First-Time Shooters Range Tips

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/9-tips-for-first-time-shooters-at-the-gun-range/

What one piece of advice do you give to new shooters when they head to the range?

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When going to a range that charges by the hour preload 4+ magazines and lock those in an ammo can used just for that so it is separate from the firearm.

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I love that idea! Saves you time and some thumb beatings at the range. :wink:

The one I always tell people is to zip up their sweatshirts and be cautious of hot brass.

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Yep. Hat and high necked shirt. If they forget the high neck, sometimes you can reverse the shirt and put it on backwards to keep from getting hot brass cleavage tattoos.

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Safety, Safety, Safety. Practice each of your planned drills dry going through all of the motions for at least 3-5 repetitions before loading your firearm.

When you do load it, start with one round for each of five to ten shots while you get familiar with the weapon, ammo, recoil etc.

When comfortable with the single fired rounds through each drill, then and only then load multiples.

Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.

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Great Topic! First timers ALWAYS control the muzzle i.e. keep it pointed down range. Second, listen to the range officer. Third, ask before you do do something you’re not 100% sure is okay. Finally , relax and enjoy yourself.

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Good tip. When I became a USAF firearms instructor (my 3rd day on the range) a female hospital tech was qualifying when a piece of 5.56mm brass got into her ample cleavage thanks to the V neck T shirts we were required to wear. She jumped like a kangaroo and managed to shoot the training instructor standing next to me in the foot. Not a good day for the poor guy.

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She was required to wear a V neck shirt? That’s crazy. And the fact that she shot the instructor in the foot is scary!

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Wow, bad day indeed @Michael7 :astonished:
I’m hoping the v-neck was a hospital thing, not a range thing… because that would just be foolish and asking for liability.

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The v neck was what all AF airman wore. It was a hot day so we had taken our over shirts off. Crew necks now…no more v necks. He survived. We laugh about it now. The lady became a good friend of all the range officers.

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It’s not one single piece of advice per se. But it’s the 4 basic rules of firearm safety. Last week I introduced 3 young women to shooting and that was the very first piece of advice I gave them.

On a related note, the last piece of advice I gave was. If you drop your gun , let it fall don’t try to catch it as in the act of catching it you could have caused an AD/ND

My nephew has been getting into pistol and likes to come over and shoot when he can.
I make him recite the 4 basics before he loads the first magazine and periodically on command during the
‘event’. I actually think he kind of enjoys it now (the surprise quizes)