WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

GOnna try to go to the gun range tomorow. How should I package my gun? Do they provide ear and eye protection? Anything else I should consider?

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Small gun bag. You must have eye and ear protection. (You can rent their's for a price $5/$10)
What to watch out for...the other new people that might shoot you.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

I used to take my own eyes and ear pro but if you don't have your own you may want to call ahead. Most indoor ranges can supply you with the gear but most out door ranges are BYO. Make sure to get a thorough range brief so that you understand their rules. Always treat your gun as if it were loaded (obviously) and suspect every other patron of the range as a potential accident waiting to happen. Last but not least, SMILE every time you pull the trigger! Bx3

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

If it's an indoor range, make sure you have your protection on BEFORE you open the door to the shooting gallery itself.

(common mistake for the new shooters)

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Let's see...from my first time at the range, I brought the guns in their cases and ammo boxes in a bag.

There are some obvious things but if one is excited or a newb shooter, you could easily make the mistake. Anyway, always keep the gun pointed down range. Always make sure it's empty including the chamber (on semi auto) before putting back in the case. The rule at the range I was at was to bring the gun up to aim level instead of top down. Always leave your ear and eye protection on until you exit the range. And as someone mentioned above, talk to one of the range officers ahead of time to make sure the ground rules are clear.

Ear and eye protection was available for purchase, as were targets. You are better off buying them from Wallyworld or a gun shop since there will be a premium at the range, and maybe limited selection (they dont stock much).

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Are ear plugs okay, or do you have to buy those head phones? And what if I don't have a gun bag? Can I just take it in a cardboard box? I'm poor.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

At an indoor range I wear both.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Throw your gear in an old back pack, or even gym bag. I use an old back pack for my hand guns. Holds everything I need.

Eyes and Ears are usualy pretty cheap at the range to rent if you need them. Around here its about a buck to rent for each. If you wear glasses, you can use those as your eyes. THats what I do(as long as they arent actualy glass).

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

You will want ear muffs for an indoor range, period!
You can buy them for as little as 12 bucks. I bet you can buy a small gym bag for even less.
The guy next to you might be shooting a .357 or 44 magnum

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

I used ear plugs at the outdoor range and they were fine, even with shooting a 357 Magnum. But if I were indoors, I would get the head set type ear protection without question. Call ahead and see if you can rent them.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Can I have the gun in a shoulder holster? I do have a CCP.

ST

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

#1 rule to follow:

When anyone goes down range......do not even touch your gun if you stay back at the firing line.......guns should be actions open / clyinders out / magazines and guns on the table.....

This is the most important rule ......I become very concerned when I'm down range changing a target and there is some guy back at the bench messing around with something.....never touch a gun when others are down range....ever.....

In fact, it is a good idea to just step back from the fiing line a few steps while folks are down range....

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

I use the foam ear plugs and then also put on the full ear muffs.....double protection.....the muffs can let in sound pressure around the range glasses as the bow passes under the muff.....

Also double protection helps remove the anticipation of recoil from the sound....most top shooters with use double protection for this reason....when you are on a line with several shooters and you are concentrating on a shot....and the guy next to you goes bang.....it will break your concentration in slow fire competition.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

I guess it would depend on the range and its rules...

Most Ranges I have been on require Ear protection of some sort (no specific kind)
Most require shooting glasses or regular glasses...

Targets??? Are they supplied or do you bring them? Do they have something to put them on???

I keep a few target frames in the back of my truck for putting targets on... In my range bag I also keep a pack of Cloth Pins, a T50 Stapler and a Box of Staples for it, a roll of Duck(50 MPH)Tape and a roll of Electrical tape... No matter what I can put up and secure my targets...

Guns
Magazines
Ammo
Assorted tools and cleaning kit

If your really unsure, call ahead and ask or maybe visit 1st...

If visiting a new range, I usually pack atleast the above (maybe a few more things) , but leave it all in the ride; Go in, get a feel for the place, check out the layout and how everything works... I do that before dragging a buncha crap in to find out I don't want to shoot there...

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

I'm cheap. I bring a roll of masking tape so that I can tape up the holes in my target. This allows me to get a lot more rounds per target usage. I also bring a small plastic grocery bag and pick up all of the spent brass in my area. I take home all of the brass that I can, even if I dont reload for it. Your range may have different rules for spent brass though.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

It's more cost effective if you can bring your own ammo and targets.

Here's a couple of sites you can print your own targets:
http://mytargets.com/
http://www.tackdriver.com/targets.htm

As stated above, a marker or tape if you plan to shoot each target heavy.

I collect my brass, it comes back with me. A container for that if necessary.

Our indoor range gets $20 an hour. It's good to have a plan before you start pulling the trigger. Think about what you want to accomplish that day. Think about the distances are you shooting and what level of accuracy at those distances you're looking for.

Hey have fun! Great, now I'm itching to get out to the range...

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Reading all of this sure makes me grateful for what I've got. Huge outdoor range, never crowded, no cost, no rules, community voluntarily run... I could go on.

Next thing to shooting on your own property. Areas for everything, self policed. Sometimes we see the local cops or border patrol out there. They are just shooting. It's all friendly. Nobody ever bothers anyone else and people are good about working together for down range walks, although more often than not your group is the only one on a particular range.

Small gun friendly towns kick ass.

EDIT: Personally I hate indoor ranges and will drive 100 miles into the woods t avoid them.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Hat or Cap with brim (to deflect hot spent shell casings and prevent them from getting between your safety glasses and eyes).

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

+1

Plus, ever been right of a guy shooting semi auto 12 gauge. Brimmed hat is a must.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

I won't talk about safety since others have pretty much covered that....

It is handy to have a dedicated "range bag" where you can keep eyes, ears, and some tools. I ussually just take a leatherment ro something, and maybe some allen wrenches. You always want to be prepared for scope problems, and or is you have some sort of malfunction that requires a tool. You never know.

I had a .38 SPC case split and expand in one of the chambers on my revolver. I could have never got this out by hand.

Also you might want to save your brass so take some zip locks, or some other type of container for spent brass. Even if you don't reaload you may start some day, or you may know someone else who does. Heck the give over a 1.50/lb at a scrap yard for brass. The way I look at it you are giving away something valuable if you don't keep your own brass. You will be amazed how quick you accumulate brass.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Ammo
Gun
Get your own ear protection--Walmart=$15
Get your own shooting glasses--Walmart=$10
Base Ball style hat with brim--keeps hot brass off face--cowboy hats keep it off face and neck
If they offer the little foam ear plugs--use them under your Muffs--Why not

Dress in layers if out doors--you do not want to be cold and shivering

Throw in enough ammo so you can have some for the drive home incase there is a need.

Throw it in a small back pack-I use one from my collage days--its old HEHEHE

Hve some fun!

E-A

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Are you going to an indoor or outdoor range? If it's your first time, I would recommend telling them that it's your first time. Some can be very helpful to first-timers.

Most indoor ranges I've been to require that the action be locked open on firearms until you're in the shooting alley itself. Some indoor ranges don't allow shotguns.

Everyone else has done a good job of suggesting what to bring. I shoot at an oudoor range, and here's what's usually in my range bag: ear protection, eye protection, brimmed hat (if shooting outdoors), spare shooting contact lenses (I have to change my contact lenses for shooting) and saline, extra hair rubber bands (I have long hair), targets, staple gun, extra staples, sticky dots for covering holes in target to reuse them (masking tape works, too), spare magazines, sighting scope and tripod, bags for brass, compact screwdriver set and hex wrench set and small needle-nose pliars to deal with problems, reading glasses to see small screwdrivers once I've got my shooting contact lenses in!, sandbag-type bench rest (if planning to shoot off the bench), money for the snack machine.

Again, it never hurts to tell the range that you're a new shooter or a first-time visitor or to ask about anything you don't understand. Some ranges have unique rules about what you can and can't do. Be careful about shooting at anything that can ricochet, such as metal spinner plates (especially the heavy kind) or metal target stands.

Know what the procedure is for changing targets and pay attention to what's going on around you. Remember that with ear protection on, you and others can't hear as well. If you call a hold to change targets, make sure everyone has heard you and responded. If someone else calls a hold to change targets, it's a good idea to take advantage of it, too. Watch out for others with unsafe shooting habits. Sometimes you can gently correct them. Other times you may have to simply leave and report them to the range-master.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

First time at the public outdoor range in N. Boulder CO, very laid back place, I'd spent 2 clips during a shooting session, layed the gun on the table pointed downrange and proceeded to reload my clips as shooting was still in session, 3-4 other shooters and the park ranger overseeing. Ranger called intermission, everyone layed their guns on the table, and I kept loading rounds into my clip(s). Figured this was "obviously" no problem, I was loading away, looked up, everyone was looking at me as if to say "what's up?" So of course I got the message, put the 1/2 loaded clip on the table and stood doing nothing, as everyone else was. Nothing was made of it, ranger gave the go-ahead to inspect targets etc. It seems this momentary faux-paus was more of a "cultural violation" than a written rule (the likes of which were not posted..), I'm still not sure. A talk with the ranger beforehand to clarify all expectations may have avoided it.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Oh yes, bring a camera and have some one video tape you in the event you do the "hot brass dance."

All the wide brim hats and high neck shirts wont save you from doing the hot brass dance at least once in a while ;)

Im a hairy guy, so I rarley get affected by it. I war a t shirt, shorts and sandals to the range without a had(i have a shaved head to boot). The worst is when the brass lands between my toes, other than that, I dont mind so much. :P

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

our range rulz are

outdoor combo range pistol rifle

ear and eye protection mandentory
can only be in booth during live fire sessions
can only case or decase firearms in booth
firearms if not in use during live fire must be in appropriate rack with actions open
during down range time no one in booths and all firearms racked and open actions
reloading mags only during live fire sessions in booth
be sure and have foam plug ear protection i use both on pistols ...but muffs interfear with my cheek weld on some rifles
at our range it varies with ranges its considered polite to clean up spent casings (our range allows you to take spent caseings home with you)
ask about ammo rules...yours? theirs? casings? etc
our range supplys generic targets etc

i always notify the range if i am shooting an especially loud gun...and it sux to be shooting next to a guy with a very loud gun-nothing like flinching when you anticipate your neighbors next shot n vise versa

The above were for a controled range

we have multi station non-supervised ranges here also

for them the main things are..

calling for a cease fire
calling a all clear
stepping back from the fireing station while under a cease fire
not hogging the range for long periods of time
keeping gun always pointed down YOUR range at ALL times nothing is worse than a guy inspecting/loading/clearing/casing his firearm pointed your direction

one last thing...be aware of where your spent casings are landing sometimes a small adjustment in your angle or stance can save you or your neighbor from a spray of hot brass depending on gun and range partitions of course

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

You should consider all of your considerations. Duh!


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Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Gun ranges are the worst. I don't need Joe Blow watching every move I make as if I'm a child. Nothing beats open fields or going back in the woods and setting up your own targets.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

No offense intended; but if you're a novice, please enroll in a safety class taught by a qualified person. We don't need another tragedy added to the pile. Be safe and have fun.
Sincerely,
Mod1

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

If you are going to be shooting a rifle with a scope for the first time, I suggest backing up from the eyepiece until you are comfortable enough with the recoil if shooting a heavy caliber. My first trip with my 30-06 ended up with me getting too close and the rim of the scope bit me between the brows, and it's hard to shoot when blood is running down your face. Other than that, be careful and take it slow.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

I agree with you.

Re: WHen going to the gun range, what are some considerations to consider?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doge Gun ranges are the worst. I don't need Joe Blow watching every move I make as if I'm a child. Nothing beats open fields or going back in the woods and setting up your own targets..

I agree those are good places also, but I guess it depends on the range/club you shoot at whether you feel like Joe Blow is watchin over you...

The Range I go to, I do see folks from time to time, but I never feel like I'm being watched over...

Also, I've met some really cool older more experienced shooters (i'm 35) that were pretty cool to talk to about shooting, hunting and all things related...

I've not yet met anyone that was a d!ck or anyhting... I'm sure there are a few, but I've just not ran into'em...