Range Etiquette question

Sailingvan

Sailingvan

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Having very little range experience. I would like to ask what is the proper procedure if someone offers to let you fire his or her firearm. Does one place it on the bench with the safety on facing down range loaded with the confirmation to the second party that the gun is loaded? Or does one unload prove and acts and leave it to the next person to prove and acts and load fire and return empty action open?

I feel kinda stupid asking this but just want to be clear what the common method is.

B
 
Last two times someone let me try their firearm at the range I got them to show me how to load/safety location etc, then I loaded, fired and returned the firearm after proving safe. I don't think the exact protocol matters as long as its discussed beforehand, but both were new restricteds to me and I wanted the 'full experience'. :D
 
My rig in .308 attracts a bit of attention from many of the shooters at my range, and after I'm essentially done for the day I usually invite those I've noticed staring to touch off a round or two at the 100yd gong (or the 300, if they're feeling particularly accurate). If they miss with their first, I'll usually give 'em a second - or third, especially for the young'uns. In fact, I let a father and his three sons burn through an entire 20-round box of American Eagle 150gn since I had basically designated the remainder of that ammo as "fireformed brass" fodder.

I always give them an action-open unloaded firearm, and hand them a cartridge once they're seated at the bench - where the firearm has been left rested etc.

And, after they've shot, I prefer to receive my firearm as I left it - action open, benchrested.

One note I'll make is that if you see a serious bolt-action shooter and he lets you touch off a round or three, please save the brass as you eject it - especially if you're handed a hand-loaded round to fire! If you're shooting a tackdriver, there's probably a reason the guy's gotten it to that point - and guys like me sure appreciate it when a test-shooter doesn't just flop our brass right off the bench.

-M
 
Sorry guys I have to say it.

ACTS & PROVE is a load of krap

I was at BRRC and the instructor told me as long as my finger tip is touching the loaded firearm it is considered under control. To prove this he stood at arms reach and placed his finger tip on the but of the gun. He then told me he is in complete control of the gun. I tapped under his arm and his hand lifted off the gun. I asked him how he felt know and he threatened to fail me for that.

I have been handling guns for 30 years and I have never seen such a load of krap.

That was the day I joined. I only went 3 times after that. Bad club, bad rules, bad idea.

I have nevered offered a gun to anyone at a club without giving a tutorial on the perticular gun. Having said that I always take ammo for such reasons.
 
From the safty course I took yesterday the instructor told us always accept/offer a gun once it has been unloaded, safty on and action open - then let the other party PROVE it as well.
 
Letting other people try my guns is something I love to do.

I have some rather unusual pieces (top breaks, a Merwin Hulbert, SAA, 1874 Shiloh, etc...) so the firearm is offered with the action open. If the person is not familiar with the action type, then I give a good demo of how it works, and have them do some dry firing with snap caps or spent casings before we go hot. Some of my stuff is not forgiving to careless operation of the action.

I do any "dirty work" necessary. Mainly meaning loading the muzzleloader, blow tubing the BP cartridge single shot, and picking up the empties.
 
Most people wont mind letting you try a gun if you show an intrest. Never accept or pass a loaded gun for any reason. Quick simple ACTS & PROVE on both parts is gun manners to show you both know how to handle a firearm safely, & prevent an accident.
 
Sailingvan said:
Having very little range experience. I would like to ask what is the proper procedure if someone offers to let you fire his or her firearm. Does one place it on the bench with the safety on facing down range loaded with the confirmation to the second party that the gun is loaded? Or does one unload prove and acts and leave it to the next person to prove and acts and load fire and return empty action open?

I feel kinda stupid asking this but just want to be clear what the common method is.

B
Click to expand...

Never pass, or accept a loaded gun. :D

If you attended class, or read the book, especially if you now have a license, how is it you don't know this? :D
 
easy said:
Never pass, or accept a loaded gun. :D

If you attended class, or read the book, especially if you now have a license, how is it you don't know this? :D
Click to expand...

My instructor had a crooked eye and answered the door with a 357 in hand. That scared the s**t out of me.

What's a prove acts?
 
ACTS/PROVE are structured steps to assure yourself the gun is unloaded. If the lender tells you it is loaded, it seems a bit illogical to attempt to assure yourself it is unloaded, no? Admittedly, it should be offered empty and open, but if it is offered loaded and noted as such, just keep it pointed safely downrange, finger off the trigger until on target, and shoot it. Once fired the expected number of times, unload it and ACTS/PROVE before passing it back to the owner.

A grandfathered POL holder will probably look at you in righteous disgust if you ACTS/PROVE a gun he tells you is loaded as he passes it to you. I taught PAL/RPAL, and I would! Indeed, I have loaded guns and handed them to rank novices, telling them all the while it is loaded, to keep their finger off trigger, and my own presence ensuring the gun is pointed in a safe direction.

The Canadian Firearms Safety Course is not the holy grail. It is one of any number of paths to safe gun handling, and it is not without its errors of fact. Mindless adherence to dogma will fail you, as assuredly as mindless behaviour while handling a gun.
 
ykkid said:
ACTS/PROVE are structured steps to assure yourself the gun is unloaded. If the lender tells you it is loaded, it seems a bit illogical to attempt to assure yourself it is unloaded, no? Admittedly, it should be offered empty and open, but if it is offered loaded and noted as such, just keep it pointed safely downrange, finger off the trigger until on target, and shoot it. Once fired the expected number of times, unload it and ACTS/PROVE before passing it back to the owner.

A grandfathered POL holder will probably look at you in righteous disgust if you ACTS/PROVE a gun he tells you is loaded as he passes it to you. I taught PAL/RPAL, and I would! Indeed, I have loaded guns and handed them to rank novices, telling them all the while it is loaded, to keep their finger off trigger, and my own presence ensuring the gun is pointed in a safe direction.

The Canadian Firearms Safety Course is not the holy grail. It is one of any number of paths to safe gun handling, and it is not without its errors of fact. Mindless adherence to dogma will fail you, as assuredly as mindless behaviour while handling a gun.
Click to expand...

I agree.

If you don't want to accept a loaded rifle (particularly one you are unfamiliar with) that's fine, just say so. No one should take offense if you are clearly uncomfortable with a new style of firearm. I also often load and chamber a rifle for a newbie when they are out at the range with me, although I will leave the safety on and direct them how to release it before shooting. Loading is sometimes difficult on certain rifles (like with my enfield) and difficult to coach without the rifle or hangun being pointed in unexpected directions.

If I am shooting just a round or two with someone elses rifle, I will return it how I received it (either loaded or unloaded).
 
ykkid and Panman - voices of reason. Just use common sense (unfortunately it's not all that common) and you will be fine.
 
I'll say its loaded, hand it over keeping the muzzle down range and let'em rip.
A person with no trigger experience gets plenty in my neck of the woods.
Most of my mates are military trained and have a easy going demeanor on the range.
Don't like it...go shoot your norinco at the end spot.
 
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