Proper Range etiquette?

Somerset Bar said:
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 ######
Click to expand...

Best advice yet !
 
DT, covered it pretty well, the only thing I would add to the part about trigger locks and keys is consider combination locks for all your locks if you haven't already.

Some basic tools for messing with sights, tightening loose screws and cleaning or clearing a bore obstruction is a good idea.

Somerset's description of some of the characters you will encounter at a busy range is pretty funny.

Be Safe, and have fun!
 
Somerset Bar said:
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 ######
Click to expand...

Perfect description of all the usual suspects haha
 
Somerset Bar said:
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 ######
Click to expand...

Awesome advice thank you! Not going to lie but i laughed at the christian question lol
 
Somerset Bar said:
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 ######
Click to expand...

I had a pretty good laugh reading this and I was able to picture every single one of them with members of my club. The Bench Rester was by far the best.

Thank you very much for this you absolutely nailed it !
 
Somerset Bar said:
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 ######
Click to expand...

This is why I have a 3.5hr drive to my range. Quieter place with 'normal' people as members. We still get the odd 'under achiever' once in a while but it's rare.
 
Here is one that drives me crazy. It happens all the time at Mission. The range goes live at 9:00. Nearly everyone is there, set up, and ready to go. Two minutes before 9:00 someone shows up with an armload of targets that they want to set up at every distance from 25m to 300. By the time they are done it's a quarter after and then the next guy shows up expecting to set up his stuff before we start :) :).

Chris.
 
And every range is different. One wants rifles racked pointing upward during ceasefires, another wants them left on the shooting bench with action open, another requires chamber flags. Being in tune with the local version of the rulebook is key to not getting yelled at. The core safety rules are maybe closer to universal, but there are always those little details that can get you spotted as not from around here.
 
One of the worst calls to make on the line is a malfunction with a live cartridge up the pipe. This can be especially bad if you are the only one there as help is usually needed. The last time it happened with me it was a 45 ACP that failed to go fully into battery due to a bad crimp on the round. This was the first round and when the hammer did not drop i kept it pointed down range and dropped the mag out. When most shooting had died off I raised my hand and the RO came to my assistance and called a cease fire. Everyone unloaded made their guns safe and stepped back from the firing. They did circle around behind me and the RO though and offered advice. The seasoned RO came with a piece of 2x4 and a hammer and he tapped the slide ahead the few thou it needed. It seems the lead bullet was up into the lands and would not allow the slide to pull back but tapping it further allowed the interlocks to line up and it fired. With approval of the group I tried one more round and had the same result. Easy to fix this time. So I boxed my gun and went home to re-do my reloads.
 
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Lot of new shooters, especially first time handgunners, lately so this thread deserves a bump.

I usually test new firearms, work up reloads and check my handgun sights at an indoor range that's pretty packed full of renters and once-every-half-year shooters. This time it was to see if that Norinco Olympia really could eat all the 22 ammo I can't use in my more finicky rimfires.

If it says don't shoot the thing. Don't shoot the thing.

At the indoor range there is a big sign warning shooters that if you hit the steel target hangers, you will be fined. Well I guess new member missed that part of her orientation and decides it would be cool pick up a 12ga with birdshot to blast her targets off the clipper once she filled them full of 9mm holes. A few pellets ricocheted back and hit my hand, leaving a cut. Not pleased. Told the shooter about it and got deer in headlights eyes and no response. Reported to RO.

Pick up your brass, especially if it's a smooth concrete floor

The dang things are slippery. If there's a broom, sweep your brass or pick it up if you reload. Brass generally ejects right and you're leaving a bunch of banana peels for the shooter next to you.

If they're outshooting your groups, they probably don't need shooting tips

It's nice getting the girlfriend or wife involved and taking her to the range for the first time, and probably somewhat embarrassing when she outshoots you. Bruised ego, I get it. But when that happens, no need to look around for someone more teachable to share your knowledge unless they are asking. Was funny to watch/listen to though.
 
Tred said:
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.
Click to expand...

Thanks! didn't think of this one (I'm totally new to firearms ownership). Where should we have the barrels point towards at times like that? I was taught to clear the guns and put them down but in this case, where should the barrel be pointed at?
 
Do everything DT741 mentioned, and you'll be better then 95% of members at most ranges. Great advice.

Also, familiarize yourself with the range rules for the particular range you join. Actually read them. So many people break rules and claim to not know they were rules, and some people think things are rules that are not. Good to know what's what.
 
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