[Coffee357]

I used to really enjoy shooting but lately its starting to seem like work. The only time I ever manage to get to the range it's to function test a weapon, sight one in, to qualify, to qualify someone else, or (the most fun) to teach someone else. I can't seem to find the time to just get out and enjoy the sport anymore :( , it just seems to be another part of work.

Am I all alone or is this just (hopefully) a phase? Just sounding off....

Coffee

[standingbear]

you gotta stop and smell the outdoors sometime.nothing like a varmit hunt or just wasting an lazy afternoon plinking cans followed by a recliner,the remote and your favorite beverage.

[Mark Tyson]

If it's such a chore to get to the range it can seem like work. This is similar to the way vacations can actually be stressful rather than relaxing because of all the planning and preparation involved. But if you have access to a more informal shooting environment it's pure fun.

[Cosmoline]

What are you shooting? I get mighty bored with Remchesters pretty quick. I found that C&R rifles are a good cure for this. Or if you're only shooting rifles, try handguns, or visa versa.

[shooten]

Usually, when I get out to do some shooting, I bring every gun I own. Cleaning them afterward, a labor of love, is a chore.

Scott

[P95Carry]

Maybe age .. and a lot of shooting over last 25 years has taken ''the edge'' off enjoyment - sometimes. ''Chore'' factor can creep in...

In as much as ....... I sometimes go to range to test ammo loads .... interesting but tedious - but necessary.

Practice with carry pieces ... necessary too.

This however is usually on my own .. if however, someone there to BS with and share the time .... life gains a whole new ''smile'' factor .... and the ''chore'' aspect does decrease .... in fact .. enjoyment comes along!

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Work? Oh yeah.
Breaking in a new barrel with the one shot clean procedure at the rifle range I shoot at... they have a 15 minute shoot and then a 5 minute cease fire to change targets. During the cease fire you can't touch or approach your firearms... makes for a long boring day.

Especially if you make the mistake of breaking in a barrel with moly. BIG MISTAKE.

[Mike Irwin]

When I'm having a bad day, as I was last Friday, yes.

[Snake Eyes]

It's not the shooting.....
Usually, when I get out to do some shooting, I bring every gun I own
I wish I could carry all of 'em an enough ammo to shoot 'em. I usually take 8 to 12 handguns and a rifle or two (only have 3 rifles).

I don't mind getting tired and seeing my groups suffer. I don't care if my second (F.U.?) finger is bloody from shooting hot .357 loads out of a 2 1/2 snubby. I'll shoot beyond thumb blisters from loading mags, burns from plucking pesky brass out of cylinders, and palm rash from checkering.

But CLEANING the dang things! That's a whole different story.

I HATE cleaning guns. I just can't stand it. No satisfaction whatsoever. No matter how much time I spend, no matter how anal I am, no matter how far I break them down....I just never feel like it's clean enough.

Thn Number One (and only) item on my Christmas list is an Ultrasonic tank. I think I have convinced the wife to pony up the $1500 for a 2-gun model, if I get her the 2 carat "love" band she wants.

It'll be worth every penny!

Peter

[Darrin]

When I think of work, I think of something I have to do. Shooting is something I want to do.

Good company helps any range visit.

[swingset]

Going to a range seems like work, most of the time and the restrictive nature of shooting at one can kill your just pure love of making things go boom.

I'm lucky enough to have land, and what keeps my fun factor up is taking out a gun or two a week and just having at some cans, ice blocks or a steel plate.

Testing loads, doing "official" shooting or practicing IS work, so if you don't balance it with something to let your hair down, you'll burn out. Same with any hobby.

[BTR]

Going by myself is no fun. I almost always go with a friend, it makes all the difference in the world.

[Standing Wolf]

Nope. Cleaning guns is work. Shooting them is a lifelong joy and delight.

[Kamicosmos]

Darrin said:

When I think of work, I think of something I have to do. Shooting is something I want to do.

And I second that!

That said...cleaning guns can sometimes feel like a chore, so I will wait till I feel like cleaning them. They get a better job done to them that way.

And sometimes when I slack off on the reloading, then have to crank out a bunch the night before an outting, that IS work, but it's my own fault...

[PawDaddy]

Not for me! I think that the guy who tests ammo, or guns, or both, has the greatest job imaginable. Unless, of course, there is a KB!:what:


When one of my old buddies was in the Marines they had to do alot of shooting. He said that they would get so tired of shooting that they would bury their ammo.

[Kruzr]

To paraphrase:

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about with guns."

:D

[Skunkabilly]

I'm a total rifle moron. Getting my rifles to run well for two sessions in a row seems like work. The long drive and the rangemaster telling people to stay "BEEHIIND THE YELLOWWW LINEEE!!!" and not fiddle with their rifles when we're setting our targets gets old. Shooting from a bench isn't much fun for me either but I need to get my rifle squared away. *sigh*

[Nando Aqui]

Shooting? Never!! Always enjoyable.

Driving to the range used to be less than fun, but I found another range with a rather nice drive (still well over 20 miles each way, though.)

Cleaning? Yes, that's work, as several others here have pointed out.

Alex

[Iain]

I get the same thing with exercise occasionally, I just take a while off and use the time to remind myself why I exercise in the first place. That is because I actually enjoy it and enjoy the progress.

[Coffee357]

Thanks guys. Think I would enjoy it more with company or combined with a stroll in the great outdoors. Places to shoot just don't seem to be as accessable nowdays. Company is a little lacking since my wife has no interest in shooting (not anti, not pro, just no interest). The cleaning part is something else I used to find very relaxing but it's turning into work as well - as so many of you pointed out (guess I'm definitely not alone there ;) ). At least I'll have company in a few years when the little one grows up - can't find a gun that fits him at 7 months :D .

Coffee

[foghornl]

Every now & then, it seems like some extra work to get eveything ready to go to the range.

Hmmm Lemme see..........

Weapons? check

Ammo for all weapons packed ? Hmm check

Sof-foam ear plugsfor all ? check

Overhead Muffs for each shooter? OK, check

Targets for all ? check

Cardboard "backers" for targets ? check

Tape to hold targets on backers? check

Cash for range fees & sodas afterwards? Ok, check


Awwwww, Nubbins. Now I gotta mow the lawn...no range trip today. robble robble robble other mumblings & cursings

[RocketMan]

To paraphrase an old fishing axiom:
"The worst day shooting is better than the best day working."

[Braz]

Fellas,

Get thee to a Cowboy Action Shoot! Big fun, lotta nice folks and it don't get boring near as fast. We shoot two pistolas, a rifle and shotgun on most every stage. We wear costumes and have a great lunch at the range. Some folks shoot black powder and long distance Sharps rifles. There's derringer and pocket pistol stages. Give 'er a try and ya might find the joy of shootin' returning! :D

[sm]

Your supposed to clean them ? :p

Work: for the most part-no. I've had some bad days as Mike pointed out, then I remind myself to not take myself so serious. I mean shooting beats having to do a lot of other stuff. I shoot many times by myself and have fun. I shoot with my gunsmith buddy and try new toys with the customers ammo...fun to burn a race gun with their ammo. :D

Back when I competed I had days it seemed like work, cold wet freezing weather, or blistering heat I questioned myself more out practicing. I loosened up and changed my attitude (after I quit being so serious, the day I shot 16 practice rds) . I mean I do have the freedom to own and shoot firearms. Maybe gratitude and appreciation kicked in.

Have taken some exchange students out to shoot. Some have never shot before, not allowed in their home country. A couple had only shot single shot shotguns or 22lr rifles, because the only guns allowed "back home".

Work...nah, watching a young ladies from a anti country shoot ...yeah now that's fun.

[444]

Yes, it can be work. If I am getting ready to take a shooting class I go out with the intention of brushing up my skills. No plinking or screwing around. All business. By the time the class comes around I am looking at it like work.
Often when I go out to shoot I spend a certain amount of time trying to seriously better my technique and then finish up with some informal plinking. I did it today. I hung up a couple 25 yard pistol targets and shot groups on paper. I tried to shoot with perfect technique. After a few targets like that I fool around shooting junk lying on the ground. I actually think they both provide a good learning experience, but the targets are much more stressful. I still think it is fun or I wouldn't do it, but the intense concentration and self-evaluation gets to you after awhile and it is time to unwind.
I shoot 90% of the time by myself, by choice. I am usually trying to accomplish something and don't want any distractions. I don't have any friends that want to seriously train. The guy I shoot with fairly often always shows up with the wrong gun even after we agree to train. I might say, let's due some close in work with carbines-he shows up with a scoped rifle..... He also can't just take turns shooting a drill. When it is my turn to shoot, he starts shooting at something else at the same time. So, the only time I call him is if I am just going out to plink.
I also hate cleaning guns. I never shoot more than two guns in a session. My SOP is to take out two guns and shoot them until I am tired of them or until I have a burning desire to shoot something else. I then clean them and return them to the safe and start over with two more.

[Dave R]

Occasionally, working up a load can seem like work.

But plinking? Ah, that's fun!

If shooting is seeming like work to you, then get away from the range. Save some milk jugs, or 2-litre pop bottles, or freeze some big ice blocks, etc. Get outa town and shoot 'em up. That's a better test of your shooting skills, anyway. And of course, bring some company.

[El Tejon]

Yes, of course. All martial arts are work and take discipline and committment. Shooting is no different.

The term most associated with Chinese boxing is "kung fu" which means "skill through effort" or "hard work." No reason gun fu is any different.

Some excellent ways to break it up, like any exercise routine, listed here. Helps to have a partner or others that are part of your ilk so that you create a culture of learning.

Competition helps, but the best reason is to have a reason beyond yourself. "I'm learning this (paying the money, enduring the heat or cold or rain, taking the time) for ___________ [to teach my sons, to ensure that I may protect my wife, my family, to teach others, etc.]"

For me, the reason is 4 young nephews. The oldest is 5 and I know so little. Get trained up!:D

[Bainx]

I second the motion to shoot blackpowder guns every once in a while to "break the monotony".:)

[P95Carry]

I second the motion to shoot blackpowder guns every once in a while to "break the monotony". Suits me too ...... if only some other dude can clean the suckers!!:p

[CZ52GUY]

...I've experienced something similar.

I got back into shooting about 18 months ago after a long absence, and get out as often as I can.

I think variety has kept me in the "happy shooter" camp but I've had less than optimal sessions. Last weekend was one such session...

I enjoy the variety of firearms I've collected and shoot. Shoot indoors and outdoors. Shoot at a public range and a back-woods location. I shoot Autoloader Handguns, Rifle (Semi-Auto Assault & Bolt), Pistol-Caliber Carbine, Rimfire, HD SG, and borrow Flintlock and cowboy action SA Revolvers, as well as lever action models. I got to try my first Sharps the other day too. I love Trap Shooting (I stink at it but I love it).

I shoot with friends and go to the public range by myself sometimes.

Sometimes I clean up right away, sometimes I give it a couple days.

If I sight in an optic one time, I try not to the next trip. If I do rigorous practice and retentive record keeping of my results one time, I'll make sure the next trip is for pure enjoyment.

For me, shooting is what I make of it. I'm in charge. I AM GOING TO HAVE FUN!:D

Best wishes,

CZ52'

[SnWnMe]

Shooting: Getting weapons qual'd is work for me. Because I have to do what I am told to do and a FTDR/DQ doesn't mean I can always come back next weekend. It stresses me out, that plus you know how it is when you don't score as good as your buddies...

Before I moved to my current residence (thanks for the big raise GWB!) I had to drive 50 miles out just to shoot rifles for recreation. That was work. It was also stressful when things like magazines or tools and such were forgotten at home.

Now I am in a members only range just 10 miles away that is never crowded. I enjoy shooting there.

Cleaning: It's okay, I'm not anal about getting the guns spotless.

Reloading: Okay as long as I don't let my stocks go down too low, then catching up is work.