There is still some confusion about PCC casing and uncasing in relation to where and when it can be done and what can/cannot be done in designated PCC casing/uncasing areas.
First, let’s talk about PCC casing/uncasing. What do the rules say?
Carbines must be cased/uncased or removed/replaced on a cart with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction directly into and within 2 yards of a side berm or backstop. PCCs can also be cased/uncased or removed/replaced on a cart under the direct supervision of a range officer with muzzle pointing at the backstop. Failure to point the muzzle at a side berm or back stop during casing/uncasing or removing/replacing on a cart will result in a DQ per 10.5.19.
Rule 5.2.1.7, USPSA COmpetition Rules
Per rule 5.2.1.7, a PCC can be cased/uncased or removed/replaced on a cart with the muzzle pointed into a side berm and the case or cart needs to be within 2 yards of the berm if the competitor is doing these actions outside of RO supervision. If a RO is supervising, then the PCC needs to be pointed at the backstop and doesn’t need to be within 2 yards of the backstop because the RO has control of the stage and the stage is clear.
Why within 2 yards of a berm when not supervised by a RO? Because of rule 10.5.19 (from the Unsafe Gun Handling DQ section of the rules):
Failing to point the muzzle of a PCC at a side berm or back stop during casing/uncasing or removing/replacing on a conveyance or sweeping any person with the muzzle of a PCC, whether loaded or not, even if a chamber flag is inserted. Side berms/backstops may be used for casing and uncasing or removing from/placing on conveyances only. All other gun handling with the PCC, e.g., sight pictures, turning dots on/off, etc., must be accomplished in a safety area or under the direct supervision of a Range Officer. The berm/backstop is not required while removing/returning a properly flagged PCC from/to a vehicle providing all other safety rules are followed.
Rule 10.5.19, USPSA Competition Rules
If the case and cart are within 2 yards of the side berm, there is hardly any chance of someone walking between the case/cart and being swept. What about carts that have the PCC vertically up or down and don’t require turning the PCC horizontally to remove or replace on the cart? The chances of sweeping anyone is very small, but the rules still say that the cart needs to be within 2 yards of the side berm.
What about PCC casing/uncasing areas? Where are those in the rulebook? Well, they aren’t actually in the current rulebook. They were discussed in the old PCC Best Practices document and the original PCC Addendum that was distributed when PCC was a new provisional division. But matches can still provide them. PCC shooters like having a table to place their cases on and are more than happy to use it (make sure the table is within 2 yards of a berm).
But, can PCC shooters only case/uncase in the designated area? Can they be disqualified for not using the casing/uncasing areas? The answer is no since there is no rule to support that DQ. But they still need to meet all the requirements of rules 5.2.1.7 and 10.5.19 if they choose to just use a side berm that is outside of the designated area.
That brings us to the last question. What can PCC shooters do at the casing/uncasing area? Well, per rule 10.5.19 they can remove the PCC from the case, but all other gun handling has to occur in a safety area (see bold text in above rule). Inserting a chamber flag is included in gun handling. So, if you don’t have a chamber flag already inserted in your cased PCC, make a stop at the safety area before uncasing into the side berm or at the casing/uncasing area.
What about removing loaded magazines from a PCC case in the casing/uncasing area? That is okay, because it isn’t manipulating the firearm. There is no rule to DQ a PCC shooter for grabbing mags from their case.
When both PCC shooters and ROs understand the rules, then there is less confusion on match day. Hopefully this has helped clear up some of the confusion.