Compensation for a friend to the range

I

inchrisin

Inactive
I'm about to take a friend to the range for one of his first times out. I've gone through safety training a few times, and I'm comfy with keeping myself, my friend, and others safe at the range. I'm curious to know if any of you would expect any kind of reimbursement for lending a friend a gun or ammo for our time at the range. I feel kind of weird asking straight up for money to reimburse me for ammo and cleaning, but the stuff isn't cheap.

Is there a standard expectation either way?
 
Introducing a newbie...

Inchrisin--Good on you, encouraging a new shooter!! And good on you x2 for being mindful of safety! Your first time out with him/her, it might be nice to just make a present of the experience. I've been known to do it that way. Well, unless they shoot up a bunch of your .50 BMG or something else jeezly expensive.

As the guest, it's polite to offer to pay for ammo and kick in for gas money, but it's not mandatory, and reminding the guest of this would be poor form IMHO.

Now, after the first time, when the two of you go out shooting together, there should be an established sharing of expenses--Who pays how much for gas, and for ammo, and for lunch for that matter. If this is agreed upon early in the relationship it will save possible hard feelings later.

Anyhow, the above has worked for me and my buds...
 
If it's really a friend they will offer to pay for ammo, or at least drive to the range or buy you lunch afterwards. I certainly wouldn't expect them to pay me for cleaning my guns, much less ask. I might ask them to help.

If you really feel they need to be reimbursed by a friend for a trip to the range, you probably shouldn't go.
 
A lot of folks new to shooting don't have any idea of the cost of ammo, but they know the fee for the range as they go in. Sometimes people offer to pay the range fee for me, and I just tell them, "Thanks, that's nice of you. I've got the ammo costs, then." That kind of sets the stage for subsequent trips, and sometimes stimulates a discussion of ammo costs that can be educational for your guest.

As far as cleaning, I invite people to come back to the house with me to clean the pistols. They do little if any of the cleaning, at least the first time, but it is a good thing for them to learn.

Look at it like going out for lunch: The first time is your invite, and you might pick up the tab. If it becomes a regular thing folks should expect to start paying their own way. No way at any point that I would charge for any services, though, as long as it is a hobby to me and not a profession.
 
DOTS - depends on the situation.

My favorite range is an indoor place that charges a flat fee each time you shoot. Shoot as long as you want, shoot as many different guns as you want. I like that. There is another range I sometimes frequent that charges by the hour. I don't like that much.

When I take a new shooter to the range there are usually two considerations:

1. The newbie doesn't own any guns so we can't shoot theirs.
2. I'm only going to shoot my own ammunition in my guns.

So it seem fair to me that I supply the guns and ammo and they pay our range fee. If we're going to do it this way I explain this to them BEFORE we set out for the range.

And yes, for complete neophytes that I want to seduce into the realm of firearms I might give them ONE freebie range trip where they don't pay for anything.
 
If you invited them than you would be the one who pays. If they offer to share the expense that’s fine, but generally if you invite someone to an event you pay. Now, if they enjoy it and want to go back nothing wrong with discussing shared expenses ahead of time.
 
I think a newbie deserves one free range trip. I would pay for range fees, ammo and any other associated costs even if they offer I tell them that this time is on me. If they ask to go again then absolutely tell them love to but let's split the costs this time.
 
I usually expect a guest who is going to use my equipment to supply their own ammo and their own gate fee.
Like meeting someone to go to a movie or sport event.
And I would never ask them to help clean anything, as I would very much like my stuff to work the next time it's used. :mad:
 
I think a newbie deserves one free range trip. I would pay for range fees, ammo and any other associated costs even if they offer I tell them that this time is on me. If they ask to go again then absolutely tell them love to but let's split the costs this time.
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Generally the way I handle it. A friend won't stick it to you either.

I someone asks me to go to the range, it really depends on the person and what they want out of it. If someone wants to go again to try some different kinds of guns, I will straight up ask them if they are going to bring ammo or if they need me to pick some up for them.
 
If you invited them than you would be the one who pays.
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Exactly; if they asked you to take them, then splitting some costs, or them buying lunch or a few beers afterwards or similar is nice. If they are trying to learn all about guns, then after explain how to clean and let them do one of them - most folks learn better and faster doing it hands-on.
 
I really like the comrodarie on this forum. You guys can take me shooting anytime--and I'll lend the few guns that I have for you to shoot too. I'm glad that you are all so generous, and that inspires me to repay for my first time(s) to the range.

French: The guy who took me for my first time said the same thing:
"It's like crack, the first one is on me."
 
Hey, you guys.
Can I come shoot with you?
You know, get free range time, use your ammo, dirty up your guns and I absolutely promise not to offer to clean anything. :)
 
The first one's always free. Same as any other drug.
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I don't expect any reimbursement for taking someone shooting...

My pleasure to do so...
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That's the way I've done it. My time and attention are worth more than the supplies, and I want and need focus on what I am telling the new shooter, not on the costs.

buck460 said:
If you really feel they need to be reimbursed by a friend for a trip to the range, you probably shouldn't go.
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That's some good advice, imo. I've been the poor student and taking someone for expensive range time with expensive ammunition isn't part of that life.

Which gets us to the importance of having a good 22lr. When I started 22lr was two cents a round and there isn't anyone who can't handle that recoil. It lets a new shooter focus on safety and marksmanship and is a pleasant companion even after decades of shooting.

Leave big and loud arms in the safe when taking someone new.
 
Ammo isn't cheap, and I am not made of money. If someone wants to go shooting, well split ammo costs. The only time I will pay for everything is when I bring women shooting.
 
I have never charged any one I take to the Range. I asked them to go.
Last time I took a co worker we shot about 1400-22lr, 100-308's, 100-223's and about 50- 6BR. No charge. It was fun for both.
 
First time out,,,

I take a lot of newbie college kids to the range,,,
It's fun for me and very satisfying.

First time out,,,
I supply the guns and ammo.

If we go a second time,,,
I tell them where to shop and what ammo to buy.

So far not one has given me any grief,,,
They have all been happy to pay for their ammo.

Cleaning?

That's another story,,,
I just do it.

Aarond

.
 
Hey, you guys. Can I come shoot with you? You know, get free range time, use your ammo, dirty up your guns and I absolutely promise not to offer to clean anything.
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Sure. FTR, I never let anyone clean my guns. I belong to my ranges, so there is no fee for guests. Most of the ammo I let other shoot is free off of prize tables and I only use it for practice anyway.

But, I would say that a good 80% of people who go to the range with me and shoot my guns end up buying a gun or two, which, sometimes benefits my sponsors. So all good.

I have an AR, a shotgun, a bolt gun and a 9mm pistol that have a combined 25K rounds through them and I have put less than 1K through them myself. You are more than welcome to use them, that is why I have them. Heck, I will even pay your first match fee. :D
 
inchrisin said:
Is there a standard expectation either way?
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IMHO the expectation is that when a shooter takes a newbie to the range for the first time, the shooter provides the gun(s) and the ammo. If there's a lot of shooting it's always nice if the guest offers to contribute to the cost of the ammo, but it's not expected.

Never ever heard of anyone even thinking somebody else should contribute to the cost of cleaning your gun(s).
 
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