Do let strangers shoot your guns at the range?

To answer the OP question “all the time”

Never fails when I bring out the C&R WW2 guns there is a line of folks wanting to look or shoot them. I always bring lots of ammo just for this.

I love to see people shoot these old battle rifles because it gives them a connection to the history they have read about and seen on TV.

What really makes me smile is when you see them a few months later and they have bought a C&R gun because of the time they spent shooting yours.

My greatest enjoyment is watching our young ex- military shoot these old battle rifles.
I almost always hear “God my grand dad was a tough SOB to have shot this is WW2“
Or “I never knew the Germans in WW2 had such good bolt action rifles.”
The list goes on.

This may be one of the main reasons I collect C&R guns.
The fun of watching the un-educated shoot them and the excitement they get in doing so.
 
Slopemeno said:
I might not be quite as open these days, but let's face it- most shooters are decent folks *just like us*.
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I guess, as in real estate, what counts is location. I shoot at a public indoor range in a suburb. On any given day it is not unusual to see a group or three of young urban males in there, baseball caps worn backwards, jeans hanging off their knees, and more tats that you would think could be applied to one body, shooting there. It's generally understood that these are inner city gang members using the rang for practice. I don't know any of the "regulars" who would willingly interact with these clowns in any way.

Fortunately, since the range recently became more safety conscious and began asking all shooters for a permit or other proof of safety training before allowing anyone to shoot, we're not seeing as many of the urban youths showing up.
 
It depends on the stranger.
I've encountered some on a firing line I'd be reluctant to allow the borrowing of a peashooter.
Frequently yes though as long as the conversation leading up to the loaning is kosher.;)
 
I will offer my guns for someone to try if they seem interested. And I will shoot theirs if they offer.

I don't think I've ever had anybody actually ask to shoot one. That seems a bit rude. Doesn't mean I would turn 'em down; kind of depends.
 
If someone shows interest in what I'm shooting, I'll often offer to let them shoot it, but I consider asking others if you can shoot their gun to be bad form.
 
Like some others, I don't recall being asked and I don't ask others. Talking about guns often leads to an offer to try one out, and the offer is more often than not reciprocated, but to me it needs to start with an offer rather than a request.

And when using a public range there are some folks I choose not to engage in conversation.
 
If I see someone who is obviously new to shooting I make it a point to offer something that I have for them to try. It gives them greater insight to firearms and gives me a chance to gently offer safety/shooting tips.A lot of people bought whatever gun they start with on the advice of some "expert" friend and they appreciate being able to try different stuff. You that have been in this a long time remember how you started and how you mght have liked more exposure to different things as you became more involved and began to 'move up".
 
Having learned a long time ago not to judge a book by its cover, I let other folks shoot mine all the time.
And, if they offer, shoot theirs.
Sometimes I also offer to throw in a shooting lesson, too. :o
 
Only when offered !!!

I have never asked to shoot theirs and have never had anyone, ask to shoot mine. When I do let them shoot mine, it's to return the favor and likewise. .. ;)

I really wish that more folks were Gun-Guys as they really have great manners. .... ;)

Be Safe !!!
 
Since my range belongs to me I don't get to many strangers. When I used to belong to ranges I would let most people try out my guns and would get to shoot theirs.
 
I've done it a few times, always with me making the offer. Other shooters have also offered me. The only time I refused was when another shooter, whom I had never met before, offered to let me put the first rounds through his brand new SW Performance Center 952. I really wanted to but I just couldn't.
 
Of course there's a real danger to trying out the other guy's stuff.
One time I did, I came home with it and haven't shot it since.
It just seemed a great idea at the time.
Very sneaky.
 
Ask before your touch !!!

I don't let anyone touch my firearms at the ranges I attend until I see the way they handle their own
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Regardless, I don't let them handle any of my firearms without my permission.
Once had a guy walk over to my bench when I was unloading my stuff. He did not pick my rifle up, just kind of rolled it on the bench. He was the range officer and I politely asked him if the gun was loaded. His reply was; I don't know, it's not mine. I replied; That's right and perhaps you should keep your hands to yourself. .... ;)

He just shrugged and walked away and after that, the relationship was not the same. Oh well ..... :D

Be Safe !!!
 
Never had anyone outright ask to shoot one of my guns. I have offered to let folks shoot one if they seem interested In aparticular gun. Never had any issues.
 
letting strangers shoot my gun?

it depends if the other guy seems like a guy I can trust? one time a group of young asians [possibly hmong gang] kept going around asking to handle everybody's gun and when they got to my table I wouldnt let them and wouldnt show it to them, didnt trust them, plus it was poor etiquitte in my opinion, this was a free public range, they were behaving like it was a gun show, the public range is not a gun show, no unauthorized gun handling.

Ive also had people pick up my rifle without my permission and drag it on the cement table, scuffing the muzzle end.

I prefer not to let most people shoot my firearms, but sometimes if i talk to them and get along, I might let them try it out.
 
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I have never asked or been asked.
But - I have been offered and I have offered.
Fun stuff and leads to great conversation :)
 
Mr. Bolo,
Now, that would really get my hackles up.
Hopefully there were plenty of other people around, in case those guys were up to no good.
It wouldn't be the first time some thugs got free guns that way, and used them on the owner.
 
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