When to say something at the range?

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ratt_finkel

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For those that frequent public ranges. I'm sure you would agree with me that there are some people who obviously have missed handgun basics.

Usually when I see these people I try to offer some quick advice to getting them shooting better and safer. Occasionally I see something so bad I am completely dumbfounded. Such as last night, two women were shooting a rented LC9. 3 yards out on a half size silhouette target. They were struggling to keep lead on paper.

I look over and see them gripping the gun as if they had two right hands. They were placing the left hand over and on top of the right hand. So basically the grip weld was on the left hand. And then the left index finger all the way around to barely hold on to the trigger guard. That is the best way I can explain it. :what:

Now personally, if I were doing it so far from improper I would want someone to say something. I also think it's up to the range officers to say something when they see something that is grossly incorrect. I decided to let them be tonight. And there have been other times were I don't see anything. More often than not really. I guess my point or question is: at what point are you obligated to say something? Normally as long as they are safe I am ok with poor shooting techniques. But I feel compelled to help people improve.
 
I might casually ask if they'd mind a few pointers but like you said typically if they're being safe I leave them too it. Of course I belong to a private range so most people willing to spend the money either have shot a bit prior to joining up or are accompanying someone that's done a bit of shooting to be safe and half way decent.
 
If they are being safe, I mind my own business. Maybe if they were cute, I'd approach casually, but I'd be a liar if I said that aiding in their shooting would be my only intention.
 
All you can do is try, if they get offended or mad or whatever the just say ok sorry and move on.

Unless you're a d-bag about it most people would probably welcome the advice.
 
For the most part, I agree, if they are being safe, let them be, but sometimes when they look like they could really use some help I will strike up a conversation with them. Then sometimes it can turn into helping them out. You have to be careful, because some folks simply do not want help, even when they need it. Go easy, help if you can, back off if they resist, assuming they are being safe. If they are being dangerous, I will not hesitate to tell them to be more careful, and remind them of gun safety rules. Feelings or no feelings. I am respectful, but firm. Never argue with them.
 
i tend to be fairly social at ranges anyway. i will probably talk to most of the people there because i'm in the South and we talk to our neighbors and say hi to strangers. if during the course of that conversation they appear open to some pointers, that's fine. as often as not, they have some cool toy and i learn something from them too.
 
taliv said:
i tend to be fairly social at ranges anyway. i will probably talk to most of the people there because i'm in the South and we talk to our neighbors and say hi to strangers. if during the course of that conversation they appear open to some pointers, that's fine. as often as not, they have some cool toy and i learn something from them too.
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I shoot at a public range in Sarasota County Florida, operated by the county, where there are always highly competent range officers on duty. Even still if I see someone I think is inexperienced I say hi there ask if they need any help. I don't walk up and down the line but if the shooter is to my left or right I like to watch for a bit for my own safety.
 
I find that most folk, when approached properly, without being talked down to, will accept help when asked if they need it. Instead of walking up and saying "your grip is all wrong, you need to do it like this", I would have asked them if they are new to shooting. If their reply was yes and depending on body language and vocal expression, I may then ask if they needed any help with their shooting. If cuteness and any other interst in them other than helping them with their shooting was the motivation, I suggest one wait till they get to the parking lot. There may be a reason it was two women shooting alone and approaching them with a male swagger would hinder any form of real assistance with their shooting.
 
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I dont care what they do as long they dont muzzle sweep towards my direction.
 
Poor technique I can ignore, but I learned my lesson on safety. I watched an older gentleman struggle with his pistol and commit every imaginable safety violation in the span of about 30 seconds. I hesitated to approach him and next thing I knew he'd blown his finger off.
 
shot beat me to it

I've learned to keep an eye out and to generally ****, unless there is a blatant safety violation that immediately endangers me or others.

Almost warned a young man who was about to single-handedly fire a new PGO shotgun with his face directly behind the receiver.

The first word of warning died on my lips just as he fired the shot which took his teeth out. His buddy packed up the ninja gear and they drove off to the hospital.
 
Well, if it were me in such a situation, I'd put my stuff down and really observe what they're doing. Two reasons:

1. I'd be making sure what they're doing isn't delving into a safety concern for me.

2. It would provide an opportunity to create a friendly opening to discuss firearms and such with them, creating an avenue in which I could give some basic pointers as part of the range camaraderie.

It's all about being tactful. Everybody is different, and some won't take any intrusive behavior well. But I've found that most people on the range are open to polite, honest, and serious observations and suggestions.

But in general...so long as they're not a safety concern, then my real concern is addressed.
 
If there's a safety issue I say something immediately and/or inform the range officer so they can do it. Everyone should do this, the life you save might be your own!

I've offered "a few pointers" to many dozens of people over the years and nearly all of them have accepted and seemed genuinely thankful for the advice. I approach them while they are loading mags or changing targets and don't just walk right up to them, I stop about 8 or 10 feet from them unless they're in the lane next to me. People that are new to guns and ranges often seem scared of the people and guns around them so I try to stay out of their space. I usually strike up a conversation with something like, "Hi, would you accept a little free advice about your grip/stance/whatever?"
 
Never obligated but I would strike up a conversation and ask if they wanted pointers.
 
On the range and anytime firearms are involved, EVERYONE IS A SAFETY. With that said, some people may be offended if you try to offer advice on technique and operation, but if there is a potential for them to be injured as well as a danger to others or a risk of property damage, then approach them politely and give them some tips in the most polite way possible.

Introduce yourself, ask them questions about their weapon, and strike up a quick conversation. You may prevent something from happening as well as possibly make a new friend.
 
point out safety violations or concerns to the RSO, otherwise mind your own business. you can make eye contact if you see them struggling.... and if they ask or motion to you then that's different.
 
If some one is obviously having problems I usually start out with “Hay nice gun, Is it new”.
You can pretty much tell if they are interested in a little unsolicited advice or not. Most times not.
 
Everyone on a range is obligated to call an immediate cease fire if he or she has any kind of doubt regarding safety. When someone does that, everyone is obligated to cease fire immediately (and at the ranges I know, unload and show clear). The range then remains cold until the range safety officer says it's hot or in the absence of an RSO everyone agrees it's again hot.

So if someone is doing something unsafe, call a cease fire. That will bring the RSO into play. He or she will enforce the call then find out who called it and why. Situation handled.

If there is no RSO, call it anyway. Then explain to the offender (and maybe everyone) why you called it. Situation handled.

If another shooter is having problems that are not unsafe, I've learned to wait to be asked before "helping."
 
Man, this is one of those write a book or say nothing topics.

Safety issues I report to the RSO (assuming there is one) dealing with them is his job I let him do it.

If there’s not an RSO then yes I would step up (politely) and inform the person of the safety violation. If they chose not to accept my correction I’d leave (best block no be there).

I can’t speak to anyone else’s experience but I’ve run into my share of range know-it-alls and I find them annoying, I do my best not to be that guy. I would answer questions if asked but I wouldn’t invade another person’s space without invitation.
 
I guess I should have mentioned this was an indoor range where the bays are right next to each other. Everyone is VERY close to each other. Unlike many outdoor ranges where there is significant room between stalls. And a guaranteed RO roaming and watching. This range is only known for professional intervention if you are violating a rule or doing something outrageously stupid. Also being indoors, it's very hard to communicate.

But it sounds like I'm not doing anything wrong as long as I go about it the right way. Which i have been, with respect and genuine interest in seeing someone do it better.
 
Like you said, if it's not necessarily a safety issue, then I would approach it on a case by case basis. There is nothing wrong with offering to help someone, thus making their shooting experience that much more enjoyable.

A few weeks ago I went to the range with my Son and his wife and observed a husband and wife extremely frustrated and struggling to get their new deer rifles sighted in. Bless their hearts, they were trying to get them on paper from 100 yds. off hand, they actually shot my target a couple times by mistake. After offering my help, I went to the office and got them a couple of shooting bags, moved their targets to the 50 yd. mark, and had them shooting groups rather quickly. By the time I left they were putting them on paper at 100 yds, and better yet, they were really enjoying the experience.

GS
 
As an RO at my local range and NRA instructor, I get the chance to observe new shooters pretty regularly. I say: "Sir/Ma'am, would you mind if I made just a couple of suggestions that might help you with your grip/stance/trigger control/whatever?" Not everyone has wanted to hear my suggestions, but over the last ten years, I've only had one person act offended when asked that kind of question in that way.
 
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