Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
Since this year is the 250th Anniversary of our nation and the upcoming monthly CMP Highpower match falls on Saturday June 6th the anniversary of D-Day the match director and shooters would like to invite everyone that has some type of service rifle from any nation to come join us. Normally most people shoot an AR or M1A1 but the match is also open to rifles such as the M1Garand, M1 Carbine, Springfield 1903, Mauser 98, Mosin-Nagant, Ariska or any civilian version of modern service rifles from other nations.
Match Description:
Civilian Marksmanship Program Highpower matches are fired from 3 positions: standing, sitting, and prone, and are open to any military rifle, or their civilian equivalent, equipped with iron sights. That includes any rifle issued to any military in the world. Current rules allow scopes of no more than 4.5 magnification. The NRA Any Rifle / Any Sight match is the exact same course of fire, with the same targets, so we shoot these matches at the same time as two separate classes.
The course of fire is 50 rounds for the score, plus sighter shots fired only before the match begins (generally limited to 5 rounds, but we will allow more if you need them). The stages are 10 rounds in 10 minutes standing, 10 rounds rapid fire sitting, (fired in 60 seconds with a mandatory reload), 10 rounds rapid fire-prone, (fired in 70 seconds with a mandatory reload), and 20 rounds in 20 minutes slow prone. We shoot the matches at 100yds with reduced targets simulating 200, 300 and 600 targets. A shooting sling is recommended but not necessary. As is a spotting scope to check your sighters.
Setup is 7:30 and the start time is 8 on Saturday June 6th.
Wipe the dust off those rifles and come join the fun!!!
Gaylord Baker 509-308-4551 & Mark Johnson 509-308-5335
Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
The signs and postings have been printed and will be mounted on May 8th ; at that time the new rules and operating procedures voted upon in the April general meeting will govern normal range operation.
You can review the changes below in an April 8 posting titled ‘Pending changes to the Range Rules and Operational Procedures”. An overview will be permanently posted at the range, but if you don’t review these changes prior to your first range visit on or after May 8th, you will doubtless experience some uncertainty about proper range operation.
If after Reviewing the changs you have any questions, please contact me – text 509-531-5836 or call and leave a message.
Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
The clubs Vice Pres , Vince Salvadalena and the Sec , Madeline Fenrich have received an employment offer too good to refuse and have relocated to the west side of the State. As a result, they have reluctantly decided to resign their positions at TCMSA. We wish them the best and hope that should they find themselves back in the area, they will actively reconnect with the club.
Though the resignations are not yet formal, there is a very high probability they soon will be, and that nominations will be open for both Vice Pres and Sec at the May 7th general meeting, if so, a vote will be conducted during the June regular meeting.
Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
Five new picnic tables approved by the membership have been assembled and placed at the range. They are located at the shotgun range, two at the pink shed, the CMP line and the sporter range. Work party credit has been approved to haul away the old disassemble wood tables.
Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
Work Party March 21st 10:30am – 2:30pm Ranges will be closed
There are several projects we will be working on depending on how many show up. Replacement of some wood framing for the target stands at 100 and 200 yd lines ( lead -Peter Clark )
Replacement of several metal target holders that are badly shot up , and installation of a standard target holder at 50 yds on the blue range (lead Mark Johnson) He will need members help that have a pickup, 6t ladder, tape measure and level. There are two sledge hammers at the range. We will be driving posts for target frames into the ground.
We need several age appropriate members to bring ladders so the roof on the pink shed can be repaired. (lead Gaylord Baker)
Weather permitting some tumbleweed burning, but in any case, breaking them, loose general manual weed control. (lead – to be determined)
The road to the 200 targets needs to be cleared of drift sand – toy tractor available (lead -John Drewrey)
A few shovels and racks are available but please bring some for your own use if you have them. gloves , hammer and other general hand tools may be helpful if you have them available.
Work party credit granted toward current renewal if needed (credit when renewing in 2026) or
if you have ready renewed credit for renewal when it comes due in 2027
Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
Notice of Three Motions to change Range Rules and Operational Procedures
At the March meeting three motions were made and seconded. The vote on these motions will be held during the April 2nd General meeting.
The italic text is informational and not part of the motions text.
First Motion . add the following sentence as the 5th bullet to the Range Rules in the Ammo Rules section:
5. No ammunition other than rimfire and pistol caliber centerfire may be used on the “Blue Range. “
(end of test of the first motion)
Synopsis of statements during discussion – The blue range was built as a rimfire range, but an ammunition restriction was never formally documented. The berm has seen damage from several sources and steps have been taken to stabilize the berm. This ammunition restriction is seen by the Board as a necessary step to assure the berms stability. The restriction is on ammunition, not firearm type i.e. pistol caliber carbines would be allowed.
—————————————————————————–
Second Motion – to adopt the Map , Control Station Sign TCMSA Range Overview document and Rule Change(that follow below)
Map.
Note – name changes from Red Range to Main Range , Blue Range to Short Range and Yellow Range to Restricted Area (modified and expanded) – A copy to be mounted at every control station and a poster sized copy in the Rail Car next to TCMSA overview.
Control Station Sign(To save space this is not the sign format just the text )
Making the Range COLD or HOT
To access Restricted Area (including 200 yd line) use YELLOW Light System
Communicate Walk the line, make eye contact, get agreement from all.
Inform Magazines out, actions open & empty, muzzles down range.
Audible indicator (horn) ONE blast for COLD: TWO for HOT
Visual indicator (lights) Lights ON for COLD or OFF for HOT
Verify Everyone DOWN RANGE is back before going HOT.
Note –Modifies the wording of the existing signs. All current signs would be replaced.
TCMSA Range Overview
TCMSA Range Overview
The TCMSA Facility has three ranges, the Main Range (with Rifle, Handgun, and Shotgun areas and a Restricted Area), a Short Range, and an Archery Range. A color-coded light system indicates range status, aka HOT or COLD, and permits a range to be HOT or COLD without impacting the other range. Strobe lights are located along the firing lines and on the West end of the Box Car. The Archery Range has no light system and operates independently of the other ranges.
FIREARMS MAY NOT BE FIRED OR HANDLED WHILE STROBE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED ON THE RESPECTIVE RANGE.
LIGHTS DO NOT REPLACE THE NEED FOR MEMBERS TO COMMUNICATE FACE TO FACEWITH OTHERS BEFORE CHANGING RANGE STATUS.
Short Range
The Short Range, located to the left of the Main Range, is a 50-yard range contained within a Wall on the right and a Berm at 50-yards.
Short Range Light System
The Short Range Light System consists of blue strobes on the firing line and at the West end of the Box Car with a local bell, all controlled by local switches on the Short-Range firing line.
Main Range
The Main Range consists of Rifle, Handgun, and Shotgun areas, and a Restricted Area.
Main Range Light System
The Main Range Light System consists of collection of red strobes located along the Main Range Firing Line and on the West End of the Box Car, all controlled by local switches. The Main Range has a horn which is manually activated when changing range status.
Restricted Area
The Restricted Area is used to control access to areas beyond the Short-Range Berm and 100-yard Berm. The Restricted Area is necessary as a direct line of sight exists from portions of the Short-Range Firing Line over the Short-Range Berm and Wall to the 100- and 200-yard rifle target holders and beyond. The 100-yard Berm, the Short-Range Berm, and the top of the Short-Range Wall are included in the Restricted Area. (Targets may be placed on the lower half of a berm.)
Restricted Area Lights
The Restricted Area Light System is controlled by a single switch located on the Short-Range Firing Line which actuates ALL range strobes (red, blue, and yellow) and actuates an alarm which signals every 30 seconds. The Restricted Area Light System overrides all light systems when activated.
NOTE: Lights must be turned off using the same switch at which they were turned on.
TCMSA Overview – A document offering a member refresher and visitor training aid on range operation. A poster sized copy to be mounted in the Rail Car next to the Map.
Rule Change
Replace existing bullet 7 of the Range Rules – Control Rules with the following :
7. After walking the line, making eye contact, obtaining agreement from all from impacted persons, and confirming firearms have been made safe, any member may change a range’s status to COLD. Before taking a range HOT, it must be confirmed everyone downrange has returned to the firing line and is ready to go HOT.
Use audible horn signal to signal others of the range change; one blast for COLD and two for HOT. Then turn lights ON for COLD Range or OFF for HOT Range.
The Restricted Area Light system must be used to enter any portion of the Restricted Area. Before accessing the Restricted Area (including the 200-yd line), concurrence is required from all Short and Main Range users. Restricted Area Light system overrides ALL lights and all audible alarms.
Main and Short Range lights are controlled by switches along the firing lines, and the Lights must be turned off at the same location that was used to turn the lights on.
(end of text of the second motion)
For reference – Existing bullet 7 – Range Rules – Range Control Rules
7. Any member may change range condition to COLD RANGE, HOT RANGE. Walk the line making eye contact and get agreement. Inform/assist members to make firearms safe. Use audible horn signal; one for cold and two for hot. Use strobe lights as appropriate. Make sure everyone downrange is back before making range hot.
Concerning Second and Third Motions
Synopsis of statements from discussion– Currently the range rules and operational procedures do not cover the way the range is posted and operated. If passed the rules , procedures and signage would align, providing increased member understanding of safe range operation. This may not be the perfect fix, but it is a solid start.
Synopsis of statements leading to a parallel motion (Third Motion) The current signage needs to be replaced; if passed signs could be printed and mounted. The new Map and Control Station wording should be used as a foundation. Get the signs mounted, then take the time and do the rest properly. Current range rule #7 should be in an operational procedure document not the range rules. The change to the Range Rules should be moving #7 not it’s in place modification.
Third Motion – Adopt – the Map and Control Station Sign only(as presented above for Motion Two and see the synopsis of statements leading to parallel motion above)
Post meeting, I was informed that the member that forwarded the Third Motion will offer a motion for leave to withdraw it prior to any vote. This is in support of the Second Motion. If passed the motion will be withdrawn.
If that wasn’t fun enough – There are contradictory terms between these motions and inconsistencies within the documents proposed for adoption.
Examples – Documents in the Second Motion rename the Range that is the subject of First Motion
Names or descriptions of the same object within the Documents are not consistent – yellow light system / Restricted area light system – possibly others.
These can be easily changed by amendments to the motions at the next meeting, but the group will then need to determine if these changes are of the type that would trigger another announcement of charge requirement i.e. that the text of the motion be posted – or are strictly housekeeping that does not affect the proposed Range Rule or Operational Procedure changes and should be considered de minims and so not requiring additional posting.
Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
The following unopposed officers were unanimously elected: President: John Drewrey, Vice President: Vince Salvadalena, Treasurer: James Simpson, Secretary: Madeline Fenrich, Membership Coordinator: Connie Simpson
The two board positions attracted four candidates, and the first ballot resulted in a three-way tie. The runoff among the three candidates elected George Hledik and Rick Sunford.
The club wishes all members a safe and healthy New Year and sincerely thanks those who stepped forward to run for office.
Tri-Cities Metallic Silhouette AssociationPosted on by Mark Johnson
We had a great turnout at the 50-yd. three-position match today. It was only the second time we’ve had a full line of 13 shooters. Several members had relatives visiting from out of town for the holidays, and they joined in the fun. Everyone had a good time, even though it was a bit chilly due to the wind.
