Unload zone best practices?

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igor

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I'm going to RM in a match in a new region to me. I have no experience on organizing an unload zone in a range, but here that needs to be taken care of. I would like to appear knowledgeable so I turn to the always such High Roaders.

Please describe any best practices as to the placement of the unload zone relative to the other match functions and areas, good equipment (starting with a table, say) to provide, any weird hazards you may have observed and how to eliminate such, and any other viewpoints on the subject.
 
What kind of match? The only outfit uses an "unload zone" I know of is Cowboy. IPSC and normally IDPA run cold ranges with the gun unloaded immediately at the conclusion of the stage. Sometimes there will be a hot range bay and the gun stays loaded for two or three stages but is unloaded at the conclusion of the last stage in that bay.

Or do you mean for unloading guns brought loaded to the range?
 
A "safety area" is normally provided for competitors to practice draws, adjust equipment, etc., but these are declared "ammo-free" areas (if you carry ammo, even dummy ammo, into that area, it's considered a disqualification), so there isn't really an "unloading zone". Even the "safety area" will normally be pointed into a berm that would catch the bullet if someone were to REALLY screw up and accidentally fire at shot while standing at the bench. As Jim says, the only time a gun is "hot" during most matches is when you're under the direct control of a range officer, and that range officer will instruct you when to load and make ready, and when to unload and show clear.
 
Sorry for the unclarity. People come to the range hot. This is IPSC, so during the competition they aren't supposed to be.

In the latest competition there was a first DQ before a single shot was fired as one guy appeared on the first stage hot. There has been a bit of a lax practice with the unload zone totally separated from everything else - we are considering bringing the unload zone pretty close to the registration / arms inspection area to make the process somewhat consistent and avoid at least that occurrence repeating. Any ideas, please?
 
I don't know what the practice is other places, but I make the cold range announcement and take anybody carrying out onto the nearest stage to unload and show clear before the regular safety briefing. I don't see the need or desirability of an unsupervised unload zone.
 
At the matches I shoot at, there is a Hot Zone. This is where you unload your gun prior to the match and charge it after the match. The only people who use this area is competitors who compete with their carry gun. All others leave their carry gun in the vehicle.

Make announcements pointing out this area at the shooters meeting. After the 1st few matches, everyone will be aware of the area and will comply without being told. Non compliance is a DQ infraction. Make it know that a hot weapon will not be tolerated and stick to the policy. No exceptions. Not even staff.
 
Thank you, most helpful!

We are considering building a tire wall for backstop for the Unload / Load Zone and placing it within visibility from the match registration point next to the range parking lot. Does the placing sound reasonable? Well provide a table but so far no other thoughts on props there.

So far, there has been a more remote spot behind the parking area marked as Unload Zone. People do compete mostly with their carry guns.
 
At our IDPA matches, you're supposed to be cold when you holster. Most people just unload at their vehicle if they need to. Probabaly not a great idea, now that i think about it.
 
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