Newbies at the range

[Green]

Hone your skills as well

This is an instance where it doesn't matter how well or often you shoot, if you don't have experience teaching and introducing someone to the sport. Like all things, you need to research it and practice it.

I once had a math teacher that was an amazing mathematician, but none of his students could follow his lessons. The result was that an entire class was turned off of what could have been a very useful and — in other circumstances — straightforward subject. The reality? Struggling students who resented both teacher and subject.

The same is true for taking people to the range. I notice the mistakes that I made with my first guests, and how I'm getting better, quickly, with each new introduction. As I read the posts here, I thought of blunders I could have avoided, and regret that I couldn't have made some visits more enjoyable.

A good 'bedside manner' makes all the difference, sometimes.

Enjoy shooting, but don't forget that they may not be the only ones that have an opportunity to learn something new — we're all green when it comes to something. Learn to be a better teacher and friend with each visit, and we'll be able to enjoy our rights as shooters with more understanding and good company.

Green
PS:Great thread, and great site! I've just joined, and would like to say this is an excellent thread for the new and experienced shooter alike. Oh, and I'd like to compliment Pax on one of the best, most insightful posts I've seen regarding the subject. Thanks!

 

[Green]

an email may be helpful

I try to send out an email a week or so before a scheduled day at the range. Most of the time, I don't have time to meet up for a dry-fire session beforehand, so it gives me an opportunity to lay the safety and inventory groundwork. They can read it at their own leisure, and for some, it's a bit of an appetizer to the approaching event.

I've just added some new parts about safety, and have noticed that much of what has been said in this thread ended up in there in one form or another. I'm worried because it's long-winded, but I don't know what to leave out — please comment if you have any ideas on improvement.

My email is as follows:

Our day at the range is coming up soon, and I thought I'd send you some info to get you prepared. If you have any questions about what you can bring, would like to have, or about what you can expect, please let me know.

If it looks like we'll have a day of sun, bring lots of water to stay hydrated — it's possible to refill from the sink, or you can buy bottled water up there. There's no pop available, though. I find there's nothing like a cold Coke in the middle of the afternoon.

What to bring, and what to expect

• Rain or shine, we'll be outdoors all day, so dress appropriately. Although there are amenities/shelter, they will be rudimentary for most of where we'll be. We'll never be far from the car, though, so you don't have to lug everything with you.
  
• Wear comfortable shoes/hiking boots. We'll be outside on gravel, grass, and concrete. No open-toed shoes.
  
• A Thermos of (iced-)tea is sometimes a nice thing, and a bottle of water is good to sip at all day.
  
• Bring a hat/cap with a brim. A simple ball cap is preferable. Since we wear ear protection, I find it fits better.
  
• Bring a snack or some sandwiches for later in the day - there's a standard bacon, eggs, toast and hashbrowns breakfast, but after that, we're on our own.
  
• I'll take care of basic safety stuff - eye and ear protection, but if you have something you prefer, you're welcome to bring it. I'd stay away from cheap $3 sunglasses, but specific sporting sunglasses like Oakleys are fine. They're to be worn at all times, since you never know about chips of wood, or ejecting brass, etc.
  
• No loose clothing. I know, I know, that means no puffy shirts! It's not imperative, but I usually find it makes things easier. For safety, we tell women to have a close-necked top, since dancing around with hot brass down there is not fun (at least, not for the one involved).
  
• Guest fee is $10. I'll supply some ammo, but please bring cash for breakfast, and a little extra just in case, if you end up borrowing someone else's stuff... eg: someone may have a nice rifle to try, but at $1+ per shot, it's not a cost he or she can swallow of all the time. Pretty much everybody you ask would be happy to show or lend you stuff, as long as you ask nicely, and offer to pay for the ammo.

A few things about safety
I know most of what I might say in terms of safety might be obvious or common sense. Please don't take it as personal if I go over something you know already. I do so as much for my peace of mind, and to make sure that I don't miss anything.

There are four main rules regarding firearms that you must keep in mind at all times:

1. All firearms are loaded. No exceptions.
2. Never let the muzzle of a firearm point at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is behind it.

I'll expand on that at the range, but these four points should always be foremost.

I'll take you through the basics of clearing and loading/unloading any specific firearms you will use, before we start shooting.

If you aren't sure about something, don't be afraid to ask. There are basic similarities, but even firearms with very similar designs may have subtle variations.

If at any point you hear, "Cease fire" or if I ask you to stop what you're doing, just stop firing and stand still, don't turn around to see if anything is wrong. The main thing to remember is that if you're the one holding the gun, you have to make sure it points downrange at all times, and that you know what it's pointing at.

It may seem like a lot to deal with (and yes, in some cases, it is), but the main point is that we make sure we're safe, so we can relax and enjoy things while we're up there.

Cheers

 

[PeteRR]

The few times I've taken newbs to the outdoor range, I first sit them down on the tailgate of the truck and explain to them that a firearm can kill or seriously injure someone. This isn't a movie. You keep the pistol pointed down range, and you keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot. Usually I shoot the 1st magazine to give them confidence in me and the pistol. That it's not going to bite them in the normal course of operations. I stand 1 foot behind and 1 foot to the right of them, so I can observe their interaction with the weapon. Any unsafe handling is immediately corrected by talking into their right ear, in a reasonable tone of voice so they don't feel they are being humiliated in front of everybody.

I'm lucky that in our outdoor "pits" we can shoot at objects we bring as long as we clean them up. I prefer full cans of brand x soda.

Little or big, man or woman I prefer to start them out with my 1911 Longslide. It's heavy weight ensures reasonable recoil and immediate gratification as they hit their targets.

I've never had any problems with the people I've taken out for their first time. Knock on wood I guess. I like to take two people at a time. While one is shooting, the other is watching and loading his magazines to shoot.