MCGC RANGE RULES

01-25-2026

SAFETY RULES – ALL RANGES

1. Eye protection is required and is to be worn at all times when you are on the firing line. Hearing protection is required for those 21 years and younger and strongly recommended for other ages.
2. No illegal drugs or alcoholic beverages are allowed on club property.
3. Everyone has the responsibility to immediately call for a “cease-fire” whenever any unsafe activity is observed or suspected.
4. Range commands:
   1. Cease fire – Immediately unload and bench all firearms.
   2. Range “Cold” – Do not touch a firearm. OK to go downrange.
   3. Range “Hot” – Verify that no one is downrange. OK to load and fire.
   4. To the firing line – Proceed to the firing line. Do not fire.
5. Before going down range, all guns must:
   1. be unloaded,
   2. action open (“OPEN CHAMBER” indicators installed)
   3. and the firearm must be benched or “boxed”.
6. No firearm may be picked up/carried/touched/scope adjusted/etc. (with hands) while anyone is down range. It is permissible to carry an unloaded firearm in a proper carrier (box, gun case, holster, etc.).
7. No EXPLOSIVE targets are allowed on ANY range.
8. Automatic firearms and those that simulate automatic fire are prohibited on all ranges. This includes forced- reset triggers, bump stocks, and/or any other device to simulate, reproduce, or facilitate automatic fire.
9. During a match, all range commands by the match director must be obeyed. On any issue, the match director’s decision is final. Competitors may file an appeal after the match to the Executive Committee.
10. Scheduled range maintenance including grass cutting has priority over range practice.
11. Firearms shall be discharged only between the hours of 9:00AM and 9:00PM.
12. No firearm will be hand carried to or from vehicle or between ranges. All firearms must be carried cased, boxed, or holstered. When a firearm is removed from the case/box, the action must be opened (if not already opened), and an Empty Chamber Indicator will immediately be inserted. YOU WILL NOT UNBOX OR REMOVE THE FIREARM FROM THE CASE IF ANYONE IS DOWN RANGE.
13. Firearms will be loaded or unloaded only at the Firing Line.
14. If you are shooting in front of a bench/official firing line, you must properly holster the firearm or lock the slide back/cylinder/action open before returning to the bench

NRA Three Rules for Safe Gun Handling always apply

1. ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3. ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use

USE OF RANGE – ALL RANGES

1. Good sportsmanship and the preservation of Club property are required of all members.
2. Entry onto property is restricted to current members and guests. Members are required to have a current membership card.
3. Range reservations must be approved in advance by the Executive Committee.
4. Do not shoot pistols on the rifle ranges or rifles on the pistol ranges. Rifles and/or pistols are allowed on the “Air Guard” range.
5. Shoot only appropriate targets orientated to avoid injury or property damage. Glass targets/bottles/cans, EXPLOSIVE targets, and “roll-around” targets are not allowed on ANY range.
6. Pick up all boxes, targets and trash from the range when shooting is finished, and REMOVE them from the range.
7. Members must accompany guests at all times and are responsible for their guests’ actions.
8. No Sig P320 or variant will be allowed at any MCGC match training session or organized group practice. The Sig P320 or variant can be brought to the range in an unloaded condition in a case. Loaded only at the firing line for practice or testing. Unloaded at the firing line and cased when departing from the range
9. No bottleneck cartridges or “high brass” shotgun shells may be shot on any range on Sundays.
10. Verify the automatic range gate closes upon entering or leaving the range (except during a club event). If using the “side” rifle range gate, the lock should be placed on the last links of the chain, and the combination accessible from BOTH sides.
11. No weapon may be fired in fully automatic mode on any range on any day.
12. The use of forced-reset triggers, bump stocks, and/or any device designed to simulate, reproduce, or facilitate automatic fire is prohibited on all Magic City Gun Club property.
13. No 50 Cal BMG or on any range.
14. No tracer or incendiary ammunition allowed.
15. Minimum distance for shooting steel is 10 yards.
16. Violation of any of these rules may result in disciplinary action by the Executive Committee.

USE OF RANGE – RIFLE RANGE

1. Clay targets are not to be used on the rifle range.
2. Targets MUST be placed high enough off the ground such that bullets will NOT HIT THE GROUND before hitting the dirt berm backstop.

USE OF RANGE – SILHOUETTE/BLACK POWDER RANGE

1. When shooting targets that will impact the berms in front of the steel rails on which metallic silhouette targets are set or the rails themselves, cartridges fired are limited to:
   1. those allowed by NRA Silhouette rules for smallbore rifle, smallbore hunting rifle, smallbore cowboy rifle, pistol cartridge cowboy lever action rifle, smallbore hunter pistol or hunter pistol. In general, this permits straight wall pistol cartridges along with 25 ACP, 22 Hornet, 25-20, 270 Ren, 30 carbine, 32-20, and 44-40. Additionally, should any particular firearm/cartridge/load cause damage to the berms in front of the steel rails or the steel rails themselves, use of such firearm/cartridge/load must be discontinued.
   2. black powder rifles or handguns using black powder or black powder substitute for propellant and lead round balls or Minnie balls as projectiles.
2. Cartridges other than those noted above may be fired provided targets elevated such that bullets do not impact the steel rails and berms in front of the rails.
3. Shotguns may be fired for practice provided the activity does not interfere with others using the range. Shotgun barrel should not drop below horizontal when firing to prevent damaging ground.

USE OF RANGE – PRECISION PISTOL RANGE

1. ONLY PISTOL CALIBERS ARE ALLOWED ON THIS RANGE. 22 Rimfire/5.7/32/380/38/9/40/10/41/44/45. NO RIFLE CALIBER AMMO regardless of Firearm.(NO 223/5.56/7.62/300BO/etc)
2. Targets MUST be placed in the existing 25/50 yard frames. No portable stands / sign stakes are allowed. Please use the Guard range or Pistol bays if using target stands/etc. DO NOT place targets in target holder rings with the aiming point close to the steel ring causing bullets to strike the steel.
3. No hanging of steel targets in target frames. You must use cardboard/paper in frames
4. If you are shooting from the grass (closer than 25 yds) and another shooter arrives to shoot from the bench; you must move back to the bench or move to the “Air Guard” range or pistol bays.
5. Target frames accept a 24”x24” piece of cardboard.
6. Do not place targets on crossties and do not use “sign stakes” as targets (i.e political/for sale signs).

USE OF RANGE – STEEL PLATE PISTOL BAYS

Shooting of steel plate can cause splatter/splashback/ricochet. This is why eye/ear protection is required and minimum distance required. Also be aware of where your vehicle is parked (Park in designated area, NOT at the benches). MCGC is not liable for any damage caused by “splatter”. MCGC has designed the bays to reduce “splatter”, but it can occur. Use bays at your own risk.

For all Pistol Bays

1. NO RIFLE CALIBER AMMO regardless of Firearm.(NO 223/5.56/7.62/300BO/etc)
2. Eye and Ear protection is required for EVERY PERSON on or near the firing line.
3. Park your vehicle in the designated area. Do NOT park at the benches.
4. All firing is from behind the benches or bench line. Do not shoot in front of the benches.
5. Minimum distance for shooting steel is 10 yards.
6. Do not move the plate racks.
7. Do not Load or Handle a firearm when anyone is down range.
8. Do not point any firearm above the berm/backstop.
9. Shooting of cardboard/paper is allowed. Portable target stands are on each bay.
10. Cardboard/paper targets can be shot closer than the minimum steel plate distance.

For Pistol Bays #1 and #3 (30 yards)

1. This range is for Pistols and Revolvers ONLY in Pistol Calibers. .22 RimFire/5.7/32/380/38/9/40/10/41/44/45.
2. NO RIFLE CALIBER AMMO regardless of Firearm.(NO 223/5.56/7.62/300BO/etc)

For Pistol Bay #2 (60 yards)

1. This range is for Pistols, Revolvers and PISTOL CALIBER CARBINES. .22 RimFire/5.7/32/380/38/9/40/10/41/44/45/454/475/480/500.
2. NO RIFLE CALIBER AMMO regardless of Firearm.(NO 223/5.56/7.62/300BO/etc)

USE OF RANGE – SHOTGUN RANGE

1. No ammunition larger than 12 gauge, and no slugs are allowed. If you want to shoot slugs, use the rifle or “Air Guard” range.
2. Unless specifically trained and authorized, members must not operate or adjust automated target throwing equipment.

USE OF RANGE – NATIONAL GUARD RANGE

1. The guard range is available if the National Guard is not present. If you are using the Guard range and the National Guard arrives you are to immediately move off the range.
2. Targets must be 5-6 feet off the ground. There are portable stands available on this range for your convenience.
3. Due to the concrete being high off the ground, you may shoot from the sidewalk/grass to avoid hitting the grass and making sure the bullets impact the berm.
4. If you are shooting from the grass/sidewalk, you must properly holster the firearm or lock the slide back/cylinder open/bolt open before returning to the bench/concrete.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

1. In case of fire or medical emergency, call “911.” The range address is: 7089 Narrows Road, Pinson, Al 35126
2. Notify a Club officer. The current Secretary is Clyde Guidry telephone 205-999-8275 / cguidry56@gmail.com The current President is Mike Dempsey, telephone 205-807-0841 /dempseymike@outlook.com The current treasurer is