reload when needed in the field. It's mostly psychological, they are in charge of their duty weapons, and responsible for handling them competently. That doesn't mean I'm not watching.
Penalties for safety violations are severe. Ya really don't want to get sent back from the range, to your Sergeant with a safety violation...
A hot range is a good thing, when everyone is trained for it. I find myself hopping back and forth between range types as I'm also a member of a local gun club and I sometimes shoot at other ranges around the Pacific Northwest. Find myself chafing a little at the restrictions, but I understand them.
Thought I'd introduce the topic, as a lot of recreational shooters I meet don't seem to have ever heard the term "hot range".
FWIW, Guy
