AIR RIFLE SAFETY AIR RIFLE SAFETY & RANGE & RANGE

PROCEDURESPROCEDURES

JROTC Marksmanship Training, JROTC Marksmanship Training, Section VSection V

Air Rifle Safety & Range Air Rifle Safety & Range ProceduresProcedures

Section Objective:

To learn about gun and range safety and the actions JROTC cadets must perform to safely participate in air rifle marksmanship

Air Rifle Safety TrainingAir Rifle Safety Training

Safe Gun Handling RulesSafe Gun Handling Rules Shooting Range BasicsShooting Range Basics Range Commands Range Commands Protecting Your HealthProtecting Your Health Everyone is a Safety OfficerEveryone is a Safety Officer Range Firing ProceduresRange Firing Procedures Self-Discipline & FocusSelf-Discipline & Focus Becoming “Marksmanship Qualified”Becoming “Marksmanship Qualified”

Safety Performance Safety Performance ObjectivesObjectives

Properly Trained Cadets WillProperly Trained Cadets Will:: Be aware of the gun muzzle and maintain proper Be aware of the gun muzzle and maintain proper

muzzle control at all timesmuzzle control at all times Check for and maintain an open action, with CBI Check for and maintain an open action, with CBI

properly inserted, on every gun they handleproperly inserted, on every gun they handle Keep fingers off of the trigger at all times until Keep fingers off of the trigger at all times until

actually aiming at a target actually aiming at a target Respond properly to range commands and special Respond properly to range commands and special

range situations range situations Be aware of the gun handling of those around Be aware of the gun handling of those around

them to assist others in following safe gun them to assist others in following safe gun handling ruleshandling rules

Learning To Handle Guns Learning To Handle Guns SafelySafely

The The goalgoal—eliminate all gun —eliminate all gun accidents!accidents!

Know primary gun parts that affect Know primary gun parts that affect safety: safety: M-A-TM-A-T

Apply M-A-T Apply M-A-T performance standardsperformance standards PracticePractice handling air rifles--safety handling air rifles--safety

comes from practice, not knowledgecomes from practice, not knowledge Safe gun handling Safe gun handling rules apply to all rules apply to all

gunsguns and firearms and firearms

Primary Gun Parts that Affect Primary Gun Parts that Affect SafetySafety

3. Trigger 2. Action 1. Muzzle

How Air Rifle Actions How Air Rifle Actions FunctionFunction

Air rifle actions have a bolt or action that can be opened or closed. Opening the action exposes the breech (rear) end of the barrel for loading. Opening and closing the bolt/action cocks the firing mechanism to prepare the rifle for firing.

Daisy M853-bolt

in open position, pulled to

rear

Close bolt by

pushing forward

Pressing the trigger to the rear

releases the

mechanism to fire the

loaded rifle

CBI—Clear Barrel CBI—Clear Barrel IndicatorIndicator

CBI (Clear Barrel CBI (Clear Barrel Indicator) confirms that Indicator) confirms that rifle is unloaded rifle is unloaded

CBI must be in rifle at CBI must be in rifle at all times except during all times except during preparation and firingpreparation and firing

CBI removed on firing CBI removed on firing line when preparation line when preparation for firing beginsfor firing begins

When firing is When firing is complete, ground rifle, complete, ground rifle, insert CBIinsert CBI

Keep CBIs clean and Keep CBIs clean and off the flooroff the floor

Inserting CBI

Rule 1--Muzzle ControlRule 1--Muzzle Control 1st gun handling rule: 1st gun handling rule:

control the direction control the direction the muzzle pointsthe muzzle points

Point the gun in a safe Point the gun in a safe direction—usually direction—usually upward or downrange upward or downrange towards the targetstowards the targets

Never point a gun at Never point a gun at another personanother person

Carry guns with the Carry guns with the muzzle above head muzzle above head levellevel

Rule 2—Action OpenRule 2—Action Open 22ndnd gun handling rule--keep gun gun handling rule--keep gun

action open, except when firingaction open, except when firing

Visually check the action to Visually check the action to verify that it is openverify that it is open

Keep a CBI inserted to confirm Keep a CBI inserted to confirm that the action is openthat the action is open

A gun with an open action A gun with an open action cannot be fired unintentionallycannot be fired unintentionally

On target ranges, actions must On target ranges, actions must remain open at all times, with remain open at all times, with CBIs inserted, except when the CBIs inserted, except when the rifle is on the firing line and dry rifle is on the firing line and dry or live firing is authorizedor live firing is authorized

OPEN AIR

RIFLE ACTION

S

Rule 3—Finger Off Rule 3—Finger Off TriggerTrigger

33rdrd gun handling rule-- gun handling rule--keep fingers outside of keep fingers outside of trigger guard except trigger guard except when aimingwhen aiming

The trigger guard The trigger guard protects the trigger protects the trigger from being from being unintentionally pulledunintentionally pulled

Place the index finger Place the index finger on the trigger only on the trigger only after starting to aim at after starting to aim at the targetthe target  

Safety Rules Apply to All Safety Rules Apply to All GunsGuns

Safe Gun Handling Safe Gun Handling Rules Apply to all guns Rules Apply to all guns in all circumstancesin all circumstances

Muzzle Control

Open Action

Open Action with

Safety Flag

Air Rifle Range LayoutAir Rifle Range Layout

Firing Line

Firing Distance = 10 meters

Firing Points

Targets & Backstops

Range Officer Statio

n

Ready Line

Safety Barrier

Ready Area

Range Officer

Area

Range RulesRange Rules Range Officer: In charge of range, RO must Range Officer: In charge of range, RO must

be an adult, adult RO must be presentbe an adult, adult RO must be present Firing Point: One for each shooterFiring Point: One for each shooter Target Holder/Backstop: One for each Target Holder/Backstop: One for each

firing pointfiring point Firing Line: No part of the body may touch Firing Line: No part of the body may touch

the firing line or the floor ahead of linethe firing line or the floor ahead of line Ready Line: Persons waiting to fire & Ready Line: Persons waiting to fire &

spectators must remain behind linespectators must remain behind line

Range Safety Range Safety ConditionsConditions

Unloaded RifleUnloaded Rifle:: Action openAction open No pellet in barrelNo pellet in barrel CBI insertedCBI inserted

Grounded RifleGrounded Rifle:: On floor or bench On floor or bench Unloaded w/CBI Unloaded w/CBI

insertedinserted Line is ClearLine is Clear::

Rifles are unloaded, Rifles are unloaded, grounded and checkedgrounded and checked

No one handles riflesNo one handles rifles

Line is “Hot”Line is “Hot”:: No one is forward of No one is forward of

firing linefiring line Line is ready for firingLine is ready for firing

Call to Firing Line:Call to Firing Line: OK to move rifle and OK to move rifle and

equipment to firing lineequipment to firing line Handling rifles may be Handling rifles may be

permitted, CBIs remain permitted, CBIs remain inin

Preparation PeriodPreparation Period:: OK to remove CBIs, OK to remove CBIs,

close bolts and dry-fire close bolts and dry-fire or do aiming exercisesor do aiming exercises

Charging gas or loading Charging gas or loading is not authorizedis not authorized

Basic Range CommandsBasic Range Commands LOADLOAD

OK to charge gas OK to charge gas mechanismmechanism

OK to insert pelletOK to insert pellet OK to close actionOK to close action Not OK to shootNot OK to shoot

STARTSTART OK to begin firingOK to begin firing OK to continue OK to continue

firing firing When last shot is When last shot is

fired—open action, fired—open action, insert CBI, ground insert CBI, ground riflerifle

STOPSTOP Immediately stop attempting Immediately stop attempting

to fire shot (finger off trigger!)to fire shot (finger off trigger!) Firing no longer authorized Firing no longer authorized

UNLOADUNLOAD Open action and ground rifleOpen action and ground rifle Notify RO if rifle remains Notify RO if rifle remains

loadedloaded RO must confirm unloaded RO must confirm unloaded

condition--RO assistance is condition--RO assistance is required to unload loaded required to unload loaded riflesrifles

Safe Loading ProcedureSafe Loading Procedure1.1. Open ActionOpen Action

2.2. Charge AirCharge Air

3.3. Insert Pellet Insert Pellet (skirt to rear!)(skirt to rear!)

4.4. Close ActionClose Action

5.5. Place rifle in Place rifle in position and position and fire shotfire shot

6.6. Open action--Open action--repeatrepeat

Insert pellet here, then close bolt

Open action, charge air lever, then insert pellet

Dry FiringDry Firing Dry Firing: Cocking and releasing trigger Dry Firing: Cocking and releasing trigger

mechanism, without charging gas system, to mechanism, without charging gas system, to simulate firingsimulate firing

Will not damage air riflesWill not damage air rifles Some air rifles cannot be dry fired (Daisy M887/888); Some air rifles cannot be dry fired (Daisy M887/888);

aiming exercises can be done in lieu of dry firingaiming exercises can be done in lieu of dry firing An especially effective way to practiceAn especially effective way to practice Where: Only on designated firing pointWhere: Only on designated firing point When: When authorized by RO (e.g. practice or When: When authorized by RO (e.g. practice or

preparation periods) preparation periods) Do not charge air during dry firing--just open and Do not charge air during dry firing--just open and

close action to cock trigger mechanism close action to cock trigger mechanism

Range Safety ProceduresRange Safety Procedures

MalfunctionsMalfunctions Stay in positionStay in position Keep rifle Keep rifle

pointed pointed downrange downrange

Raise HandRaise Hand Wait for RO to Wait for RO to

inspect rifle and inspect rifle and give instructionsgive instructions

Range Safety ProceduresRange Safety Procedures

Firing CompletedFiring Completed Immediately open Immediately open

actionaction Get out of firing Get out of firing

positionposition Ground rifleGround rifle Insert CBIInsert CBI Wait for Wait for

instructions instructions

Range Safety ProceduresRange Safety Procedures

Loaded Rifle afterLoaded Rifle after STOP-UNLOADSTOP-UNLOAD Remain in positionRemain in position Keep rifle pointed Keep rifle pointed

downrange downrange Raise HandRaise Hand Wait for RO to give Wait for RO to give

instructions to fire instructions to fire rifle in PDC (Pellet rifle in PDC (Pellet Discharge Container) Discharge Container) or backstopor backstop Dischargin

g loaded rifle into

PDC

Personal Safety & Personal Safety & HygieneHygiene

Pellet Handling Pellet Handling HygieneHygiene Lead is toxicLead is toxic No food on rangeNo food on range No open beverage No open beverage

containerscontainers WASH HANDS AFTER WASH HANDS AFTER

HANDLING PELLETSHANDLING PELLETS

Safety GlassesSafety Glasses Wearing safety or Wearing safety or

eyeglasses during air eyeglasses during air rifle firing is rifle firing is recommended (required recommended (required in NJROTC)in NJROTC)

Personal ClothingPersonal Clothing Sweatshirt or work Sweatshirt or work

shirtshirt Glove (for hand that Glove (for hand that

holds or supports rifle)holds or supports rifle) Note: Hearing protection Note: Hearing protection

is not required for air rifleis not required for air rifle

Gun CasesGun CasesGun Cases:Gun Cases: Used to store and transport air Used to store and transport air

riflesrifles Behind firing line—keep rifles in Behind firing line—keep rifles in

closed casesclosed cases Bring closed case to firing line Bring closed case to firing line

with muzzle oriented with muzzle oriented downrangedownrange

After opening case—open After opening case—open action and insert CBIaction and insert CBI

Remove rifle from case, ground Remove rifle from case, ground rifle, remove case from firing rifle, remove case from firing lineline

After firing—replace rifle in After firing—replace rifle in case on firing line—CBI may be case on firing line—CBI may be removed, action closed and removed, action closed and trigger released before closing trigger released before closing casecase

Special ConditionsSpecial Conditions SafetiesSafeties

Mechanical devices to facilitate carrying loaded gunsMechanical devices to facilitate carrying loaded guns On target ranges, the safety is the open action and CBIOn target ranges, the safety is the open action and CBI Most target air rifles do not have mechanical safetiesMost target air rifles do not have mechanical safeties The use of the mechanical safety is not required in air The use of the mechanical safety is not required in air

rifle target shooting rifle target shooting Safe Air Rifles for Target RangesSafe Air Rifles for Target Ranges

Use only 4.5mm/.177 cal. air riflesUse only 4.5mm/.177 cal. air rifles Use only air rifles with pellet velocities of 600 fps or lessUse only air rifles with pellet velocities of 600 fps or less

Taking a BreakTaking a Break Never lay a loaded rifle downNever lay a loaded rifle down Rifle must be cleared with a CBI inserted before laying it Rifle must be cleared with a CBI inserted before laying it

downdown Some ranges may have special safety rulesSome ranges may have special safety rules

—they must be followed too—they must be followed too

Achieving a Perfect Safety Achieving a Perfect Safety RecordRecord

Safety requires self-discipline and focus--Safety requires self-discipline and focus--

you are the most important component of you are the most important component of

safetysafety

Everyone is a Safety OfficerEveryone is a Safety Officer Never tolerate unsafe gun handling by othersNever tolerate unsafe gun handling by others

Act immediately to correct unsafe situationsAct immediately to correct unsafe situations

Anyone can call Anyone can call STOPSTOP in a safety emergency in a safety emergency

Remember the Goal—Eliminate All Gun Remember the Goal—Eliminate All Gun

Accidents!Accidents!

Becoming Marksmanship Becoming Marksmanship QualifiedQualified

Cadets must attend safety training class Cadets must attend safety training class

Cadets must pass a standard safety examCadets must pass a standard safety exam

Exam based on safety training class and Exam based on safety training class and Cadets Guide to Air Rifle SafetyCadets Guide to Air Rifle Safety

Cadets must sign Cadets must sign Cadet Safety PledgeCadet Safety Pledge

Enjoy your rifle marksmanship experience!Enjoy your rifle marksmanship experience!