Question on range etiquette

[RandomPerson]

Today I visited my local range. Indoors, stalls with walls 3-4 feet deep and fold down tables in each one. I'm a larger person, quite tall, not exactly thin. Between my body and my rifle, I'm sure 99% of that was inside the stall. The person to my left was a smaller person, not tall, not heavyset. He folded the table down and was standing far out that I could see his body around the stall walls, while shooting a pistol. This sent tons of hot brass into my stall, my bag, my box of ammo, etc. All-in-all I had a pretty good day and enjoyed my shoot.

Was this person out of line? Should I have said something to them? To the range master (not actively watching people shoot, but easily accessible in the store part of the range)?

The range has electric overhead target retrieval, so you can put your target wherever you want. To me it seems odd to put your adjustable target at 7 yards and fire from 1.5 yards.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Was the shooter leaning his body out beyond the firing line or limit? This would be a safety violation, and it would have been appropriate to notify range personnel (in a discreet manner and not talking to the shooter himself.) If the shooter was firing from a normal position and brass is still flying over the lane partitions, the management should be contacted about modifying them; this is not really the shooter's fault. Or, if another lane had been available, you could have asked to be moved. When I shot at Scottsdale Gun Club, which allowed rifles up to "elephant gun" level or even machine guns, I didn't complain about the noise.

 

[russ69]

He should be forward as far as possible. The RO can correct that for you. New shooters often have to be told to move forward to the shooting line.

Thanx, Russ

 

[RandomPerson]

The side walls of each shooting stall are floor to ceiling. The brass I was catching was flying in front of my left side wall, back toward me, not over anything.

 

[kingpin008]

I'm with Lone Haranguer - if the guy was past the firing line, then the RO needs to be notified so he can take the shooter aside and reiterate the rules.

If he was within safe boundaries and his brass just happened to reach out and touch ya...well, that's just the indoor range experience. Only thing to do is find another lane or deal with it, unfortunately.

 

[Trent]

You ever been down the line, to the right of a guy shooting a CETME or G3? It brings a new meaning to the word "CEASE FIRE"... I often position myself to the right of others rather than lob dangerous hot projectiles at them.

It wouldn't have been out of line to ask them to switch positions. I've done it proactively many times before at the range when I know what I'm shooting is going to cause someone grief. "Hey, this rifle really throws the brass out, can we switch places?"

Sometimes they grumble, but it's a lot better than having a hot shell casing bouncing off their head at 5 feet away. Those CETME's and G3's throw with great vigor...

You want to talk about etiquette? I was at the range one time, gear sitting on the table, out changing targets with my (then) 8 year old son. Another guy pulls up while we're out there, pulls out his gear, and starts shooting at the targets already out there. Completely oblivious to my gear still sitting on the benches, the other people sitting around the range not touching their weapons during the hands off ceasefire, or the two people standing downrange two stands down from where his rounds were hitting.

The other people at the range immediately yelled at him to stop, and he did, but I was very pissed off when I got back to the benches. My buddy Mike intervened and kept me from pummeling the guy.

He was very apologetic - shaking even, but I was VERY upset about this (especially since my kid was out there with me). I took his info, turned in the incident to the club directors, and they expelled him from the club. Hated to do it, and I still feel like an ass, but you don't get second chances with that sort of mistake.

From that day on, whenever an "official" RO of the club isn't around, I always assume the duty. I also take a moment to talk to each person that shows up to make sure they are aware of the current range condition.

As far as etiquette and safety is concerned, if there is not an official RO on duty (open public ranges, etc), each shooter effectively becomes an RO and is responsible for making sure everything is done safe and orderly.

 

[scaatylobo]

Careful

I shoot at a few ranges and as far as I have read ,ALL ranges do not allow ANY firearms to be TOUCHED while any are downrange.
As to the OP,if he was not bellied up to the shooting bench/rail = themn he was WRONG.
From your post that was what I gathered.
As to the jackwagon shooting while any were downrange = he could be arrested for Reckless Endangerment = REALLY.
Happened at my local range last year, the the guy was expelled and all have been told they face the same AND arrest.
I was an LEO firearms instr. and I take charge and call "Hot" or 'COLD' range according to the wishes of those trying to change targets or check them.
And I am not shy if I see a violation,and I say it with authority and try to not yell - but remember most are wearing hearing protection that does not have a mic in them [ mine do ].

 

[9mmepiphany]

There seems to be a bit of confusion here that makes the discussion a bit disjointed. I'll state what I read in the OP and if RandomPerson meant something else, he can clarify.

1. this was an indoor range
2. it had an overhead system to run targets out and back
3. the shooter next to the OP was shooting from a position where his gun was forward enough that his ejected shells enter the front of the OP's stall

The OP did not say that:
1. the shooter was ahead of the firing line...although that would be my first thought also
2. the shooter had stepped far enough to the rear to pelt him with shells entering from behind him

Carry on

 

[Jolly Rogers]

I mainly shoot indoors in a 15 lane range where each one is an individually lit lane. The down range lights are at increments that illuminate the targets at normal ranges. The firing line lights are spots that shine down onto the line but behind it. To see my front sight I have to back up some to see the sights. Sorry but I can't see wasting ammo guessing where the gun is aimed...
Joe

 

[Hatterasguy]

SOP when I'm shooting next to someone is to see where my brass is landing. Some of my guns have a very "positive" ejection to say the least so I will talk to the guy next to me and we will position ourselves so he is not getting hot brass rained on him.

OTOH your at a range deal with it, I can't count how many times I have taken a brass bath. Having to hold your loaded rifle down range as a burning 5.56 round melts into your skin is kind of a right of passage!

 

[Ramman911]

Ohhhh what I would do for an indoor range anywhere near here. If I had the $$ I would most definitely get one going, I would think there would be some good profit to be had.

Anywho... Back on topic. I have asked folks to trade places before and 99% of the time they welcomed the offer and thanked me for considering them. BUT as always there's always that "one" guy.

 

[bonza]

The way I read the OP's description it seems the other shooter was forward of the normal firing line:

"He folded the table down and was standing far out that I could see his body around the stall walls..."

Which I would consider unsafe, & should have been addressed diplomatically with the other shooter, or through the R.O.