I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Went to a gun range this past weekend, nothing but a few guys holding the mics speaking about all of the rules, felt like I was in a prison. All these people sitting in their small zones shooting at non-moving targets, controlled like animals... amazing!

What freedom it would be to actually use a gun, running in an open field or forrest doing a tuck n roll and shooting... wtf! I think alot of people love these gun ranges, the controlled environment and all....

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

C'mon, the rules have their place

Anyone could be shooting right next to you at a public range.
Someone you'd never invite to your open field much less trust with your life. :ok:

I pretty much go to the indoor range during winter, or to run through a large number of handgun rounds.
It's nice to not freeze or keep running back & forth switching targets...

You might try to find a private club/range if you shoot a lot, and don't have land or family with land
It seems like the less "first time weekenders" there are... the more relaxed the staff.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

It was an outdoor range, just saying... Indoor range same thing too, but I get your point, and I respect the rules, it's private property, but those with guns should find different avenues, but it may serve a purpose in the beginning like yous state. The staff is paranoid, to be honest, and I'm sure they could give their reasons, yet how many targets sit still. I think real hands on in the wild is the real test of marksmanship is all.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Here's why! http://goldismoney.info/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

When you're new to a gun range, the staff are always paranoid about you, once you show them you're a controlled individual that can follow rules and shoot safely, they will relax around you much more. I have made some great friends at the range and they are the staff.

I thought they were being extra harsh on me with their advice, but it's just normal and it is a working formula. When I passing my holster qualification my RO just smiled. I had missed a steel target and I went back and took it out without having to be asked. Then he realised I got it. He was also impressed with a weak hand bullseye.

Later the staff would come and join me in the booth and watch me shoot occasionally. I'm by no means the best shooter there, but they must have liked my style, and for a newbie, my accuracy, and they'd always chip in useful advice to improve my shooting experience.

I saw some of the weekend cowboys who came in to shoot shotguns, or high caliber guns etc. I was glad the range was set up the way it was with those guys blasting away and barely hitting the targets. The staff keep you safe, from others and from yourself, and yes, they have seen some bad, stupid accidents in many cases.

The classic one I was told about was a guy who believed a .22 cal pistol couldn't hurt anything, so he decided to prove his theory by shooting himself in the left hand. Needless to say he ended up with bad hand injuries, powder burns and nerve damage by doing that at near point-blank range.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Haha! OMG!

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I understand there are plenty of idiots going out to these places, but there just not for me, I guess I'm saying. The instructors and I had some conversations, and got along fine. One rule was needing to have a case for your rifle going into the shooting range, yet taking an un-cased shot gun closer from the shop is fine if you're shooting clays...

while at the gun range be sure to wear a hard hat and cup while shooting, it seems is all... and properly issued wool socks.... just saying, but I do get the opposing view and all..

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

The weirdest rule (at mine) is "No Police Situational Targets." I mean what's the difference between:
(a) silhouette/cartoon bad guy = allowed
(b) picture of bad guy holding gun to hostage's head = not allowed

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Join a club, sportsmans club......I happen to belong to 3 ....clubs are great...they need good members and their dues and efforts to make them good clubs.

If you belong to a club - you are more likely to shoot more and take a guest with you.....introduce new folks to shooting.

Get involved in a shooting sport.....I look forward to the 2 times a week we compete. It really changes your perspective on shooting...it is a great, low cost hobby. We mostly shoot 22LR Pistol.

Become a range officer at your club.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I was looking for the short of "Pvt, Profile" (god I loved that script) at the rifle range from "Heartbreak Ridge".

Couldn't find it though. No matter. Same scene.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Holy S***! I saw that coming, very lucky people there.

As a long time gun club member and competitor, I understand the need for the rules. You wouldn't believe some of the s*** I've seen.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Danm luky.
translated
Range guy after he grabed the ak away from her "get the **** out"

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I hate ranges and much prefer open country.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

How about deer hunting. Scare them off and see if you can hit a running target.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Sure. Safety equipment can be a hassle, but it is their range, so their rules apply if you want to shoot there. Yeah the shotgun rule seems a bit weird. Shotgun is still quite deadly even loaded for clays. A break-action shotgun would be acceptable as it cannot fire in that state anyway, but not a pump...

I've seen people being told off for not having their firearms in a case and showing up at the counter. Our laws are way tougher here... guy got warned that he could lose his firearms license for that (with a shotgun not properly cased) if the police saw him.

However, the important thing is never take it personally if you screw up, and an RO tells you off, or advises you on a better way to shoot. He is doing you a huge favour, not trying to give you a hard time or belittle you. If he's a stickler for the rules, all the better, because he will clamp down on any idiots and prevent bad behaviour on the range.

I have a few basic rules I follow myself. Before I even go to the range and follow their rules.

1. Have I eaten. (I shoot better when fed)
2. Am I hydrated? What will I drink if I just go now? (Shoot better hydrated).
3. Am I in a good mood. (Important. Do not go shooting recreationally in a bad mood, it will probably not make you happier or relieve stress.)
4. Are other issues distracting me, that I need to sort out first. Unpaid bills etc.
5. Have I drunk alcohol. If so, not going.
6. Does the gun need a clean, bring cleaning kit.
7. How do I intend to shoot today.
8. If I'm offering to take someone shooting for the first time, I first assess that persons mental state and mood.

This improves my shooting, and ensures I have fun. Hopefully you can put some guidelines in place yourself.

It is best to cut your teeth on a range, say 3-6 months, then branch out from there once you know what you want to do.


Some of our range rules include, enclosed footwear. Previously people had shown up in flip-flops, but a hot cartridge between the toes can be distracting and make you point the gun elsewhere, so they introduced that rule.

Similar thing for shirts, they recommend shirts with a collar that can be done up with buttons, so you don't get a cartridge down the T-shirt.

With pistolas. Hot cartridges (or getting hit with cartridges) you get used to through experience, and you don't panic if one lands in your shirt. It also teaches you not to limp-wrist as they eject better.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Deleted: Sounded mean when I meant to sound funny.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

We have a great policy at our club.....and it is cheap....we took a big reel of heavy duty line trimmer / weed-wacker plastic line.....we like orange color......cut a zillion pieces about 10 inches long......whenever anyone goes down range.....we all must have a "Safety Flag" inserted into the chamber.

This is easy and cheap...and very safe....

"Slides Back, Cylinders Out, Magazines Out, Guns On the Table, Flags Inserted"...walk the line.....visual verify all flags....line is safe...you may go forward.

NO GUN HANDLING while others down range.....you can load magazines...once we know you and know you will not touch the gun.....

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Range rules - I put up with them because of the other idiots at the range.

Have gone to unsupervised, outdoor ranges, basically a river wash in a National Forest - a few observations:

1) Sh*theads shooting at targets over the only access road in and out.

2) "gangsters" drinking beer and while shooting their guns sideways

3) Late comers who found the range full, so they drove round the wash, and started shooting into the other side on the wash/berm (in effect, their bullets were flying over the heads of the everyone else at the range)

4) Piles of trash (washing machines, car doors, piles of garbage) left behind

5) Idiots walking on the wash/berm while others are still shooting

6) Tatted' up ex-cons slowly walking past each parked car, carefully looking in and then see what kinds of guns were being used.

In Californiastan, you're a fool to go to a public, unsupervised range. (My assumption is that most of the other states do not have many idiots as we do.)

Best wishes :s1:

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I'd be more than willing to help her out.....the last time I went to an outdoor range close by, the old guy that worked the desk wanted to copy my DL, take a photo, and a thumb print...I politely left, I've nothing to hide, but I'm against putting out any unecessary info

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I hate ranges too, but living in suburbia, I can't exactly go out my back door and shoot. While I don't always agree with the rules, I have to respect them. I was there today and had a couple of gangsta's shooting one-handed sidearm in the lane next to me. They were waving their pistol around and yelling at each other each time they hit the target. The rangemaster came in and sent them packing. WIth idiots like that in there, the liability insurance must be through the roof.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Plus this.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

We shoot in the back yard, or at the range I had built on our other property.
You do what you can, until you can do better.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Many of the gun ranges I have been to were empty, I was the only one there except maybe the owner in some cases. That's common on weekdays in western states. I never liked the regimented atmosphere of indoor gun ranges, and having someone next to me blasting away with a .45 is very distracting. Now I just shoot in my backyard whenever I feel like it. No one has complained.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

[QUOTE=DodgebyDave;2221369]I was looking for the short of "Pvt, Profile" (god I loved that script) at the rifle range from "Heartbreak Ridge".

"My f**king weapon is f**king f**ked up sir"

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Good posts, thanks guys, I hear ya and can't disagree with anything you've all said. Conforming and being placed in a box of rules is not my thing. Love my freedom or my ability to freely act... lesson learned "stfu and follow the rules" ... It's all good!:ok::beer:

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I love shooting, but I hate going to the range. Not because of the rules, but because I'm always surrounded by idiots, and the rules are often ignored or not enforced. There are inevitably once-a-year shooters there who haven't the foggiest idea how to handle a gun safely. I don't know what the accident stats are at ranges, but I'd wager they're very high; I've seen some seriously messed-up shit.

If someone started running around at a range doing tuck-and-roll shooting as described in the OP, I would either run the other direction at full speed if I could, or I'd consider shooting them as a clear-and-present threat to my personal safety.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

WTF indeed.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

That prison like atmosphere may have saved your life.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Yeah I get it man, LOL about the tuck and roll, was just playing not serious, well kind of but wouldn't want to do it at a "gun range" with all the people. I guess this thread has run it's course, and I wasn't thinking posting it.. will have to figure out some new avenues as posted above.. Just so you know, I'm a good shooter, no problems and I just have a hard time with rules and such...

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Alright, we must have posted at the same time. I get it read the post above this post. I'm good, and just need to reason why all the rules are in place, since I naturally slide away from them... I'm good.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Kinda glad I live out west. Not too many people at the range on the weekdays. Plus it seems everyone from Wyo grew up with guns and a great respect for them. The range isn't usually too full (lightly supervised) and if it is (like on a weekend or something) there are 3 BLM areas withing ten minutes from town to practice shooting where the general public has adapted into ranges.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Isn't a 9mm louder than the .45? Or is it more of the percussion affect?

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Do you know how many low-iq people who have probably had accidental discharges are standing next to you at the range? Here's a tip...buy your own land.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

A .9mm is loud, but I find a .357, .40 or .45 significantly louder.

A .38 Special can be really quite loud, maybe it is the loads the guys use as a lot of the complete with those and probably handload. Number of grains makes a huge difference to the noise, not to mention recoil and flash effect.

Shot a .357 with hot loads that was fun, but the .40 Glock we got to shoot with hot loads (same setup the police use) was insane, very loud, significant recoil, heaps of flash. No idea how you could do an accurate follow up shot in the dark with that thing. Practice I guess.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I like this one, looks like could be a range on private land:

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Or get to know a friendly farmer.

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

The Range I shot at is used for law enforcement practice. Its a really nice indoor range. I find most of the rules to be fair and not out of line. Im close friends with one of the Range Masters there. They are keenly aware of how quickly something can go wrong and stay vigilant. They had someone walk on the Range recently when it was still hot. It could have been a disaster if they had not been on the ball and called a quick cease fire. I do think some of them like to throw their weight around though. Their pet peeve seems to be guys who bring their wives and girlfriends in and try to teach them to shoot when they dont know the proper way to use a gun themselves.. LOL

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

Our range that I am a charter member of (there are a whopping 10 charter members) has very few rules and most are common sense. What can be shot, what can't (think bottles etc.), hours you can shoot, and what ranges full auto can be used on. Other than that it is a "gentleman's range" meaning we expect you to be safe and courteous when you are not out there alone. Despite having several hundred members is is normal to have the entire range to yourself during the week and even on weekends you can normally have one of the ranges to yourself.

This is the type of range you need to find if you want to shoot while moving, at hostage type targets, practice reloading on the move, etc.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...y/ourrange.jpg

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

WTF? Where do you live??? Firearms license? Lose it for not having your shotgun properly cased??? I hope you live outside the US... I'd hate to think the laws are that bad anywhere in the US. Shit, even Cali doesn't require a license to own a gun!

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

that why i have my own gun range .......... buy some land if you dont like the rules

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

A lot of good posts in this thread about public ranges and rules.........i have a rule ......never trust the guy and the gun next to you at a range.....they rarely shoot themselves.....just their neighbors...

i normally shoot at home.....or during low range ussage hours...

go to a large public range the 2 wks before deer season :36_1_25: it will give you a new perspective on how many idiots are out there with guns

Re: I hate gun ranges... the rules wtf?
 

I don't mind those rules at the range. But then again, I have 2 friends who've been shot by other people's ND's and one who shot his own foot, and I've seen lotsa dumbfuks at public ranges and open shooting areas in the desert.

My recommendations to have fun with guns:

Join the military, you'll have lots of opportunity to run and shoot.

Shoot matches like IDPA, IPSC.

Play outdoor paintball wars.

Do airsoft CQB training.

Take tactical SD training.