Do you go to the range alone?

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I do go alone during the cold season. It's hard to convince other friends (even gun lovers) to hit the range when it's drifted over with a wind chill going well below -30.

After having taken those classes, you hopefully have developed a good sense of safety. As others have said, go observe, or get a copy of the rules, learn them and go shoot by yourself. Better yet, make time for the orientation, or strike up a conversation with one of your customers that you would feel comfortable shooting with, and go with them.
 
I think the response of going and watching is very good. That allows you to observe and learn without making mistakes.

I think you should ask your boss to schedule a Sunday off for you when the range is giving the orientation. Point out that many of the customers of the store are members of the range and that since he's got golf covered you'd be happy to cover the gunny's for the store. :D
 
I go to the range all the time alone. I have a cell phone with me, and I have an extensive first aid kit. I work nights, and I work everyother weekend. So I enjoy having the range to myself very much. So going ot the range is perhaps from a safety standpoint not a great idea. Or I go with someone I trust. I have been shooting for many years. I like the solitude so I futz with Chrongraph and such.

I have access to two ranges. Every one at that either club is pretty much aware of the rules. As each has an extensive orientation by the chief range officer prior to membership being granted. Weekends suck cause there are the NOOB's that well do not have a clue. That is is a testosterone induced fault of males. I do not mind helping a new shooter. Hey we all have to learn that is for sure. I say ask for help! There are some range snobs, for sure! But most will be glad to help you out!

I think shooting levels the playing field so to speak. It is fun to watch a range snob get out shot but the OF with the fixed sight model 10!

I went to watch a HP match with a shooting buddy with the intention of just watching so as to not feel like a fool! The next thing I knew I was pulling targets and shooting a leg match. Standing around will either get you put to work or shooting!

Join and enjoy!
 
I used to go to the indoor shooting range alone but lately my 20 y.o. neice has been going with me. I shoot at a public rifle range, usually with my cousin.
Even when I go alone, I usually meet someone I know or a new acquaitance.
99% of the people I've met are extremely polite and friendly.IIRC, Col. Cooper said "An armed society is a polite society." If you observe the range rules, I'm sure you'll be welcome. If not, find another place to shoot. Good luck.
 
I have one buddy that I really prefer to go shooting with. We have known eachother since we were kids, and always have a ton of fun. While I do enjoy getting out and doing some squirrel hunting alone, in most cases shooting is a lot more fun with someone else.

One little problem I used to always out shoot by buddy Aaron, but lately he has been out shooting me, so maybe I will leave his gloating butt home!! :D
 
Sounds like Tri-County?

If it is, I was a member there for a few years when I lived in Portland. The range officers are all memebers who volunteer their time to get reduced dues. Mostly older retired guys who are really nice and polite. I have chatted with several of them, always willing to help or more often just wanna know, "whatcha shootin'?" They have extensive rules sheets for each range. You will get these at the orientation and they have them posted at each range as well. I read them over several times before my first visit, and that made me feel comfortable before I went the first time. Once you go the first time, your will feel more comfortable and it will get easier.
 
Go ahead and hit the range alone. During target changes you can listen in on the BS and find a place to join in. Get into as many classes as possible, try as many sports as possible as shooters usually fall all over themselves to help beginners.

Some people go to shoot, some go often enough they can afford BS time and there are almost always conversation groups. Enter into the conversation with questions and you'll almost always get a good response.

None of my friends shoot so I have acquired shooting buddies by meeting people at the range.
 
I feel comfortable going to the range alone. Let's me focus on my shooting.

Sometimes its 'social hour at the range', sometimes its not. Most shooters are very friendly.

Sometimes its:

Q: "Is that a xxxxx?"

A: "Yes. Would you like to shoot it?"

Goes both ways. One time I asked a guy with a chrony what I should expect to pay for a chronograph. He let me shoot a few over his. I bought one later.

This past Saturday, it was my turn to return the favor. Another shooter asked me the same question. He put a few rounds over my chronograph.

Like I said, most shooters are friendly.
 
I often go to the range with family members, but that's mainly because I shoot at an open public range and way out in the middle of nowhere. I actually prefer to shoot alone (I like to be quiet and concentrate on what I'm doing).

I think most resonable shooters prefer somebody who's a little on the quiet side and who's conciencious about safety and consideration of others. Just keep be aware of what's going on and listen to any range commands. Be patient and wait for people to finish their string of shots before calling a cease fire so you can go down range. Don't bother people when they are shooting and most important, always keep the muzzle pointed down range.

If you are unsure, don't be afraid to ask what the rules and practices are at your range. Guns are dangerous and every range has different rules. Nobody will think bad of you for trying to be safe rather than assuming. I was at the range by myself one day and a gentleman walked over to me and said he'd never been to the range before, was there anything he should know or watch out for. He was just borrowing his son's Mini14 to see if he'd like to buy one himself. I pointed out the rules to him and we chatted a bit about safety and general best practices. After he figured out what to do, he ended up relaxing and having a great time with the rifle.
 
I go alone most of the time. On occaison I will go with a family member or a friend or meet someone from THR or the Firing Line or a fellow blogger at the range, but I would guess that I generally go by myself 3/4 of the time.

As a lobbyist, I am around people all the time and sometimes I just want to be by myself. For what its worth I also ski alot and with the exception of one friend who I grew up but know lives in Colorado I generally ski alone. I also ride my bike alone too (though there are much more significant advantages to biking in a group than shooting or skiing offers - namely mssive increases in speed). I just like the solitude and am rather comforable with myself - plus I generally don't care what people think of me.

That said, whenever I go skiing or shooting or riding, I end up meeting far more people than when I am with a group. I generally think group dynamics don't lend themselves very well to enlarging the sphere of people you interact with. Rather, you just communicate with the group your in. If you are alone, it provides much more opportunity to say Hi to someone, ask them about their gun, answer their questions, etc. PLus, people seem more comfortable speaking to approaching an individual than a group. But that is just me.
 
I always go to the range alone. In fact, I prefer it that way. I don't have to worry about other people, whether or not they're safe. I know I follow all the rules. I practice checking all lanes before going out to my target, even when I'm by myself.

Every now and again my husband goes with me. But for the most part, alone is the way to go. If I want to go shoot, I go. I'm not going to wait on someone to go with me. I do like saying hello to folks and exchange pleasantries, but I hate Chatty Kathys.....and my husband it notorious for getting chatty kathy with everybody :banghead: If we're on the same lane or on the same pistol my patience runs out pretty fast :cuss: I didn't go there to talk, I went there to shoot. We'll talk when we're done.
 
Yeah, I usually do go alone to the indoor range I frequent -- and, in fact, I try and make a point of getting there shortly after they open in the morning so I can avoid other shooters. I don't like getting peppered with other folks' flying brass and I've seen firsthand too much stupidity and mental laziness when it comes to other shooters' range etiquette. The last time I was there in the afternoon, I had one guy shooting a Desert Eagle .50 (and treating it like a macho playtoy to impress both his girl and buddy that he had with him) on one side of me, and another guy shooting a .40 something on the other side...I knew it was a .40 because it was raining brass all over me, even with partition in place (probably should have checked to see what he was shooting...it sure had one heckuva consistent ejection system :rolleyes: ). Sure, it's nice to trade comments every now and then with folks with the same interest in firearms, and I've met some nice people...but all things considered, I'd rather get there when the place is empty, or close to it, and just zone out and work on my own performance, rather than worry about a myriad of distractions, dangerous or otherwise. That being said, though, it's nice to take a friend or relative every now and then...
 
I'm pretty much in the same boat, though I'm a college student and my few friends aren't willing to spend the time and money to get started in shooting. Or so it seems. A lot of them are also NYC natives so that makes it difficult to have a place to keep a firearm and shoot it regularly.

I used to go with my brother or girlfriend only, but they just don't have the drive that I do for it. I shoot less rounds with them around before "it's too cold! it's too hot!" etc. They aren't as serious about improving their accuracy either.

Funny, since my brother and dad had shotguns before I owned any firearms. But they are just hunter types and aren't as serious about getting better.

Going to the range alone, as others have mentioned, means you can get a lot done. Nice for me with no spotting scope since I can check my target every three or five shots :)

Nice to get out there during weeks and cold weather when nobody else is. Though I like the "social hour" at the range too, get to shoot lots of cool guns that way, like an SP-89.
 
Almost every time I go, I'm alone, but that's just because the range is really convenient. Much more fun going with family and friends though, if they are into guns. Sometimes though, it is really nice to be there alone, on a nice day, relaxing, and shooting away at a far target and taking your time.

If I had the time and wanted to open up a new circle of friends, I'd show up at the weekly steel match, bowling pin mathc, or one of the other eighty bazillion matches they have during the average week. They tend to love new people to their group, and seem quite friendly.

-James
 
Most of my shooting sessions are solo.

I like going with people, it just becomes more of a social event than a practice session, so I adjust my expectations accordingly.

I know some guys that spend every sunday afternoon @ the range, occassionally remembering to shoot a round every 1/2 hour or so.... :neener:
 
99.999% of the time I go by myself. I always do better when I go by myself because I get to spend more time behind the trigger and I don't have to compete against anyone. That being said, going to the range is kind of like going to the movies. It's nice to go with other people but in the end each person is focused on their own thing. I prefer to go to the range on my own.

Mac
 
I also believe George Thorogood wrote a song about it:

I shoot alone
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa with nobody else
You know when I shoot alone
I prefer to be by myself

Every morning just before breakfast
I don't want no coffee or tea
Just me and Heckler & Koch
That's all I ever need
'Cause I shoot alone
 
Hey chetrogers,
It's great to hear you have Safety on your mind, and also to see that you're a believer in Training. Much of the time, I shoot alone at the club, but yes I prefer to go with friends or my son. Sometimes I'll meet up with other members, especially before hunting season, or the LEO's will be down to qualify/practice.
One thing that's nice on the 100 yd range is if I'm alone, I can go downrange anytime to change paper. If the line is full, it's a waiting game, but then you get to watch what & how others are shooting.
When you join the club, see if there are some member activities, cleanups, cookouts, matches, etc. It's a good way to interact & meet other members who you may (or may not) want to shoot with.
 
Someone's usually with me, but I don't have a problem going alone. It's definitely true that you get more done when you're by yourself.
 
I think shooting is like any other sport or event. Its better when your with someone. It like when you go on a really big roller coaster or ski down a double black diamond. When the ride is done or your at the bottom of the mountain it's more fun if someone has been along side you the whole way and experienced what you did. Maybe it's just me.

It wasn't like that though when I first started. I didn't know anyone who shot and it took me some time getting to know people who did. The toughest time was the first time I attended an open Highpower match. I didn't know anyone, what to do and I was completely lost for a few minutes. Until I asked that is and then I got some really nice help from other shooters. More recently a shooting buddy and I went to a range I belong to on a whim and when we got there they were doing a weekly IDPA event. Ended up being a lot of fun. Morale of the story is, do not be afraid to go alone and see whats going on. If your shooting by yourself just be aware of others around you. When they make the firing line safe for people to go down range, DO NOT touch your weapon. Just simple rules to follow. If your unsure, just observe others and for the most part you will be just fine.

Enjoy yourself out there. It's a great time.
 
i dont mind shooting by myself. nice to have someone else there to verify good marksmanship though. sadly, i rarely need such verification. :uhoh:
 
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