No rapid fire !!!
- Thread starter dougbull
- Start date
L_Killkenny
New member
More than likely because they don't want a bunch of yahoo's in there just blowing thru ammo. Most around here don't care if you do some double taps etc.
Technosavant
New member
Because most public ranges get a wide variety of idiots and nincompoops. Said morons are usually lucky to get on paper on a good day, and when allowed to shoot as fast as their trigger fingers will allow are likely to break all kinds of things. An inexperienced or just stupid person doing rapid fire can:
1) Damage range facilities (a bigger issue with indoor ranges that like to keep target shuttles intact)
2) Begin spraying bullets over the berm (if an outdoor range)
3) Blow up their gun with a squib load (they didn't notice that last one felt 'funny' before they pulled the trigger again).
If you want to be able to do things like rapid fire or perform holster draws I would recommend finding a membership based range. Since the assumption is that members are more serious and generally more knowledgable, they'll often allow some shooting behaviors that public ranges won't.
1) Damage range facilities (a bigger issue with indoor ranges that like to keep target shuttles intact)
2) Begin spraying bullets over the berm (if an outdoor range)
3) Blow up their gun with a squib load (they didn't notice that last one felt 'funny' before they pulled the trigger again).
If you want to be able to do things like rapid fire or perform holster draws I would recommend finding a membership based range. Since the assumption is that members are more serious and generally more knowledgable, they'll often allow some shooting behaviors that public ranges won't.
Lost Sheep
New member
Why? "Because" or perhaps, "Why Not?" or "Because we can"
We have one outdoor range in Anchorage that disallows rapid fire because the range is within earshot of homes and they get complaints.
The range is operated by the State of Alaska and is mandated for hunter safety (principally for sighting in) and since the range is there collateral activities like shotgunning and target shooting (both handguns and rifles).
But they also have other rules like "Only 10 rounds per magazine".
I suspect it is because it is easier to control a compliant population accustomed to lots and lots of rules, whether they make sense or not.
I can understand a desire for control. Dictators need it to stay in power. Megalomaniacs desire it by definition. Rangemasters need it for safety. (See Technosavant's excellent answer.)
I recall an accidental death at one range, where a lady was firing a 500 S&W for the first time. After the first shot, in recovering from the recoil she pulled the trigger a second time. By the time she did, though, the gun was in full recoil and pointed behind her. The bullet fatally wounded a guy who was behind the firing line. Sorry, I cannot cite the time, place and source. I knew it once, but lost the citation.
My point is, Ask. If you have a legitimate reason, you may be granted an exception. If your reason is very good, whoever is in authority may change the rule. (Get a copy of Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People".)
Lost Sheep
What does the Rangemaster say?dougbull said:
We have one outdoor range in Anchorage that disallows rapid fire because the range is within earshot of homes and they get complaints.
The range is operated by the State of Alaska and is mandated for hunter safety (principally for sighting in) and since the range is there collateral activities like shotgunning and target shooting (both handguns and rifles).
But they also have other rules like "Only 10 rounds per magazine".
I suspect it is because it is easier to control a compliant population accustomed to lots and lots of rules, whether they make sense or not.
I can understand a desire for control. Dictators need it to stay in power. Megalomaniacs desire it by definition. Rangemasters need it for safety. (See Technosavant's excellent answer.)
I recall an accidental death at one range, where a lady was firing a 500 S&W for the first time. After the first shot, in recovering from the recoil she pulled the trigger a second time. By the time she did, though, the gun was in full recoil and pointed behind her. The bullet fatally wounded a guy who was behind the firing line. Sorry, I cannot cite the time, place and source. I knew it once, but lost the citation.
My point is, Ask. If you have a legitimate reason, you may be granted an exception. If your reason is very good, whoever is in authority may change the rule. (Get a copy of Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People".)
Lost Sheep
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I think most of it is driven by fear and insurance.
The difference is often "where" you are. I now live in a very rural area where the general population is gun friendly, and there are a lot less people. Here, I can actually just shoot in my yard if I want, but choose not to annoy my neighbors, even though the closest is over 300 yards away. I have a very nice range literally two minutes from my house, and it costs me $25 a year. I can shoot anything I want, including my full autos, and pretty much do anything I want, within the bounds of safety. I can even shoot at night if I want.
Even then, your apt to find you wont be allowed. Most of the ranges I've belonged to were ones you had to join, and all but where I am now, had the no rapid fire rule, along with others.
The difference is often "where" you are. I now live in a very rural area where the general population is gun friendly, and there are a lot less people. Here, I can actually just shoot in my yard if I want, but choose not to annoy my neighbors, even though the closest is over 300 yards away. I have a very nice range literally two minutes from my house, and it costs me $25 a year. I can shoot anything I want, including my full autos, and pretty much do anything I want, within the bounds of safety. I can even shoot at night if I want.
I've watched well trained folks empty a mag in a reasonable group. And I've watched knuckleheads walk a magazine right up the target, into the target carrier, and through the sound baffles on the ceiling (blowing out a set of lights in the process).
Sure blowing off a mag is fun sometimes but only if you can do it safely.
Sure blowing off a mag is fun sometimes but only if you can do it safely.
Call your local game and parks commission and ask them where you can target shoot. Aside from the seasonal ticks and bird sized mosquitos 
, it's peaceful, outdoors, free, no breathing in massive amounts of lead and gunpowder which I do at the indoor range, freedom to move around and practice what you want instead of shooting strait downrange with a limited distance, and best of all no dealing with the snob at the counter 
.
Man...I remember one time I went during the hot summer and after arriving and getting out of the car I walked about 20 feet until the mosquito swarm was so bad I ended up running back to the car and doing a James Bond C4 explosion dive back into the car
, it's peaceful, outdoors, free, no breathing in massive amounts of lead and gunpowder which I do at the indoor range, freedom to move around and practice what you want instead of shooting strait downrange with a limited distance, and best of all no dealing with the snob at the counter . Man...I remember one time I went during the hot summer and after arriving and getting out of the car I walked about 20 feet until the mosquito swarm was so bad I ended up running back to the car and doing a James Bond C4 explosion dive back into the car Glenn E. Meyer
New member
I took my daughter to the indoor range to try out some different guns. She looked up at the ceiling just a touch in front of us and said : How could they do that?
I saw a guy shoot down the guide wires of the target system. He said it was he was a handloader and his bullets interacted with the barrel to leave it with a curve flight.
So, no rapid fire makes sense - sadly.
I saw a guy shoot down the guide wires of the target system. He said it was he was a handloader and his bullets interacted with the barrel to leave it with a curve flight.
So, no rapid fire makes sense - sadly.
oneounceload
Moderator
Because they want the mall nijas to maintain control of themselves?
Sorry, have seen way too many folks recently take their first gun and want to act like Rambo.....not needed, not safe, and not necessary.....nor is it conducive to good accuracy
Sorry, have seen way too many folks recently take their first gun and want to act like Rambo.....not needed, not safe, and not necessary.....nor is it conducive to good accuracy
Steviewonder1
New member
No Rapid Fire
At my membership range you are permitted to shoot as often as you need. With a camera on each lane, if you act like a dummy (can't control your gun) you get asked to leave or go to a training class. For the rest of us who can control the gun we can do draws from a holster and blast away. All it takes is a little skill and Practice somewhere else than the range. Most of us show up at the weekly IDPA indoor match at the same range with full concealed carry rigs.
At my membership range you are permitted to shoot as often as you need. With a camera on each lane, if you act like a dummy (can't control your gun) you get asked to leave or go to a training class. For the rest of us who can control the gun we can do draws from a holster and blast away. All it takes is a little skill and Practice somewhere else than the range. Most of us show up at the weekly IDPA indoor match at the same range with full concealed carry rigs.
Double Naught Spy
New member
Funny how many "mall ninjas" are doctors, lawyers, housewives, construction workers, police officers, office workers, fry cooks, computer geeks, real estate agents, etc.
Talking with range owners...
... they almost universally report instances of people who have no idea of their limitations, going rapid fire and shooting up not only the target shuttles and cables, but also the ceiling, floor, and sidewalls.
A couple that I know will let me shoot rapid fire or shoot from draw so long as there are no people in the range that they don't know well. Their concern is that others will see me do it, and think it's ok for them to do it.
Guess I'm saying, don't take it personally. It may have nothing to do with your personal skill level, and everything to do with the range owners having to worry about Least Common Denominator shooters who think they are Rambos.
... they almost universally report instances of people who have no idea of their limitations, going rapid fire and shooting up not only the target shuttles and cables, but also the ceiling, floor, and sidewalls.
A couple that I know will let me shoot rapid fire or shoot from draw so long as there are no people in the range that they don't know well. Their concern is that others will see me do it, and think it's ok for them to do it.
Guess I'm saying, don't take it personally. It may have nothing to do with your personal skill level, and everything to do with the range owners having to worry about Least Common Denominator shooters who think they are Rambos.
My range doesn't allow it either, but sometimes when it's empty they don't mind me tarring off a full mag as long as I can get about an 8-10" group at 15 yards or closer, which I can do.
It's good to see how I can do if you have to rapid fire in the real World.
I made the mistake off rapid firing with my little Beretta 21A Bobcat 22lr, with about ten people in the range, and it was like a wave, as if I gave everybody permission to rapid fire, it sounded like a war zone. Won't do that again!
The gun that is really good to use is my CZ75B because it's really well balanced, and it gets back on target right away.
It's good to see how I can do if you have to rapid fire in the real World.
I made the mistake off rapid firing with my little Beretta 21A Bobcat 22lr, with about ten people in the range, and it was like a wave, as if I gave everybody permission to rapid fire, it sounded like a war zone. Won't do that again!
The gun that is really good to use is my CZ75B because it's really well balanced, and it gets back on target right away.
chris in va
New member
My friend invited me to a range in MD where he (unfortunately) lives. I set up, got out my CC pistol, loaded a couple mags and started with some doubles and triples.
A few seconds later I get a tap on my shoulder with a warning from the RO to "cease the rapid fire...all shots must be two seconds apart".
It was the last time I went there.
A few seconds later I get a tap on my shoulder with a warning from the RO to "cease the rapid fire...all shots must be two seconds apart".
It was the last time I went there.
The indoor range I go to has no problem with rapid firing, but the rifle range is VERY strict about it. It's why I can't stand public ranges. I prefer private shooting spots. Common sense is the best safety there is. I know I'm safe and am not going to spray lead in all directions from a gun I can't control.
The problem is that common sense isn't common, and EVERYONE thinks they're safe and are not going to spray lead in all directions from a gun they can't control.
Virtually no one goes to the range with the idea that they're going to fire wild shots into the ceiling/floor/walls/over the berm/etc.--but it still happens on a regular basis.
The range can't tell what kind of a shooter just walked through their door so they tend to err on the side of caution which is unfortunate for the better shooters but expedient.
On the positive side; most of the ranges I've been to that have the rapid fire prohibition also have some provision for allowing more leeway to shooters who successfully complete an evaluation/qualifier/training session to determine/establish their skill level.