Holsters at the range?

[Edmond]

It was my understanding that gun ranges do not want you to use a holster. The gun stays on the table in the booth unless it is being fired.

I kind of deflated some guys hope today when I told him that. He wanted to get a holster (he actually needs to get a gun first) and I asked him why. He said, "So I can carry when I'm inside the range." I told that he couldn't; the range doesn't want non staff walking around with guns in holsters.

What about your range?

 

[joegerardi]

Here in Savannah, I go the a range that's run by The Dept. of Natural Resources. Holsters are fine, locked and loaded is fine. The only empty, racked, and pointing downrange pistols have to be on the tables.

It's quite common to see people in thigh holsters, IWB's paddles, etc. Of course, a lot of LEO's and military (the range is just 15 miles from Fort Stewart) are there, so I'd imagine that's why I see so many.

Kind of makes me want to get a thigh holster myself for my Loaded Operator!

..Joe

 

[Justin]

Depends on the range. I've been to some DNR ranges that won't allow you to work from the holster. Most of the private outdoor ranges I've been to don't have a problem with it.

 

[Chipperman]

Depends on the range. Some are fine with drawing and firing from leather, others are not.

 

[Kharn]

The Maryland DNR range I attend allows holstered pistols to remain loaded during cease-fires.

Kharn

 

[Chupacabra]

Yeah, it depends on the range.

At the one I go to, almost everyone has a holstered weapon. You just can't carry an unholstered weapon from the booth to the benches. You can even practice drawing and firing from a holster if you get the okay from the range master (just a safety check to make sure you know what you are doing).

 

[Standing Wolf]

No problem here.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

My current range, Dallas Pistol Club, not only allows holsters, but allows drills using holsters. In fact, they have several combat/practice bays where you can do IDPA sorts of drills, shooting on the move, etc. While there are portable tables, there is no fixing firing line in those bays and a holster is much more convenient than a table. It is easier and safer for a shooter to reholster and walk back to his gear to reload than to have the same person try to walk back and always keep the gun pointed down range.

At my old range, Collin County Gun Range, holsters were allowed although folks were not to be drawing from the holster for drills unless they had rented one of the combat bays.

 

[Majic]

Depends on the particular range. I've seen them on both sides of this fence.

 

[Warren]

No problem here.

Though all weapons that are to fired on the range come in the front doors of the shop unloaded and action open. This includes your carry piece if you intend to shoot it at that time.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Most of the places I've shot don't mind. The only one I've seen that had an official policy against holsters, (leo's exempted, of course) prominently posted and vigorously enforced never got a dime from me. In fact, the store didn't even SELL holsters, and the clerks actively dissuaded customers from buying them, for reasons of political correctness.

Sidebar: This store is owned by an NRA board member, but that's another whole story.

My general experience is such that there's really two sets of rules at the ranges. One for the unknowns and newbies, and another for those who demonstrate competent gunmanship. The classic example is that of "rapid fire". In places where sound isn't an issue, the management is generally more concerned about newbies spraying rounds randomly. If you're known to be a competent rapid fire shooter who can keep them on target, they tend not to complain. Similarly, they tend no to complain about holster work if it's clear by your actions and demeanor that you know what it is that you are doing.

And by the way, I consider holster practice to be CRITICAL for your carry piece. Handgunnery is subject to subtleties, and the holster usually introduces a few into the mix that are not present when shooting politely from a table.

 

[sendec]

Benching guns at public ranges scares me. I sure as heck wouldnt leave any firearm out of my immediate control at anytime, so I insist on holsters and slings for long guns.

 

[c_yeager]

I've never been to an (indoor) range around here that didnt allow carrying and even drawing and firing from holsters at least for members.