Incident at the range

Range incidents

Yeah it has been a bit weird at times. I sometimes shoot at an indoor range here in Grapevine, but I don't like the separator wall that doesn't allow you to see the shooter next door. There are lots of people that turn their guns to inspect them and point right at the person to their left. I trained my wife and other folks how exactly to turn your body for inspection at the range in order to keep that barrel pointed down range.

I'm in madmo44mag's group now, and he does have his work cut out for him, overall it is a fun group, even with the strange folks. The range he uses is very nice for group activities. Bonus that the range had a female range officer there that kept my wife occupied while I shot, since we were stuck sharing a lane.

I got reminded for not opening up my slides quick enough, but them's the rules. Range was hot at the time.
 
Perfect example of why I don't like taking large groups of people or my Dad to the range.
My Dad has been around guns and woodworking tools all his life. I still don't know how he is still alive with all appendages. Just not the most careful or deliberate in his safety procedures.
And well, large groups are large groups, not a fan to begin with, adding gun's makes it worse.
 
I appreciate you posting this error ....it should cause all of us to pause, and think about our own safety procedures as we are packing our gear up at the range.

It was your responsibility to check that gun ...and you know it ...and you were lucky the range guy caught it and no one got hurt. Count it as a blessing...but don't ever forget you're the one that screwed up ! Own it --- don't try and justify it --- because you can't / you always have time to check those guns as you case them up. I understand you were running late - but that's for a lot of reasons...not because it takes you 5 sec to check a gun....

Big groups are tough / and I must admit I get sucked into a big group once in a while as well - and I often regret it. My range has a limit of no more than 4 shooters per booth .../ no more than 2 people can be in the firing lane at one time.....and I like the rule ( if my range didn't have it / I'd institute it myself ).

I follow a lot of extra rules when I have a group....only 1 type of ammo on the shooting bench. If I have more than one gun on the bench / they have to be unloaded...(and checked) ..and cased if they're not being fired. It just takes a few seconds to check them, case them, set them aside on shooting lane bench. Example: clear all the 9mm ammo, etc - case guns - put them behind the line in a range bag.....then take the .45 acp guns out to shooting lane and ammo, etc....

I know you didn't have any problems when you were shooting and that's great...

...My scary story....a buddy and his girlfriend asked to come to range with me, wanted instruction and to fire several guns that he knows I have - and he invited another buddy at last minute.../ despite all the extra precautions, one round at a time in a gun, get comfortable, when we went to 2 rounds in the gun ( the buddy's friend - fired one, as gun recoiled, he fired a 2nd round into the overhead of the range ). Scared the heck out of me.../ I grabbed the weapon / no one got hurt ( sheet rock dust in the air from the baffles )...and his range day was over .../ he was embarrassed, I was frustrated.../ but like you, I own that mistake ! It was my fault ! I consider it a lucky break that no one got hurt ! It means I need to be more demanding next time.../ I thought he was ready to fire 2 rounds, but he wasn't - he was too amped up and I should have realized it ...but I didn't ... !
 
Honestly, I love this story. Not only are you willing to share your mistake, but you are very descriptive with how the employee treated you. I like this employee he isn't afraid to make his point in a nontraditional fashion. Sometimes it takes some embarrassment to get the picture. You beating yourself up about it isn't the worst thing, it tells a lot about your character. Just let the lesson sink in learn from and keep it as a reminder of a problem that should never repeat itself. Be proud of the fact that you're man enough to admit you made a mistake. As far as embarrassing stories go, I'll use an oldie but goody. A few years back me and a buddy were at a firing range with his ruger superhawk(spell check that please). The day had grown long and we had run several hundred rounds through it(not making excuses). When it was time for me to go up again, he dared me to shoot it one handed(i was young and stupid, and i'm a small guy). The part that will make you all weep, I was at that time still active duty and (definitely) should have known better. I accepted the challenge, not only did I shoot one handed but I also had a misfire and shot 2 rounds instead of just 1. I had to pay for a light because the second round went high. I got a profile for my next PT test for bruised tendons in my wrist. Thank god that was the only injury. I have learned from that lesson, I make sure to have both hands on any firearm and positive control over them at all times(well maybe not when reloading or performing functions, but you know what i mean).:o:o:)
 
405, it sounds as if you had WAY to much on your plate. We all make mistakes, make this one a learning Experience and see that it doesn't happen again.

It would also be a good idea to stop by the range and apologize again. That should go along way in smoothing troubled waters.
 
Whenever I've got a group of people shooting my guns; we do it one gun at a time and I'm standing right behind the shooter. If your range charges you by the hour then that complicates it.
 
I think the biggest lesson is about spreading yourself too thin. You had a lot on your plate, and that's when gun safety becomes lax just from having too many things to think about. A smaller group might have been less hectic for you.
 
thanks everyone and quadpod

It seems there are similar stories to tell of close calls; it's a frustrating experience. Last time I go to the range with a large group. Quadpod88... the employee at the range got theatrical with his fake death with eyes rolling back in his head, quivering knees, etc. All of your points are taken.
 
Lesson learned. Thanks for passing it along. My experience at public ranges has been that they are typically crowded and less safe than private ranges. You should try to find a good club nearby and become a member.
 
He pretended to take a round in the stomach and said "Make..sure...the gun is..unloaded...when you turn... it in..Sir.." and slumped across the counter all dramatically.
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LMAO. This is my kind of guy. :D
 
405FileFound said:
the employee at the range got theatrical with his fake death with eyes rolling back in his head, quivering knees, etc.
Click to expand...
So he chose to make his point through humor rather than just chewing you out like a Marine drill sergeant. To me that sounds like he did you a favor. Obviously, you took the incident to heart. Would you have taken it equally to heart if he had just reamed you out, or would you have gotten so angry at him that you missed the message?
 
It was the only safety violation Ive ever had in all my years of shooting...
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I seriously doubt it. The belief your safety record is perfect leads me to believe your safety procedures aren't perfect. If that was really your only safety infraction ever you would likely be the safest shooter on this forum.

My safety practices at current are at least above average, but I definitely had some learning experiences along the way.

In Ohio you can take the NRA basic pistol course with a 4 hour legal addendum or the Ohio OPOTA pistol cert course for a CCW. I have taken both and one of the many reasons I like the OPOTA course more is clearing different types of firearms is covered. Not in depth, but it is covered.

I also agreed the employee handled it very well. A safety violation is one of the few things I would permit someone to get up in my face about without judging them harshly or reacting negatively(at the moment it occurred). It has never happened, but I wouldn't blame someone for yelling at me if I were handling a firearm during a ceasefire, muzzled someone, etc.

For instruction, maximum two shooters per trusted experienced instructor IMO.
 
regarding my safety record

I wrote: "It was the only safety violation Ive ever had in all my years of shooting..."
You wrote: "I seriously doubt it. The belief your safety record is perfect leads me to believe your safety procedures aren't perfect. If that was really your only safety infraction ever you would likely be the safest shooter on this forum."

johnwilliamson062, I'm not sure why my claim of having a solid safety record seems far fetched. A couple of times in basic training I briefly pointed my M-16 the wrong way when departing the firing line. Nothing a quick geometry calculation in my head (or a barking DS) didn't solve. After 4 yrs I ETSd in late 2000 and the handful of times at the qualification and live fire ranges went without a hitch.
I didnt fire a weapon again til 2004, and in 10 years since then, Ive been to various static, 1-way indoor ranges about 17-18 times without incident. Ive gone alone or with 1 to 3 people max, until this past visit. Apart from one time having to hit the ground, gun in hand, when a retracting target mount oversped and flew off its rail towards my face, ive always gone to the line, unboxed, fired, boxed up the rock, and left. Following common sense and range rules isnt hard to do.
I'm not saying I'm some steely-eyed master of safety, but I've always practiced basic safe habits when shooting. But to be sure something like my error last visit never happens again, i'll won't go with a large group where distractions can complicate things. Also, if I ever think about shooting on a dynamic 3-D range, i'll take up some official training, just as you stated in your post. On the static 1-way range, I feel my fundamentals are in order, just as they are for the handful of guys in this message board that revealed they had an incident.
With that said, below is an excerpt from an email to me from a member on a different firearms forum:

Haha, it [the trigger on his revolver] was scary light. The first time I went to the range I got ready to shoot, pulled the hammer back, put my finger in the trigger guard and !!BLAM!! Almost crapped my drawers. Surprised the hell out of me, I had just nudged it trying to place my finger on the trigger and it went off.

So there you see... Sh [i T] can and will happen.
 
We all make a mistake now and then that could result in a dangerous situation.

A couple months ago I ran to town and left a pot of boiling water on the stove (to raise the humidity) but I forgot and when I came home, I could smell burning and I look over to the stove and I kid you not there was the post but it was glowing bright orange! All the solder had melted off the bottom of the pan and the thing was ruined.

It's all a learning process, don't feel bad. At least next time you will be sure to check. :)
 
Firearm safety

I remember an incident I had with my .22 rifle over 40 years ago that will forever be in my mind. I took my "empty" rifle out of the closet and opened up the bolt and a live .22 round ejected out. This rifle had a removable magazine, which was stored in a different location but a live round must have stuck in the chamber after the last time I used it. To this day, I always double check the action(receiver and magazine) to make sure the firearm is unloaded and store my guns with the safety on, or action opened. Always assume every firearm is loaded until you open the action and look for yourself.
 
I appreciate the candid admission of carelessness from 405FileFound. It's a good reminder that to "err is human". I also appreciate the Range Officer's due diligence in finding the errant round in the magazine (better there than in the chamber, I suppose).
When it comes to shooting at the range, I subscribe to the old adage "Three's a crowd"...Too many shooters add up to too many distractions in my experience.
 
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