Rapid Fire?

sounds like poor range design. should have plenty of downrange space for flyers.
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That sounds nice and easy, and maybe that's possible in New Mexico. Consider that a .22 has a range of a mile. How far will a .30-06 or a .243 WSSM carry if it goes over the berm? How high does the berm need to be to protect against idiots?

I shoot at an indoor range. As someone else noted, the floor, the ceiling and the lighting baffles are all heavily pock-marked. Overhead target runners and lights seem to be favorite targets of opportunity. You've probably heard the expression, "Ignorance can be educated, but stupid is forever."

In many parts of the country, ranges that have been around for fifty years or more are under attack because subdivisions have sprouted down-range. The houses came long after the ranges were built, but there have been instances (some legitimate, some faked) of bullets going over berms and hitting houses beyond.

It's a problem. It only takes one idiot to get a range closed down forever. I don't blame range operators for not allowing activities that are more prone to create such incidents.
 
"Rapid fire", at the range I am a member of, is an insurance problem, and anything faster than a shot per second is considered rapid fire. But, they don't use timers so it is arbitrary and different between RO's.
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Rapid fire is different between ranges that have that from 1 second at some ranges to 3 seconds at one range in town here. BUT it is usually defined. Typically that is a period of time between shots.

It sounds though like this is a public range you are getting your craw full of. I'd start looking around for other ranges based on that.

Rapid fire at the local ranges that don't allow it is clearly defined as shots per second.
The ranges that do allow it, of course, have no opinion on the subject.
The very nice outdoor range I prefer has a 1 rd per sec rule.
To still get decent practice I use five small targets on a single backing at 25 yards, and rotate shots around them.
Since that takes about one sec per shot, it's not bad.
Fortunately, there's also two indoor ranges that don't care.
So I go there to practice rapid fire.
Life is good.
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Same here. At the outdoor range with the rule, I practice aimed shots and reaction shots (taking aim and firing) at different targets on the same board. Then there is an excellent indoor range where I practice reaction shooting.
Life is good :D
 
I once got a dressing down for 10 rounds rapid fire from my bolt-action 1918 SMLE. The range master said rapid fire was any uncontrolled fire at speed.

I left my 100-yard target on his desk, with ten holes in it.
 
It would seem logical that if there is a rule against "rapid fire" at a range, they should then define what rapid fire is. However, with average I.Q. being only 100, many persons would not normally be aware that the term needs defining...we therefor, are pretty much stuck with arbitrary rules instituted and enforced by (in many cases), dolts and dullards. The best we can do is to point out that the terms were not defined and ask for clarification. Often times, doing so just seems to add fuel to the fire...it is a wonderful thing to have your own range as I have.
 
My local range, indoor, says maximum of 1 shot per second, but in real life controlled double taps are tolerated.

FWIW, I completely understand your objection to the way it was handled. There is no need to be so harsh to someone who is being safe, especially since the rule is ill defined. "Slow the rate of fire for me a bit, OK?" could be delivered in a friendly way, and then the RO will find out if you are cooperative or a jerk.
 
I happened to remember that it was about a half an hour before closing time when I got kicked out. Considering the other clear rule violations that the RO ignored from other shooters earlier in the day (I detailed a couple in my OP), I can't help but wonder if he was simply looking for excuses to clear out the range so he could leave. As I mentioned earlier, the range is staffed by DNR employees and, prior to the remodel, there was no RO at all. Thinking back, the few times I've been there since they started staffing it the RO's generally haven't been particularly friendly nor seemed very happy to be there.
 
What I find interesting is that some ranges will rent full-auto guns (can't bring your own) to patrons, but prohibit rapid fire if you are using your own semi-auto gun. Ok, I get it, if I PAY you enough, you will let me shoot fast. If I'm just a regular guy paying regular range rates then the rule is NO RAPID FIRE.
 
The range nazis where I shoot say you must have 3 seconds between shots and can't shoot standing up. Variences in compliance with club rules among members depending who they are. What can you do? My (adult) kids like shooting there, so I stay there too.
 
My range doesn't have ROs. All members are supposed to police others. The only thing I know of that they restrict is 'mag dumps' on the outdoor rifle range.
As to the OP, I think the RO could have handled it much better. A simple request that you slow your rate of fire should have been enough.
 
I shoot at several ranges in my area, all refuse to allow rapid fire and define it as a second or less between shots. I've been warned at one range for five quick shots from a 1911 so I don't do it anymore. Not my favorite rule, but I honor it. I do shoot doubletaps and have never been challenged about it. I don't do it a lot.
 
For too many ranges and clubs, the first two rules are:

1. No fun allowed.
2. No shooting of any kind that could in any way be useful to developing self-defense skills.

Both of these rules are harmful to the improvement and growth of our gun culture, especially for future generations. I have some sympathy for the ranges open to the public, but in a private club setting, these rules have driven me away.

Exceptions are often made for organized competition events, but it bewilders me how one is ever supposed to practice the game to get better at it. outside of the actual competition event.
 
I'm a member of two ranges that allow any speed of fire. It's frikkin awesome. I can't stand it when ranges suck the fun and usefulness out of shooting.

I once went to a tactical shooting class where the instructor said that there was no correlation between range proficiency and self defense shooting proficiency. The reason why is because most people, who shoot at ranges, practice shooting in a totally unrealistic real world situation. Standing straight up, behind no cover, and one or two seconds in between shots? God forbid if the target decides to move.
 
"Two shots in two seconds --- bullets touching... say in the heart area --- or six shots in two seconds --- in a combat effective zone in the torso area --- Both are effective, but one is obviously a lot more efficient."

Travis Haley
 
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