Letting Strangers Shoot My Shotgun

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bushmaster1313

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I took my Iver Johnson Supertrap to the trap range two weeks ago and its uniqueness caused a bit of a stir.

I let anyone with an extra shell take a shot.

Imagine that, telling a person you never met before: "Here, go ahead, shoot my gun."

Shooting is a great sport.

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I wished i had a $1 for every box or handfull of .22lr ammo i gave away at the range this year. Most always try and pay me, But i like to see other shooters have a better time at the range when their ammo they brought sucks and i can help with sometimes 3-4 different types for them to try.

Sharing is caring.
BTW sweet scatter gun!
 
At the Manchester Firing line, I've gotten a few questions about my Remington or Mossberg pump guns. I've always been willing to let a stranger shoot my guns if they're nice, and seem to know the rules.

I've even let a few people try my carry piece, and in turn, they let me fire theirs. It's always fun to shoot a new gun :)
 
I had a nice opportunity to give a young lady a first time shot at a firearm, ended up being my AR-15, I went home proud to have enlightened another person into the world of shooting!
 
I collect M-1 Carbines, I don't take them every time I visit the range, but I do on a fairly regular basis, at least one of them. Even some of the older shooters have never seen one, granted older vets have. I can count on every time I take one along, it's the hit of the range, with young and old wanting to try it out.

The ammo isn't the most expensive, but it's far from cheap. But the look of pure joy from these folks when they grab it up and squeeze off a few rounds is well worth the cost of ammo to me.

I hit the range usually every other week, rarely by myself. My son and grandson usually go with me. If I go alone, I may shoot through a box of ammo, when they're along likely 3-4 boxes. And those times out, I shoot less than when I go alone. But I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching them shoot and offering advice to help them get better.

Introducing the next generation to the sport is the only way we'll see it continue. I'm trying my best to leave a love for shooting with as many people as I can.
 
Just last weekend I gave away about 200 rounds between my ar and my remmington 700 in 30-06.
But on the bright side I have sucsessfully hooked two more people into gun ownership and enjoying our shooting sports. So at the end of the day it was well worth it
 
Geesuz that's a pretty shotgun.
"...go ahead, shoot my gun..." Wouldn't think twice about it. It's the nature of shooters to spread the wealth. While sharing is communism, generosity is not. It's just what shooters do. It's really about guys showing off their toys, but it's still what shooter's do. Help the new guy by letting 'em shoot your stuff with your ammo.
"...anyone with an extra shell..." That I wouldn't do. My ammo only. You have no idea what they have.
"...it's far from cheap..." Reload. Speer 110 grain HP's with IMR4227 works extremely well.
"...Introducing the next generation to the sport is the only way we'll see it continue..." Absolutely.
 
a lot of my rifles are unique and ammo for some of them aint cheap but i still offer the rifle and a couple rounds to anyone at the range that want to put a few down range.
a couple of months ago there was a group of boyscouts at the range shooting. i let them each put two rounds from my 10,75x68mm down range to the tune of around $150.
the smiles on their faces afterwards was worth the money
 
I had a fellow ask me if he could shoot my Kel-Tec P-11 one day. "Sure," I replied. When he was finished he asked if I'd like to shoot what he'd bought that day. "Sure, I would."

He opened his range bag and pulled out an MP-5. :D
 
I was a the range...Cheatham Co. WMA...the guy to my left had a .303 Enfield and I was shooting my .30 carbine. He had never shot a carbine and I had never tried the Enfield. We swapped for a few rounds. I now own a .303...I don't know if has a .30. Makes for a great afternoon.

Mark
 
Lol sweet gun. I got one very close to it from my great grandfather. What types of ranges do you go to? I generally shoot at an indoor one (mainly because it is only 5 miles away), and you rarely get folks checking out any gun or chatting at all.

Maybe at the desk but not once in the range itself. The only time I really did was my grandfathers old 22 I got. The guy behind the counter really wanted to run out there and shoot it with me.
 
This is normal behavior for enthusiasts in any field. Be it guitars, fly rods, tennis rackets, metal detectors, skate boards, you name it, we like to show off our toys to those who appreciate them. We also enjoy watching others enjoy what we enjoy.

"Here try mine."
 
If i notice someone checking out one of my guns, i always offer them the ability to shoot and i'll supply the mag of ammo or whatever.

Guns of mine that usually get passed around are my Steyr M9's, HK P7M8, STI 6" 9mm Trojan, Fusion T-Comm

those are the ones i take out on a usual basis that turn quite a few heads.

JOe
 
I was shooting my scoped 10/22 (among other guns) at the range last week, and a newbie was at the next booth being introduced to shooting by a friend with a Soviet Nagant rifle. After a little while, I offered to let any of them (it was actually two couples, one of which was inexperienced) shoot either of my 22s to "wind down" after their bigger guns. I didn't have enough 9mm or 380ACP ammo left over to let them shoot my other guns, but I had gobs of 22 stuff.
I loaded up about 15 rounds into the 10/22, and the first guy to shoot it apparently didn't catch that it is not a bolt-action, like the Nagant, and I caught him racking the bolt after each of the first couple of shots, dumping a live round each time. He did indeed enjoy the semi-automatic action once he got used to it. His friend (the one with the Nagant) also took some time with the Ruger, and commented on how well the scope was dialed in. I told him I had actually never gotten around to sighting it, and that was why I'd brought the gun that day, but I had noticed it was already spot-on. Both shooters also took some turns with my other Ruger, the Mark-II pistol. The girls declined. I got to put a few rounds through the Nagant, too. Now that I think of it, the new guy shooter had a C9 Hi-Point, and I wish I'd asked to try it..
Yep, it's a great sport, and usually brings out good-hearted people..
 
It's always a pleasure letting someone shoot one of my guns that intrigues them. I'm amazed how many people frequent my range that are so drawn to my model 92 lever guns.

I'm more than happy to let someone shoot a few of my handloads if it makes their day. Small price to pay for maintaining the spirit of the sport.
 
I'll let anyone who seems halfway to normal shoot any of my guns when at the range except my carry piece. I never let anyone but my old lady fool with what I carry IWB.:)
 
I think guns are very personal, none of mine are off the shelf. Each one has been modified to fit my taste and feel, how ever slight. And I don't like using someone elses either. I have been offered to use others, but have declined.
I am weird I guess.
 
I think guns are very personal, none of mine are off the shelf. Each one has been modified to fit my taste and feel, how ever slight. And I don't like using someone elses either. I have been offered to use others, but have declined.
I am weird I guess.
Click to expand...

Not wierd at all.

But I think you are missing out on the fun of sharing quality guns with others.
 
I don't mind sharing most of my gun, under my supervision, by someone that I have observed used safe practices and brought their own guns. I do have some that are, thanks but no, not this one, most of these are pristine WWI or 2 pieces or not something for the uninitiated to try to plink on, I don't think 'magnum nose' is funny.
 
I've never had the opportunity to let a stranger try any of mine, I'm usually alone or with the grandson when I'm shooting. But I'll never forget the time I was "the stranger", and this generous soul offered me his AR-50 and three Armor Piercing rounds at his steel plate 600 yards away. I hadn't fired a large rifle in many, many years, and only a few times at that, and never a .50, but I hit that 18"x18" plate all three times! I doubt I'll ever own a .50, but since then I've dived headlong back into shooting and collecting.
 
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