Do You Share Your Firearms at the Range?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Good publicity. If it weren't for this neighborly practice, we'd have many more people scared away from guns in general, either because we don't take the initiative to educate them, or they think shooting sports are full of meanies. I've never turned anyone down, but I've never been approached by any shady characters either. I generally keep a second gun on my hip while they're firing, all the same. IF you don't want rookies shooting your guns, please don't be a jerk about it. The old "I'm here to shoot, not talk to you!" stance will not win us any support in what is clearly a popularity contest (the US voters).
 
If they don't look like they're going to run away with it...

Watching someone try and operate a top-break Schofield replica can be the highlight of your day when they look for the ejector. (and don't want to admit defeat)

Besides, they may have something memorable to share as well.
 
Agree with javabum,nothing wrong with controlin who shoot's ur gun.And being particular.I kinda like my gunz lvein the range in the shape I brought'm in not scarred up cause bimbo dropped it.but by golly I was a good samaritian.Good samaritian is fine with some horse sense or as my GrandPa said with some savvy.And some people got no biz being at a range lot alone a ld'd gun in there hand.Sound's like 95% of you would let Ted bundy or Charlie Manson shoot ur gunz
Click to expand...

Not the case at all, mre.

If someone looks like an idiot, common sense is obviously applied. I've never had an issue, personally. The majority of my shares have been with rather polite gentlemen and ladies, with a large number of those trending towards me sharing with a new shooter who might just be sitting on the bench looking bored while their friends shoot.
 
No one has ever asked me, so I am not sure how I would react. Not sure if I would share my gun with someone on the range though. I guess I would have to make a sound judgment if I were to share.
 
There is 5 members of our church that belong to the same shooting club and we sponsor a mens night out and ladies night out. We give them a list of ammo to bring and safety rules for the range. If they don't have a gun we will loan them one. The 5 club members act as range officers and help the newbies out. After the shoot we get about 5 new shooters in our church. We do have the safest parking lot in Walled Lake MI.
 
Yep, after a few line breaks have happened and I've seen how they are and visited some.

Last Saturday I got to shoot a Rem. Model 8 (first time I'd actually seen one outside a picture) and reciprocated with a Marlin 1895G in 45-70. I always take a box of cast 'plinker' level reloads for that kind of swap, unless they want to get a full house round or two in. Like the guy who mentioned it earlier, I'll let someone young (or young at heart) run the Ruger Bearcat, especially if they seem a little recoil wary.

Met some alright people that way and had one guy (who was transferring back East) clue me in on his deer honey hole.
 
At Christmas a gentleman saw me watching as he was shooting his S&W 460 revolver. He offered to let me shoot it. I accepted with the fact I wanted to shoot one bullet only. It was great!! I hit the bullseye and handed it back to him. He stares at me and finally asked "How did you do that???" I replied that I had concentrated on ONE good shot. I then gave him some marksmanship tips. He was hitting on the target but two cylinders later he was shooting groups center mass. What a way to spend a day!! In turn we went to the rifle range section and shot my M-1 carbine. I never had so much fun!! I went home and my wife asked if I enjoyed myself at the range.
 
I love letting others try my toys. As long as I see they are safe around them, I sometimes ask them If theyd like to try it...when I see them eyeballing it.

Ive introduced many into the world of NFA this way, I get more from thier enjoyment than shooting my own stuff.
 
This should be the sport that gives back. I remember about 5 years ago a lot of nice older men at the range let a young teenager in college shoot a .50 caliber, .300 Weatherby Magnum, .223 National Match, Smith 52, etc. You get the point. I get a real kick out of returning that favor.

The really fun part is showing an uncle or father in law etc. That way you are not that "gun nut", but just a guy that is passionate about his hobbies and wants to share. Taking cousins is fun too, you know a whole younger generation is going out in the world learning a useful skill to pass on to their kids.
 
Absolutely.

However, I DO make them dry fire a few times prior to giving them ammo as my game gun triggers are tuned, and a bit on the...er..."light" side.

What I usually get from them in return is a stock firearm with a trigger that feels like one is dragging a grappling hook through a pile of gravel....

:D
 
The chicks get a chance. If they look like they are a good person I might share depending on what I had out there at the time.
 
Hello friends and neighbors // Yep, I sometimes ask experienced shooters to give me their opinion of a new firearm, the info is usually well worth the ammo.

I'm always up for helping a new shooter too, makes it safer for everyone, and I enjoy it.

In the no column;
I once told a fellow I was out of ammo for my 442 at the indoor range, he was wearing sunglasses and had obviously been drinking from the smell of his breath. Figured it was time to go, I don't much like late Saturday afternoons at the range anyway.

Shooting outside at the clay quarry a couple of rough fellows drove up and with beers in hand, asked to see my gun, time to go again. Now if we had talked for a bit while they brought out their guns to shoot things might have been different. I prefer not to mix booze, firearms and remote locations.
 
I was only asked one time and that was right after I ran out of ammo. I was shooting .40 and he had a .45 so nothing doing there.

I'm young(26) and I had an older gentleman let me shoot his VERY nice ruger with red dot, he also had a nice collection of sigs.

As long as I don't bear witness to them rapid firing obnoxiously and being unsafe I don't mind at all.
 
i share a few rounds with my friends and their friends at the range. my only unique weapon is an awc amphibian. most people get a kick out of the phhftt sound of popping a few. i have had others offer me the opportunity to shoot their m-16's and a belt fed hk 21--oh man!!:D
 
Yes - unless their behavior leads me to believe I shouldn't. Only other time I won't is when trying new handloads out.
 
Depends on what their guns look like and how they handle them. I'll loan a vehicle long before a firearm.
 
It may just be me but it seems imposible to take a Howda to any range without getting asked they can shoot it.
 
I'll do whatever I can to help out a "fellow shooter". Fellow shooter means non A-hole, not deranged or a safety issue. I have offered guys my guns if they have not shot a .22, 1911 or Garand etc. I don't expect anything in return, not even shooting their stuff.

I'm have sighted in a few rifles for people. Sometimes it is just providing the number of 'clicks' or spotting.

Something as simple as checking if everyone has their ears on before firing can go a long way.

I am a firm believer most people are good people. I don't mind taking the first step in being sociable.

Edit: I have never had anyone ask if they could shoot any of my guns.
 
Last edited:
Always. Crowd favourites are my MP5A3 with suppressor, Beretta CX4 Storm, and my 9mm's with suppressors. I got to shoot a CZ safari rifle is .375H&H and the first 1911 I've ever shot. Also got to play with a STI Edge one afternoon.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
Nice people at the range!
Replies
18
Views
2K
MAURICE
M
L
  • Locked
Share-n-Shoot
2
Replies
37
Views
1K
ChCx2744
ChCx2744
K
  • Locked
Storing Your Firearms at a Club or Range?
2
Replies
35
Views
10K
jman74
J
W
  • Locked
kid at the range, had to share
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
TheOtherOne
T
A
  • Locked
Opportunity to share the joys of firearms
Replies
9
Views
489
MattTheHat
M
Back
Top