Proper Range etiquette?

C

Cmaiden39

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Fraser Valley BC
Hi all,

Looking at getting a membership at a range here in BC. Does anyone have any advice for range etiquette? I know to clean up brass after myself, obey all range rules etc.... but little odd things like do i need to bring my own targets+stapler+corrugated plastic sheets? Do you allow others to see what you're shooting like if someone likes one of m rifles and asks about it? How long is an average shooting session? Am i okay to bring my own food/water if its a long day?

Any tips/info would be appreciated :)
 
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If it's an indoor range, eating and drinking are probably not advisable unless you don't mind high lead level.

Bring your own targets, stapler, paper clip and miscellaneous supplies goes without saying.

If you're the first one in, switch on the red light to indicate the range is hot. Switch to green if you're the last one out.

You don't need to show others what you're shooting unless cease fire is called, then unload open slide, open bolt, open cylinder, open whatever and leave the firearm pointing down range on the table.

Otherwise, just follow what you were taught in the PAL and club level safety rules.
 
OP, I think you have the basics and you should be fine. Don’t take any of my pointers personnally but know that all of them are personnal stories no friend of a friend BS.

One on my pet peeves are the "touchers". Happens at outdoor ranges mostly. Don’t be one of those people who just walk to someone’s table and while asking, if asking at all "can I see this" proceed to grab it and look at it like it’s on display. Don’t touch what it isn’t yours before you asked and were given the permission.

On the same topic, if you ask another shooter about a specific gun he has, he will likely offer you at some point to try it. Don’t be a jerk. Unless you’re told otherwhise, go easy on the ammo. Also, keep the ninja drills for your stuff, again, unless specified.

Talking... oh god ! I swear some people go to the range to talk to people, again outdoor range guy here. Don’t be that guy that goes from spot to spot to see what people are shooting and engage with them whenever you feel like it. You’re done shooting and you want to argue between Savage and Remington ? You do that away from the line. If one of my firearms struck your interest, the cease fire/target change is a perfect moment to chat but be gone when shooting resume unless I invited you to shoot it (which is likely to happen and yes you can "empty the clip" :p)

*this one my not apply to all clubs: arrive ready ! Don’t be the guy who takes up a lane and who spends more time sorting his sh!t out than shooting. You are taking someone’s lane while reloading 15 magazines and looking for your keys to unlock your locks. Have your keys on you, fill your magazines at home, make sure you have enough staplers, patches, ammo and other supplies and in decent quantity. Don’t be that one guy that constantly ask people "hey can I borrow this, can I borrow that" all the time and that includes ammo. Remember the blurb about the talking ? Applies here too. Come to the range ready, it is human to forget, but wait when people are not busy to ask and don’t just grab stuff because last time I gave you a target.

What else...

Targets: bring them and bring a lot. Some range don’t allow silhouettes, their rules, so be ready with alternative targets. Also if the gun club you belong to don’t have target retrieving system, put more than one target up. I literally fill the 4x4 styrofoam board with targets that way I can shoot until the next target change. As a range officer, I will not stop the line so Mister Only One Target can go change it every 3 minutes. Also bring something to see your impacts (or shoot bigger calibers) because you ain’t walking up and down the line to see where you hit.

Garbage: you came with it, you leave with it and that includes your targets. The club I belong to is on Valcartier’s base and we have a garbage can that we used to bring up on the line. Until I got tired of howling 2-3 extra large garbage bags filled with hulls, brass, targets, half full coffee cup and name it. It leaked once and that was it. Most clubs will have a better setup but I still brung everything I brought with me. Don’t be that "I have an emergency I have to leave" guy that just leaves everything behind and tel people to keep the brass...

Brass: I bought the ammo, the brass is mine. If you want it, ask for it. Don’t try to catch them mid flight still hot or don’t pretend your right sided ejection firearm ejected so much brass on the left that I can feel your presence at my feet collecting my brass...

Don’t act like you own the place or thus type of attitude. When I’m a RO I always meet the new comers on the line and ask them sone questions. I don’t do it to be a d!ck, I do it to know who I’m dealing with. Are you a newbie or seasonned shooter ? New member or old timer ? What are you going to shoot/do ? This will affect where you’ll be on my line (I keep new members and newbies close to me). If it’s a familiy day with kids, you may not be as dynamic as if it was only you and I on the range and so on.

Last but not least: the coaches! Don’t become one, don’t be one. We always look to better ourselves, but it doesn’t mean I want you breathing down my neck telling me how to do stuff. Maybe I just feel like wasting ammo today, maybe I’m not working on accuracy or speeed.



I realize I sound like a crusty old bastard, but this common sense is just as important as the range rules and it is often a trial/error learning for some. As a RO, you get to see it in another perspective but it’s just a bigger version of the shooter version. I saw one, maybe two events where safety was a concern. Everything else is just things that people do. I love shooting but I have very limited time so I don’t like to waste it or when someone wasted it. Try to arrive as prepared as you can with all the gear you need and follow the range rules and all should be good for you.

Have a nice one

DT
 
DT summed it up very well. People come to primarily shoot but most do like some social interaction at the right time. I always make sure that I have something to drink and some munchies (wash hands before eating lol!) and dress for the weather in layers. I shoot outdoors and the range conditions can vary so proper footwear really helps. You really want to set yourself up quickly and efficiently but make it so you are comfortable. You will get used to setting up after a while. Good shooting enjoy yourself because that’s why you’re there.
 
DT741 said:
OP, I think you have the basics and you should be fine. Don’t take any of my pointers personnally but know that all of them are personnal stories no friend of a friend BS.

One on my pet peeves are the "touchers". Happens at outdoor ranges mostly. Don’t be one of those people who just walk to someone’s table and while asking, if asking at all "can I see this" proceed to grab it and look at it like it’s on display. Don’t touch what it isn’t yours before you asked and were given the permission.

On the same topic, if you ask another shooter about a specific gun he has, he will likely offer you at some point to try it. Don’t be a jerk. Unless you’re told otherwhise, go easy on the ammo. Also, keep the ninja drills for your stuff, again, unless specified.

Talking... oh god ! I swear some people go to the range to talk to people, again outdoor range guy here. Don’t be that guy that goes from spot to spot to see what people are shooting and engage with them whenever you feel like it. You’re done shooting and you want to argue between Savage and Remington ? You do that away from the line. If one of my firearms struck your interest, the cease fire/target change is a perfect moment to chat but be gone when shooting resume unless I invited you to shoot it (which is likely to happen and yes you can "empty the clip" :p)

*this one my not apply to all clubs: arrive ready ! Don’t be the guy who takes up a lane and who spends more time sorting his sh!t out than shooting. You are taking someone’s lane while reloading 15 magazines and looking for your keys to unlock your locks. Have your keys on you, fill your magazines at home, make sure you have enough staplers, patches, ammo and other supplies and in decent quantity. Don’t be that one guy that constantly ask people "hey can I borrow this, can I borrow that" all the time and that includes ammo. Remember the blurb about the talking ? Applies here too. Come to the range ready, it is human to forget, but wait when people are not busy to ask and don’t just grab stuff because last time I gave you a target.

What else...

Targets: bring them and bring a lot. Some range don’t allow silhouettes, their rules, so be ready with alternative targets. Also if the gun club you belong to don’t have target retrieving system, put more than one target up. I literally fill the 4x4 styrofoam board with targets that way I can shoot until the next target change. As a range officer, I will not stop the line so Mister Only One Target can go change it every 3 minutes. Also bring something to see your impacts (or shoot bigger calibers) because you ain’t walking up and down the line to see where you hit.

Garbage: you came with it, you leave with it and that includes your targets. The club I belong to is on Valcartier’s base and we have a garbage can that we used to bring up on the line. Until I got tired of howling 2-3 extra large garbage bags filled with hulls, brass, targets, half full coffee cup and name it. It leaked once and that was it. Most clubs will have a better setup but I still brung everything I brought with me. Don’t be that "I have an emergency I have to leave" guy that just leaves everything behind and tel people to keep the brass...

Brass: I bought the ammo, the brass is mine. If you want it, ask for it. Don’t try to catch them mid flight still hot or don’t pretend your right sided ejection firearm ejected so much brass on the left that I can feel your presence at my feet collecting my brass...

Don’t act like you own the place or thus type of attitude. When I’m a RO I always meet the new comers on the line and ask them sone questions. I don’t do it to be a d!ck, I do it to know who I’m dealing with. Are you a newbie or seasonned shooter ? New member or old timer ? What are you going to shoot/do ? This will affect where you’ll be on my line (I keep new members and newbies close to me). If it’s a familiy day with kids, you may not be as dynamic as if it was only you and I on the range and so on.

Last but not least: the coaches! Don’t become one, don’t be one. We always look to better ourselves, but it doesn’t mean I want you breathing down my neck telling me how to do stuff. Maybe I just feel like wasting ammo today, maybe I’m not working on accuracy or speeed.



I realize I sound like a crusty old bastard, but this common sense is just as important as the range rules and it is often a trial/error learning for some. As a RO, you get to see it in another perspective but it’s just a bigger version of the shooter version. I saw one, maybe two events where safety was a concern. Everything else is just things that people do. I love shooting but I have very limited time so I don’t like to waste it or when someone wasted it. Try to arrive as prepared as you can with all the gear you need and follow the range rules and all should be good for you.

Have a nice one

DT
Click to expand...


Wow! Very informative! Thank you so much! Keeping alot of what you've said in mind.
 
COVID has been awesome for having a lane to yourself and nobody coming close to bother you, at least as long as the range was still open under reduced-occupancy and no-interaction rules.
 
Remember Doc K's advice:

"Always know where you're at. Always try to look cool. If you don't know where you're at, try to look cool." - Doc K



Virtually every range and virtually every club will have it's own rules, it's own customs, it's own 'etiquette'.

If you assume anything, it's liable to be wrong. How can you know the etiquette when you've never been there before? (You can't.) If you walk in with a gun, without knowing the local etiquette, you're liable to offend somebody.

Generally, I tell people to leave their guns and gear in the car, go in without them, introduce yourself, then say something like "I'm new here. How do you guys do things?"

If you do it that way, they'll be happy to show you the ropes, as it were, and - if you listen - you'll soon fit in like an old pair of socks.
 
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DT741 said:
OP, I think you have the basics and you should be fine. Don’t take any of my pointers personnally but know that all of them are personnal stories no friend of a friend BS.

One on my pet peeves are the "touchers". Happens at outdoor ranges mostly. Don’t be one of those people who just walk to someone’s table and while asking, if asking at all "can I see this" proceed to grab it and look at it like it’s on display. Don’t touch what it isn’t yours before you asked and were given the permission.

On the same topic, if you ask another shooter about a specific gun he has, he will likely offer you at some point to try it. Don’t be a jerk. Unless you’re told otherwhise, go easy on the ammo. Also, keep the ninja drills for your stuff, again, unless specified.

Talking... oh god ! I swear some people go to the range to talk to people, again outdoor range guy here. Don’t be that guy that goes from spot to spot to see what people are shooting and engage with them whenever you feel like it. You’re done shooting and you want to argue between Savage and Remington ? You do that away from the line. If one of my firearms struck your interest, the cease fire/target change is a perfect moment to chat but be gone when shooting resume unless I invited you to shoot it (which is likely to happen and yes you can "empty the clip" :p)

*this one my not apply to all clubs: arrive ready ! Don’t be the guy who takes up a lane and who spends more time sorting his sh!t out than shooting. You are taking someone’s lane while reloading 15 magazines and looking for your keys to unlock your locks. Have your keys on you, fill your magazines at home, make sure you have enough staplers, patches, ammo and other supplies and in decent quantity. Don’t be that one guy that constantly ask people "hey can I borrow this, can I borrow that" all the time and that includes ammo. Remember the blurb about the talking ? Applies here too. Come to the range ready, it is human to forget, but wait when people are not busy to ask and don’t just grab stuff because last time I gave you a target.

What else...

Targets: bring them and bring a lot. Some range don’t allow silhouettes, their rules, so be ready with alternative targets. Also if the gun club you belong to don’t have target retrieving system, put more than one target up. I literally fill the 4x4 styrofoam board with targets that way I can shoot until the next target change. As a range officer, I will not stop the line so Mister Only One Target can go change it every 3 minutes. Also bring something to see your impacts (or shoot bigger calibers) because you ain’t walking up and down the line to see where you hit.

Garbage: you came with it, you leave with it and that includes your targets. The club I belong to is on Valcartier’s base and we have a garbage can that we used to bring up on the line. Until I got tired of howling 2-3 extra large garbage bags filled with hulls, brass, targets, half full coffee cup and name it. It leaked once and that was it. Most clubs will have a better setup but I still brung everything I brought with me. Don’t be that "I have an emergency I have to leave" guy that just leaves everything behind and tel people to keep the brass...

Brass: I bought the ammo, the brass is mine. If you want it, ask for it. Don’t try to catch them mid flight still hot or don’t pretend your right sided ejection firearm ejected so much brass on the left that I can feel your presence at my feet collecting my brass...

Don’t act like you own the place or thus type of attitude. When I’m a RO I always meet the new comers on the line and ask them sone questions. I don’t do it to be a d!ck, I do it to know who I’m dealing with. Are you a newbie or seasonned shooter ? New member or old timer ? What are you going to shoot/do ? This will affect where you’ll be on my line (I keep new members and newbies close to me). If it’s a familiy day with kids, you may not be as dynamic as if it was only you and I on the range and so on.

Last but not least: the coaches! Don’t become one, don’t be one. We always look to better ourselves, but it doesn’t mean I want you breathing down my neck telling me how to do stuff. Maybe I just feel like wasting ammo today, maybe I’m not working on accuracy or speeed.



I realize I sound like a crusty old bastard, but this common sense is just as important as the range rules and it is often a trial/error learning for some. As a RO, you get to see it in another perspective but it’s just a bigger version of the shooter version. I saw one, maybe two events where safety was a concern. Everything else is just things that people do. I love shooting but I have very limited time so I don’t like to waste it or when someone wasted it. Try to arrive as prepared as you can with all the gear you need and follow the range rules and all should be good for you.

Have a nice one

DT
Click to expand...

This. Crusty old bastard 2.0!!
 
Act like you are at a strip club..............don't touch it unless you are buying it...

Otherwise, as already noted, bring your own targets, stapler, staples, binos, spotting scope, sand bags etc
Take your garbage home with you, pick up your brass, leave the place looking better than you found it.
 
Range etiquette will very from person to person, but generally being aware of others goes a long way. Being self aware enough to ask the question your probably be ok.

Couple things from experience.

1) be mindful of where you brass us ending up. Others don't like your hot brass ejecting on their neck. (People are normally receptive)

2) I believe introducing kids to shooting is important, but it has to be about them. Don't show up with children and expect them to watch you shoot. Story; At an outdoor range I had a kid walk around the building into my sight picture. Why dad was busy shooting with buddies and the kids was bored so started wandering and playing like kids do. Also none of the children had hearing protection.

3) As always, know the direction of all your fiream's barrel, including those not in use.
Don't have them pointed down range during cease fire.

4) You have every right to shoot your muzzle brake firearm. We all have ear protection. That said be mindful, it may not be as plesent for the people to your left and right on the 12 shot.
 
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DT covered it well. Most ranges will give you a walk through/orientation when you become a member. Have fun.
 
Do not Show up with a heard of teenagers then glare at other who will not leave to make room.
Stay with the new shooter you brought and clear the firearm for sure before a down range.
If you fail to do the above do not decide to check and clear a firearm after there are people down range.
If there is a sign in book , use it! It may cover you on the the way home if a event occurs.
If the range starts to fill up do not be a table hog with your stuff all over the range.
Be thoughtful of other, give them space and respectful of there privacy in a public setting.
 
Tred said:
4) You have every right to shoot your muzzle breaked firearm. We all have ear protection. That said be mindful, it may not be as plesent for the people to your left and right.
Click to expand...

Warn people. The shooter may be doubled up, but not the people beside him.
 
Some things that I've noticed at my outdoor club...

-lots of talkers - I go during the week in the afternoon/evening not many during that time
-pay attention to safe/hot range - had a guy try to do target change while range was hot
-no ammo on the pistol safe table - load your mags at the firing line
-have your guns pointing in a safe direction when you put them in the case - so you don't muzzle anyone
-if you bring guests with no PAL/RPAL, member is not shooting - member should be beside guest as much as possible
-no handling of firearms during range safe even in the parking lot
 
as a long time shooter but relatively new range member

unless its a serious safety concern when you give or get feedback don't be a jerk about it

"hey, do you mind doing x instead of y"
"yah sure, I'll do that right now"

"here are the reasons why x is better than y, hope you have a great day"
"thanks... you too!"

There are lots of things I'm still learning and if you politely direct me to the more appropriate way, I'll happily do it.
But courtesy is a two way street.

Now if the recipient of the feedback is a defensive jerk they deserve all that's coming to them ....
 
Tred said:
Range etiquette will very from person to person, but generally being aware of others goes a long way. Being self aware enough to ask the question your probably be ok.

Couple things from experience.

1) be mindful of where you brass us ending up. Others don't like your hot brass ejecting on their neck. (People are normally receptive)

2) I believe introducing kids to shooting is important, but it has to be about them. Don't show up with children and expect them to watch you shoot. Story; At an outdoor range I had a kid walk around the building into my sight picture. Why dad was busy shooting with buddies and the kids was bored so started wandering and playing like kids do. Also none of the children had hearing protection.

3) As always know the direction of all your barrels.
Don't have them pointed down range during cease fire.

4) You have every right to shoot your muzzle brake firearm. We all have ear protection. That said be mindful, it may not be as plesent for the people to your left and right on the 12 shot.
Click to expand...

I must need a nap as I don't understand the "all your barrels" in number three
 
You know, I've been a member of various ranges since somewhere around '84.

I'm going to tell you what I think about range etiquette, it's just me, and just my opinion, it's worth exactly as much as anyone else's:

Keep an eye on the old guys. I'm 52, so I'm inching into this category pretty quick. But since I was a teen I've put up with:

a) The crotchety old 1890's alaskan prospector type. The guys that think anything more than muzzle loading is unnecessary, and they'll tell you why. "wheel" guns are high tech, and they don't like em, and they don't like anyone with them.
b) The retiree: He's got literally all day to spend telling you what's wrong with the world, your guns, "kids nowadays", and how hamburgers used to be bigger than the buns. You'll save a fortune on ammo though, but go home angry or depressed.
c) The "RO": The guys that didn't even take the 2 hour RO course, but likes to make up rules on the spot, and state them as rules of the range. Now don't ignore actual range officers, but take what these guys say with a grain of salt, and if what they told you seems rubbish, ask the president of the club, that guy or gal should know for sure what the rules are.
d) The bench resters: These guys will take literally 8 hours to take 3 shots, and will be upset if you so much as look at them when they're setting up (which is all day). If you see tiny wind markers set up all the way downrange, best just go elsewhere.
e) The fudds: These guys don't shoot at the rifle ranges, but they will come around just to heckle anyone shooting anything except a side by side shotgun. Identify them on skeet day, and just keep clear, nothing good comes of talking to them.

Other guys to look out for:

The "just discovered IPSC" guys.
The "taking lots of gangsta selfies wit muh gun and muh phone" guys.
The "are you a Christian?" guys (got my first one of these last week...weird experience).
The "I am an expert in all guns and all bow before me" <---these guys usually screw up and hurt someone sooner or later, because they know everything and don't want to hear anything from nobody about safety.
The "There's no competition but I'm wearing my competition shirt for no reason" guy.
The "Once the brass hits the ground, it's the property of the club, and I'm the club brass collector" guy. <---I have brass catchers on every rifle I own because of these special
The "brought my entire reloading setup to the range" guys. They probably won't talk to you, but don't bother them unless you want to hear the whole story on how gunpowder was developed.


I find you simply nod or say hello to anyone arriving, or already at the range, and just gauge the response. You'll probably be able to tell immediately what type they are just by their reaction and body language.


As for your own behaviour...don't be any of the above, don't shoot anything you don't want to shoot, take squib loads seriously and let them cook, and don't be a ######
 
billbmcleod said:
I must need a nap as I don't understand the "all your barrels" in number three
Click to expand...

Thanks, poorly communicated on my phone, I have tried to reword it.

3) As always, be aware the direction of all your fiream's barrel, including those not in use.

As someone who often brings more then one firearm to the range. I don't want to leave an unused one, even if unloaded, pointing at some one. Never seen an issue of it, but. . . . people are people, never thought I'd see item (2) either.
 
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