When I began my firearms training, my instructor really made sure we were aware of where our muzzle was pointing and that our fingers were off the trigger unless we were ready to shoot. He sort of drilled those lessons into his students so it is instinctive now when I have a gun in the range, and when I see others with guns in the range.
What do you all usually do if you see someone with poor muzzle or trigger discipline on the range? Do you go over and give them a few pointers, tell the RO or just try to stay behind the guy and get on with your day?
I see poor trigger discipline all the time on the range and at the gun store counter, and by pretty much everyone I come across in life that puts a gun in their hands unless I am at a competition or a high level class that cost hundreds of dollars and requires the physical ability to get out and run around.
So, I donāt do anything except watch this person very closely to observe their muzzle discipline before I consider being anywhere other than directly behind them.
Now, muzzle discipline? I will say something, I will move, if it comes down to it I will walk away/behind them/out immediately. In reality, only an issue that far once, I stood behind them until they were unloaded then packed up and left. I donāt need to start an argument with an untrained person with a gun and I donāt need to get shot
I have called people out on the range for Muzzle and been met with āitās not loaded and Iām a copā. Doesnāt go over well. Do not point that muzzle towards me again. After that I packed up and left because they didnāt seem to understand that it was important. I havenāt been back to that rangeā¦but itās state/DNR run so Iām probably not missing much, those RSOās donāt enforce anything other than ārapid fireā (no matter how accurate you are)
Good post. I regret I donāt get out to the ranges as much as Iād like to. I noticed some range officers (ROās) differ and or are more available than at certain other ranges.
Iāve been fortunate, the ROās are pretty good where I usually go.
Iāve not seen much dangerous maneuvers, sometimes I hear rapid fire which is prohibited at the main site I go to, and most of the time the ROās will issue them a warning.
Kudos to all ROās, seen some good vigilance by them. I think that resonates to teaching us all better safety. Thereās a reason for each time they ask us to do something a certain way, all tied into safety.
Once I saw a fella lay his rifle at a 45 degree angle, with the butt on the floor, and barrel pointing against the wall glass divider between his booth and mine. Supposedly itās bullet proof glass, but those are some powerful rifles.
Scarred me, such as what if it fell to the ground. I forget what I did, I remember I had to leave soon thereafter anyways.
Especially important when we take newbies or young folk with us as guests, that they feel safe and learn as well.
Thank God I do not need to be on the Range with unknown people anymore. I usually attend classes and train with people I trust, so there is no bad trigger or muzzle discipline. Each drill is always preceded by verbal instructions about safety rules, so everyone hears and tells those dozen times.
However, I visit my local indoor range from time to time, to train my son and this is challenging. Not because of my sonā¦ because of the surroundings.
First, Iām visiting range at the very morning, when there are almost zero shooters
Second, Iām trying to avoid being in the booth, next to another shooter
Thirdā¦ so far, no thirdā¦ The barriers between booth are deep enough than itās almost impossible to be flagged, unless somebody turns around with the gunā¦ in such case I would definitely yell without waiting for RSOās reaction
Still shaking my head over Range Officers. Iāve never been to a range that sported an āOfficerā, or much supervision of any official kind. One was a locally operated State Fish & Game range, open to all comers from dawn to dark, 365 days a year. The honor system was in play and I only felt threatened enough one time to actually pack up and leave. (A large extended family, many guns, no discipline, and 100% yahoos.)
Another range I had to join for a modest annual fee. Twenty rifle positions from 50-300 yds; two 10 station pistol bays, and an attendant a couple hours a day to refresh the cardboard backers and empty the trash cans. Never ran into any yahoos there. I did meet some fun people and a number of local Sheriffs and city police.
The range I go to now is next to a gun shop (which is next to the ownerās home). 6 shooting stations ranging out to 200 yds and under a roof. There are rules posted and cameras feeding back to the shop but Iāve never seen a situation where the owner had to come out. This place in WAY out in the rural countryside, The ādrivewayā is a twisty, hilly half mile of rough gravel and potholes with only one small creek to ford. Itās great.
Iāve never been to an indoor range, and from what I read here Iām not sure I want to. Of course, being retired, I usually go to the range in the morning when I normally have the place to myself or share with one other person. I almost never go on Saturdaysātoo crowded. At the state range I went on Sunday mornings while everyone else is in church. About a half dozen of us formed an impromptu āSunday Gun Clubā since we ended up being there almost every week.
You tell the RO. If no RO, then I would ask the shooter to be aware of their safety of others, depending on their answer and most of all attitude the next step would be to call the owners of the range, I go to one out door range in Iowa, itās ran by Linn County, I have their number on my phone, I would get a picture of the shooter and their tag (which is required to be hung up) then make a formal complaint. Everyone should be a safety officer on any range.
I am currently building my own range on a farm - its very nice and looks professional all around. I will instruct there once finished and stop going to the county range.
I only found 2 ranges within a two hour drive that have multiple RSOās and press safety overall. They both are outdoor privately owned ranges. I have practiced and trained at these ranges with USCCA, NRA & FLORIDA FIREARMS.
All the indoor ranges in my area donāt have a RSO on range, they only have a tv screen that the sales shop worker might glance at.
If I decide to go to a new range, I talk to the range operator ahead of time and see if I can spend time looking over the activities at the range and the safety operations. Usually a four hour scan, also chat with as many on duty RSOāS and any other employees.
I feel getting familiar with the range procedures starts me off on a better level if I choose to participate at that range.
Oh yes, Iāve seen many, many persons at many, many other ranges who have no idea of muzzle management or any safety procedures needed when owning/using a firearm. In the past at these ranges I would safely pack up, notify a employee, then leave. Iāve gone back to a few of these ranges months later to checkout if things have changed and found NO CHANGES.
Never return there again.
My response always depends on how the person is acting. Are they typically very safety conscious and just had a minor momentary failure or are maybe very new and flustered by all the new things to learn at once, and they will respond well to constructive criticism? ill point it out. Most are apologetic, but it still needs to be corrected. Iāve only ever had one person be shitty about being corrected and they were escorted off the property in short order.
+1 on the range at home
summer time we shoot at the banks of the upper pond[12āhigh]
great for draw and fire practice.
as for rifle ,300 yards to the farthest target
winter pistol range is set up to shoot into a snow pile, in the spring we pick up the slugs
I wonāt bore you (again) w/my Albuquerqueās Range Nightmareās. They suck!. Period.
I was frustrated yesterday I wanted to shoot but my anxiety just wouldnāt let me go in.
I drove to the Outdoor Cop Shop Range and as usual it was shut down but I just kept driving!
straight out into the Mesa boonieās! Why I didnāt do this all along makes me shake my head.
I backed in an lifted the tailgate and set up my free standing target and just had a blast!
(pun intended) (15) mags for the ARās (I wish I brought more), cleared the throats of a couple of handguns, Made sure my new XS sights on a gun were accurate, had a couple of glasses of Ice Tea and some cookies and then raked up my brass, took down the target, swept up some Robert Dinero dvd fragments and smiled all the way home. Not one person Investigated the Rapid fire, Aimed shots GLOURIOUS!
I feel great this morning. It seems I do better alone now. NOT watching all the āposerāsā and Motards to see if they are sweeping me, watching my back more than my target.
Iām jealous! Thereās no where around overpopulated Florida to do that that I can find. I used to be able to do that at an old abandoned gypsum factory in Akron NY, but that was a long time ago (before NY became communist).
Glad you got out brother. I need to do the same. Been practicing dry fire at home this morning, but itās not working.
Trigger? As long as muzzle is pointing down range, I donāt say anything. Iām not their personal trainer. Muzzle discipline is something I will address if I see someone next to me sweeping the crowd. The two combined? I may just hit the deck!
TRUTH Brother, with the influx of Blue staterās from all over (we are a purple/blue state) so it is attractive to Cali/and Northerners now. The sprawl is eating up my old shooting spots.
I must have had brain-lock or something Joseph? GO OUT FURTHUR DON ! DUH!
I drove till I saw familiar settings, I was out this far for Sicario 1 and 2 ! The Films sites. (I had forgotten how remote it was). In S2 Benecio del Toro gets executed (he lived!) but there was a ābermā about 30ā high 3/4ās of the way around him. PERFECT shooting Range!
I hope no one else remembers this. I may never darken the Ranges doorways again.
Itās not my job to āPoliceā anyone anymore, I agree Bjorn 100% Iām OUT, Done . Feels like Iāve been āOn the Wallā for (25+) years. Iām tired. I am looking after my own for now. People donāt respect a HELPING HAND anymore, You say āListen Sir, I believe your muzzle discipline is FUBAR and would you please not take selfieās while your loaded firearm is pointed at meā (you Schmuck!) And Iām not wasting a chance to shoot if I ever get inside a Range , Packing up my stuff because of Danger Close idiots who think they are Alec Baldwin. Iām going to make a stink!, get that person(s) out of thereā¦NO SIR, not my job.
I NEED TO TRAIN (often)
and these Indoor Ranges are a good way to get shot (Iāve been shot beforeāI didnāt like it, donāt want another Tee shirt.
Thatās a fact! There are a couple of pay to play outdoor ranges near Okeechobee, but no open property you can just pull over and setup at that I know of.
I am very fortunate a friend of mine built a 50 yard outdoor range (100 yards if you want to migile with the cows) that I have 24-7 access to. However, I think I will be sticking to the indoor range till the weather cools down a bit.
Yep. The only actual outdoor range I can find within a hundred miles of me is in the Ocala National Forest. Iāve not driven up there to check it out, but will someday. Otherwise, everything is private land or state land where shooting is prohibited.
For me, a simple decision. As a card-carrying range RSO I walk them to the register to pay their tab and then out the door. Also put a comment in their profile. And remember - everyone on the range is an RSO!
Iāve only had the sweep happen to me once.The instructor in charge of a basic handgun class for women watched one of his students reload a revolver pass it to another student then another.Its a cold rangeā¦no loading until preparing to fire on the line. This student pointed that revolver at me twice,.I relocated to behind the instructors truck until the noobs had left. I had to qualify.I put 49 in the go zone and put my last round square between the eyes. The instructor said " the last one would have worked in self defense but kept you from a perfect score" I returned with I had a flashback of the blonde student pointing her gun at me in the same spot.He didnāt have an answer,just scored me and said bye
The barriers between booth are deep enough than itās almost impossible to be flagged, unless somebody turns around with the gunā¦ in such case I would definitely yell without waiting for RSOās reaction