Do you go to the range alone?

[RavenVT100]

I go to the range alone all the time. I feel confident on my own. But here's the thing: there's always some good conversation at the range with other shooters, so I meet new people/learn new things. You never ask to shoot someone else's weapon, but they usually offer to let you do it anyway. And you generally offer back if there's nothing wrong with the shooter.

I like taking new shooters to the range because it offers an opportunity to give safety briefings and go over safe shooting procedures.

 

[jerryd]

Most of the time my wife is with me or my son meets me there if the timing is right, if not i go by myself! My wife has her pistol permit and my son is in the process of getting his, matter of fact my wife went by herself last year while i was working, good wifey!!! Now i have to train her to clean her own pistols!

 

[boohsdad]

Will go alone or with friends, Met some rally nice people at the range.

 

[orionengnr]

M L-- good one!

Quote
"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 "

Ha ha ha ha...
Great combo, George and HK, two of my favorites...

 

[Gunsnrovers]

All the time. It's fun to go with friends, but schedules are hard to coordinate so most excursions are solo.

 

[Majic]

I prefer to shoot alone at the range or out in the boonies. Strict range time constrants can be relaxed and I can do my thing at my own pace and not bother anyone.

 

[MDHunter]

Attend Orientation, Then Dive Right In!!

Chet,

BRAVO for being so safety conscious and wanting to comply with range rules and etiquette!

It sounds like you can't go ALONE to the range until attending orientation? If that's the case, it's likely that during orientation they will spend the majority of the time on the range rules and range etiquette. So, you'll have a good idea before you go about what you need to do. If you get to the range before orientation with a member, they will help you comply with the range rules.

At the ranges I go to, general rules are firearms unloaded with action open (if possible) until you take your spot along the line; keep firearms pointed downrange when getting set up (assuming shooters aren't downrange checking targets); no rapid firing; and range master calls out when range is hot and cold. When range is cold between firing sessions, firearms are pointed downrange with actions open and chamber clear.

I live in the People's Republic of Maryland, so I don't know if that affects our range rules - we can't have magazines with more than 10 rounds if I recall correctly, and maybe some of you in other states can do rapid fire.....

After I get my hunting rifle sighted in (Win Model 70 30-06), I spend most of my time placing three shots as fast as I can into a 6" paper plate at 100 yards and a 9" paper plate at 200, from offhand, kneeling, and sitting positions (I only do offhand practice at 100 yards). The last time I was at the range, the woman in the next lane with her husband asked him if I was a police sniper - she wasn't checking my targets, just saw me shooting scoped bolt-action fairly rapidly and wondered who would need to do that.

Go on out, Chet - you'll make friends quickly, and the range masters are always willing to help new shooters and members!

Michael

 

[mack69]

Re:

I go alot on my own, usually cause I go early in the mornin and my usual shooting buddy is unable to. I try to go every other week at the least otherwise I start to get testy. I recently took my older boys (18 and 16) for the first time. Yeah they are kinda old for the first time but their momma, my ex is an anti. I finally said the heck with it and asked them to come. I have been preparing them for quite some time. With special attention on safety and proper handling of firearms. Now if I don't feel like going along I can take one or both with. However, I get more shooting done when I go alone. It is fun to meet others and get to shoot something you may not have or have even thought of having. I wish there were there were some decent clubs up here. But the better ones are all way down in southern part of Illinois. Join the club.....it'll be fun....Good luck... mack

 

[one45auto]

Yes, I do, but mostly because of my work schedule. I don't mind, though.

 

[Zonamo]

Do you go to the range alone?

I shoot alone, yeah
With nobody else
You know when I shoot alone
I prefer to be by myself

The other night I laid sleeping
And I woke with a terrible shock
So I caught up my pal Sturm Ruger
And his partners Sig and Glock
And we shot alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I shoot alone
I prefer to be by myself

The other day I ditched my classes
Went to the range to learn my lessons
Just me and my teach Colonel Colt
And his colleagues Smith and Wesson
And we shot alone, yeah
With nobody else
Yeah, you know when I shoot alone
I prefer to be by myself

(Apologies to George Thorogood)

 

[Kharn]

I shoot alone, but I open-carry my 1911 cocked and locked when I do so.

Kharn

 

[Mannlicher]

When I lived in North Fla, I went to the range with friends, or my son. Since moving to Miami 5 years back, I have not been shooting with anyone. I do a lot of range time, but it seems I am the only person there that speaks English.

 

[carebear]

I shoot alone, but I open-carry my 1911 cocked and locked when I do so.

You're another one who always has a loaded weapon on-body when shooting?

After reading that Platt and Mattix got many of their guns by killing plinkers in remote locations and then, of course, seeing what happened to Scott Glenn in Silverado I always keep a loaded weapon CCW'd at the range.

 

[krang]

I usually go solo. There's always great people at the range to talk to if I'm so inclined. Everyone is always checking out each other's guns and accessories. Like any other club, it's a social gathering place. Lots of laughs and nice people. A good place to unwind after a week of working.

 

[Old Fud]

What's the purpose of the trip?

I go alone when I want to focus on my shooting skills.

I go with friends/family when it's a social event.

Lately I've been averaging one of each a week.

Fud

 

[OH25shooter]

Well it looks like you got the popular answer. Most shooters go alone. I'm included in that group. I would suggest watching different shooters. Their stance, pointing the gun at the target, reloading, etc. You'll be able to tell who has firearms experience. Then when you see an open opportunity, simply approach him and ask if he would mind watching your style of shooting. Be open for suggestions. Good luck

 

[coltcarbine]

Look at it this way. If you go alone, that's more ammo for you.

 

[HI express]

Sometimes

My daughter is in her first year in college, so her time that she used to go with me is reserved for school. My work schedule is such that I am often off when everyone is working....so now I mostly go by myself.

In some ways I enjoy it because often there is only a few shooters so I can focus a lot on what I am trying to accomplish at that range session.

Now that I am hitting a lot of high stress in my office, I go to the range more often for stress relief. :banghead:

 

[jdseven1]

I go alone but I tell my wife where I will be a about what time I will return. Most of the time their will be someone shooting and as we have three ranges a 25 50 100 yard most of the time you have one of these alone. Only on the weekends it is buzy. We have trap shooting on weekends. Good time to go and shoot the breeze with the other members.

 

[landon74]

For the most part I go to the range alone, if my one shooting buddy can make it I'll have company. Pretty much every time I go I meet somebody new, usually with a 'Is that a ......?', or something such. Although the guys from THR DFW are starting to do some monthly shoots, so I hope to get to a bunch of them this year.

 

[cracked butt]

I joined a club when I moved to a new city when I got out of college. I'd say that 90% of the people in the club are in their 50s, 60s or older. I go to the range alone most of the time, unless I take a coworker or my wife along.

I've made some friends there, a couple of guys that are out there every day are in their 60s and 70s, Its fun BS'ing with them. I learned a lot from them, and learn something new every time I talk with them.

Also amde some friends my age going to pistol and service rifle events- these seem to attract people in their 30's and 40's the most.


I'm not a very socialable person, but I find it easier when around people with the same interests.

 

[ruger270man]

most of the time I prefer going alone.. no distractions, not helping others, more productive.

 

[macavada]

I go to the range alone most of the time. Once in a while, my co-worker or my dad will go with me. Usually, I'll have the pistol range to myself, or there will be another shooter there with me. Usually a winter Texan. I usually run into friendly people that do mind talking about what they're shooting that day. The winter Texans are especially friendly. The LEO's are a little more stand offish. The keep to themselves a little. I asked to borrow a multi-tool from one of them, and they were a little reluctant. It had never been used. I guess he didn't want me to scratch it up.

All in all, most of the people at the range are pretty friendly. Wish I could say the same about some of the gun shops.

I'm pretty mindful of my safety when I'm alone at the range, because I don't want to get hurt with no one around to get help. I'm just as mindful of my safety when someone is there with me because I don't want to hurt anyone else. Whatever the case, safety is always the number one concern.

 

[Walter]

I really prefer to be alone at the range. I get up at 'dark-thirty' to be the
first one there on a Saturday morning.
Since my military days, loud, unexpected "bangs" make me flinch. It is an
involuntary reflex. And once I start to flinch, I can't shoot worth a darn.
So I try to get my shooting in before the range gets busy.

Walter

 

[SapperLeader]

Going to the range solo, means great practice time, some zenlike concentration, and I usuaully go home feeling calm, relaxed and like I got some good practice time in.

Taking newshooters or fellow gun friends to the range means the opporunity to teach others, have someone critique your technique, and some awesome social range time.

Both have thier good points and bad points, both scenarios have me shooting ammo (always a great thing ). I usually like to alternate, one week I go solo, next week I find someone to go with me.