Do you go to the range alone?

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chetrogers

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Ok here is a little bit on my situation.I really dont have many friends and to tell the truth most of them are anti's or just arnt into guns.I am trying to join a local gun club but lately I haven't been able to get the Sunday off of work that is when they have there monthly orientation to new members.But to tell the truth I dont really feel comfortable going to the range alone if I was to join.At least until I know the rules etc.Basically every thing I have learned about guns has been on my own.I have took 3 or 4 Nra safety classes at the club that I want to join.But in those classes when we were shooting we had an instructor telling us when to shoot etc..I just fear joining the club and going to the 100 yard range and being there buy myself and start shooting and have somebody come up to me and say what the hell are you doing etc.

The only thing I care about is safety.Having fun at the range comes second in my eyes.I would hate to shoot a gun when IM not supposed to and feel there really is no excuse for a person to shoot a gun when its not time too.I wish I could find a member who goes there allot and ask him to mentor me or something "I know that sounds stupid".But I dont care if I look stupid I just dont want to endanger anyone's life.

I only own 9 firearms and everything I have done for shooting has been in the woods."besides the Nra classes".Thanks for you're time and any suggestions.
 
It's tough going alone at first. That's what kinda holds me back from trying some of the shooting sports.

The Catch-22 is that the best way to meet people to go to the range with, is to go to the range and meet them.

:rolleyes:
 
Being so anti social myself i really think joing in the club will change my life.I just hate to impose on the club or its members.
 
I shoot alone all the time. For me, I learn the most when I'm alone.

Quit procrastinating and go. At the worst you'll have to try out some new guns and listen to the old guys stories. :neener:

Ed
 
Here I belong to a club that has these big bays and when you go during the week you never see anyone else. I've gone like that many times but lately I find out when my friend can go since we have alot of fun.

I'll bet if you go to the club you'll find good people who will help you out. The gun groups I've been a part of were all like that. :)
 
The thing is i work at the only hardware store in town "small town" and I bet i know half the members that go there.I see a hundred people a day and it would be awesome to shoot a gun with a customer :) ..I just need to get a day off to join..I should just pay the fee's now and be a member and take the class asap..the next orientation is this Sunday but i have to work..Arhhhhhhhhhh
 
The only thing I care about is safety.Having fun at the range comes second in my eyes.I would hate to shoot a gun when IM not supposed to and feel there really is no excuse for a person to shoot a gun when its not time too.I wish I could find a member who goes there allot and ask him to mentor me or something "I know that sounds stupid".But I dont care if I look stupid I just dont want to endanger anyone's life.
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Just tell someone there that you're taken a few classes, but are still kinda new to this whole thing, and ask if they wouldn't mind shooting with you to give you some pointers?

Most gunnies are a terribly friendly bunch, and many will have time and desire to sit with you talk your ear off :D

Keep this up, and you'll get to shoot a lot of cool guns and meet a lot of great people.
 
Just go. As long as you're safe and don't go sweeping your loaded rifle across everyone, I don't think anyone will give you a hard time. I like to go with friends and family too, but they so seldom have the times off that I do, that I would end up never going if I didn't go alone.
 
Chet, which club are you looking at joining? I've gone shooting alone, but that's usually a result of "I don't know for sure when/if I'll be able to go." Let me know if you're in my neck of the woods and I'll try to do a better job of scheduling. :)
 
I just need to get a day off to join..I should just pay the fee's now and be a member and take the class asap..the next orientation is this Sunday but i have to work..Arhhhhhhhhhh
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You've just answered your own question. Orientation I'm sure they will explain all the club rules, dos and dont's, club policies and procedures. Study the rule book until you know it inside and out. If you're not sure, ask and before long you'll fit right in. It's mostly common sense and safety first.

Ask for the day off and go join the club! Good luck and have fun.
 
I go alone. With friends. Alone and then meet someone from the range. Doesn't matter to me as long as I can shoot. I pick up a lot of useful info from people at the range and every now and then get to shoot a gun I haven't used before. When I go alone , I usually get more accomplished but then again it's usually more fun shooting with someone.
 
Tell the club your work situation and ask if they have any saturday orientations. If its anything like the clubs I've belonged to, the people that give the orientation almost live on the range and are more than willing to help out a new member.
 
Not usually. A lot of new shooters I know and have introduced to shooting as well as friends who shoot on their own are usually eager to get some range time in. The more the merrier.
 
I go to the range alone most of the time, but rarely end up shooting alone. You'll get to know people there, sounds like you already know them from your job, and they'll be glad to help, give you pointers etc. If you contact the club, as was suggested, see if they offer the orientation on another day. If they have range officers, I'll bet one of them would do a one-on-one orientation for you to get a new member in.
 
My Father passed away in 1976. Since then 99% of my shooting has been alone.

Now that I can't go shooting alone I am having some trouble getting used to interacting with others.

But I'm trying.
 
Sometimes, I prefer to go to the range alone. I like to get the bench farthest away from the RO and do my thing. I don't have to fix other people's weapons, I am not distracted by conversation, just me, my weapon, and a target. Ahhhhhhh. Relaxing. Better than Scotch.

John
LMG
 
If you're concerned about the rules and range etiquette, there's a simple answer: Go and observe.

Don't deny yourself the pleasure of a range. Watch a while, and you'll quickly get a feel for how everything works at that particular range. By and large, shooters are a friendly lot, and you'll be striking up conversations, and enjoying yourself before you know it.

..Joe
 
I used to go to the range by myself, all the time. Now, my wife typically goes with me, but if I have to, I'll go to the range alone, still. As it is now, my wife and I take turns watching our two-month old daughter in the lobby while the other one is shooting (at the indoor range). Matter of fact, we went last night. The only thing I didn't like is that I let my wife shoot my Colt Anaconda 44 Mag for the first time, and I wasn't there beside her when she did it. She'd fired my Python a few times, so she pretty much knew how to operate it, but I prefered to be next to her if she had any questions. I coached her, again, at home on the gun, and it turns out she shot pretty well with it and actually liked the 44 Mag......Anyway, sometimes going to the range with others is nice, but usually takes more time because you'll BS a bit more. If you are pressed for time, or want to keep your range time down, I find it better to go alone......but spending quality shooting time with a SO is always a nice perk. ;)
 
Last year I got a range membership to a large club here and went solo to the rifle range for the first time, having been someone who did all his shooting on farmland growing up. I was mostly watching so I didn't do anything too taboo (not safety-wise) and for the chance to go put up a target. While waiting a guy my age down the line says 'hey, you're Will, right?' Blew me away, and it turns out the guy was an old friend of my cousin and we hit it off great. Due to school and winter we've only gotten to go a couple of times, but he's my first shooting buddy thats my age and its great. Plus, he's got tons of toys that I am in love with. On Day 1 I got to shoot his M1A (mmm....) and he's got a Romak...

But I digress. Like others said, just go try, people will be very smooth and easy to have a good time with. And get involved in a sport if you can, thats the best way. IDPA or High power or something. Have very much fun!

I get kind of misty thinking about how many good people are in the shooting world, it's a pleasure.

-Spooky
 
Sometimes, if you really want something you have to just go and get it yourself. Try and find a Range Officer if there's one present. Get a copy of the range rules read them carefully and ask questions about anything you don't understand. Very few will bite you there. There are some that might but they are usually far and few between.

Oh, anti social behavoir is that which goes against the good of the whole society, like robbing banks, taking drugs, murder. If you are not doing these things you are not "anti-social". Maybe just a little shy?

good luck.
 
Since you know about 1/2 of the membership, why don't you ask if any of them would take you shooting as their guest?

My club allows me to have two non-member guests with me, and I bet your local club has a similar rule.

This would allow you to see how things work outside of the structure of a class, and would give you some familiarity. Plus, you can gain some friends to shoot with once you do join.
 
More ammo for me!

I like it when my wife goes, but she gets tired fast.

A friend at work goes with her husband but doesn't shoot, so I asked her why she goes, and she said she just loads magazines! He said it's tons of fun with her there!
 
Either way works for me.

I usually go alone during lunch time to the indoor range.

On weekends out in the desert I usually have my hunting/shooting pardner with me. That or one of my girls.
 
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