A new rule for range etiquette.

[Dave DeLaurant]

Common courtesy goes a long way.

When my young friend Andreas told me he wanted to try shooting a few more .44 Magnum rounds at our indoor range, we got there early and did those first, before anyone else was shooting. Those Remington factory loads made the whole building vibrate, but we warned the staff and and they said they were OK with it.

Big- and Not-So-Big-Bore Handguns

Another fun range session with Andreas. First is my Thompson Center Encore single shot pistol in .44 Magnum. This is a full-power factory load from Remingt...

www.youtube.com

Little later a guy had half the range booked for a class and used a bullhorn to issue instructions. We had also been warned about that, so we had the choice of either dealing with the distraction or quitting for the day. We compromised and finished a bit early.

My point is that good two-way communication between the range staff and other shooters beforehand is a good way to handle things like this in a civil manner. It's one of the reasons I've kept my membership at this range -- all of the staff are both safety conscious and tactful people who supervise shooters pretty closely.

 

[doubleh]

In the past I have always tried to get to the rifle range when it was just light enough to to see to get set up so I could shoot when the light was brighter Many a day I was shooting when the sun peeped over the horizon and was alone. If something caused me to arrive late enough for a few shooters to already be there I put on hearing protection before exiting my vehicle. That seemed a simple solution to save what hearing I have left. Another plus is that is when the wind is the calmest.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Here in Central NJ, Eastern PA, indoor ranges are the norm, barring some breakthrough in soundproofing, some sort of active means of reducing sound, we will have to live with the technology we have. I have no problem with someone bringing a very loud firearm, announcing they are going to shoot so others can brace themselves.

 

[Ethan Verity]

Here in Central NJ, Eastern PA, indoor ranges are the norm, barring some breakthrough in soundproofing, some sort of active means of reducing sound, we will have to live with the technology we have. I have no problem with someone bringing a very loud firearm, announcing they are going to shoot so others can brace themselves.

I just show up braced and ready, and remain so 100% of the time I am there. No need for someone to tell me they are about to shoot a loud gun... I'm at an indoor range, I expect it... This is why it's a good idea to have good quality hearing protection at an indoor range, and preferably double up with both earplugs and ear muffs. Heck, I don't even complain when my neighbor's brass flys down my shirt. Let's be honest, firearms aren't for the faint of heart.

 

[rust collector]

I just show up braced and ready, and remain so 100% of the time I am there. No need for someone to tell me they are about to shoot a loud gun... I'm at an indoor range, I expect it... This is why it's a good idea to have good quality hearing protection at an indoor range, and preferably double up with both earplugs and ear muffs. Heck, I don't even complain when my neighbor's brass flys down my shirt. Let's be honest, firearms aren't for the faint of heart.

Exactly! It's not manly to exhibit courtesy to other shooters. Only hairy-chested recoil junkies should dare to shoot at a public range.
Or, we could communicate, employ a bit of empathy, and help others to enjoy the experience too.

I agree that we don't need more rules. What would be helpful, however, is consideration and civility, some of the central themes of this community, no?

 

[.38 Special]

Exactly! It's not manly to exhibit courtesy to other shooters. Only hairy-chested recoil junkies should dare to shoot at a public range.
Or, we could communicate, employ a bit of empathy, and help others to enjoy the experience too.

I agree that we don't need more rules. What would be helpful, however, is consideration and civility, some of the central themes of this community, no?

Well, yes and no. I try to be civil wherever I go, and if I'm going to be doing something particularly obnoxious at a public range, I'll try to get some space to myself, or at least let my neighbors know ahead of time. But by the same token, I'm part of the crowd that would be more disturbed by someone yelling "Fire in the hole!" than by simply shooting the damn thing.

So, "yes" to consideration and civility, but a general "no" to a rule requiring a public announcement prior to touching off a particular class of gun.

 

[zeke]

Would not be shooting at an indoor range where others are present without quality muffs and plugs. Most ranges have rules, and if pay and play by the rules, you get to shoot. And if someone sets up next to you with what you consider objectionabl noise maker, you can leave (i do). Coincidentally an individual complaining about too much noise one week, complained about people using suppressors the next week.

 

[1nighttrain]

I hunt with a .44 I usually shoot it outside but sometimes I don’t.

I pay my range fees. I let the RO know what I’m doing, and I do my best to take a lane away from others if possible.

But……It’s not my problem you can’t handle anything bigger than a 9mm being shot.

 

[old lady new shooter]

You won't get to choose the setting or your hearing protection if you ever have to use a firearm in a real situation.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I'm usaully shooting a couple of my 300wm when I go to the range. I try to set away from everyone if I can, but I've started bringing a couple pieces of plywood to put on each side of me and block the blast from my muzzle brake. Never had anyone complain, but I'm sure they appreciate me doing what I can.

 

[deadeye dick]

When I lived out West, e had a public range. The rifle range had 36 ambi concrete benches under cover. I was the first one there and took a spot on the very end (EARLY in the AM). A little later, another guy shows up; sets up on the bench right next to me and takes out a 338 with a muzzle brake. The concussion I felt (plugs AND muffs) was so bad, I stopped and stepped back to the back wall where you could sit. I waited for him to finish sighting - luckily it was only one box of shells - and after he left completed my load testing. He had 35 other benches spread out over at least 50 yards to choose from

I would have moved. It's like load phone convo's Better off moving as the obnoxious clown would have gave you a argument.

 

[Bennj]

Most outdoor ranges in NJ are private and on the expensive side with wait lists to boot. The one close to me has a 2 year wait list, so I shoot indoors. The range assigns you your lane and sometimes I've been placed next to someone shooting an AR 15. I double up on ear pro, but those things are still loud. As exasperating as it is, I realize their range their rules.I try to make a game of it to try to shoot between the AR shots, It sure helps me to practice not flinching. I also go early mid week.

 

[tws3b2]

It never ceases to amaze me. If you don't want to be ruled, regulated and restricted then don't try to rule, regulate and restrict others. Some guns go bang and others go BANG. Just the way it works. If you have a problem with it then it's on you. The world shouldn't have to change for you.

 

[FROGO207]

I shoot my loud ones outside mostly and have the ability to choose times when things are quiet activity wise at the private range.
That said. My 500 or my compensated 223 do bark out nicely. Those compensators are really loud even when prepared for the noise. When I first got my 30 carbine Blackhawk I was amazed the noise and fire ring from the thing. I can see why they are called flame throwers by many.

 

[Varminterror]

It's a gun range, some of them are very loud, be prepared for it.

This is what I want to express, but I wasn't finding words nearly as polite to say it....

 

[kwb377]

A related "muzzle blast" anecdote...

A few years ago, I took my teenage sons to the range where I'm a member. On the particular 100 yd. range we were using, they have 12 stations set up and we were using the bench at the far right end (to give anyone else showing up plenty of room to use a bench away from us). Another guy shows up a little while later and places a rifle case on each and every other open bench (all of them)...effectively taking up the rest of the range should anyone else arrive.

He then proceeds to walk all the way down and set up on the bench directly next to us and begin slinging hot brass right onto me and my sons while we're trying to shoot (the shooting benches for each lane are only a few feet apart). I just give him a look and hand motion of "***?!". This range also has a couple of steel gongs at 100 yds., so I was lettting my boys shoot on the one to the right of the range (since we were on the right side of the other shooter). SO then he starts putting rounds on steel...but instead of shooting at the gong on the left, he's hitting the same one my boys are trying to hit (of course...every time they carfeully aim and try to squueze a shot of, he hits it and spins it). So after dealing with this for several minutes, I just casually look his way and say under my breath, "It didn't have to be this way...".

I had brought my 10.5" 5.56 SBR with VG6 muzzlebrake to let my boys shoot...and it was brutal if you happened to be standing anywhere other than behind it. I told my boys, "Watch this...{devilish grin}" and set up on my bench as far back as I could...my muzzle lining up about even with his person. I waited and listened to his cadence...and about the time he was set to touch another round off I'd crank out a fireball. You could see his hair move and random items would blow off his bench. We did this for about 10 - 15 rounds before I guess he decided he'd had enough...he began packing his items (including all the other rifles he'd laid out on each bench) and left without a word. I like to think that maybe he left that day and reflected on the events and had an epiphany on the importance of common courtesy, but I suspect he's still a d-bag to this day.

But generally, I try to announce if I'm going to be shooting something that's obnoxious and use a lane away from others under normal circumstances.

 

[wayneinFL]

At the same time, I don't see the point of a rifle of any kind at an indoor range. You could shoot Navy beans through a stove pipe and hit a paper target at most indoor range distances.

I could see maybe if you were getting a 25 yard zero before going to an outdoor range. Or to fire off a few rounds after replacing something. But for the most part what I've seen people do seems pointless.

My son was trying out some smaller carry guns with me a couple of weeks ago and the kid next to us wasn't getting any better groups with a rifle than we were with a subcompact Glock.

Unless the point was to make noise and empty some brass. And that probably was the point.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I had one of the original ported Marlin Guide Guns. I loaded it hot. I always gave a courtesy heads up if other people were around me. It's not so much the noise as it is the concussion. It's enough to affect other shooters.

I do the same. I shoot outdoors. But the range is covered. A brake is obnoxious. So I set up a far away as I can and give them a heads up.
My AR pistol is worse than a 300wm.

 

[3Crows]

Guns are loud, some are really loud. There is always something like golf.

I have and will continue to shoot rifles at an indoor 25 yards range to make sure a new scope is on paper, to get a good first alignment on irons, function test after some work.

There is also a hundred yards indoor range near by me.

I wear ear plugs, muffs and safety glasses with side shields.

 

[Turkeytider]

I had one of the original ported Marlin Guide Guns. I loaded it hot. I always gave a courtesy heads up if other people were around me. It's not so much the noise as it is the concussion. It's enough to affect other shooters.

Yep, it’s the concussion more so than the noise for me. I wear double ear protection routinely. Have had more than one range day cut short by a braked big gun set up next to me with no available room by which I could get away from him.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

On any range, there is camaraderie of a common hobby and always a supply of ignorant people. No one has the right to blow you belongings off of a shooting bench and no one has the right to be Karen Manbun. There are appropriate behaviors for both; recognition that you are present at a firearms range and also the recognition that other people are present. This is really easy stuff if everyone has awareness and common courtesy but I know, I know, that is asking a lot. And I love the range logic on this thread; you are driving on a highway, prepare yourself to get run over?????

Seems like it would be, heh? I try to position myself carefully and generally show courtesy, but I also expect that people will be wearing hearing protection the moment they get out of their vehicles next to a hot range as an example of common sense.

 

[Varminterror]

I also expect that people will be wearing hearing protection the moment they get out of their vehicles next to a hot range as an example of common sense.

Bingo.

But we know common sense isn't so common.

It's a rifle range. Rifles are loud. Public ranges allow public access, member restricted ranges allow member access. If you go anywhere to shoot where others can also shoot, expect to 1) others to be there, and 2) their rifles to be loud.

 

[Menace2]

It's a range. As long as they are obeying the rules suck it up.
I've had someone come in and set up next to me, then ask me to move. Uh, You could see what I'm shooting before you set up. YOU go find another bench. Self centered weenie snowflakes.

 

[Turkeytider]

Had a kid do that to me. He had a AR-pattern rifle in .308 (asked after) and told me it's loud. Indoor range so I'm wearing earplugs and muffs anyway, told him don't worry about it. We were the only folks in there and he was to the right. so not worried about his ejected cases. It was kinda noisy....

Good kid, talked with him a bit after we got done.

I've heard other medium- and high-powered rifles in there, but again plugs and muffs. Haven't seen a .50 cal yet....

A 50 cal indoors? I wouldn’t think that that would be permitted.

 

[Turkeytider]

I'm usaully shooting a couple of my 300wm when I go to the range. I try to set away from everyone if I can, but I've started bringing a couple pieces of plywood to put on each side of me and block the blast from my muzzle brake. Never had anyone complain, but I'm sure they appreciate me doing what I can.

I can guarantee they appreciate you doing that. I think for many it’s the concussion that makes things unpleasant, more so than the noise. I wear double pro routinely, so actual noise isn’t that big of a deal for me. Concussion can be.