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I've seen a couple of different variations on what this command is supposed to mean. At all the controlled ranges I've used, it means finger outside the trigger guard, weapon held pointed in a safe direction, and don't do anything until you receive further commands. Others I've seen online seem to combine the "unload and show clear" into "cease firing," while a few others say it means to put the weapon down, with variations on whether you are to engage safeties, open bolts, etc. in the process.

The real problem becomes what to do with a single action revolver that has already been cocked when an unexpected cease-fire is called; if the first situation, all is well and the RO should be giving further commands shortly that will allow an opportunity to clarify his expectations. (or resume firing if the problem has been remedied, of course) If any of the others, my Blackhawk would be a bit of a quandary: I don't feel safe putting a cocked single-action down as-is, but there's no safety, and it can't be unloaded while cocked. Since there's no particularly recognized safe method of decocking it, doing so on a cold range without specific clearance from the RO seems like a bad idea, but so does allowing it to leave my control (by setting it down where it could fall from a table or be kicked if on the ground) while fully cocked.

So, what does it mean when the ROs you deal with yell "cease firing?"

I agree that ranges vary, which is why it's important to clarify upon entry.

The last two ranges we've used, you were simply supposed to stop firing, activate your weapon's safety if it had one, and put your gun on the table with the muzzle pointed down-range. There was no requirement to unload it, but most people did. Essentially, no hands were to be touching a gun during cease fire.

My experience has been that cease fire means what you describe in the first scenario. Then the follow up command is to unload and show clear - I'd think that you'd have to explain your situation with the SA cocked at that point to the RO and let him figure it out.

Every range is a little different so I would suggest asking the RO prior to shooting.

IMO, "cease fire" means to open the action and leave it open so that it is visible to the RO. Remove the magazine, clear the chamber, put on the safety, and lay the gun on the bench with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Leave all guns, ammo and magazines on the bench. Step back from the firing line and remain there.

If you can't safely clear you gun [such as your example], get the attention of the RO, verbally or by raising your hand, so you can get some instructions on how to proceed. Unless it's an emergency or urgent cease fire, he or she will probably let you shoot off your round.

For ranges without an assigned RO, it is even more crucial to agree on range rules before hand and keep a constant eye out for unsafe behaviour. There have been a few times where I have asked shooters to step back from the shooting bench and to stop handling their guns and reloading their magazines during a cease fire. Asking politely, but firmly usually works.

Although others may disagree, in my opinion, it is safe to uncock a revolver on a firing range. As long as the muzzle is always pointed in a safe direction I don't see a problem with decocking.

I too agree that every range is different and "Cease Fire" means something different everywhere. At one of the ranges I shoot at, "Cease Fire" means unload, engage safety, point the gun down range, action open, step away from the firing line. This is because they call this to replace targets and clean up the range in front of the shooting benches. The public is not allowed down range on this range. At one of the other ranges I have shot at, I simply means engage the safety, point the gun down range, and step back from the table. I guess it is just what the people who run the range want. I am a big fan of unload, engage safety, point the gun down range, action open, step away from the firing line but I also teach a lot of people with little to know experience with firearms. This way I can run the line and see for myself prior to me or anyone else going down range.

My .02

At the outdoor range here, they blow the buzzer, you unload the firearm, open the chamber, get up, walk away from the bench and sit on a bench behind a yellow line. Do not bring a magazine to reload, just sit there and look pretty while targets are changed. I don't frequent this range much.

Well at Carter Country range

Cease fire = Unload weapon, Bolt to rear, all long guns on racks behind the firing line, NOOONE on firing line, do NOT touch a weapon with people downrange...the range officer walks the line to ensure no weapons are on the benches then declares the range is cold and allows people to go downrange

I like that...err on the safety

Now an emergency Cease Fire..I put my weapon on safe, point muzzle downrange..set the weapon on the bench..and step away from the firing line