Range Trips in the Rain?

[The_Shootist]

An obviously irrelevant question to those who use indoor ranges, but, how many make a trip to their outdoor ranges, rain or shine? I just ask this as when its raining I'm more inclined to stay home, but today for me is a day off.

As luck would have it, I can already hear thunder rumbling with dark grey skys, meaning some nasty thunderstorms rolling in. My range is well covered so, unless the rain starts driving under wind, I'll stay pretty dry. Just that I hate soggy targets/ground, wet benches, everyting damp etc.

Which admittedly kind of a lame excuse, because I'm sure not all the times you may have a self-defense situation on hand its not a cheerful, cloudless day. maybe I should go out, just for the experience, just like target practice in low light conditions.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Hm. And I used to hear stories from Marines who were glad that the weather was poor, preventing them from being detected.

 

[Pulse]

there is nothing better then coming home and and have your firearm weight 1 kilogram more from all the mud.

...just dont let the higher authority see you on your way in.

 

[bensdad]

When I was your age we were only allowed to shoot when it was raining. In fact, every time it started to rain, Dad would chase us outside and make us shoot.

Seriously though, I'll shoot in the rain once in a while for the very reason you already mentioned. I need to know I can do it.

 

[INSULATION TIM]

My outdoor range is covered over the shooter so I would shhot if it weren't a heavy driving rain. I suppose I would get a little wet going from the car to the line and then again walking out to post a target.....but at 61 I've learned that I'm not all that soluble.

In fact, I plan on going after leaving work today and it's been off and on rain with no sun for 2 complete days here.

 

[10-Ring]

I've only made a few trips to the rande in questionable weather -- once in the snow that was just plain foolish & a few times in the rain -- training & shiggles --
Not the best time, but it did help create a mindset of being able to function when conditions are not ideal

 

[41magsnub]

I go hunting and fishing in the rain and snow where my guns get wet. I don't go to my outdoor range in inclement weather just because it is less fun.

 

[rcmodel]

It's hard to keep targets stapled up when they get wet.

rc

 

[dat2]

I go duck hunting when it's raining, why not target shoot, I'll shoot from my back porch when it's raining

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Any one can be a fair weather shooter. I am glad that I have a few friends that are "braver" than that. It pretty much separates the REAL shooters from the weekend wannabe's.

 

[Ohm]

Rain and snow is the best time to go. No one else is there.
I can spend all the time I want picking up brass for guns I do not have.

 

[oldgold]

We used to shoot IDPA and NRA silhouettes at a local range year round. In seven years one match was canceled because of flooding and one because of heavy drifting snow.

The range had three covered ranges. One was enclosed and heated for the silhouettes.

We used plastic laundry bag covers over the IDPA targets. Buckets of clear water to rinse the mud off the silhouettes.

 

[CapnMac]

Been in the rain; have left my house in the rain to have it not be raining at the range.

My preferred range has covered lines, but they will shoo you off if their lightning detector goes off.

Only bad things are forgetting to have a poncho handy to pitch over the range bag & ammo, and over open rugs. That, and all the mud up by the target frames.

Good to remember to grab a couple sections of the newspaper for the floor boards of your ride, if it's been raining.

 

[HammerBite]

I used to belong to a club which held a revolver match each month, rain or shine. The "range" was one member's field with some target frames, nothing was covered. Attendance was always good at all the matches, even the rainy ones.

I got pretty good at drying out a K-38.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Got cancelled at Camp Perry one year at a 1000 yard match. Really ticked me off, as I had waited in the rain for 1.5 hrs, hoping to get an "advantage" over all the whiners. It seems that inclement weather bothers some people a lot, and interferes with their shooting. Wah! Just makes me hunker down, grin, and want to outshoot them MORE.

 

[WomenofCaliber]

I think you should go anyway. It's your day off, you should enjoy it! Target shooting is fun rain or shine!

 

[PTK]

I love shooting in the rain or snow. Makes me feel very happy.

 

[jbkebert]

Got cancelled at Camp Perry one year at a 1000 yard match. Really ticked me off, as I had waited in the rain for 1.5 hrs, hoping to get an "advantage" over all the whiners

Well its not camp perry but there is a 40 target 3-D archery shoot this weekend. Forcast is rain switching to snow with 6" possible accumulation. I can hardly wait to sling arrows in the rain. Wish the rifle range was open this weekend but its not. You can really tell the hunter crowd from the target crowd when its raining out. The target crowd is upset that its not bright sunny and perfect conditions. The hunter crowd is excited and ready to go the worse the better.

 

[CWL]

I don't make a point of it, but I don't change my plans if it happens to raining on a shooting trip.

Not that big of a deal.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Bully!! for the guys that don't change their plans!

 

[Hoxviii]

I specifically go when it's bitter cold or raining- it keeps the mall ninjas and neophytes away and allows me to get some quiet time in when evaluating loads or if I just want a nice, relaxing, slow paced target session.

 

[scythefwd]

I have, but not since basic. I learned that day that I am very sensitive to water in my eyes. Later I would find that my tear ducts don't work correctly and that they are sensitive to anything (including eye drops). I stay out of the rain now that I have the option.

 

[Rugby3]

2 out of my last three trips to the range have been in "downpour" conditions. The range does have covered stations so your truly not getting poured on while shooting, however the wind was driving it pretty hard. Spent the time knocking down the steel targets and enjoying the range all to ourselves. Weather isn't an issue for going shooting, neither is it for grilling

 

[chbrow10]

We shoot USPSA, rain or shine. I love it when the Open division shooters put that cute little gun cover over thier guns so the sights don't get wet. Apparently, when a red dot gets wet, there can be several red dots to aim with...

For me, it doesn't matter.

 

[Funderb]

I prefer the rain. Mostly because everyone else doesn't.