Have a Beer at the Range

[Baron66]

Last time I went to the range, the shooters in the action bay to the right of me had a case of Bud Light bottles and the guy to my left had a mini cooler of Budweiser cans. They were being safe as far as I could tell, but drinking is against the rules at that range.

I didn't say anything to the RSO, but I thought it was kind of strange. Do you guys put down a couple of cold ones while shooting?

 

[Jaxondog]

Never! Those two things will never mix, like oil and water.

 

[natman]

Nothing better than a nice cold beer; after the guns are cleaned and put away.

 

[Frosty Dave]

Not now, not ever and I'd turn around and leave if there were drinkers on the range. I got enough to keep track of without adding blood alcohol content of strangers to the list.

 

[we are not amused]

Were they drinking while on the range?

I have taken beer out to my private range for consumption after I quit shooting, but not before or during.

 

[Steve in PA]

Never, never.....never!!!

 

[Sol]

How brazen. No, I don't drink while shooting....

Indeed, it is a strange situation.

 

[bannockburn]

Never have and wouldn't stay at a range if I observed someone there drinking any kind of alcoholic beverages.

 

[Scooter22]

You should report that to the range. Never, Ever should guns and alcohol be mixed with live ammo or at a range. NEVER. With all the anti gun pressure and insurance regs our gun club no longer allows alky on the club property. period. Now if you have a cold one at home while cleaning or working on a firearm with no live ammo around thats ok.

 

[vamo]

As a general rule no. Now if I drank one or two on a saturday afternoon and then later got the itch to go shooting, I'd feel perfectly safe doing so. If I felt any effects whatsoever absolutely not. Bringing beer with you to a public range is just asking for trouble.

 

[zxcvbob]

Don't some European shooting target teams give the shooter one shot of schnapps before competition? (the operative word being "one")

I don't drink while (or right before) I shoot, but I wouldn't disqualify myself for having a single drink beforehand -- or even 2 if it was at least an hour earlier. More than 2 and I'll wait until another day.

I think this is one of those topics where we get a little too "The High Horse" instead of THR.

 

[fiddleharp]

This thread sorta reminds me of some guys I've known over the years who would drink like fish at deer camp.
I can't even imagine myself drinking any alcohol while on a deer hunt. When I return to camp after a hunt, I want to eat and go straight to bed, my alarm clock set for several hours before daybreak. I prefer to wake up rested and alert, enjoy a hearty breakfast, and set out for the stand with two hours to spare before daybreak. Hangovers have no place in this.
I can drink at home or in my favorite honkytonk. I need all the energy and alertness I can muster when I'm in the woods.

 

[Dave P]

"I didn't say anything to the RSO"

Do you enjoy shooting? Do you have a nice range? By not doing anything, either reporting them or talking to them yourself, you are increasing your chances of losing the range.
Everybody needs to be attentive to the club rules, and help to ensure they are respected. This will help keep our ranges open.

 

[49willys]

I went to a muzzleloader shoot once where th odl timers said to drink two beers before shooting,something about relaxing the muscles just enough to make you hold steadier.I was only 15 at the time so I didnt drink any.by the end of the day I was in the final long gong shoot and won it.I think two beers turned into three,then four,then........

 

[zoom6zoom]

"I didn't say anything to the RSO"

If the RSO was doing his job, you wouldn't have had to. They would have been tossed off my range. (or told to put the coolers back in the car if they hadn't yet imbibed).

 

[HighExpert]

They would have lost their membership in either of the two clubs I've belonged to. Safe, Sober, Shoot.

 

[Duff_McGruff]

Never drink and shoot - set it on the tailgate before pulling the trigger or the recoil will shake it flat it no time

 

[Bruno2]

I don't see a problem with it. A lot of country clubs served beer and alcohol when they had skeet and trap houses. Everybody knows their limit. There is a legal limit for driving a car. I have hunted with a lot of guys that drink beer while we are doing it.

I am not saying get hammered, but a few beers or drinks doesn't equal reckless behavior.

 

[almherdfan]

Beer & bowling-Heck yeah! Beer & darts-OK. Beer & Cornhole-I'm there. Never beer & firearms.

 

[jcwit]

Everybody knows their limit.

That statement is a joke and nothing more.

I think the guy that killed the family of 4 knew his limit too, then got in the car, and we all know how this story ends.

 

[Krogen]

Interesting. I like beer and I like guns; but not at the same time and in the correct sequence! I was at a Las Vegas trap club some years ago. They had a full-scale bar and clearly didn't see issues with shooting and drinking. I don't suppose it's that different than having a glass of wine at a restaurant and driving home. For me, though, I'd rather not be the slightest bit impaired when shooting or when driving.

 

[Gunslinger One]

I believe the charge is having a firearm under a disability!

 

[earplug]

WW1 drinking test

COL Charles Askins wrote of a test the British did on drinking and shooting performance, the results of the test was alcohol screws up your shooting.

 

[WALKERs210]

Back in 06-07 I served as President of a R/C flying club. At one point I had been accused of SAFETYING The Fun out of the hobby. Anyone that has had anything to do with a small 4stroke engine spinning a 18" blade has an idea how quick a day of fun can be ruined by a trip to ER to get something sewed back in place. One day a couple members pointed out that a visitor was tipping back a few beers, I ask why they didn't confront the man. I was informed that it was my job as club president. I politely asked the man to not drink at the field due to being a family oriented organization. If looks killed I would have been pushing up daisies right then. Instead of him just putting them away he grabbed his girl friend and after a few choice words as to where I could put the place they left. I don't like busting a bubble but when it comes to any activity that mixing beer/drinks along with a dangerous hobby then I will get out my pin and pop all day long. As I was told as a young man "it can take year of hard work to gain a handful of "at ta-boy's, and only one <removed> to wipe then all out.

 

[RussB]

Beer & Cornhole-I'm there.

Say what?