What sort of firearms does the Club use?

Firearms used in the Combined Services Discipline (CSD) can be found here

Only pistols up to .38 calibre can be used for CSD.

 

Where does the Club shoot?

At the SSAA Majura complex over three ranges: the Terry O’Brien Range, the Jim McKinley Range and Crater Range.

The MFC Range calendars can be found here

 

What do I have to do to obtain a pistol licence?

Information on obtaining an ACT or NSW H-class (pistol licence) is located on the MFC website under the Firearms and Licensing tab.

 

Are there regular competitions?

Yes. The club holds competitions for different types of firearms on most Sundays throughout the year.

Every match run under the CSD National Rules is classed as a competitive match. There are also Territorial and national competitions held each year.

 

What sort of events do you hold?

All standard matches are detailed in the CSD National Rules and promoted on the MFC’s Events Calendar. We are also invited to other ranges/clubs for competitions and compete in other events such as the President’s Cup held at SSAA Majura range complex.

 

Do I have to be an SSAA member to join your Club?

Yes. As long as you are a current financial member of any SSAA branch you may join MFC and shoot with us.

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Can I get MFC to endorse my licence and Permit to Acquire?

Only if you are a member of SSAA ACT, i.e. your branch is set to A01 - Canberra.

 

How does the grading system work?

Pistol

Graded competitors are those who are officially graded in the SSAA CSD Pistol competition under CSD rules in either or both Class 1 and/or Class 2 pistols (which have separate grades for each class).

 

A competitor shall be promoted to a higher grade after achieving three qualifying scores in a higher grade in 3P Core (Event 1) in any time period (i.e. at least three shoots are required to be graded).

 

Rifle

Graded competitors are those who are officially graded in the SSAA CSD Rifle competition under CSD  rules in either Standard Rifle, .22 Trainer and/or Cadet rifles which have separate grades for each class.

In Standard Rifle a competitor shall be promoted to a higher grade on achieving three qualifying scores in a higher grade in 3P Core (Match 1) in any time period.

 

More information can be found in the CSD National Rule Book.

Some events are entered by grade so that competitors shoot against others of similar skill and ability.

 

What fees are payable to join your Club?

$60 per financial year for membership, with members who join part way through the year paying pro rata (i.e. $5 per month remaining in the financial year). Members can also purchase an annual range pass for $60.

When can I use the safe area?

The safe area is for handling of firearms that have been cleared by an appointed Range Officer (RO).

The safe area can also be used for removing or replacing firearms from a bag or case for transport to and from the range.

If a rifle safe area is designated, there is to be no handling of firearms whilst competitors are down range.

The pistol safe area can be used while competitors are downrange (i.e. whether the range is open or closed). Pistols in the safe area can be cleared by another licensed member, not specifically an RO, although must be cleared by an RO before being taken to the safe area.

Ammunition cannot be taken into a designated safe area.

 

What is meant by the command ‘instant’? Can my finger be on the trigger?

A firearm is in the ‘instant’ condition when both the chamber and magazine contain live rounds, the hammer is cocked (for revolvers and double-action self-loading pistols) and the safety catch is off.

Once the ‘instant’ command is given, competitors adopt the ‘ready’ position.

The trigger finger must remain outside the trigger guard until the ‘fire’ command is given and the firearm is raised onto the target.

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What type of pistol ammunition can I use?

The competitor may use any ammunition that is allowed by law and safe to use (provided the range is approved for that calibre) including factory ammunition and handloads. Members may use other members' reloads, but unlicenced shooters are not to be provided reloaded ammunition.

Ammunition for competitions may be assessed by power factor, which is the minimum power level required to qualify and be scored in a specific class.

No full metal jacket (FMJ) or jacketed hollow points (JHPs) are to be used on steel pistol targets – soft lead projectiles only.

 

Can I carry my firearm around the carpark?

Much of the range complex is consider a public area, so carriage of firearms to and from the carpark (or between ranges) is only allowed if firearms are empty and bagged/boxed. MFC does not allow members to wear holstered pistols outside the range in use.

 

Can I use an In Waistband (IWB) Holster?

IWB holsters are not allowed during MFC competition events due to the often large number of (relatively) inexperienced shooters requiring he Range Officer's attention. IWB may be used at other MFC pistol events (e.g. Thursday night general member sessions) at the discretion of the Range Officer in charge of the firing line.

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What is meant by Range CLOSED?

A closed range means no handling of firearms while the range is closed except in a designated safe area.

This includes not touching a firearm to bag it and go home until the range is opened again or handling a longarm in a rack for adjustment.

Once racked all firearms/longarms are off limits whilst the range is closed.

On some ranges such as the Jim McKinley Range, a lighting system is used which shows a red light when the range is closed.

 

When can I go forward of the firing line?

You can only go forward of the firing line when the range is closed.

 

Who can be at the firing line?

The only people allowed on the firing line are shooters (people who are or will be shooting), any instructors actively instructing another shooter (with the approval of the RO), the RO(s) and any deputies appointed by the RO.

One metre back from the firing line, each shooter may have an assistant for filling magazines or speed loaders (if required) if approved by the RO.

All other competitors not shooting the current detail, target detail, spectators and those approved to be on the range may stand six metres back from the firing line or further back.

 

When can I pick up brass?

Competitors can pick up any brass that is behind the firing line once you finish shooting. You must wait until the range is closed to pick up brass that has gone forward of the firing line - you must not even reach forward until the range is closed.

 

Can my feet be over the firing line when sitting?

No part of the body above the waist may come into contact with the ground, nor may the competitor touch the firing line or barricade with any part of the body or extend their feet over the firing line.

 

Can I talk at the firing line?

When the range is open, please keep conversation to a minimum to ensure you can hear the RO.

All spectators having a conversation should respect the shooters on a detail and keep well back or quiet while shooting is in progress to minimise distractions.

 

When can I leave the firing line?

You can only leave the firing line once your firearm has been cleared by the RO and either holstered or bagged. If you need to get an item you forgot, raise your hand and seek the Range Officer's approval.

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Can I use an In Waist Band (IWB) Holster?

You can't use an IWB during MFC competitions - this makes it simpler for the Range Officer to manage safety when there may be a lot of shooters on the firing line. You may however, use IWB on Thursday nights with the permission of the Range Officer responsible for the firing line.

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