Range Ettiquette
- Thread starter MRYANJ99
- Start date
I used to go to a municipal range for bench shooting. The Range Officer had quite the reputation for being anal retentive.
I read the rules.
This range was never busy, no want for empty benches. When I shoot off the bench, I set up a scope, and at the next bench over, I set up a cleaning station -- gun cradle, rods, jags, patches, etc. And I set up a bucket at the end of the table to catch the patches.
As I remember, the RO assigned a bench for you, and he took grave exception to my using the adjacent bench to run patches. I moved the 55 gal. trash barrel behind my bench because I needed space for my cleaning kit -- a very large tool-box on wheels.
The RO didn't like that either -- forget about salvaging the case holders in the garbage for reloading use.
The point I'm making, I guess, is that some ranges are really lock-step. You may not see any reason why you shouldn't move a trash bin. (The RO needed things where he could see them from his "control tower" -- One RO and two ranges.)
The RO sat in his "tower" up on the hillside, took range fees, and watched the users. NOT someone able to strike up a conversation.
I don't use this ranger any more. Won't use it because I'm not comfortable, and it doesn't fill my needs.
Trap Club is PRIVATE, and we all know the rules. There is no RO. Some ranges are more comfortable to use than others. You may want to "sit and watch" for a while if that's an option.
I read the rules.
This range was never busy, no want for empty benches. When I shoot off the bench, I set up a scope, and at the next bench over, I set up a cleaning station -- gun cradle, rods, jags, patches, etc. And I set up a bucket at the end of the table to catch the patches.
As I remember, the RO assigned a bench for you, and he took grave exception to my using the adjacent bench to run patches. I moved the 55 gal. trash barrel behind my bench because I needed space for my cleaning kit -- a very large tool-box on wheels.
The RO didn't like that either -- forget about salvaging the case holders in the garbage for reloading use.
The point I'm making, I guess, is that some ranges are really lock-step. You may not see any reason why you shouldn't move a trash bin. (The RO needed things where he could see them from his "control tower" -- One RO and two ranges.)
The RO sat in his "tower" up on the hillside, took range fees, and watched the users. NOT someone able to strike up a conversation.
I don't use this ranger any more. Won't use it because I'm not comfortable, and it doesn't fill my needs.
Trap Club is PRIVATE, and we all know the rules. There is no RO. Some ranges are more comfortable to use than others. You may want to "sit and watch" for a while if that's an option.
My input....
If you plan to go shooting on a free or public access range, I'll post a few points. I'd add that you should wear shirts or sweatshirts that are NOT open collar, V neck, etc. Hot brass can go flying down a shirt & be a major safety issue. It happened to my good friend in 2009 with a PX4 9x19mm and a woman in SW Florida shot her fiancé with a semi auto pistol, when her spent case flew down her top.
A: Keep your area clean & pick up any trash, cans, boxes, paper plates/targets, etc. You may or may not be the cause of all the trash there but it's better for you & the next shooter(s).
B: Bring a first aid kit or have the EMT stuff ready to provide aid. You don't have to be a ER doctor or a USAF ParaRescue trooper but a kit can help with minor cuts, scrapes, etc or a gun-shot, snake bite, etc.
I've seen a lot of hairy stuff on ranges. I served four years in the US military & went on public/private ranges as a armed citizen. Be ready for emergencies or first aid issues.
C: Know & understand the range rules/SOPs BEFORE you go shooting.
This is a simple point but many ranges/staffs have ticky-tacky rules or regulations that could be a hassle later. Be aware of any special rules & know how to alert the range master or park ranger if required.
Gun owners & shooters should be friendly & open but some on public ranges are not.
D: Don't bring distracting music, toys, pets, small kids, etc. Be considerate of the other range shooters. It's not a beach or a park. Keep the safety rules in mind.
If you plan to go shooting on a free or public access range, I'll post a few points. I'd add that you should wear shirts or sweatshirts that are NOT open collar, V neck, etc. Hot brass can go flying down a shirt & be a major safety issue. It happened to my good friend in 2009 with a PX4 9x19mm and a woman in SW Florida shot her fiancé with a semi auto pistol, when her spent case flew down her top.
A: Keep your area clean & pick up any trash, cans, boxes, paper plates/targets, etc. You may or may not be the cause of all the trash there but it's better for you & the next shooter(s).
B: Bring a first aid kit or have the EMT stuff ready to provide aid. You don't have to be a ER doctor or a USAF ParaRescue trooper but a kit can help with minor cuts, scrapes, etc or a gun-shot, snake bite, etc.
I've seen a lot of hairy stuff on ranges. I served four years in the US military & went on public/private ranges as a armed citizen. Be ready for emergencies or first aid issues.
C: Know & understand the range rules/SOPs BEFORE you go shooting.
This is a simple point but many ranges/staffs have ticky-tacky rules or regulations that could be a hassle later. Be aware of any special rules & know how to alert the range master or park ranger if required.
Gun owners & shooters should be friendly & open but some on public ranges are not.
D: Don't bring distracting music, toys, pets, small kids, etc. Be considerate of the other range shooters. It's not a beach or a park. Keep the safety rules in mind.
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+1
I just took my three girls shooting yesterday (2 if them for the first time), and they had a blast. All three of them hit a 2" steel target at 15 yards within 3 shots with my Buck Mark. I just told them how and stood next to them while they shot. My youngest actually hit it with her first 2 shots! Can't wait to take my boys. As long as they're shooting one at a time with supervision, no reason they shouldn't be allowed at any range.
Evan Thomas
Inactive
Bringing kids to the range
Of course we want to get non-shooters of whatever age involved in our sport. However, I think a good rule is that if you're bringing people you plan on teaching, they are going to be shooting, and you shouldn't be, unless it's to demonstrate a specific thing.
You need to give all your attention to a new shooter, especially a young one, to ensure safety for everyone present. By the same token, if you're going to the range to do some shooting yourself, your attention is going to be on what you're doing. If you bring little kids along, you're not going to be able to supervise them properly.
It would be different if there were another adult along and you were splitting the shooting and kid-watching time.
Of course we want to get non-shooters of whatever age involved in our sport. However, I think a good rule is that if you're bringing people you plan on teaching, they are going to be shooting, and you shouldn't be, unless it's to demonstrate a specific thing.
You need to give all your attention to a new shooter, especially a young one, to ensure safety for everyone present. By the same token, if you're going to the range to do some shooting yourself, your attention is going to be on what you're doing. If you bring little kids along, you're not going to be able to supervise them properly.
It would be different if there were another adult along and you were splitting the shooting and kid-watching time.
Spats McGee
Administrator
I would also be reluctant to take a small child to a range if it were my first time at that particular range. Take one trip to be sure you: (1) know your way around (pronounced: know where the bathrooms are); and (2) know the rules of the range.
Palmetto-Pride
New member
One thing that nobody has mentioned is don't shoot at targets that aren't yours or shoot in front of someone else's target. The last time I went to the range this idiot had brought out some old hard hats and literally threw them out in front of about three different benches that wasn't directly in front of his bench. I was shooting at 100yds and dirt is flying up in front of me from this jackass.
22-rimfire
New member
The public range in my area has no written rules other than the basic safety rules. Basicially, wear ear protection. Don't shoot when anyone is forward of the shooting positions EVER. Don't mess with your guns when folks are down range. Leave them lie preferrable with the action open when anyone is down range. Pay attention to what other people are doing and be safe. When you want to walk downrange to check targets or set up targets, make sure everyone knows your intentions.
Take targets with you. You may want to take target stands as well. Sometimes the ranges use chicken wire on their stands and you need to be able to secure your targets to their stands (clips). Boxes work okay, but pay attention to the backstop.
Clean up after yourself. I sometimes take a broom with me and sweep the area and clean up everyone's mess that they leave behind.
I like the public range because I often have the place to myself during the week. This is a range on national forest land and built by the Federal Government.
Keep an eye on your "stuff" if there are a lot of people.
Take targets with you. You may want to take target stands as well. Sometimes the ranges use chicken wire on their stands and you need to be able to secure your targets to their stands (clips). Boxes work okay, but pay attention to the backstop.
Clean up after yourself. I sometimes take a broom with me and sweep the area and clean up everyone's mess that they leave behind.
I like the public range because I often have the place to myself during the week. This is a range on national forest land and built by the Federal Government.
Keep an eye on your "stuff" if there are a lot of people.
Post 29? Says not to take a kid first time because you have to learn the rules and you have to learn where rest rooms are- Really. LoL. With or without kids maybe that's good to know with them or without them anyways. Come on people/ if a non shooter has interest or a kid ( yours or someone's else's ) take them. Teach them and have fun. That's what's it's all about. If it wasn't a blast I wouldn't have been doing it for the past 30 something years. Know where your rest rooms are first- hahahaha
Also, if you seen an instructor with a student-say nothing. But watch. You may learn something. Conversely, if you see a new shooter struggling with an unfamiliar firearm, offer to help. All they can do is turn you down. I was thanked by the owners of one gunshop/range I go to when when I spent time with some new shooters,helping them clear jams, load magazines correctly, etc. I have found carrying a set of screwdrivers will make you a lot of friends.
I have never been to a range where cross lane shooting was acceptable.
...or shooting at targets thrown on the ground was kosher, either......
And picking up 100% of the plastic fragments would be nigh impossible....
As for taking kids shooting ...... even with the hard economic times, and the decreased value of the dollar, I seek to take as many new shooters, especially kids, out to shoot as possible. The survival of our passion, and our nation, I believe, depends upon it.
Taking a child to the range requires some additional preparation for the range trip and extra care at the range. Insuring hearing protection fits is very important, and can be a little tricky. Adult hearing protection will likely not work properly on a child, especially a small child, so don't just grab your spare gear and head to the range.
You need to be able to accurately determine if the hearing protection is fitting properly, simply asking may not provide a good response since the child may not have a frame of reference to determine if it's fitting/working properly or not.
Of course, children at the range either need to be involved in the shooting or carefully supervised by someone who has no other responsibilities during the time they are monitoring the child.
Kids; ranges...
To clarify my posted remarks, by small kids, I mean children who are unsupervised or kids that run around screaming, crying, yelling etc.
I have no problem with a adult or family using a lane or a gun range if everyone in the party following the range SOPs or safety rules.
The same standards apply to adults too.
Music, pets, loud noises, etc can be a distraction.
I'd add too that filming, pictures, media etc should be discreet or not allowed at all. I've been on ranges where people used camera phones or video recording shooters w/o their knowledge or consent.
If you want to post Facebook or social media photos fine, but be respectful of others and don't be a pest.
CF
To clarify my posted remarks, by small kids, I mean children who are unsupervised or kids that run around screaming, crying, yelling etc.
I have no problem with a adult or family using a lane or a gun range if everyone in the party following the range SOPs or safety rules.
The same standards apply to adults too.
Music, pets, loud noises, etc can be a distraction.
I'd add too that filming, pictures, media etc should be discreet or not allowed at all. I've been on ranges where people used camera phones or video recording shooters w/o their knowledge or consent.
If you want to post Facebook or social media photos fine, but be respectful of others and don't be a pest.
CF
zincwarrior
New member
Agreed. I've not seen a range that didn't allow kids.
EDIT: I see Clyde's remarks above. Agreed to that as well. Children should be carefully supervised.
Indirectly related...
Years ago in the early 2000s, I saw a public library staff member go off on a young woman who left her small kids go in the library & took off.
Life guards, librarians, security guards, park rangers, etc are NOT child care!
If a kid wants to go shooting, fine. But if they pout, run around, cry, wander off, etc then do not bring them to a range.
I'd add too that the May 2013 issue of Guns & Weapons For Law Enforcement suggests shooting a new sidearm; "gangster style"(canted sideways) to T&E it.
Why?
Who knows. I would suggest shooting from the prone or "wounded officer" ways if it's safe-prudent to do so. Rapid fire, to me is okay, but if SOPs deny it, I understand.
CF
Years ago in the early 2000s, I saw a public library staff member go off on a young woman who left her small kids go in the library & took off.
Life guards, librarians, security guards, park rangers, etc are NOT child care!
If a kid wants to go shooting, fine. But if they pout, run around, cry, wander off, etc then do not bring them to a range.
I'd add too that the May 2013 issue of Guns & Weapons For Law Enforcement suggests shooting a new sidearm; "gangster style"(canted sideways) to T&E it.
Why?
Who knows. I would suggest shooting from the prone or "wounded officer" ways if it's safe-prudent to do so. Rapid fire, to me is okay, but if SOPs deny it, I understand.
CF
ScottRiqui
New member
Could they be doing that in order to see if the gun is prone to ejection failures? If you're worried about the possibility, it would make sense to fire it so the that ejected shells are having to go straight up out of the ejection port.
Get a copy (or read online) your ranges "range rules". Memorize them. That will tell you everything you need to know, except perhaps never sweep someone with the muzzle of your firearm.
Only bring at most two guns, preferably one gun for your first visit. If you are new to this, and bring too many guns, you will be fumbling around, making lots of mistakes, make people nervous and possibly lose things.
Oh, and be familiar with the gun(s) you do bring. By that I mean make sure you know how to work the action, load/unload it; break it down for cleaning, etc. Yes, I've seen folks buy a gun, bring it to the range and fumble around trying to figure out how to work it. People who are new to shooting and unfamiliar with the gun they brought get nervous. And, when they get nervous, they unintentionally forget the rules. And the first rule they forget is to keep the muzzle pointed down range. This makes others very nervous.
Only bring at most two guns, preferably one gun for your first visit. If you are new to this, and bring too many guns, you will be fumbling around, making lots of mistakes, make people nervous and possibly lose things.
Oh, and be familiar with the gun(s) you do bring. By that I mean make sure you know how to work the action, load/unload it; break it down for cleaning, etc. Yes, I've seen folks buy a gun, bring it to the range and fumble around trying to figure out how to work it. People who are new to shooting and unfamiliar with the gun they brought get nervous. And, when they get nervous, they unintentionally forget the rules. And the first rule they forget is to keep the muzzle pointed down range. This makes others very nervous.
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