Ever been to a range where the RSO (range safety officer) says “condition 1. Put all weapons to condition 1” and you wondered what that meant then this post is for you. There are commonly 5 positions, 1 through 4 including 0.
We never used this system when I was in the military, we just gave commands on what to do. But some ranges have this system to simplify commands and streamline safety. We’ll go over these conditions so you will be familiar if you ever see this system at a range.
These are associated with single-action/double-action and striker-fire pistols. Not every pistol passes through every condition.
Condition 0 — Magazine inserted, round in the chamber, safety off.
- For SA/DA — Hammer is back.
Condition 1 — Magazine inserted, round in the chamber, safety on.
- For SA/DA — Hammer is back.
Condition 2 — Applies to Single-Action/Double-Action primarily. This is a magazine inserted, round in the chamber, hammer forward. For revolvers, it would be rounds inserted into cylinder, cylinder locked into place, hammer forward.
Condition 3 — Magazine inserted, no round in the chamber.
- For SA/DA — Hammer is forward.
Condition 4 — No magazine inserted, no round in the chamber.
- For SA/DA — Hammer is forward.
- For SA/DA revolvers — Hammer is forward, cylinder is clear of all rounds.
Condition 4 is considered safe for transport in a range environment. Some ranges have less stringent restrictions than others. But most have Condition 4 as always being a good idea until you are given permission by the range safety officer (or whatever governs the range) to proceed from Condition 4 to 1/0.
As you can see, Condition 0 and 1 are separated only by a manual safety. The firearm is loaded, hammer to the rear, and a round is in the chamber. This firearm should be handled with caution and treated with respect (at ALL conditions – but especially these two).
While condition readiness truly applies to little outside the range environment, it is something that we consider in our situational awareness. For instance, many concealed carriers carry in Condition 3. That’s because they don’t want to have a round in the chamber.
For those who carry 1911 variants or SA/DA pistols, Condition 2 is extremely common.
For striker-fire (Glock 19, etc.) carriers who feel confident in their carry abilities, Condition 0 is common.
It comes down to familiarity with the firearm, competency with its mechanics, and confidence that you can use it without doing harm to yourself or others unintentionally.
Condition readiness is a great way to communicate to other firearm operators where you are and where they need to be. More importantly, it’s a way of communicating safety.
Next time you hear a range safety officer say, “go to Condition 1”, you know to make ready and be prepared to have a great day at the range.
I’ve included Jeff Cooper’s gun safety rules. Jeff and his staff taught a large portion of my instructor’s course in the military. I was privileged to meet this great man and be taught by him personally. I’m grateful for the experience and training.
He said of these rules, 5 would be too much to remember, and 3 doesn’t cover the subject well enough. That is why there are 4.
Jeff Cooper's Rules of Gun Safety
RULE 1: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
RULE 2: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
RULE 3: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE 4: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
RULE 1: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
There are no exceptions. Do not pretend that this is true. Some people and organizations take this rule and weaken it;e.g. "Treat all guns as if they were loaded." Unfortunately, the "as if" compromises the directness of the statement by implying that they are unloaded, but we will treat them as though they are loaded. No good! Safety rules must be worded forcefully so that they are never treated lightly or reduced to partial compliance.
All guns are always loaded - period!
This must be your mind-set. If someone hands you a firearm and says, "Don't worry, it's not loaded," you do not dare believe him. You need not be impolite, but check it yourself. Remember, there are no accidents, only negligent acts. Check it. Do not let yourself fall prey to a situation where you might feel compelled to squeal, "I didn't know it was loaded!"
RULE 2: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
Conspicuously and continuously violated, especially with pistols, Rule 2 applies whether you are involved in range practice, daily carry, or examination. If the weapon is assembled and in someone's hands, it is capable of being discharged. A firearm holstered properly, lying on a table, or placed in a scabbard is of no danger to anyone. Only when handled is there a need for concern. This rule applies to fighting as well as to daily handling. If you are not willing to take a human life, do not cover a person with the muzzle. This rule also applies to your own person. Do not allow the muzzle to cover your extremities, e.g. using both hands to reholster the pistol. This practice is unsound, both procedurally and tactically. You may need a free hand for something important. Proper holster design should provide for one-handed holstering, so avoid holsters which collapse after withdrawing the pistol. (Note: It is dangerous to push the muzzle against the inside edge of the holster nearest the body to "open" it since this results in your pointing the pistol at your midsection.) Dry-practice in the home is a worthwhile habit and it will result in more deeply programmed reflexes. Most of the reflexes involved in the Modern Technique do not require that a shot be fired. Particular procedures for dry-firing in the home will be covered later. Let it suffice for now that you do not dry-fire using a "target" that you wish not to see destroyed. (Recall RULE 1 as well.)
Rule 3: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
Rule III is violated most anytime the uneducated person handles a firearm. Whether on TV, in the theaters, or at the range, people seem fascinated with having their finger on the trigger. Never stand or walk around with your finger on the trigger. It is unprofessional, dangerous, and perhaps most damaging to the psyche, it is klutzy looking. Never fire a shot unless the sights are superimposed on the target and you have made a conscious decision to fire. Firing an unaligned pistol in a fight gains nothing. If you believe that the defensive pistol is only an intimidation tool - not something to be used - carry blanks, or better yet, reevaluate having one around. If you are going to launch a projectile, it had best be directed purposely. Danger abounds if you allow your finger to dawdle inside the trigger guard. As soon as the sights leave the target, the trigger-finger leaves the trigger and straightens alongside the frame. Since the hand normally prefers to work as a unit - as in grasping - separating the function of the trigger-finger from the rest of the hand takes effort. The five-finger grasp is a deeply programmed reflex. Under sufficient stress, and with the finger already placed on the trigger, an unexpected movement, misstep or surprise could result in a negligent discharge. Speed cannot be gained from such a premature placement of the trigger-finger. Bringing the sights to bear on the target, whether from the holster or the Guard Position, takes more time than that required for moving the trigger finger an inch or so to the trigger.
RULE 4: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
Know what it is, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified. Be aware of your surroundings, whether on the range or in a fight. Do not assume anything. Know what you are doing.
SUMMARY:
Make these rules a part of your character. Never compromise them. Improper gun handling results from ignorance and improper role modeling, such as handling your gun like your favorite actor does. Education can cure this. You can make a difference by following these gun handling rules and insisting that those around you do the same. Set the example. Who knows what tragedies you, or someone you influence, may prevent?
Excerpted and paraphrased (Rules numbers changed from Roman to Arabic numerals) from: “The Modern Technique of the Pistol,” by Greg Morrison, Gunsite Press, Paulden, Arizona
These conditions are connected to the safety rules. Learn them all and be better at the range!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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