Range Rules & Etiquette

[The Tennessean]

The range bag thread sort of got me thinking about this. A lot of folks bring a heap of gear with them to the range, that's their own personal choice and I'm not going to judge them on it. That said, I've see a lot of people at the range over the years performing surgery on their guns, covering people and just generally being careless which all make me nervous.

My local indoor pistol range has some strict rules compared to a lot of ranges that I've been to but I rather like them. They aren't overly complicated but I feel like they provide a more "professional" environment if that makes sense.

The big rules are:

• Holsters are required for carrying your pistol from the staging area to the firing line.

• All loading and unloading of guns is done at the firing line.

• No loaded guns are allowed in the staging area (loading magazines or speed loaders ok).

• Guns must be holstered when not at the staging area or the firing line (ie, you're not shooting or staging equipment, but you're inside the range waiting to shoot).

• Non-shooters are not allowed inside the staging area or at the firing line.

Like I said, I like these rules a lot. I've seen a bunch of folks show up and be told they can't shoot because they don't have a holster. I've seen people be asked to leave because they loaded their gun at the staging area, then carried it to the firing line, often covering people along the way. I've seen people walking around in the observation areas with loaded and un-holstered guns. All these things make me nervous. Luckily the range I go to most often does a great job of policing shooters and keeping everyone safe.

 

[deadin]

Holstered?? or Cased? My target pistol with a red dot sight won't fit in a holster. Beside's I don't have or desire to have a holster for every pistol I own.

 

[The Tennessean]

I don't think there is a problem with it being cased but I haven't seen to many people doing it really. The distance from the staging area to the firing line is like 15 feet (at this particular range).

 

[mrokern]

To me, it should be a standard rule on every range that you don't handle a gun anywhere except at the firing line. If you bring a weapon back to the table at any of the indoor ranges around here, you're gonna get tossed on your ear right out the door by range staff, and that's if another shooter doesn't scream at you first.

I'm shocked that there are ranges that run otherwise.

Case and uncase (or holster and unholster) only at the firing line. There is ZERO reason to be messing with a firearm at the loading table.

-Mark

 

[jnyork]

Doesnt make much sense to have a gun case up on the firing line to me, where do you put it that people dont trip over it? I guess if you had a place on the bench to stand it up it would be OK, if it's on the bench it is in the way of your rest, spotting scope, etc.
Also, what is a "loading table" at our range you WILL NOT load until you are on the firing line.

My worst pet peeve is the idiots that handle their firearms when people are downrange setting targets, or just want to put the safety on instead of dropping the mag and locking the bolt back when people want to go downrange.

 

[EddieNFL]

All good rules. How 'bout etiquette? My biggest pet peeve is unsolicited comments.

If I don't know you, I really don't care...

1) that you believe "real" handguns don't have magazines.
2) that you believe no one needs anything besides a .38 special, 12 gauge pump and a "thurty-thurty."
3) what handload you think works best in my gun.
4) that you believe only Colt makes a real 1911.
5) that you believe AR15s have no purpose outside the military.
6) that you think it's stupid to pay X dollars for any gun.
7) that you once shot an elk at 873 yards with your "ought-six."
8) that you can load 1,000 rounds per hour on your Lee and it cost much less than my machine.
9) that your .45 GAP can hit a man sized silhouette at 380 yards...without hold-over.
10) that you believe it's impossible to conceal a 1911.

 

[The Tennessean]

For me the "loading table" or "staging area" is where you set down all your gear when you arrive at the range, load magazines and speed loaders (NOT the gun), put your holster on, remove your gun from its case and place it in holster, put magazines and speed loaders into pouches, get your targets out, etc, etc. It is definitely NOT a place to perform surgery on your gun or load your gun, all gun loading should be done at the firing line, surgery should be done at home or in the shop by the smith.

 

[The Tennessean]

All good rules. How 'bout etiquette? My biggest pet peeve is unsolicited comments.

If I don't know you, I really don't care...

1) that you believe "real" handguns don't have magazines.
2) that you believe no one needs anything besides a .38 special, 12 gauge pump and a "thurty-thurty."
3) what handload you think works best in my gun.
4) that you believe only Colt makes a real 1911.
5) that you believe AR15s have no purpose outside the military.
6) that you think it's stupid to pay X dollars for any gun.
7) that you once shot an elk at 873 yards with your "ought-six."
8) that you can load 1,000 rounds per hour on your Lee and it cost much less than my machine.
9) that your .45 GAP can hit a man sized silhouette at 380 yards...without hold-over.
10) that you believe it's impossible to conceal a 1911.

Good list, I like those.

I'll add one.

• Don't ask me to shoot my gun. If I chit chat with you and see that you're interested I may OFFER to let you shoot it. Do not walk up to me without introducing yourself and ASK to shoot my gun.

 

[EddieNFL]

Good one, Tennessee.

Also, don't give me a handful of you loads to try in my gun. It will prove embarrassing.

 

[mrokern]

For me the "loading table" or "staging area" is where you set down all your gear when you arrive at the range, load magazines and speed loaders (NOT the gun), put your holster on, remove your gun from its case and place it in holster, put magazines and speed loaders into pouches, get your targets out, etc, etc. It is definitely NOT a place to perform surgery on your gun or load your gun, all gun loading should be done at the firing line, surgery should be done at home or in the shop by the smith.

Spot on!

Range rules around here are simple. Take the cased gun to the line, uncase the weapon, take the empty case back to the rest of your gear at the table. Or for those of us who carry, unholster at the line, reholster at the line. Indoor ranges around here don't allow holster work unless you are a LEO or in a class banghead...but at least some outdoor ones do.

 

[shockwave]

Range rules around here are simple. Take the cased gun to the line, uncase the weapon, take the empty case back to the rest of your gear at the table. Or for those of us who carry, unholster at the line, reholster at the line.

After some research, I've found my new "home range" in my town. Massive layout with some 15 different range setups, all outdoors, with a mix of covered and uncovered setups. The rules are pretty much those above. All guns must be cased or holstered to the firing line, and no loading of weapons except at the line. It's a good safety protocol and they're strict on the hot line/cold line bit.

 

[aerod1]

Gosh, when I go to the range I have my guns in my range case, wrapped in purple Crown Royal bags!

 

[~SG~]

All good rules. How 'bout etiquette? My biggest pet peeve is unsolicited comments.

If I don't know you, I really don't care...

1) that you believe "real" handguns don't have magazines.
2) that you believe no one needs anything besides a .38 special, 12 gauge pump and a "thurty-thurty."
3) what handload you think works best in my gun.
4) that you believe only Colt makes a real 1911.
5) that you believe AR15s have no purpose outside the military.
6) that you think it's stupid to pay X dollars for any gun.
7) that you once shot an elk at 873 yards with your "ought-six."
8) that you can load 1,000 rounds per hour on your Lee and it cost much less than my machine.
9) that your .45 GAP can hit a man sized silhouette at 380 yards...without hold-over.
10) that you believe it's impossible to conceal a 1911.

oh my and I thought people were annoying at indoor archery ranges.............
how often do you run into people like that??

 

[EddieNFL]

oh my and I thought people were annoying at indoor archery ranges.............
how often do you run into people like that??

Not terribly often. Those are remarks I've heard over several decades.

I could write a book based on things I've heard. Most recently, "You have to look at where you want the bullet to hit; if you look at the sights, you'll miss."

 

[stonecutter2]

I've been very lucky and haven't met any of these careless/nosy folks at the range where i go. it's an indoor range, and their only rule is no steel cased bullets (i'm guessing because they can't sell them to make money).

I've always loaded up my mags at the table, then walked to my lane where my gun sits, unloaded. At the firing line, I load and make sure the shooting area is clear. We have those automated garage door-type mechanisms that let you pull your target to you, or send them away...keeps the shooting area clear, but always good to check where you're about to shoot.

I can see the value in holstering a weapon when not shooting, but Illinois has a no open carry law, so i don't know if holstering in there constitutes open carry? There are no signs indicating how to act in there, but i've always just did as I said above - weapon stays on the bench, cleared, mags loaded at the table behind me. Revolvers get reloaded at the bench, or left with cylinder open on the bench.

 

[smoking357]

I've seen a bunch of folks show up and be told they can't shoot because they don't have a holster.

That's ridiculous. Serious shooters don't show up to a range with a holster, and a competition gun doesn't even fit in a holster.


From Larry's Guns
Your price: $2,500
Springfield 1911-A1 .45 Cal. Condition is 98%+. This pistol has been recently refurbished by Mike Curtis and once belonged to a many-time Civilian National Champion. Includes mount and used UltraDot sight.



Another nice piece:



Here's what a serious shooter brings to the range:

There's a spotting scope in that aluminum arm.

 

[EddieNFL]

That's ridiculous. Serious shooters don't show up to a range with a holster, and a competition gun doesn't even fit in a holster.

That's a pretty broad brush. Unless a rifle match, I almost always show up with a holster. Many of my competition handguns fit holsters, even those with optics. Shot a competition Sunday; had to use a holster.

 

[smoking357]

That's a pretty broad brush. Unless a rifle match, I almost always show up with a holster. Many of my competition handguns fit holsters, even those with optics. Shot a competition Sunday; had to use a holster.

If you shot a competition, you'd have to use at least two holsters, since the match is called "three gun" or 2700.

Find a holster for this. It's just under 19" long. Further, if you told a shooter that they had to holster this gun, they'd walk off your line. No shooter wants to wreck his gun to comply with a silly range requirement, especially since the pistol box sets to the shooter's side the entire match.

Competition guns are cased, not holstered.

 

[zombieoutfitters]

Range "rules"

Being in Massachusetts we have some pretty tough rules and are used to restrictions. As such our ranges are governed by codes of conduct, and most ranges "test" you before issuing a key. MOST folks (95%) follow them very well.

I agree with those rules you posted, in theory...but they are not 100% practical in some instances. Custom guns and long guns most notably for exceptions. If there is gonna be an AD then I want it at the firing line, not behind me as the shooter fiddles with a LOADED gun. That said, I do believe UNLOADED gun handling behind the firing line can be done and in some cases must be done...but should be done responsibly and have well posted rules that are followed.

Even when we go to Maine and shoot in fields and pits the guns are staged at the tailgate and everyone follows well-communicated procedures to and from the firing line. Anyone not firing remains well behind. In these cases where no "table" exists at the firing line there are loaded firearms being carried from staging to firing line...but with constant supervision.

Common sense...a tricky and illusive animal some times!

 

[EddieNFL]

If you shot a competition, you'd have to use at least two holsters, since the match is called "three gun" or 2700

.

You lost me there. The three-gun competition I'm familiar with requires the use of one handgun, one shotgun and one rifle, so one holster and two slings. The only 2700 matches I'm familiar with don't require holsters.

Competition guns are cased, not holstered.

Mine are cased when not in a holster.

 

[zombieoutfitters]

To me, it should be a standard rule on every range that you don't handle a gun anywhere except at the firing line. If you bring a weapon back to the table at any of the indoor ranges around here, you're gonna get tossed on your ear right out the door by range staff, and that's if another shooter doesn't scream at you first.

I'm shocked that there are ranges that run otherwise.

Case and uncase (or holster and unholster) only at the firing line. There is ZERO reason to be messing with a firearm at the loading table.

-Mark

That can be impractical at most ranges. All firing lines I have ever been on gave each shooter a maximum of 3' x 3' of space, most with walls to the left and right. There is no way to safely un case a rifle from a hard case that contains multiple other firearms in those circumstances. Speaking from experience at MY ranges...some ranges may offer more table space. The rare occasions I have encountered this, I use the space to avoid any handling off the firing line.

 

[ar10]

My pet peeve is very few shooters know what the discharge bucket is for, even though it has a big sign on it "Don't throw your trash in the bucket".
When shooters come on the range while I'm working I ask everyone of them if their weapons are loaded. If they are I escort the out the door and explain the rules and make them unload in discharge bucket.
Here only RSO's, training instructors and the people inside the range office carry a loaded gun.

 

[The Tennessean]

I don't know any or have ever seen any "serious competition shooters" who are spending time at public ranges inside corner guns stores.

 

[ljnowell]

Competition guns are cased, not holstered.

Go and try to shoot IDPA or IPSC with a competition gun without a holster. I am sure they will get a kick out of that.

 

[smoking357]

Go and try to shoot IDPA or IPSC with a competition gun without a holster. I am sure they will get a kick out of that.

IDPA = I Don't Practice Anymore

No, thanks.