Every range has its own rules. Some have Range Safety Officers, some do not. Some allow rapid-fire, drawing from a holster, or move and shoot options, while others are just a big valley with backstops and benches.
No matter what range you go to, there will be a set of rules you need to abide by – whether they’re written out or not.
What do you wish you would have known before the first time you went to the range?
If you’ve been shooting a long time, please feel free to share what you’ve heard from new shooters who you take to at the range.
A lot of ranges don’t let you draw from a holster, as a matter of fact most indoor ranges won’t. I wish that would change. Also I feel that the four rules of firearms safety should be adhered to whether you are an experienced shooter or not. Range etiquette is very important to know. New shooters should especially memorize the basic range safety rules. I have been at a range where some shooters were asked not to return again and that is an embarrassment. Don’t be that guy/gal.
Depends on how much you want to invest into it. How much time you want to do it? Going to the range once a week or a daily basis? How many rounds will you be using each time you go? Are you planning on buying multiple types of guns? What type of guns? Then there is ammo, targets, range fees, hearing protection, eye protection, first aid kit, gun cleaning kits and lubricants, and of course,…training. Do not forget training. Shooting classes will only benefit you and you can not put a price on your knowledge and skill set. I only charge 125.00 an hour at range time, class time is 50,00 an hour.
When you go to the range have a training plan. Have a drill or two to work on. If you go just to shoot bring a white piece of paper and shoot at it because otherwise you are just shooting, shoot with a purpose of improvement and bettering yourself,
Just do what your comfortable with and can afford. I look at it as an investment.
I learned pretty quickly that it would be important for me to be able to train at the range being able to draw from my holster. For me, that makes my range time more realistic and productive. Thankfully, I found out that one of the two indoor ranges here in my town allow you to draw from your holster. Guess which range I became a member of? LOL I do wish that I had a range to go to where I could move and shoot. That would be helpful to make my range time even more realistic and productive. But I’m thankful for what I have. I also take my brother, who is new to pistol shooting, to the range occasionally to help him get acclamated to pistols. He is very interested in and enjoys shooting pistols and is looking forward to having some money to purchase his first one before long.
bingo…but no problem (well, sort of maybeish), as I replaced offshore sailing with the shooting sports.
At least I don’t have to pay to store my firearms 65 miles away, like it was with the sailboat, and the guns don’t spend half the year out of commission. No need to round up a crew either.
You’re a lucky man. I haven’t found a range within reasonable driving distance that will allow me to draw from holster. I practice at home with my BarrelBlok, but nothing beats live-fire training.
It’s been so many years since my first time to a range but I do remember it was an outdoors range and we were practicing in the rain.
On the other foot, this past year my loving wife, who is a great shooting partner, and I have been at a local indoor range. This range doesn’t have any RSO or anyone who cares what’s going on. I’ve had to stop a few people over time from doing stupid unsafe things with their firearms. The latest was two women just before shooting their first firearm, I had to stop them loading the magazine with the ammo backwards. Then another aged man walking around showing others his new 38 spec. with it loaded.
Please, please be safe and try to teach others safety with firearms.
I’ve been shooting since boy scouts but did have the privilege of teaching my wife & daughter over the past crazy year.
Safety 1st
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, advice, etc…
You can always learn more.
I need to add to my statement.
My wife & I had our bi-weekly range date today (the other weeks I go with our daughter).
There was a group of inexperienced young men in the lanes near us. Not only were there a few instances of ‘flagging’ the RSO & I had to kibosh but general jackassery as well- horseplay, crowding into the booth for photos, falling to clear when being handed a weapon etc…
On the drive home this thread came up & she had some thoughts. On someone’s first range outing, before even handling a firearm they may want to take a few minutes to listen. Get used to the sound of gunfire before giving them a deadly weapon and risking being startled.
Hey mattm! You know the old saying: “The 2 best days of a boat owner are the day he buys the boat and the day he sells it” .
I feel yah brother I own one of those money pits too.
hey, you ever need a crew give a shout. I preferred manning sheets and halyards over the wheel anyways…assuming your boats near home, I never sailed west of around branford, but went to the Norwalk boat show once, so I could be your navigator as well
