Yes, well that's the way I understand it to be, it has to go back in the holster unless otherwise directed, and in most cases I've come across you only have to say " make safe" . The directions do not have to specifically say restatge on table or prop etc.Make safe can also mean you return it to the holster, .....or place it down on a proposal with barrel down range.
Is that correct?
And as you say Griff, split pistols the string is 5 and pistol, pistol its 10.
In writing the stage you cannot leave out a direction if you want the shooter or want to give him the option of leaving it unholstered somewhere. No directive then it goes back to leather or you get the penalty.?