Firing Line vs Stage/Couse of Fire.

[Snakebite]

So what’s the difference between the Firing Line and the Stage/Course of fire?

The Stage is certainly part of the Firing Line, but not so the reverse. The Rules that apply to each are not the same. For example… a shooter can lower the hammer on guns at the Loading Table without approval from anyone… that certainly can not happen on the Stage. A shooter at the loading table with pistol in hand on half cock while loading can shuffle along as the line moves up without any penalty.. that can’t happen on the Stage. Ammo can be brought up to the Loading Table in just about any manner and is not considered “Illegal”, but that is not true on the Stage. If you think about it, there are a number of rules that apply to the Loading Table that differ from the rules that apply to the Stage/Course of Fire. The Loading Table and the Stage are indeed different Zones within the Firing Line. This fact is often over looked and the terms are often interchanged. Same goes for references to the R.O. when they really mean the Timer Operator/Chief R.O.. The Loading Table has, IMO, a great potential for a mishap. Everyone there is working and fiddling with Loaded guns and trying to concentrate on what they are going to do on the Stage. Loading Table officers are not always present to monitor the process. It seems that this position is often the first to go when trying to move a lot of shooters through the Course of Fire in a short period of time. Bottom line here is to be aware that the Loading Table and the Stage/Course of Fire are not the same, and though they share many rules, not all apply to each.

[Turkey Creek Red, SASS # 22854]

Thank you Snakebite, that was very informative.

[Chancy Shot, SASS #67163]

Yes and no, maybe!

 

Chancy ( it’s been a long winter in Iowa) Shot