FlySubCompact
New member
I found an old thread here where the poster was disheartened about snobby shooters at a private range he'd finally joined.
Never personally had the chance to join or shoot a private range. Always practiced at public ranges, a buddy's or inlaw's farm or at my place, etc. So my experience is limited with how folks might act at a private deal like that poster mentioned.
This subject made me wonder how others here might act at any gun range and how you might break the ice with total strangers at a range, public or private.
Personally (and judging how most initially greet me), I have a grumpy-looking exterior. On the inside I'm actually a friendly and content. This motivates me to want to break the ice with armed strangers sitting at the next table. Let them know I'm not really a brooding, armed psycho. Especially when engaged in a fun activity like shooting. If they want to be left alone, fine. Move on. Some just want space, some are just tools.
It has amazed me how simple little things can open folks up and run the stuffiness from a range trip. Some things I've done:
Offer a shooter's tag-along friend some spare earplugs.
Offer a spare paper target. Spare clothes pins for targets too.
"Man, you can shoot that thing."
"I read about those. Never actually seen one."
A simple pack of balloons is also great in case a "Hey, let's see who can pop one at a hundred yards with a pocket pistol" contest breaks out. (Even more fun if a quarter-per-shot money pot is involved) Also great to offer a few to a dad with little shooters in training. Kids seem to react better to a popped balloon than punching paper.
Any of you have tips for making a trip to the range more friendly with strangers?
Never personally had the chance to join or shoot a private range. Always practiced at public ranges, a buddy's or inlaw's farm or at my place, etc. So my experience is limited with how folks might act at a private deal like that poster mentioned.
This subject made me wonder how others here might act at any gun range and how you might break the ice with total strangers at a range, public or private.
Personally (and judging how most initially greet me), I have a grumpy-looking exterior. On the inside I'm actually a friendly and content. This motivates me to want to break the ice with armed strangers sitting at the next table. Let them know I'm not really a brooding, armed psycho. Especially when engaged in a fun activity like shooting. If they want to be left alone, fine. Move on. Some just want space, some are just tools.
It has amazed me how simple little things can open folks up and run the stuffiness from a range trip. Some things I've done:
Offer a shooter's tag-along friend some spare earplugs.
Offer a spare paper target. Spare clothes pins for targets too.
"Man, you can shoot that thing."
"I read about those. Never actually seen one."
A simple pack of balloons is also great in case a "Hey, let's see who can pop one at a hundred yards with a pocket pistol" contest breaks out. (Even more fun if a quarter-per-shot money pot is involved) Also great to offer a few to a dad with little shooters in training. Kids seem to react better to a popped balloon than punching paper.
Any of you have tips for making a trip to the range more friendly with strangers?