Can we talk about range etiquttes

[Leo King]

I went to the range last weekend and witnessed some stuff that made me uncomfortable, the guy next to me kept sweeping everyone with his muzzle while handling his gun, and another person was shooting during a ceasefire. I know most of us follow the rules, but it only takes one careless person, what range etiquette issues bother you most? Maybe we can remind folks.

 

[URIT]

I've experienced the same issues at my favorite outdoor range. I told the guy next to me to keep his muzzle pointed downrange at all times, and the next time I see him violating the rule I'd speak to the range control officer who might ask him to leave.

The guy firing after ceasefire was called didn't hear the call. I'm not surprised. I have a clock I watch to judge when the next cease fire call will happen because I'm really hard of hearing with ear protection in place. I've suggested they get a bullhorn to call ceasefire, but I guess he didn't hear me.

 

[Tammy]

Yeah, that kind of stuff makes everyone uneasy, for me it’s when folks ignore the ceasefire or don’t clear their firearm before stepping off the line. Basic safety isn’t optional, I also can’t stand when people pick up brass in front of others while still shooting... it’s just not safe. We all go to have fun, but staying alert and respectful keeps everyone safe.

 

[LimaCharlie]

Worst thing about public ranges.... - they're open to the general public.
I'm an Instructor and RSO. At one time I worked a p/t retirement gig at a LGS/Indoor Range. There was no dedicated RSO, just employees that could occasionally monitor the range through the Lexan window facing the range, as time would allow.

The stuff we saw there was often very concerning. Muzzle-sweeps of everyone there, removing and omitting the mandatory eye protection, shooters placing rounds in their magazines backwards and asking for help for their pistol that for some reason is malfunctioning (and angry because they bought it there), a lady who brought her .32 DA revolver there along with a small hammer. The hammer was used to pound the rounds into the never-cleaned chambers, and pound the ejector rod to clear empty brass. Tried explaining to her why that might be a bad idea, and to purchase one of our cleaning kits. 'No, can't afford it'.

People/shooters who objected to the $1 per target (a variety of large targets ranging from silhouette to several bullseye graphics) and decided to just shoot the plastic target HANGERS equipped with clamps for holding the target.
I could go on with many more incredible examples of stupidity. When we would enter the range to make these shooters aware of their infraction(s), reactions ranged from a somber apology and Thank you to anger and rage and storming out, vowing to never come again.

So, long ago made up my mind that if my ONLY access to shooting was a public indoor range (such as many of our customers), I'd rather switch to golf, carving animals, fish more than I do, fly tying, etc. Got where I hated that environment, and having a touch of claustrophobia doesn't help either.

 

[Leo King]

I've experienced the same issues at my favorite outdoor range. I told the guy next to me to keep his muzzle pointed downrange at all times, and the next time I see him violating the rule I'd speak to the range control officer who might ask him to leave.

The guy firing after ceasefire was called didn't hear the call. I'm not surprised. I have a clock I watch to judge when the next cease fire call will happen because I'm really hard of hearing with ear protection in place. I've suggested they get a bullhorn to call ceasefire, but I guess he didn't hear me.

That’s totally fair, communication makes a big difference, especially with hearing protection on. A bullhorn or clearer signal would help a lot...glad you spoke up about the muzzle discipline too.

 

[Leo King]

Worst thing about public ranges.... - they're open to the general public.
I'm an Instructor and RSO. At one time I worked a p/t retirement gig at a LGS/Indoor Range. There was no dedicated RSO, just employees that could occasionally monitor the range through the Lexan window facing the range, as time would allow.

The stuff we saw there was often very concerning. Muzzle-sweeps of everyone there, removing and omitting the mandatory eye protection, shooters placing rounds in their magazines backwards and asking for help for their pistol that for some reason is malfunctioning (and angry because they bought it there), a lady who brought her .32 DA revolver there along with a small hammer. The hammer was used to pound the rounds into the never-cleaned chambers, and pound the ejector rod to clear empty brass. Tried explaining to her why that might be a bad idea, and to purchase one of our cleaning kits. 'No, can't afford it'.

People/shooters who objected to the $1 per target (a variety of large targets ranging from silhouette to several bullseye graphics) and decided to just shoot the plastic target HANGERS equipped with clamps for holding the target.
I could go on with many more incredible examples of stupidity. When we would enter the range to make these shooters aware of their infraction(s), reactions ranged from a somber apology and Thank you to anger and rage and storming out, vowing to never come again.

So, long ago made up my mind that if my ONLY access to shooting was a public indoor range (such as many of our customers), I'd rather switch to golf, carving animals, fish more than I do, fly tying, etc. Got where I hated that environment, and having a touch of claustrophobia doesn't help either.

Wow, that sounds like a nightmare to deal with. I can’t blame you for stepping away from that scene, safety lapses and attitudes like that would drive anyone crazy. Private or outdoor ranges sound way better.

 

[winemaker81]

I have been fortunate that I've not personally witnessed abject stupidity at a public range.

In the recent past I've watched some range fail videos on YouTube, and there is some seriously terrifying stuff I'm glad I was not present for. It might be a good idea for a range to collect 5 to 10 minutes of such videos and make viewing mandatory before the first time on the range.

 

[Daze]

Okay, but maybe see if he's just confused or really having a hard time, sometimes people don't even know they're messing up. A quick chat or offer to give a hand could fix it before it becomes a safety problem.

 

[winemaker81]

Okay, but maybe see if he's just confused or really having a hard time, sometimes people don't even know they're messing up. A quick chat or offer to give a hand could fix it before it becomes a safety problem.

This is a good point. A scary number of adults were introduced to firearms by playing Call of Duty and that ilk, and their understanding of reality is skewed.

This also applies to movies. I know a lot of adults who are vehemently against suppressors because they make firearms totally silent.

 

[Alan]

Worst thing about public ranges.... - they're open to the general public.
I'm an Instructor and RSO. At one time I worked a p/t retirement gig at a LGS/Indoor Range. There was no dedicated RSO, just employees that could occasionally monitor the range through the Lexan window facing the range, as time would allow.

The stuff we saw there was often very concerning. Muzzle-sweeps of everyone there, removing and omitting the mandatory eye protection, shooters placing rounds in their magazines backwards and asking for help for their pistol that for some reason is malfunctioning (and angry because they bought it there), a lady who brought her .32 DA revolver there along with a small hammer. The hammer was used to pound the rounds into the never-cleaned chambers, and pound the ejector rod to clear empty brass. Tried explaining to her why that might be a bad idea, and to purchase one of our cleaning kits. 'No, can't afford it'.

People/shooters who objected to the $1 per target (a variety of large targets ranging from silhouette to several bullseye graphics) and decided to just shoot the plastic target HANGERS equipped with clamps for holding the target.
I could go on with many more incredible examples of stupidity. When we would enter the range to make these shooters aware of their infraction(s), reactions ranged from a somber apology and Thank you to anger and rage and storming out, vowing to never come again.

So, long ago made up my mind that if my ONLY access to shooting was a public indoor range (such as many of our customers), I'd rather switch to golf, carving animals, fish more than I do, fly tying, etc. Got where I hated that environment, and having a touch of claustrophobia doesn't help either.

That sounds like a nightmare to deal with