Share-n-Shoot

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lizziedog1

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Do any of you guys share gun shooting with you go to the range? I mean do you offer others to shoot your guns in exchange for shooting their guns, espicaly if they have something interesting?

If I see someone shooting something that I have always wanted to try, I first offer them an opportunity to shoot my firearm. I hope they offer me the same chance.

I have been able to shoot some neat guns this way.

One time a gentleman let me fire a magazine full of rounds through his fifty caliber Desert Eagle. That was an experience. My wife stood behind me as I shot the gun. She said that with each round fired she could feal a shock wave hit her.

The recoil wasn't that bad, except the gun had a wierd twist in its kick.

Another time I got to shoot this fellow's 378 Weatherby Magnum. It had a brake and very cushy recoil pad on it. But, to be honest, when he handed me a round I was a bit nervous. I fired two rounds and survived.

What unusual guns have you got to shoot at a range by being nice?
 
Heck yes we shoot everything we bring to the range, & I mean everything. There will be 4, 5, or 6 of us & we all bring at least 2 or 3 & we all shoot everything..........
 
I am in this hobby primarily to share it with others. Exposing newbs to new things is way more fun than just sitting in a corner by yourself.
 
I am always open to sharing what I bring, even when alone, with anyone that shows an interest.

What better way to pass the time with other people that share the love.
 
This is a great post. I belong (along with my family) to the Ukiah Gun Club and we make it a point to offer, to anyone interested, an opportunity to shoot what we are shooting.

We usually have something with us that attracts attention (my son's M1 Garand, my M1A Scout Squad, the FA .454 Casull, etc.). We look around and if someone is expressing interest (just by watching) we offer to let them give it a try. Kids are especially included and it is a joy to watch a twelve year old's eyes light up if we ask them (with parents permission of course) if they want to shoot the M1 Garand or the M1A.

We've had nothing but gracious responses and heart felt thanks expressed by all. We even get to shoot their exotic guns on occasion but that is not the goal, just a friendly reciprocation.

Years ago, I was fascinated by a club member that was shooting a Winchester Model 94 Trapper in .44 magnum. He noticed and asked if I wanted to shoot it. After five or so rounds I was hooked and went shopping. I now have a Marlin Model 1894 in .45 COlt and it is one of the most fun rifles I own. What goes around comes around.

It's all good.

Dan
 
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Without telling a long convoluted story, I got to shoot an old .45 Thompson that belongs to the local sherriff's department a few years ago, it was a great deal of fun.
 
I would let others shoot my guns if asked. I've never had any stranger ask me before. Guess I'm not friendly looking enough or my guns aren't that interesting to people at the range.

Just a word of caution: I saw an injury on the range once with gun sharing. This older guy was shooting a S&W 500 and hooting an hollering about it. This caught the attention of an inexperienced shooter. The older guy let the inexperienced guy shoot his 500. I don't know if it was lack of experience or bad ammo or what, but something happened and the guy blew his thumb off.
 
The older guy let the inexperienced guy shoot his 500. I don't know if it was lack of experience or bad ammo or what, but something happened and the guy blew his thumb off.
Click to expand...
Lack of experience with revolvers... he held the thumb of his support hand alongside the cylinder gap. With a .38 special, this results in a slight powder burn. With a .500 Magnum, it results in an amputated thumb.

When I let others shoot my .500, I make sure to instruct them how NOT to hold it - to make sure that doesn't happen.
 
Using that 'ploy', I have gotten to shoot:
50 BMG
S&W 50
FA in .454 Linebaugh
S&W .460 (?)
WWII (early) Luger
M1, M1 A, M1 Carbine, '03 and '03 A3 Springfields
A legal FA M16
A gillion 'normal' guns

Lots of fun!
 
YES! More often then not, the guys & gals @ the range I belong to are very eager to share. It's really great, especially if my 12-year old son is there. He's gotten to shoot all kinds of guns. Recently, the guy beside us let him shoot a PMR-30, A S&W .357 snubbie, a Beretta 92. I shot the PMR-30 and his new Kimber .45. In return, he shot my Yugo SKS.
 
Many times I've let the guy next to me shoot if he asked/seemed interested and I've had the favor returned. Its the nice/neighborly thing to do, plus it's allows me to shoot something I'm interested in while showing pride in what I've got. Win win situation as far as I'm concerned.
 
Got to shoot an M1 Carbine in trade for 30 rounds on my shorty AR, now I'm looking for one of my own. I also ran into an elderly guy shooting a 1911. I let him shoot the Desert Eagle but I was a bit leery to let him shoot the Super
Blackhawk with the loads I was shooting.

I also ran into a guy with the neatest optical sights I've ever on an AR.
 
This is common at my local range. Not only letting each other shoot our guns, but general friendly talk, advice and maybe even sharing some equipment (spotting scopes, binoculars, etc).

At my range, it's not uncommon to see class 3 weapons. Most guys are really nice and will let you shoot if you buy the ammo. That can get expensive but it sure is fun!
 
The most unusual gun I got to fire because of range friendliness was a S&W PC Magnum Hunter (or whatever the official name is). It was basically like a 629 with a long billboard for a barrel, anodized/coated in a funky bright green color. I loved it. The guy who handed it to me made a comment about the recoil being stout but with the thick grips and heavy barrel it actually was pretty gentle for a .44 Magnum, just a little loud. It was kinda ugly in that color but it shot great! Nice slick action too.

Just did some digging, apparently it was a "Stealth Hunter" of some sort. Totally a gun I would never have bought but after shooting one I could imagine owning one. Apparently on here about 7+ years ago somebody referred to it having an "upside-down Toblerone" barrel profile, which is a perfect description! :)
 
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the LGS had a magnum night on the range last week, i let a few people shoot my Ruger SRH 44 mag, i got to shoot a 460 and a 500 s&w.
If somone asks me about one of my guns i usually offer to let them shoot it. I keep some factory ammo for each of my guns in my range bag.
 
I was shooting at an indoor range a few months ago, and was talking to a guy who brought his son shooting for the first time on his birthday. I offered to let him shoot my .22 revolver, since they were shooting a .22 AR. He declined, saying he didn't want to accidentally damage it. I assured him he was not going to, short of chucking it at the ground and stomping on it, but he still declined.
I don't own anything "interesting", but I've got no problem (usually) letting someone shoot a cylinder or mag from my guns.
Also met a really nice guy who let me shoot his Desert Eagle, and S&W 1911, which both put a giant smile on my face.
 
If someone compliments me on one of my guns, they nearly always get an offer to shoot it.
Folks at my range are very friendly, love their guns, and want you to love them, too.
I got to shoot a Sharps last Sunday:D
 
There usually aren't too many people out at the range when I go, but I always offer to let someone shoot anyting I bring if they show any interest or ask to. A few years back, a gentleman was at the range with a Mac-10 and a .22 conversion/suppressed Uzi, and he could see me drooling a few benches away. He came over and asked me if I wanted to take a closer look at them. Next thing you know, he hands me a couple mags for each of them and said to have fun :D
 
Absolutely, by doing this all barriers are knocked down, regardless of sex, religion,and race, we become the largest family in the world that loves to shoot.
 
The only time I'm reluctant is at some of the public indoor ranges where I see somewhat shady people from time to time. Most places I'll offer to anybody who looks at the gun for more than 5 seconds. Sharing is fun, especially when it's a gun. I've gotten to shoot all kinds of neat guns owned by complete strangers. Desert Eagle .50, Sharps 45-110, some ancient lever action in .45, so many neat guns.

A couple of weeks ago I was talking about triggers with a guy and he showed me the JP Enterprises spring kit he had installed on his AR. He let me shoot it and the trigger was so smooth that I looked up the same spring kit a few days later and ordered it. Stoned and polished the sear, popped in the springs and now I have a nice target trigger for $10. And I mean nice. I recently shot my best group ever (as in ever) with that trigger. Thanks random stranger! :)
 
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