Shooting--Group or Individual Activity for You?

[Cosmoline]

In my experience there seem to be two major types of recreational shooters. There are those, such as myself, who shoot by themselves and rarely if ever participate in group events, competitions, etc. There are others who seem to shoot only in groups or as part of some organization.

Personally I have a very low tolerance for any rules regulations and requirements beyond the basic range safety rules. And more than that when I'm working up loads or trying out new guns I'm in a zen space apart from all others. That's one reason I like doing it. I'll shoot with other people but only in the sense that we're both at the range at the same time. I'm probably pretty extreme though.

On the other extreme would be folks totally dedicated to competitive or group events, who shoot as part of an organization or team.

Where do THR users fall on this spectrum?

 

[halfded]

I'm in the "leave me alone and let me shoot" crowd.

 

[CigarGuy]

My recently moved-back-home daughter and I started together a number of months ago and still enjoy going together.

 

[FullEffect1911]

I'll go to my range by myself or with my buddies.

I have yet to participate in any sort of competition or games.

Though shooting clay birds is a whole lot more fun with at least one other person.

 

[Hk Dan]

I almost never shoot alone any more. Seems like there is always someone who wants to tag along, or whom I meet at the range. It then becomes a mini-competition, and we have a blast. "Hey--how fast can you draw, shoot, reload, and shoot again?", "Bet I can beat ya in a Bill Drill at 10 yards...", or "Think you shoot the plate rack from 75 yards?", etc.

Shooting alone is okay, it's just better for me with a friend along to keep me honest.
Dan

 

[General Geoff]

Shooting--Group or Individual Activity for You?

Yes.

 

[mcdonl]

I prefer to shoot alone, but also enjoy competition.

 

[3pairs12]

I like either. Sometimes my daughter or buddy will come with me, but if have to go by myself it certianly doesn't hurt my feelings.

 

[SsevenN]

I shoot alone sometimes, I preffer to shoot with one to two other people.

I'm not a big fan of crowds through...

 

[Gryffydd]

I don't mind shooting with a couple of friends, and I certainly don't mind shooting by myself. I'm with Cosmoline in hating all the additional rules that come along with the larger more organized group settings.

Granted, the larger the group, the lower the lowest common denominator is likely to be, the tighter the rules need to be...but that still doesn't make them less annoying.

 

[Jim Watson]

I put group because I am a competitive shooter and my main objective is to enter a match and do as well as possible. Sure, I need solo practice but that does not qualify as a mix to me because it serves the purpose of match preparation.

 

[ccsniper]

really depends. If I am zeroing a rifle, I don't want anyone around. but if I am shooting a .22, I really like the company.

 

[Kevin5098]

Usually shoot by myself, but once in a while the wife or one of the kids comes along. I actually prefer trap shooting in a group. I tend to shoot better in a squad than when alone.

 

[mcdonl]

Thats great cigarguy... shooting with family is always a good exception.

 

[KarenTOC]

I picked "mix of both" because that would be my ideal range session: shooters go to the range together, but each has a lane and shoots alone. Socializing comes after the range session. I rarely get to enjoy the ideal because I don't know a whole group of shooters lol.

 

[possum]

shooting i like doing by myself, however when i train( not in a course) i like to have a training partner one atleast, however since all my training partners have left that is kinda difficult and i am always looking for training groups/ partners. normally i have training partners that have been to courses either with me/ ones i have been too or similar, as we can push each other to do better, and re enforce the drills techniques etc.

additionally i prefer to have a training partner that is better than me, that is another way i continue to push myself and get better.

 

[Erik M]

My brothers sometimes venture out with me with thier weapons in hand, but If they arent around I dont let that stop me.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have my own range and average shooting 4-5 times a week by myself.

While I like shooting alone, it is more fun shooting with friends.
I also enjoy teaching people basic shooting.


I would invite more people to shoot on my range but because we have become a society of sue crazy jerks, land owners have to be careful who they allow to shoot on their property now days.

 

[mljdeckard]

It's not that I really LIKE to shoot by myself, but I find that if I wait for others to go with me, I never go. For legitimate busy reasons or lame excuses, something always happens.

I go out with my dad a lot, and we always SAY we're going to shoot, but the truth is, he doesn't ever actually shoot unless I initiate.

 

[shotgunjoel]

I'll go to my range by myself or with my buddies.

I have yet to participate in any sort of competition or games.

Though shooting clay birds is a whole lot more fun with at least one other person.

Very much agreed. I like to go out and shoot and get into my zone, but sometimes it's great to go shoot with one or two good friends and have a good time. Another plus of shooting with others is that you get to share guns; then everybody gets to try something new.

 

[DMK]

When I shoot rifles, I like to be left alone to concentrate on what I'm doing. Sometimes you get guys at ranges who just go there to BS it seems and that gets annoying quick.

On the other hand, I enjoyed handgun competition in USPSA. It was a lot of shoot & scoot, run & gun type stuff. Your adrenalin got up and it was cool to sit on the sidelines and chat with the rest of the folks about what worked and what didn't.

Two completely different types of shooting.

 

[kda]

Since two people probably wouldn't be considered a "group" I checked "alone" in the poll survey although I almost always go with my wife of a friend down the street.

 

[Oonzpoonz]

Well, I'll say I'm an alone shooter;
My lady comes with me occasionally, I buy her ammo since she can't most times.
I can't afford to do that every time I sharpen up so I go alone.

My friends are afraid of guns or aren't interested anyways.

 

[damien]

Like eating and sleeping, both, depending on who is available.

 

[Cosmoline]

Interesting responses! I would have expected a lot more in the group category.