As much as I dislike it I need to start shooting indoors more often

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

armedaccountant

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
144
Location
Central Arkansas
It has been years since I shot at an indoor range. I really didn't like it, and there is a local game and fish outdoor range that will let you shoot all day for $4.00 so I usually shoot there. I have recently bought a SR40C and I hadn't had a chance to shoot it. So after work I went to one of the local indoor ranges and put a 100 rounds down range. WOW what a difference.

After the first magazine I noticed I was all over the place. I developed a flinch pretty quick because I wasn't used to the increased noise and pressure of shooting indoors. It probably doesn't help that I am used to firing a .22lr 5.5" bull barrel pistol or a 4" steel framed .38spl. I eventually calmed myself down and with extreme focus on the basics I was able to tear a 2" hole into the vital areas of man sized target. I noticed if I let my concentration on not anticipating the noise slip at all I was way off.

So I definitely need to start shooting at indoor ranges more often. Odds are if I ever need to actually fire a gun in self defense it will be inside, so I need to get used to the increased noise and pressure.

The good news is my SR40C performed flawlessly, all of the problems were mine. I love the trigger and fit of the pistol. I highly recommend anyone looking for something that size to check one out.
 
No clue where you are located but for me in NE Ohio the decision making process is simple. I have membership in an outdoor as well as indoor range. Once winters set in you won't find me butt deep in snow posting my targets. :)

As to this:
Odds are if I ever need to actually fire a gun in self defense it will be inside, so I need to get used to the increased noise and pressure.
Click to expand...

If God forbid you ever have such a situation I seriously doubt you will even hear the gunfire. Pretty sure your mind will be preoccupied with other things. However, just my opinion.

Ron
 
Getting used to shooting at an indoor range does take time. I've neen shooting at one for the last 7 months and I'm still not used to it. The range is only 5 minutes from the house instead of the 45 mile round trip over the mountains to the outdoor range I belong too so guess where I end up shooting. Yep. Indoors. The indoor range also has a low light, no light event once a month. Finally a chance to practice in a low light no light enviroment. Yes its a very heavily supervised event for those getting ready to chime in and yes there are infrared cameras that also montior everything for those wanting to know.

Anyway it was fun and I only had 5 rounds not on the target I was using. I know I have to get better and will spend more time next month working on my low light shooting. BTW I had no light on the gun and my sights were not of the nightsite kind. My little flashlight disappeared into the dark at about 15 feet and those shots @ 30 and 36 feet were from memory and muzzle flash.
 
Reladron- Central Arkansas here. Shooting in the winter is fine with me. We usually only get a few days if any snow. I like the cold so it doesn't bother me, plus cold weather means less people at the range, and extra padding if I am shooting skeet or high powered rifle.

Queen of Thunder- Low light is interesting. I actually qualified for my CHCL in a low light situation outdoors at a safe range. I wanted to come back at a different time to qualify because the class went longer than I had anticipated. The instructor pointed out that I wouldn't get to pick the light conditions if I actually had to use my gun in defense so he said we shoot now.
 
I enjoy outdoor shooting more than indoor especially since the outdoor is free and I can practice however I want and with whatever I want. When I do return to an indoor range due to cold weather there is quite an adjustment to be made because of the noise and also the randomness of the booms coming from the neighboring stalls. By the time I hang my target and send it out I am usually adjusted to the random gunfire so performance wise its a non issue by that time. The many downsides to the indoor range are it costs money, can't practice drawing from the holster, and can't shoot whatever I want.
 
I agree with everyone in that I prefer an outdoor range as well. If friends go along we usually take shotguns and bust some clays. But even if it's just me I prefer the use of our 200 yard rifle range.

"So I definitely need to start shooting at indoor ranges more often. Odds are if I ever need to actually fire a gun in self defense it will be inside, so I need to get used to the increased noise and pressure. "
Ive never thought about this and you bring a very valid point to the conversation.
I agree with what Ron said too about being too preoccupied if a person had to use a gun for self defense that he/she may not hear the shot(s) or they may not be perceived as being as loud.

Both are interesting points to consider and I'll probably practice indoors just to prepare to know what to expect should such a situation occure.
 
We don't have any indoor ranges within an hours drive, so even if I wanted to it would not be logistically feasible.

For other reasons I gave up indoor ranges a long time ago:

1) The air quality is universally lousy even if they try to evacuate the place it still smells heavily of burned powder and probably lead dust. In the best of places if they do have aggressive fans blowing down range the back of your neck freezes.

2) You cannot always see what other shooters are doing because of the stalls. They could be muzzle sweeping you and you wouldn't even know it. ALL of the indoor ranges I have been to have bullet holes all over in the ceiling and skid marks on the concrete all over the place so you know that ND's are a distinct possibility.

3) The concussion of the shooter next to you shooting his Mega-Maxo-Magnum makes it impossible to concentrate or keep from getting jumpy.

4) It is tough to recover brass and in some places not possible. More than one range I have shot at prohibits brass pick-up (even if it is yours) because they claim ownership once it hits the ground. I wouldn't shoot at places like that for free.

Dan
 
I did my Arkansas CHL qualification at a place with its own indoor range. The ceiling had steel trusses, and the trusses and ceiling material were painted white.

As soon as I stepped up to the firing bench, my eyes were caught by the thousands... maybe tens of thousands... of holes and skidmarks on the ceiling and on the steel trusses. And we're talking, oh, maybe a 20-foot ceiling.

Afterward, I pointed up and said something about "you must have some people shooting a little high." The rangemaster sighed and said, "ALL the time..."
 
This place had marks all over the ceiling and floor as well. What I was particularly impressed with was when I was sweeping up I noticed a bullet hole on the next lane. It was through the shelf you lay your gun on when you aren't shooting. Hope someone didn't shoot their foot.
 
When I was new to the game, I found the difference between outdoors and indoors shooting distressing. After enough rounds downrange, it was less distracting.

Doubling up on your hearing protection for indoors (plugs *and* muffs) is helpful.
 
Last edited:
My shooting would be severely restricted during winter months without utilizing a nearby indoor range.
 
Most indoor ranges it`s a requirement to wear them(ear protection) while at the firing line.
Click to expand...

I don't think he's saying you should use plugs or muffs...I think he's saying useing BOTH plugs and muffs helps with the sound at in indoor range.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

DetBrowning
Shooting Indoors or Out
2 3
Replies
56
Views
2K
chicharrones
chicharrones
M
  • Locked
Starting An Indoor Range
Replies
12
Views
834
Can'thavenuthingood
C
E
  • Locked
Bullets bouncing all over indoor range????????
Replies
21
Views
2K
carebear
C
B
  • Locked
Indoor firing range
Replies
2
Views
572
rondog
R
B
  • Locked
Indoor v. outdoor ranges
2
Replies
43
Views
1K
xjchief
X
Back
Top