[CCantu357]

This just something that has been bugging me lately and maybe I am in the wrong but at a recent trip to my local indoor range, some people seem annoyed my 4 inch Model 19 .357 and the "noise" it makes. While they did not complain to me or the ranger owner, they kept talking about it among themselves, gave annoying looks and finally stormed out of the range. They had a Glock and Beretta, both in 9mm. Did I miss out on a new social taboo about shooting a 357? By the way they were mild 110 and 158 grain loads, no full bore stuff!

[El Mariachi]

This is why I always ask for the lane closest to the right hand wall.....:D

[GregGry]

If the shooter is dead on with the .357 mag I have no problem with it. However if they can't shoot any grouping whatsoever at 10 feet it annoys me to no end. Boom, boom, boom and no shots hit a huge piece of paper. That's typically how it goes at the ranges here.

[El Mariachi]

Noise is noise, si como no?....

[CCantu357]

Well I am no Bill Jordan with a .357, but i shoot slow, single action shots. I mean it is a firing range after all, and firearms are inherently loud.

[Inebriated]

Magnums don't annoy me in the slightest. Well, sort of, but only because I don't want to ask if I can shoot it. So if it's around me, shoot all you like.

[jmstevens2]

So, if their pistol is ported we should complain? Wear ear plugs and muffs like you are supposed to and who cares?

[CH47gunner]

this has happened to me many times.
I will even give them a heads-up before I start firing heavier than .38spl. It still comes as a shock when I pull out a M19 4" an start flinging 158 gns down range. By the time I get ready to shoot the .357 magnums. Plus I usually bring along a couple of the .44's (both special & mag) to play with.
I to try to position myself where I won't be too much in the thick of things
Sometimes it doesn't even matter - they'll get up and leave anyway.

Bruce

[CCantu357]

Well maybe a heads up is in order. But still, when I was a kid (1990s) everyone and their cousin shot 357s at the range down here. The range says all handguns up to .454 Casull. Way I figure if you don't like the noise don't go to a firing range!

[mgmorden]

Don't worry about it. It seems like the shooting range is falling victim to the same sickness affecting the rest of society: people are constantly searching for new ways in which to be offended.

Between being annoyed that guns are loud and that autoloaders throw brass, I'm not sure what the current range-going crowd is expecting. Its like they want to dig in the dirt without getting dirty.

[rhetor]

Touch off a few rounds with your S&W 460 to give them some perspective. Then maybe they'll appreciate your .357.

[Alex23]

I was stood next to a guy with a .500 revolver. Outdoor range thank God. It wasn't just loud, the shockwave literally hit me each time he fired. I just stepped way back and let him shoot for a few minutes until he scaled down so something less than a hand canon. No harm no foul. :)

[rodensouth]

I was at an outdoor range shooting my .460 with 2 3/4 inch barrel for the first time, and after the first cylinder I complained that it felt like I'd been punched in the nose.

The fellow beside me said that I should feel how bad it was to the side of the blast, so I offered to change places with him.

After 2 shots he put it down and said "no, it's worse behind it, I'll just move down!"

[Ultravox]

After 2 shots he put it down and said "no, it's worse behind it, I'll just move down!"

Thanks for the chuckle this morning. :)

[kyle1974]

Next time remind them to bring their balls with them instead of leaving them in their wife's purse.

It's a shooting range, not a 9mm range.

[ball3006]

Don't shoot next to me then. I shoot short Mosin Nagants. I get the best fireball out of surplus Russian ammo. Then I switch to my CZ52 which is a real brass slinger.....chris3

[mljdeckard]

We have a public range here on the west side of Salt Lake, I hadn't been there for years because of the silly range rules. I went recently because I recently remarried and it's close to my new place, and there were a couple of rookies who brought in a J-frame revolver. I tried to keep my willies to myself as they were asking each other how to load it. The range safety came over and started a conversation with them, and was helping them out. I thought it was good that he wanted to help, but at the same time, that's not his job. They should go get some familiarization on their own BEFORE they come to a range. The RSO needs to be watching over the whole range, not helping the guys in one lane.

Remember that revolvers put out a lot of noise to the sides, because some pressure between the cylinder and the barrel escapes. (That rear piece of the barrel is the forcing cone.) You get a lot more noise to the sides of a revolver than other types of guns. I personally think that if you go to a range, you should be ready for loud noises. I suppose you could request to the RSO that you go to a lane that's away from everyone else if it's available, but I would also understand if he said he couldn't make that accommodation. IT'S A GUN RANGE. Put on your man pants, double-plug, and live with it.

[mljdeckard]

Double-tap

[ForumSurfer]

It doesn't bother me in the least bit, indoors or out. It's your range time with your money. If you want to fire off some full house magnum loads beside me, be my guest. I'm there for practice, so your hand cannon makes for an unexpected variable (read: distraction) that I get to add to the equation.

I've had people fire off full house magnum loads in a stall beside me in a tiny indoor range. It didn't bother me and I honestly don't get what all the fuss is about.

[mdauben]

I agree with several other posters. Its a pistol range. The .357 is a pistol. Pistols make noice when you shoot them. If they are somehow offended by the noise, they just need to get over themselves or find another passtime. :rolleyes:

[ATBackPackin]

I do not mind anything that people shoot. The thing that annoys me is when they empty their magazine/cylinder as fast as they can and their target looks like a connect the dots at 5-7 yards. It shouldn't annoy me but it does. With that being said, me being annoyed is not their problem unless they are being unsafe. The problem is mine and I should expect things like that at a public range.

So if the range allows it, blast away. It's their problem, not yours.

Shawn

[InkEd]

A .357 is nothing.

[ErikO]

I'd much rather be next to a guy with a .357 than a Desert Eagle .50 AE. I do not mind the loud noises, but the spent .50 brass hitting me was a bit much. Wheelguns make much better neighbors at the range.

[Nushif]

Between being annoyed that guns are loud and that autoloaders throw brass, I'm not sure what the current range-going crowd is expecting.

It's a puzzle to me, too. You're going to a freakin' range where people shoot freakin' guns! Carbon, noise and brass are an integral part of this process!

[lyrikz]

You think thats bad, try shooting a .50ae.

I load my own ammo and like shooting the gun, and im very accurate with it. Last time me and the wife went this chick a few isles down would come out and go "come on, really" everytime i shot it. The wife didnt tell me this until we left. I probably would of strolled over to the isle next to her and proceed to put 50 rounds through it. lol.

Every person who asks me about the gun, i offer to let shoot.. Out of 10-12 people, only one person shot it. Its not that bad.

[Remllez]

Post # 15 is FUNNY!!! :) and about sums it up. It's their problem not yours let them deal with it!! Have fun shooting whatever gun you brought, if noise at a gun range bothers or offends them they can go play chess in the park.

[forindooruseonly]

I won't lie. People at public ranges annoy me to no end for all sorts of reasons. That's the product of having my own private property and rarely shooting at a public range. However, I don't get bent out of shape about it unless someone is being unsafe. I'll either move, or take a break and go talk shop with some of the other shooters.

[Cougar]

I've been denied range time because one of the local clubs was busy with their .22s (and using less than half the range spaces). They didn't want us 'Loud Guys' to be disturbing them with our 9mm and .38/.357s. I haven't been back to that range since!

[Pyro]

I don't understand.
Your at a gun range and people are annoyed at the loud noise?

[NavyLCDR]

but only because I don't want to ask if I can shoot it

I got over that shyness a long time ago. "Excuse me, and please feel free to say no, I understand, but I would love to shoot a couple rounds with that, I'll be happy to pay for the ammo."

I was at the range and shooting my black powder revolver. I noticed the guy next to me watching me pretty closely. I loaded up a cylinder and asked, "Would you like to try it?" He was ecstatic, "I would love to, I've always wanted to shoot black powder but never had the chance!"

Now, it does kind of annoy me when someone tries one of my guns at the range and they empty a full magazine as fast as they can.

[zxcvbob]

I do not mind anything that people shoot. The thing that annoys me is when they empty their magazine/cylinder as fast as they can and their target looks like a connect the dots at 5-7 yards. It shouldn't annoy me but it does. Shoot a handgun as fast as one can and hitting the target every time but with an ugly "shotgun" pattern is as useful a skill as slow shots that all hit the 10 ring.

If they are missing the paper, that's different and they need to slow down.

[youngda9]

Expect big booms at the range...wear hearing protection. Ignore the sissies that complain. Some people just have to complain about something.

[chhodge69]

I always like to step back and look around when I see someone walk in with a shotgun. There are always a few folks who don't pay attention until the rafters start to shake.

[xfyrfiter]

>50 BMG shakes the mud wasp nests out of the rafters and rattles the door hinges.

[Ledgehammer]

I was right next to a guy at the range who was shooting 44 magnums. He was all the way to the right wall and the only open lane was next to him. It didn't take long for me to figure out why it was the only open spot.

I don't mind the noise but the percussion coming off the wall was very distracting. Think about -you're lining up a shot and then when you completely don't expect it KABOOM! It was moving my safety glasses. Lol When another stall opened I moved down. It wasn't bad a little further away.

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd just reassure them that the flames outta your magnum won't melt their plastic guns and keep on banging away.

[hermannr]

Get a CZ 52 and hand load up some full house loads. BTW: If you use Unique the flame is unreal. 124 gr @ 1700 fps will get their attention. BTW: I only do this outdoors.

So if someone doesn't like the sound of your .357, move on to the CZ 52. Nice unassuming looking full size semi-auto. Doesn't look that much different than any other semi auto (other then the design style looks 50s)...until you light a couple off.

[bergmen]

I can relate. The first time I took my .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk to an indoor range with my full house handloads (25 grains of W296 under a 250 grain JHP) I got a bit self conscious. Especially after I touched off a few rounds and everything got real quiet. I looked behind me and everyone else who was shooting when I got there was standing behind me to watch. This included the range owners behind the window that looks into the range.

I asked if I should wait until everyone else finished so I wouldn't bother them (being polite). They all said, no, they wanted to see the fireballs, they could shoot later. I obliged, much to everyone's satisfaction.

I haven't done this with my .454 Casull and won't since I only shoot at outdoor ranges now. But even that can stop the action at the rifle range when the ground shakes a bit.

Dan

[ForumSurfer]

Think about -you're lining up a shot and then when you completely don't expect it KABOOM!

Exactly. Good practice. In the real world in a defensive or hunting scenario, you could have many distractions to deal with. :)

I shoot on my own property. That is one of the things I miss about shooting at the range...unexpected distractions that I have to force myself to ignore.

[holdencm9]

In the real world in a defensive or hunting scenario, you could have many distractions to deal with.

I try to take the positive outlook too. Last time out, the (indoor) range was absolutely FREEZING. I had left my jacket at home, couldn't stop shivering. But I figured, hey, I won't necessarilly need my gun for self-defense when it is 80 and sunny.

To the OP, are you sure they were complaining/offended? Maybe they were just in awe.

[Trent]

I went to the outdoor range once with my G3. Guy was taking up 5 of the right-side benches with his enormous toy collection. I kindly asked him if we could swap places since the G3 sends brass out hard to the right. He said "No, no, you can shoot right there, I'm not moving my stuff."

"You sure??!"

"Yeah go ahead".

I get set up, and range goes hot. Halfway through slow fire on the first mag the guy was grabbing my shoulder and shaking me (keep in mind I was FIRING at the time! What a dumbass.)

He's all red in the face and screaming at me that I dented his truck! He said "Where is your insurance card! You're going to pay for that!"

I said "I'm not giving you my insurance card, we didn't have a car accident. I *ASKED you nicely twice if we could swap places, warned you that this thing spits brass out hard to the right, and YOU TOLD *ME* to go ahead and shoot here. Not my problem if your truck gets dinged up pal!"

RO had to intervene. He made the guy pack up and leave, he wouldn't calm down after that.

I honestly don't feel bad about it. The guy wouldn't give up one bench (out of five) on the far right, for me to use.

Anyway I don't complain if other people shoot big guns. I smile. :)

[ForumSurfer]

I try to take the positive outlook too. Last time out, the (indoor) range was absolutely FREEZING. I had left my jacket at home, couldn't stop shivering. But I figured, hey, I won't necessarilly need my gun for self-defense when it is 80 and sunny.

Yep. That's why I also try to shoot in the rain with no shelter from time to time, also.

[Trent]

If you get a huge adrenaline spike, you'll be shaking when you have to defend yourself, too.

Shakes can be a natural byproduct of mass adrenal gland production.

Nothing wrong practicing when you're cold. Just make sure you take extra care when handling the firearm because your fingers don't always respond the way you tell them to. :)

[95XL883]

It doesn't bother me and while people stare when I bring out my boomers, nobody seems annoyed. I give them a heads up, just to be courteous and especially if they have a child with them, before shooting it.

:evil: Of course, if they're shooting a boomer themselves and didn't give me a heads up, then I just light it up. My big boomer is a 357 supermag.
With full loads, it rattles the stalls. :evil: :evil: :D

[Ledgehammer]

In the real world in a defensive or hunting scenario, you could have many distractions to deal with.


I get that and there is a time and place for it. In the real world I highly doubt I'll have somebody shooting .44 magnum less than 2' from my head. If so I really hope they're a bad shot. Some people are there to get accurate first and maybe practice something else later. I don't have a problem with it - just don't like it the close to my head when shooting for accuracy.

[Pyro]

I usually get looks at when I bring out my black powder shells, big poof of smoke and some fire..and that smell.
Like the Devil himself is spitting lead out of my 12 gauge.

[ErikO]

I'm looking forward to getting my 12 ga pump and putting some rifled slugs downrage. Range rules state no shot, just slugs. Here's hoping that the folks to my left (should be everyone else) have their ear protection on well or they might just get surprised a lot.

Shotguns at indoor ranges are fun. :)

[Loosedhorse]

Not your fault, the range's. IMHO, all ranges should have a section solely for .22LRs, especially as "early shooters" (including children) frequently use that caliber and are put off by magnum (or even .40 S&W) racket.

Maybe make sure you bring along some disposable ear plugs, and offer them to anyone using muffs (for plugs-and-muffs protection) before you start up? If nothing else, it gives others very little to complain about: "He had such a noisy gun...but he was SO considerate and sweet!" :)

[brickeyee]

You could always offer them a spare set of EAR disposable plugs to use under their inadequate muffs.:evil:

[Lost Sheep]

They should come to my shooting range.

It is outdoors, but the actual firing line is covered. Once, my friend and I went there after a snowfall and he unleashed a 500 S&W. The concussion knocked about 18 inches of snow down on everyone.

(OK, not everyone, just on me, because I often stand back when he shoots.)

Count your blessings.

The "peace" offering of disposable earplugs to augment their obviously inadequate hearing protectors gives you the moral high ground. I have spare muffs, too, that I am willing to loan.

Such kindnesses really SHOULD not be necessary. If one goes to a gun range, just as a drag strip, one should expect noise. The passive-aggressive stance they take (commenting among themselves and sending dirty looks, but not approaching you) tell me clearly that they know they are wrong and that they know this and still have hard feelings tells me they are not mature.

That they had the sense to go someplace quieter tells me they are smart enough that they should adapt and mature. Maybe they went to get some better hearing protection?

When I am shooting next to someone with a bigger or louder gun than I have, I don't get penis envy. I usually strike up a conversation admiring their hardware. If it is too loud for me, I adapt, but without hard feelings.

Now, to try to be helpful. Nope. Can't think of a thing. You can cure ignorance (with education), but you can't cure stupid.

You might win them over to the loud side by offering to let them send one or two of your boomers downrange. If they thought that you interpreted their scowls as admiring glances, they might warm up? Or, at least figure out that their actions are ineffectual, pointless and just plain dumb.

Lost Sheep

[EddieNFL]

However if they can't shoot any grouping whatsoever at 10 feet it annoys me to no end. Boom, boom, boom and no shots hit a huge piece of paper.

I've never noticed misses sounding any louder than hits, but I tend to concentrate on my own shooting and ignore others.

I don't understand.
Your at a gun range and people are annoyed at the loud noise?

We're living in the "offended" generation.

Think about -you're lining up a shot and then when you completely don't expect it KABOOM!

Ever shoot handgun silhouettes? The guy next to you is firing a 14 inch .308...with a brake.

[Trent]

You know, I've never had anyone complain about the noise from my 50BMG. But, I usually bring spare rounds for "spectators" to shoot (if they have the guts!)

Maybe let them run a cylinder? Might get some converts once they see what accuracy means.

[Byrd666]

They'll get over it. Or they won't.

You paid for your time just as they paid for theirs.

Funny thing to me though is, I normally pick the center lane with 180 grain and either end wall with a smaller load. And my buds with the .44 mags and .50's do the same. Hmm, go figure, right.

[M-Cameron]

im not going to lie......there are times when the noise and concussion from magnums annoy me......mainly when im practicing smallbore or .22 pistol, shooting where high concentration is important.....

but i dont hold it against the other person, its their range as much as it is mine...and im not going to stop them from shooting......i simply wait until they are finished and continue with my practice....i mean, i am at a shooting range after all.....noise is to be expected.


that being said i shoot a .357 mag myself........and i do love the kick and the blast.

pretty much if your outside....anything goes.

but if im inside....and i see that most people are shooting .22's(very common to see a range full of .22s at my club)....ill probably leave the magnum in the case until they all leave......

but if theyre all shooting centerfire......that baby is coming out and making some noise.



the only time i got really angry was when the guy next to me at an indoor range was shooting a mosin m44.......i had double ears on and my ears were still ringing a few days later......that to me is just seems like unsafe shooting.



You think thats bad, try shooting a .50ae.

I load my own ammo and like shooting the gun, and im very accurate with it. Last time me and the wife went this chick a few isles down would come out and go "come on, really" everytime i shot it. The wife didnt tell me this until we left. I probably would of strolled over to the isle next to her and proceed to put 50 rounds through it. lol.

Every person who asks me about the gun, i offer to let shoot.. Out of 10-12 people, only one person shot it. Its not that bad.

......you mean to tell me there are actually people who turn down offers to shoot a gun......?
......that just seems.......un-American.....

[BigN]

If you don't like loud noises, don't go to the SHOOTING range. No brainer...

[antiquus]

I know that my loudenboomer is disturbing your range time, and I am so sorry, but you see, she's a loudenboomer and can't help herself, that just how she rolls. I know, being familiar with those leetle plastic guns with the short barrels your were not prepared for my beauty's announcement of her presence, she is rude that way. But ah, it is fate that she is as raucous as she is, I have tried to talk to her about it, but she doesn't listen, and it cannot be helped. Have a nice day.

:evil:

[gspn]

If the range isnt crowded ill try to keep some space between me and the others. Most days when its packed the entire firing line comes to a halt and stares at me when im shooting full house 41 mag loads. It makes me laugh every time...15 to 25 people all stop and start asking me "what IS that?"

One time last year they assigned me a lane right next to a new female shooter who had a friend teaching her the ropes. They were the only shooters there.

I went back out front and got changed to a lane as far away as i could b/c i didnt want to spook her with a bunch of muzzle blast.

Ive never had anyone complain...if they did i guess id ask them why they were at the range...if you want quiet go to the library.:confused:

[gspn]

If the shooter is dead on with the .357 mag I have no problem with it. However if they can't shoot any grouping whatsoever at 10 feet it annoys me to no end. Boom, boom, boom and no shots hit a huge piece of paper. That's typically how it goes at the ranges here.
What if they are new to the caliber? They probably wont be "dead on" if they are just learning to shoot magnums. Just a thought. Without tolerance many of us would never have begun shooting at all.

[Trent]

Maybe dropping the hammer with a "big boom" might get them hooked. :)

I've let a LOT of first-time-ever-shooters take a seat at my Barrett, and a fair % of them are avid gun owners now. They get that adrenaline rush, I let them keep the shell, next thing you know they're buying up Evil Black Rifles and jugs of tannerite with their tax refunds.

:)

[highlander 5]

I've had 2 incidents of "what the hell are you shooting?" at the outdoor range I attend. First was when I showed up with my Contender in 357 Herret and I remeber that day because there were a few guys who were shooting 22 lr and no ear protection. The second was with my Ruger Redhawk in 357 mag firing full tilt 125 gr handloads. In both cases everytime I pulled the trigger the ground seemed to move. We have 1 gent who has a S&W model 53 and watching him fire it is a scream,the ball of fire is quite impressive. I did impress him the first time I saw the pistol asked what it was he replied S&W model 53 and I answered "oh 22 Remington Jet".

[SWAT1911]

I get angry, oops meant jealous. :) I go find out what it is and make a make a mental note to add it to the wish list.

[MIgunguy]

I had the same problem the other day with my 3" .357 :cuss: so I pulled out my smaller .30 caliber gun... .308 :neener: people need to toughen up

[Steve CT]

The first time my son shot his 445 Supermag, the only reaction was people coming over to see what the heck it was.

[crathbone78]

A few months ago my brother came into town from Seattle. I just bought a Super Blackhawk .44mag and he wanted to shoot it. My usual range was closed so we decided to try the range at Bass Pro Shop. It was Epic! It is indoor, very small spaces with diamond plating on all the walls. The concussion blew your hair back every time you fired it. The customers could hear it from halfway inside the store. When we came out there was a group of people that had been watching us from the monitors out front. No one complained, they kept asking, "what the heck are you shooting in there?"

[Hardtarget]

A range trip always means I'm going to make noise. I take the .22 gun but the bigger guns come out pretty soon.

We were at an indoor renge and had been there maybe half an hour when the far right,new shooter, uncorked an earth quake. Yep...we stopped to see what happened. He had a S&W .500. I'd never seen one much less heard ( or felt! ) that kind of report! He was great! Showed us his gun, let us handle it, then offered a shot. Two of us really wanted a shot so he let us step in. Massive is my only word. He shot twenty and headed home to start his reloading process.

The only other time was an outdoor range and a guy was trying to sell a Lazzeroni rifle. Not sure of the caliber...I just never saw a shooter load a banana sized brass before! That was the loudest rifle I've ever been around! When I saw the cartridge I grabbed plugs to put under the muffs. Still hurt.

Guns and noise. They are one.

Go shoot...make noise...have fun!

Mark

[foghornl]

Never been offended, but was bothered once at a small indoor range...6 lanes. I had my Single-Six. Shooting pretty well, when I felt like I had been smacked with a 2x4...guy in lane next to wall had a .480 Ruger.

Every time he touched it off, the accoustic ceiling tiles bounced.

[RaceM]

Sounds to me like the OP's problem children just aren't used to guns louder than their 9's. My GP100 sounds like a cannon going off and the backblast slaps you in the face every time. I love it!

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I often think it's the other way around, it seems when I go to the range there's always someone with a 500 S&W, etc., that sounds like a 105MM howitzer to me.

[788Ham]

Some years back, my wife and I had taken a handgun course, she wanted to shoot a revolver. We bought her Ruger Security Six, took the course and got certified. The next week we went to the indoor range to shoot, I dragged along my 629 6"er. The section of the range we were at, several folks shooting a myriad of handguns, all calibers. Shortly, she wanted to shoot the .44, I'd brought handloads, 180 gr. semi-wads, not hot, but they boomed. When we got ready, she got gun shy, wanted me to shoot it so she could see how "bad" it was going to be. Everyone else had taken a break, no firing right then, so I unlimbered the .44 down range, KERBOOM, the flash was impressive to say the least, looked like about 4 feet. The gal in the next stall was getting ready to shoot as I primed mine off, boom her 9 went, right into the ceiling. I went ahead and shot the other 5 rounds, then pulled in the target. My wife told me the gal had gone into the can, was about 10 min. before she came out, I told her she must have had to take a skivvie check !

At our gun club, the rifle range benches are under an insulated roof, great for summer/winter shooting. This last year during hunting sight-in, I was sighting in my scoped '06, the guy next to me was shooting a 300 Win mag with a brake on it! Every time he shot, it felt like I had the wind sucked out of my lungs, like a punch in the ribs. I had muffs and plugs on, it still made my head ache after he was through. No other tables to use, all were being used. The club has now fixed this issue, they've moved all of the tables 2 1/2 ft. closer to the range, behind an insulated wall for each stall, this now makes one hell of a difference for those that shoot with such a monstrosity for a neighbor!

[GregGry]

What if they are new to the caliber? They probably wont be "dead on" if they are just learning to shoot magnums. Just a thought. Without tolerance many of us would never have begun shooting at all.
Why would it be an issue to have someone firing big calibers if they aren't accurate with them? I will tell you.. I have never been to a range where anyone firing a hand cannon has ever shot decent. By decent I am talking all rounds on a 2' x 3' paper at even 15 feet. Atleast once a range trip (indoors too most of the time) someone pulls out a 44mag, 500 smith, desert eagle, etc and proceeds to hammer off rounds. It's really bad when I am one lane over and I get my taret shot by them do to poor trigger pulls and flinches. I get hit by chunks of lead and steel from the target holders they routinely shoot. What's the point of even putting a target up? Just shoot to hit the backstop or even shoot blanks.

So like I said, if they can shoot the gun decently I have no problem. It's just that around here most range going people with hand cannons are the worst of the worst when it comes to hitting the target at any distance. Which is irritating because it makes me think they are there for the sole purpose of making a racket.
.I've never noticed misses sounding any louder than hits, but I tend to concentrate on my own shooting and ignore others.
Misses are easily heard when a metal target holder is hit. Or you get hit with shrapnel.. Or you have extra bullet holes in your target that aren't from your gun. All happen to me on a regular basis any at of the local ranges.

[AgentV3]

I've always loved bringing out the .44 Mag Super Redhawk. Just pulling it from the case will often get the attention of the people around me, and the muzzle blast will shake the walls and leave silence in it's wake, I call it the Range-Stopper.

My belief, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

[exavid]

Damn, guns go bang? We limit the type of pistols in our indoor range to protect our bullet traps. There are fourteen lanes and .44mag and larger are only used in the last two lanes. Noise wise if you have a problem with someone making noise with a pistol in the building, go away. Besides it's good for the concentration to practice good trigger control when unexpected noises are present. But then there are people who move out of the citiy into the country and sue because the pig farm next to them stinks.

[Trent]

At our rifle range, the far right is a concrete building. There are four hinged windows with nice concrete benches. You can open the windows in and chain them up to hold them. It's heated and air conditioned, and looks out on the 300 yard range.

Took a buddy there once. We shot AR15's at 100 and 200 yards for awhile. Then I brought the 300 Win out of the truck. I get set up, and he's filming with his cell phone. (He has a thing about gun pics/videos).

First time I shot the 300 Win Mag out of the window, my buddy about crapped himself, dropped his cell phone on the concrete floor. Battery goes flying out, he looks like he just got spooked by the ghost of Christmas past..

I ran off a string of 10. We drive down to check & change targets, then I give him a go at it. First time ever on a scoped rifle and he puts all 10 shots in a 3" bull at 300 yards. He didn't complain about the noise after that first shot, and eventually quit jumping each time.

Took my 12 year old daughter out two weeks ago, to spot for me. Wanted to see how she'd react. Same setup. Break out the 300 Win Mag, take a shot. Something fell off the shelf behind me, I turn to look, and she has this smile on that'd make the Cheshire Cat proud. My little girl stood up to 50 rounds of that noise, spotting for me on the Leupold spotting scope. Did a mighty fine job of it. She fared better than my shoulder did! Took a week for the bruises to go away.

I'm so proud of her, I'm getting her her own rifle for Christmas. :)

[ChCx2744]

You should start taking along a box of tissues whenever you visit that range. If someone starts crying because the guns are making loud noises, then offer them a sheet or two.

[Trent]

Haha. I got a picture of Gunny in my head when I read that.

[Ranger30-06]

Wow you guys must really have some weird ranges. The only time I have noise "problems" are when I break out the 16" Saiga .308 with some Russian ammo. EVERYONE jumps when I touch that thing off! :evil: I get a lot of "what the heck is that?!?" and "YOU CAN GET AN AK IN JERSEY?!?" The only complaint I ever had was a guy that got irritated because I touched one off and opened his group up to .7_" instead of his "normal" less than .5" group. :scrutiny: He literally gave it to me the entire time I was shooting for the rest of the day. Kinda ticked me off...


Back when I had my EAA Witness at an indoor range, I had a pretty decent crowd asking about what I was shooting. .45 ACP through a 3" ported barrel and max loaded handloads really made a nice bang/fireball combo. :cool:

[CAR-AR]

I like shooting my FAL carbine. Most everyone likes it but few people want to shoot it, maybe it's the 16 inch barrel. Once I had one guy yell across the parking lot fence "what the heck is that?" Fun times'.

Last time I shot the 44 mags I was next to a guy taking the grandkids to the range. I asked him if he was okay with me shooting in the next table. He didn't mind. I was was working on some medium loads and I asked him if he wanted to shoot the DE and the kids were stoked when grandpaw shot the DE. Grandpaw was letting the kids shoot his 1911A. The ran out of ammo so I gave the kids some ammo to keep shooting . They paid back in brass so it was a good day all around.

[Ledgehammer]

I used to live in jersey. Where is the better part now days? I haven't been up in years.

[Ranger30-06]

I used to live in jersey. Where is the better part now days? I haven't been up in years.
A couple select towns in south Jersey. Other than that, its terrible. And by better, I mean they don't make you wait 6 months for a handgun permit or FID card...

[BRE346]

No offense meant but I think Forumsurfer must be deaf. Those things make noise and lots of it. It does get tiring after a while. And it's worse under cover or indoors. But when it's my turn to shoot somehow it's not so loud any more.

[460Kodiak]

Touch off a few rounds with your S&W 460 to give them some perspective. Then maybe they'll appreciate your .357.

+1 to this. :evil: It's a range. If they don't want to hear gun fire, then they should leave............ and probably sell their guns. Besides, a .357 magnum isn't that bad. Do I want hearing protection in when I'm shooting mine? Yes. Do they own the range? No. You did nothing wrong, and the fault is theirs.

[Wanderling]

I hate it when the people are shooting their hand canons next to me. However it's not their problem. As long as they adhere to the range rules, it's their right. I won't ever complain or give dirty looks. May be let out a fart of revenge when I am in a bad mood ;) Just kidding...

[loud-mouth shnook]

It's that gun just being that gun.

I need LOTS of practice with trigger mechanics. I'll usually use a .22 pistol for this for obvious reasons. Sometimes, however, I'll use a S&W 586 or 629 to remind myself of the added recoil factor in the process. It's a very focussed activity, regardless of weapon in hand.

I've done it alongside Mosin-Nagants, M1 Garands, .300 win mag's, etc. If my mindset's correct, I barely notice another one firing.

I personally just categorize it as the peripheral noise for that particular environment. To have a problem with noise at a gun range is like complaining about engine noise when walking down a city street.

ETA: Here's the text from a post of mine from last year. Just seemed pertinent:

"Once at a public indoor range, a big ol' he-man-type fella came in with a .410 single-shot and a "Look at me! I got this here gun thus my male member is now gargantuan and no man is my equal."-type attitude. I was already preparing to shoot and I was in the stall next to the one he chose to occupy. After every one of his shots, I could hear a "plink" on the ballistic glass partition between our stalls. Turns out he was ejecting the empty .410 hulls sideways to get my attention and then sneer at my li'l "one-handed" gun.

After I fired my first 2 shots, this genius stuck his head around the glass, puffed out his chest with an annoyed demeanor and said, "Hey, pal! You wanna try not to be so LOUD?"

I guess he found a .44 magnum 240 gr. JHP over 23 gr. of H110 to be impolite.

What would Martha Stewart say?

I've had reason enough lately to repeat a certain phrase in my mind so often that it's almost a mantra:
"How hard is it just to choose NOT to be a jackhole??????"

[Bovice]

No whining about noise at the gun range. If you want quiet, go to the library and read a book.

[jon_in_wv]

I just got back from an indoor shooting range. It's a small range that is only about 50 yards long. There were a bunch of 30-06 casings laying around. I can't imagine it was fun to shoot there when those cannons were firing. Nor do I see the sense in sighting in their rifles at a 50 yard indoor range when you are going to sit out in the cold all week trying to shoot a deer at 100+ yards. I've found jacket fragments on the ground around the firing line there on many occasions. One time I was shooting at another 50 yard indoor range and a 38 special bullet ricocheted off the back stop and struck me in my shin. It didn't have enough energy to give me more that a little bruise. I personally don't think it is wise to shoot a high powered rifle at a range like that.


One of the worse ones I heard in an indoor range was a 38 super race gun with a compensator. That sucker shook the barriers between us. Personally I don't mind any handgun at the indoor ranges but I find the rifles a little silly when there are some really nice outdoor ranges in the area.

[Trent]

Jon_in_WV: If you have shots ricocheting back from a backstop at an indoor shooting range, I wouldn't shoot there anymore. That's flippin' dangerous. The owners need to go back to school and learn how to set up correct geometry!

[ForumSurfer]

No offense meant but I think Forumsurfer must be deaf.

I'm sorry, could you repeat that...I couldn't hear you. :neener:

Maybe my tolerances are higher or my muffs are really great at what they do. Doesn't bother me, all I can tell you.

Again, they paid money just like I did. Even if I did find it loud and annoying, I'd never say anything or act offended for that reason. :)

[CAR-AR]

loud-mouth shnook,

I ran into a pair of guys who set up next to me with a .357. It didn't bother me too much but I had brought a person who had little experience with guns. I started this person out with .22s with a background of .357s. Actually the .357 cracks helped to get this person used to the .357. After a while we were ready to step up a bit. I can't remember what intermediate pistol I brought but I did bring my Desert Eagle.

Now these guys had a habit of after every shot yelling .357 MAGNUM! I happened to flip my gun case the so they could not see what I had. I loaded up 8 240 grain HPs, waited to the .357 pair to stop to reload . I turned to the right, aimed at the target and emptied the DE.

The guys beside me decided to leave a bit later and it was hard not to jump in the air yelling .44Magnum!

About 6 months ago I went to the Range with the DE and the Super Blackhawk. I normally bring pistols in case the rifle range is filled up. This was one of those days so out came the pistols. On my first shot, I set off the car alarm on a Corvette. I waited a bit and when I fired the car alarm when off again. After the alarm went off again the Corvette owner left. If he would have stayed I would have left I would have let him shoot the 44s.

[ForumSurfer]

I waited a bit and when I fired the car alarm when off again. After the alarm went off again the Corvette owner leftHe should have just locked the doors.

I've had that problem at the track more than once.

I've also caused that problem more than once. Long tube headers, side exit exhaust and several hundred horsepower will do that. :evil:

[loud-mouth shnook]

CAR-AR, methinx you and I were in the same tribe in another life, my brutha.:D

[460Kodiak]

All these posts remind me of why I shoot in the woods and not at ranges. I love living in the middle of nowhere. Being around people takes way too much effort.

[EddieNFL]

Misses are easily heard when a metal target holder is hit. Or you get hit with shrapnel.. Or you have extra bullet holes in your target that aren't from your gun. All happen to me on a regular basis any at of the local ranges.

Yeah. When I was shooting HP, it would irritate me to end when noobs couldn't keep 'em in at least the eight ring. Highly offensive.

[Ranger30-06]

About 6 months ago I went to the Range with the DE and the Super Blackhawk. I normally bring pistols in case the rifle range is filled up. This was one of those days so out came the pistols. On my first shot, I set off the car alarm on a Corvette. I waited a bit and when I fired the car alarm when off again. After the alarm went off again the Corvette owner left. If he would have stayed I would have left I would have let him shoot the 44s.


Does this dude realize that there is absolutely no reason to set your car alarm as long as it will be around other people? I mean, come on! It's a SHOOTING RANGE! The LAST place a carjacking will happen! :D

[Cougar]

I was at an outdoor range once in late summer where we were being pestered by buzzing insects - yellow jackets, flies, gnats and whathaveyou...

Lemme tell you, a couple rounds of .44Mag and the concussion drove the bugs away for at least five minutes! The .30Carb Ruger Blackhawk did the trick as well.... But surprisingly, the .357 didn't have that effect.

[CAR-AR]

ForumSurfer,

Lock the doors, but arming the alarm?:D

loud-mouth
shnook,

LOL!

Ranger30-06

That would be one stupid car jacker!

[BBDartCA]

Christ, its a gun range, not a library.

[kd7nqb]

I can see both sides, on one hand I have been the guy with the loud gun that I could see as annoying. On the other hand I have been the guy trying to teach a new shooter how to line up a sight picture and we can hear each other because some guy rented the ranges 3in Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454c. Really neither person is right or wrong they both paid to be there and you get what you pay for. HOWEVER I have found that the vast majority of shooters are pretty reasonable people. So if I am working with the new shooter or something they will often take a quick break for me. If your the guy with the loud magnum just be considerate. Like mentioned above choosing a lane by the wall or at least not next to the guy with his 12yr old daughter might be a nice idea.

This is the same reason I don't bring my Mosin M44 to all those hunting sight in days my local range has. Nothing would me more destructive to our cause than me plinking with the 7.62x54r while some guy is helping his first time hunting son or daughter zero the scope on their new shiny rifle.

[Ranger30-06]

HOWEVER I have found that the vast majority of shooters are pretty reasonable people

This right here. ^^^ 99% of the time, shooters are the coolest and nicest people on earth. We tend to glorify the crappy 1% but in reality, the rest of the people are really nice. Pick your battles, because if you win them all, your probably a jerk.

[gordy]

It could be that they just upset with there lives and are angry:cuss: that you have a S&W m19 and they just have glocks. I see it all the time, a glock is a glock.
But a S&W m19 is a handgod.:cool:

[gym]

They should go back to Bowling, or whatevr they used to do. Guns are supposed to make noise, that's how we know they work.

[EmbarkChief]

Recently I had to opportunity to join my GF's father at an indoor range so he could play with his new toy... A PLR-16. We shot on the pistol side of the range, I tried to explain to the girl running the register that we needed the rifle side but she wouldn't hear it. Well, that all changed the second I touched off the first round. I found out later the RO's were RUNNING to my lane to tell me to stop! LMAO, I tried to tell them. Anyway we wound up on the rifle side, but still cleared out everyone around us. Really fun to shoot but frankly it has no place in an indoor range. Big booms, lots of fire, and decent ammount of blast. I try and be considerate when I'm at the range, if I'm shooting one of my "braked" rifles I always try and sit as far away as possible from the other shooters. Blast doesn't bother me at all, the only time I have an issue with it is when I'm teaching a new shooter. Then its a problem.

[BearAZ737]

Next time remind them to bring their balls with them instead of leaving them in their wife's purse.

It's a shooting range, not a 9mm range. -kyle1974

hahaha that made my day! now I can go to work in a good mood!!

[Averageman]

I used to calibrate M1 Tanks.
It isn't loud until it picks you off of your feet and moves your entire body an inch or two.

[lopaka]

I like to change it up at the range. A little 9mm, a little 22 magnum, a little 45 acp, a little 45 colt, and some 357. Stir and repeat. No one ever seemed to be particularly concerned. But it's Texas, after all.

I was on the rifle range the other day shooting an AR and someone next to me was shooting hot 45-70 out of a short barreled guide gun. Could feel my intestines rattle. Very cool.

[pazz]

Did I miss out on a new social taboo about shooting a 357?

No way! I love shooting my snubby .357 at the range. Sometimes
you get lookers when there is a small fireball at the end of the barrel :D

[The Lone Haranguer]

Noise? At a gun range? Who knew? :rolleyes:

I do much of my shooting at indoor ranges, often next to rifles up to 8000 ft lb of muzzle smash and even M240 machine guns. I wear the highest NRR muffs I can find and learn to "tune it out," so to speak, so it merely becomes background noise. The whiners should learn to do that, too.

[xfyrfiter]

My younger brother was a laser targeting engineer in the Corps. He says that after firing 16" howitzers anything else is just boooring,

[vellocet]

I hate being hit by brass alot more than gun noise.

[Ryanxia]

That's the great thing about our country, if they don't like what you're shooting they can leave. I shoot whatever I want, I'd bring a cannon in if I owned one :)

[ralphie98]

The times I've brought the .357 mag to the indoor range and there were people there I would just get the grins and giggles from the other people there. They usually stand back until I'm done though and I can understand why.

[zxcvbob]

I took my .357 to the bullseye league last week, shooting .38 Specials. It was the last week of the fall season, and for the last relay nobody was actually shooting for score. Everybody was shooting .22's and very lightly-loaded wadcutters. So I got out the red box of .357 Magnums... Hilarity ensued. :D

[sugarmaker]

Back in the 90's there was an indoor range I visited with my DW44 shooting some pretty hot (as in do not fire in a smith 29) loads. Friends had 2 357 mags they were shooting 38's in. Next to me was a police officer practicing various shootout scened with his .40 (actually, that guy made me a little nervous...).

My muzzle blast knocked police guy's target off of his frame. I heard Jes%$# and kept firing, thinking this just must be what indoor range life is like. My other 2 friends started chuckling as I knocked one of their targets down also, than jammed one of their target returns 3/4 way back - kind of funny...BOOM! and the frame just stopped and hung there. I was wearing plugs and muffs, but even then the blast was concussive inside of my small booth. When I finished...I was all alone in the range.

I've not been back.

[Farb]

What's an indoor firing range? Absolutely try to find legal, open space. Oh what a relief it is.

Then you never have to worry about how loud those reports are.

[CCantu357]

My main thing is this. In the 90s everyone down here shot .357s! Its loud yes but to me its standard defensive caliber. Had I been shooting a .454 or even a .44 Magnum I might understand. These are the same giblet heads who say revolvers have no place in self defense!

[Cougar]

Sugarmaker, Funny you should say that about your DW44...

I have hunting handloads for my DW357 that are listed a 'max loads' in some reloading books (as in do not use in S&W Mod 19)... Quite a bit warmer than most factory offerings. They sounded/felt like .41Mag or .44Mag. When I touched off a couple of those at an indoor range, I heard a bunch of " Holy .... !!! " from adjoining stalls as well.

I don't use loads like this to be 'macho'. But as I said, they're for my hunting use only. I was checking accuracy with this load at the range.

[Zach S]

As someone who hates being at the range with someone shooting a magnum, I'd have to say, no, you're not in the wrong. Keep on shootin.

Its a firing range. Loud noises and flying brass are just part of it. Getting mad about it makes as much sense as going to a bike show and complaining about the bikes being loud.

[CAR-AR]

Ryanxia,

Here is a link for you:

http://www.buckstix.com/howitzer.htm :D