Huge Pet Peeve

[Pyzon]

I agree with the OP that at the range that behavior and other unsafe stuff is seen every time I visit.

Imagine how tough it is for range staff to try and teach proper gun safety to first time shooters in the 2 minute time period when they are signing them up and taking their money. Is that enough to insure safety ? Hell no ! But at the same time, requiring customers to take a gun safety class before hitting the range is not realistic either. I am also surprised that ranges can find or afford liability coverage for such stupidity.

Something similar that is a big peeve of mine is how people at crowded gun shows walk around with stuff they bought or have to sell with no regard to what the barrel of their slung or carried long guns is sweeping as they wander down the aisles, and as at the range, with fingers inside the trigger guard to boot !

Last bitch I have about gun shows is the folks that came to sell privately that stand in the middle of the aisles shooting the breeze or showing their stuff to others without realizing they are blocking anyone else from moving in either direction. I am all for face to face buying and selling, but maybe the show organizers could provide a separate area for private face to face show and tell, off to the side and out of the aisles.

 

[BBQJOE]

I had an acquaintance sit down across from me at at table. He was dying to show me his gun. He ejected the mag, then He laid the gun down on the table pointed at me and racked the slide to clear it.

I didn't even have time to move.

Things happen quickly.

 

[Jim Watson]

I see pistols reloaded across the body all too often. What are they doing, looking for the operating instructions on the side of the gun?

A common fault in IDPA, arising out of crowding cover and not able to keep the muzzle down range.

 

[Rittmeister]

Shooting at a pay-by-the-hour public range I see some of this too, though not as much as I fear I will when I go.

To play devil's advocate: what about in a large and crowded gun shop? The range I mentioned is a big operation; they've got a long pistol counter (40-50 feet, maybe?) and on the other side of the store a matching long-gun area. Accessories in racks between, with the range counter at the back.

When I've asked to examine pistols in the case the employees have never failed to drop the mag and lock the slide back to verify an empty chamber (something I can't say of other shops in my area) but there's almost nowhere to point the muzzle that avoids sweeping someone in the store. I've never been there when there were fewer than 25 customers and they always seem to have about a dozen staff - like I said, big place.

I'm curious, is all. If I were running a counter my instinct would be to point it high to check the chamber and then when laying it down, to point it left/right so the customer can pick it up - but in this place, that's about impossible.

Thoughts?

 

[brickeyee]

A locked open action without a magazine or open cylinder with no ammunition is considered safe.

You are setting up paranoid conditions that would make it impossible to even touch a gun (let alone work on the thing).

 

[jeepnik]

Some years back, a range I frequented had some pretty graphic photos on the bulletin board. Seems a fellow held his 1911 close to his chest and racked the slide, with his finger on the trigger.

It was a good thing he was right handed cuz that left elbow was pretty much toast. No idea where the bullet went after it tore thru his arm, but I'm sure the fool wasn't too worried about it at the time.

 

[Dean1818]

Its critical with new shooters that we point out the problems.

If we are shooting with them.


I have also loudly given my opinion to people I dont know.

Some get P. O. ed at me...... I do try to be respectful

Injuries at the range puts ALL of us in a bad light.

 

[j1]

The moratorium is a very wise move.

 

[madsend81]

I just turn my torso when racking the slide to keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. It's not rocket science.

You're right, it's not rocket science, but for many new shooters, especially those who have not had basic firearm training, it's also not instinctive.

With many people entering the sport for the first time, it would be wise to politely remind them of the 4 rules and even perhaps offer to show them how to safely rack the slide. Otherwise, you can always inform an RSO and allow them to handle the situation (it is part of their job).

 

[Ledgehammer]

You don't have to turn your whole body to rack the slide forward. I can honestly say I've never turned the gun sideways to slingshot and I use the overhand method. Why would anybody need to turn sideways??? I'm not saying I'm perfect - i just can't wrap my mind around this one.

 

[David E]

You don't have to turn your whole body to rack the slide. Why would anybody need to turn sideways???

I'd rather they turned sideways, thereby keeping the muzzle pointed down range, than break the 180 and point it at everyone down the firing line.

But I'm funny that way.

 

[au_prospector]

The sideways-point is the most natural way to rack a slide with the "overhand" grip that is currently in vogue. Never happens with the thumb-and-forefinger pinch/slingshot method.

THIS. I was trying to figure out what the heck this post was about until I got to this comment. I use the pinch slingshot method. This is how I was taught in the military and I still do it this way.

 

[JoePfeiffer]

I'll have to check to see if I do that next time I'm at the range...

sent using CPIP (see RFC 1149)

 

[Dean1818]

I'll have to check to see if I do that next time I'm at the range...

sent using CPIP (see RFC 1149)

I see probably 30 percent of shooters do the "point left" rack.....

Its amazing more problems dont occur...... The only thing saving the guy on the left of the shooter is the "racker" not having his finger on the trigger

Watch next time...... You will be amazed how many people do it

 

[Ledgehammer]

I'd rather they turned sideways, thereby keeping the muzzle pointed down range, than break the 180 and point it at everyone down the firing line.

I understand. What I'm saying is I can easily keep the muzzle pointed down range without turning sideways to rack the slide.

 

[gspn]

That's not a pet peeve...it is a major safety violation. Pointing the muzzle of the gun at all the shooters on the firing line should get you some serious negative feedback from the operators of the range.

I make a point to teach that to everyone I introduce to shooting. Just because you can't see the person to your left doesn't mean they aren't there and that you can't kill them "accidentally".

I'm also shocked at how many holes are in the ceiling of the range...what the heck?