gun noise and indoor range etiquette

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SpeedAKL

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I have been shooting a lot indoors recently, as I sadly am a long way from outdoor ranges at the moment.

Gun blast noise is obviously amplified indoors. Depending on the range, it can be amplified in a big way. The ranges I go to allow centerfire rifles. I remember one time when I walked in, everyone was shooting pistols. My friend and I lined up at our lanes and set off a Mosin M44 and a AR-15 basically at once; a few seconds later an M1 Garand and a FAL Para Carbine went off at the same time. About half the room stopped shooting.

Do you find it rude when other shooters touch off very loud/powerful guns indoors? The NRA range where I shoot often allows everything up through .460 Weatherby. Imagine if that went off in the lane next to you!
 
Nope, sometimes it can get the "rowdy" ones to shut up. Let me explain:

I was at the range one time and some wanna-be "Gangstas" came and started shooting there 9mm Glock. The whole time they were yelling ignorant things such as "2 in tha chest one in the head" then the other one would fire and yell "Look at that boy, got him right in tha head" along with arguing with each other about who's turn it was next.
So I'm about 3 lanes over shooting .38's out of my S&W model 66 and those guy's were getting on my nerves, so I load up a cylinder of American Eagle .357 JSP's and touch two off within a second of each other. The ENTIRE range goes silent and I heard one of them say "Damn boy's got a cannon over there". They shut up for a good 10 minutes after that but then start up again. Thankfully the RO steps in and ask them to leave.

So yeah, I see nothing wrong with firing loud guns indoors. After all it is a firing range and guns do make noise :rolleyes: .
 
If that caliber is allowed at the range, I don't see it as rude. If someone is offended by loud noises, the gun range probably isn't the place to be.
 
The reason I ask is because I've seen lots of people complain about it, both in magazines and on the Internet. The biggest complaint is that they can't focus on making a good shot when their brains are rattled by the mega-magnum that goes off next to them. To which I say concentrate some more: learning to make good shots under adversity will make you a better shooter:).
 
If the range allows the use of rifles, they've made the conscious decision to do so and yours is wether or not to continue there.

There is a point at which any hearing protection is incapable of 100% protection.

I like to warn people next to me I'm about to shoot a large caliber pistol but I do it politely without interrupting them. Up to now it seems like it's appreciated. I try and treat people the same way I would like.
 
My local range separates rifles on one side of the range, pistols on the other (there's a solid wall/door separating the two). Only problem for me is that the pistol side maxes out at 15 yards, while the rifle side goes out to 25 yards.

Ah well.

If I get parked next to guy sighting in his new .460 Weatherby, while I want to hone my trigger-control using my little .22 target pistol, I just ask the guy behind the front desk to move me down a few stalls.
 
I can't say that it doesn't get my attention, but it doesn't bother me at all. I've been the loud gun on occasion.
 
If I've paid my dues and the caliber is allowed, I'm going to be shooting it there. If possible I like to avoid setting right next to someone if I'm going to be shooting anything large. My main problem is I never bring enough ammo; once I let one off of anything that makes more noise than a 9mm or 45 everyone else wants to try.
 
Firing two mags from an AK got me yelled at by an RSO at the NRA range for making too much noise.

I'm pretty sure Tommy Tactical, with electronic muffs, shooting "double-taps," or some such, with an AR carbine on a nearby lane complained on me.

Tommy needs to get the stick out of his six, and double-up his hearing protection.
 
Mag dumps at my local indoor range end up in you being asked to stop and then asked to leave if you continue. I don't have a problem with it myself, it has something to do with the plates at the end of the range being knocked out of place.
 
While I admit every now and then it will rattle me, but I just firgure it's a good thing to practice a little rattled every now and then. After all it may be necessary some time.
 
I'll assume that you're wearing muffs over plugs. One of the problems with indoor ranges isn't that the noise is amplified, it just has no where else to go and reflects within the range. A range that allows rifle or shotgun fire should install noise absorbing panels because of the higher noise levels from them. Outdoor ranges have no such need because the noise radiates away without reflection. European ranges can be found that have what amounts to a "whole gun" suppressor to shoot through (think large cylinder lined with sound absorbing material).
 
I almost never double up when shooting - I wear muffs indoors and plugs outdoors. Do most of you guys wear both at once?
 
Is that policy posted somewhere?
Click to expand...

At my range? Yes, all the rules are posted on the door leading into the staging area - you can't not see them going in. Plus, each time you go to shoot you have to sign the roster paper, first printing your name and then signing that you agree to the range rules.

Even if they weren't posted, they can make up any silly rule they want on the spot and if you don't follow it they can ask you to leave, private property and all.
 
It's not rude if you're following the rules. That said, I always wear both plugs and muffs indoors or out, and I probably wouldn't go to an indoor range that allowed magnum handgun calibers or rifle calibers. My hearing is still good enough that it hurts to have a magnum handgun or high-power rifle in the next bay, even with double protection.
 
I don't find magnum handguns to be loud myself but that's just me. I fire my .357 Mag all the time, doesn't seem to bother anyone, doesn't bother me.

The only ear protection I wear are basic rubber plugs (Winchester) from Wally World, they're about $2.00. If they are seated correctly they do their job fine.

If I wear muffs over the plugs I can't hear the announcement speaker if an announcement is made, and missing a ceasefire announcement will get you yelled at.
 
I frequent an indoor range that allows big centerfire rifles.

I make sure everyone has their ears on if there has been a lull in the shooting. If somebody is about to do something that warrants me waiting on a shot I will. Other than that I shoot.

Same thing goes for not interrupting anybody by talking to them.

Any centerfire rifle tends to be loud. Some seem to have more pressure behind them. I have gotten out of the indoor range while some body shot something I wasn't up to hearing at the time.

In general I treat everybody at least as well I would like to be treated.
 
Here's my story with big bang machines.

I was at my local indoor range on a Saturday afternoon. This indoor range does not allow centerfire rifles, so the loudest is like a 44 magnum. It has a 25 or 35 yard range and about 22 lanes. This range is open to the public and is very busy. I was there with a lady friend of mine and teaching her how to shoot with my HK USPc 9mm and my HK USP 45.

I know one of the guys that works there part time. On this crowded Saturday, some of the lanes were occupied by 'couples' (guys and girls), some by groups of guys (all types) and some guys by themselves. The guys by themselves looked like the serious type. They were there to practice. The couples were there to instruct their partners. The groups of guys were there to shoot fast and wild. Usually, I want a end lane so that I only have to focus my attention of the other people one way, but as busy as it was, I got a middle lane. Number 12 of 22. So I place my bag on the rear bench, take out my pistols, place them on the shooting bench, take out mags and ammo and place them on the shooting bench. My friend is trying to adjust to the noise levels as about 18 of the 22 lanes are active.

After showing her the basics and safety, I load two rounds and tell her to shoot. No target up yet, but just want her to get the feel of recoil, trigger pressure, etc. She does fine. After about 45 minutes, she is comfortable enough to load mags, load gun, and shoot. So I'm standing behind her and loading mags for her. Like all of you, I can load mags without looking at them. So, I use this opportunity to look around. The group of guys are still unloading as fast as they can and are happy with any body shot on a silhouette at 5 yards. Doing the side ways gangsta grip, the one handed grip, the draw from their waistband, etc etc.

So the guy I know comes to me with this big ass gun and 5 rounds. It turns out to be the S&W 500. I'm just looking at it saying "where does it mount to the tank" He says, "go ahead and try it, but you have keep your head back as far as possible cuz it spits". I load all 5 rounds. I take a stance and lean forward, a lot. The first shot, I wanted DA, so i'm pulling the trigger and BOOM. The noise surprised even me and I was expecting it. I cock the hammer for the 2nd and 3rd shots. So it was 3 shots within 4 secs. it was funny, cuz all i could hear is *** was that? :what: :eek: :confused: Everyone stopped. Everyone. For the last two shots, I tried to aim at my target and squeeze. BANG.........BANG. No one shot for the next 4 min cause they were all around my lane. At least the guys were. The girls decided to leave the range and wait in the shop. I had this smile and just went on showing my friend how to shoot.
 
SpeedAKL "Do most of you guys wear both at once?"

I do. It just adds an extra level of protection if the muffs leak.
 
The shock wave from a S&W 500 fired indoors can cause physical pain and will damage your eyes if you're too close - even if you're wearing glasses.

SpeedAKL
gun noise and indoor range etiquette
I have been shooting a lot indoors recently, as I sadly am a long way from outdoor ranges at the moment.

Gun blast noise is obviously amplified indoors. Depending on the range, it can be amplified in a big way. The ranges I go to allow centerfire rifles. I remember one time when I walked in, everyone was shooting pistols. My friend and I lined up at our lanes and set off a Mosin M44 and a AR-15 basically at once; a few seconds later an M1 Garand and a FAL Para Carbine went off at the same time. About half the room stopped shooting.

Do you find it rude when other shooters touch off very loud/powerful guns indoors? The NRA range where I shoot often allows everything up through .460 Weatherby. Imagine if that went off in the lane next to you!
Click to expand...
 
Do most of you guys wear both at once?
Click to expand...

Yes, we have whole threads about doubling up and wearing all the hearing pro you can. If it's too loud you're not wearing enough hearing pro.
 
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