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Compensation for a friend to the range
- Thread starter inchrisin
- Start date
A couple summers ago I watched my best friend's 8 year old son and 9 year old daughter blast through 1000rds of my 22LR over the course of 2 days of shooting with their single shot Cricket.
They had fun and so did I.
Back when I was in my 20's, I'd invited similar aged friends to shoot. I'd only ask them to pay their range fee - usually $10 to $15. I'd provide everything else - eyes, ears, guns, & ammo.
Our 2nd outing together - I'd ask them to contribute by buying ammo.
I did have rules for new shooters that were my guests. Before we went into the range I would stop them and go through gun safety with them. This was best done by all riding in the same vehicle or meeting at the range and having the discussion before my guns and ammo came out.
Back then I only would bring trusted friends to the range. My rule was - if I don't know you - you weren't shooting my guns.
They had fun and so did I.
Back when I was in my 20's, I'd invited similar aged friends to shoot. I'd only ask them to pay their range fee - usually $10 to $15. I'd provide everything else - eyes, ears, guns, & ammo.
Our 2nd outing together - I'd ask them to contribute by buying ammo.
I did have rules for new shooters that were my guests. Before we went into the range I would stop them and go through gun safety with them. This was best done by all riding in the same vehicle or meeting at the range and having the discussion before my guns and ammo came out.
Back then I only would bring trusted friends to the range. My rule was - if I don't know you - you weren't shooting my guns.
Dragonflydf
New member
If it is a friend that I am introducing to shooting, I never expect payment, the smiles and thank you are more than enough, but if I am contacted thru Shoot the Guns of History, that is business and I do charge for that.
If it's a friend that has no guns and no ammo then I'd never ask for money. The only new person I've taken to the range was my girlfriend (now wife). Although she could've easily of paid I would never ask. Now if it's just a friend and you're going through expensive stuff fast then here's my suggestion. Don't bring so much ammo. When you run out of expensive stuff say you couldn't spend enough to buy more than a box. Something of the sorts. You can also encourage them to buy a gun and they won't shoot yours as much. I think the only person I have offered to take other than my wife was her best friend and she's like family, I would never ask for money and I wouldn't take any. She declined but has sense shot guns.
Unless you are a broke-dick student I agree with the comments that if you invited them, you should not be asking for reimbursement. Kind of like going to dinner/lunch, you invite...you pay. The kids with little money generally manage to work out pooling resources on their own for these types of things pretty easy. However, as an adult if its a financial hardship you should not be doing any inviting.
If there is a range fee or you plan on lunch/snacks at range, I think it appropriate to mention that to them so they know to bring a few bucks to cover incidentals and are not embarrassed. I find it amazing how many people including my own kids who have an ATM card but no cash in their pocket.
If there is a range fee or you plan on lunch/snacks at range, I think it appropriate to mention that to them so they know to bring a few bucks to cover incidentals and are not embarrassed. I find it amazing how many people including my own kids who have an ATM card but no cash in their pocket.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I expect them to bring a bottle of wine that didn't come from a gas station or some bread that came from a real bakery.If you invite them to your house for dinner do you expect them to pay for the food?
For a new shooter:
If I invite them I am paying. I can control which firearms are fired how much to control the cost of the day. One of the reasons I am buying more 22s and offloading my centerfires.
If they inquire about shooting I will take them and probably provide ammo as long as I am not worried about a safety hazard. They might pay their own range fee if I am unable to secure a free location. State range day pass is $5. I will try pretty hard to find a free location so we aren't rushed, or crowded.
If they have no idea about shooting and ammo costs, are gainfully employed with no extreme financial burden, I might ask them to pick up a 50 round box of 9mm WWB at walmart if they bring it up. Cost just north of $10 last I bought one. That is simply so they go to the store and look in the case at the ammo prices. Probably just mention ammo prices in relation to how cheap 22lr is normally. If I'm providing them with $200+ worth of ammunition this weekend I want to ride their jet ski around the lake on their gas money next weekend! Despite what your parents and teachers may have told you, reciprocation is the key to healthy relationships.
If they want to come over to my house on Jan 1 for the yearly firearms cleaning while watching "Long Way Round" and eating venison chili they are welcome to stop by. Just kidding, I also clean my guns on the fourth of July while watching long Way Down and sloppy joes and watermelon.
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I had a friend I introduced to shooting. He claimed to have been an Air Force MP and hadn't shot since his Air Force days. I gave him a safety course and let him borrow a Colt 1911 to shoot. He really enjoyed his first outing on the range and he was indeed a safety conscious shooter. It was a pleasure for me to see that he enjoyed himself so much. I supplied the instruction, gun, ammo, and targets. At the end of the outing, I took my gun back home and cleaned it along with the one that I shot.
The following week he called and wanted to go back to the range. Once again I supplied the gun, ammo, targets, etc. All he did was pay for his own range time.
The third week he calls and wants to go back to the range. While at the range I said to him if he enjoys it so much, he should consider getting his own gun, buy his own ammo, cleaning kit. etc.
That was the last time he called to go shooting with me.
The following week he called and wanted to go back to the range. Once again I supplied the gun, ammo, targets, etc. All he did was pay for his own range time.
The third week he calls and wants to go back to the range. While at the range I said to him if he enjoys it so much, he should consider getting his own gun, buy his own ammo, cleaning kit. etc.
That was the last time he called to go shooting with me.