Shooting just for fun?

[knotquiteawake]

Is the no rapid fire rule really not that common? At the ranges in California I'd been to you had to wait 1-2 seconds between shots, At the two ranges i'd been to here in Texas both has 2 second rules. Annoying as all getout to me. The only time I've rapid fired a gun was in the National Forest at a place where a lot of people go out and shoot. No range masters, just guys and their common sense (in other words, morning was the safe time and its better to just avoid the area in the evening or after dark).

 

[chhodge69]

Sometimes it's fun to be a gun geek - and sometimes it's annoying. Cut 'em a little slack and show them how you enjoy the sport instead of withdrawing. Maybe you'll win a convert or two.

 

[bigfatdave]

Is the no rapid fire rule really not that common?

you do realize that supervised ranges aren't even that common, right?

 

[JTH]

Mall Ninjas

 

[Nushif]

You're right. Everyone should get enjoyment like you do. As a matter of fact, on top of the two second rule .. they should time *you.* and then make a rule that nobody gets to shoot faster or slower than you. the same goes for how far your targets are out. And the types of targets, That way everyone will have more fun. Right?

I understand your sentiment, I really do. But I see a *lot* and I do mean a *lot* of fudism here.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I'll admit that I find those 2-second rules a bit funny.

Try Olympic Rapid Fire. You're unleashing 5 shots, each on a different target, in 4 seconds. With one hand. At 25 meters. Tough event.

That being said, if you want to shoot quickly, shoot well. You'll find few people who give a good shooter grief.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Is the no rapid fire rule really not that common?

Back in the late 80's when the IPSC guys showed up at my home club, the range rules actually had to be amended to allow for rapid fire to permit the matches.

I've been to a lot of the clubs in the area - I'm speaking of private, membership-owned clubs as opposed to the for-profit ranges. When we updated our Constitution and By-Laws 4 years ago I reviewed probably 10 different area club's C&BLs and Range Rules. Very few allowed any form of rapid fire at all. Some restricted it heavily. A few clubs went so far as to limit total rounds in the magazine, no "humanoid" targets, etc.


I don't like one shooter trying to tell another what he does isn't safe. It might be; it might not be. It truly depends on the shooter's skill and ability, and our skills and abilities change over time. At one point in my life 2/10 second splits weren't safe for me. Perhaps if I live to be 80, they won't be safe for me to accomplish again.

But arbitrarily pronouncing an act not safe for some one does not mean it isn't safe for anyone. Arbitrary, zero-tolerance rules that replace fair judgment and common sense are beneath us all. I cannot stand it coming from the gun community.

I assert that we can be trusted to use good judgment and common sense when we affirm the right to own a gun, and if the need arises, use it to prevent evil from being visited upon us. I also assert that we can use that same good judgment and common sense at the ranges we shoot them on.

I've bounced people from my club who failed to use good judgment and handle a firearm appropriately here. We didn't need an arbitrary rule to handle it.

 

[CoRoMo]

Just a few weeks ago, we had the 1950's thread. A common theme throughout that thread was that half a century ago, firearms were mainly hunting tools. Today though, much of the firearms community is focused on personal defense. The reason being is that times have changed. A couple generations now, have no need to hunt because they get their meat from the grocery store 'where it's made'. According to the old fellas in that previous thread in fact:

They weren't considered as a defensive tool because the act of breaking into someone's home was about as low as a person could get, socially.
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Nobody carried one for defensive purposes. There were no muggings, carjackings, home invasions, etc.

Things are very, very different today, you'd have to agree.

Self defence was also unheard of, as there were very few situations where it was needed. Especially since half the people my grandpa grew up with was extended family and close neighbors.
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Papa was born early 30's... enjoys target shooting pistols occasionally and if it weren't for a bad rotator cuff replacement, he would shoot a lot more. He personally went and bought himself a Judge for home defence.

Times are very different these days. Even this guy's Papa feels so.

 

[ny32182]

I'd believe there was no media in the 50's to rile everyone up long before I'd believe there was no crime in the 50's.

 

[CoRoMo]

Originally Posted by ny32182
...long before I'd believe there was no crime in the 50's.

Who in their right mind stated that there was no crime in the 50's? That's absurd.

 

[ny32182]

I agree, but it seems one of the guys you quoted doesn't:

Nobody carried one for defensive purposes. There were no muggings, carjackings, home invasions, etc.

My strong suspicion has always been that the primary difference between "back in the good old days" and now as far as how terrible and dangerous a place suburban USA is today, is perception, which comes from the 24/7 in-your-face news cycle and media that can reach us at any time and place on earth.

As far as round dumping at the local square range, I don't know about others, but my grandfathers could not have afforded financially to go buy ammo by the case to go shoot for entertainment like we can today. That might be another factor.

 

[Searcher4851]

I reckon to each his own.
Most of my shooting is trying for precision, whether it be bullseye or precision plinking. There are times when I've been known to try to find out how precise I can shoot at speed. (unlike for others, the words "precise" and "speed" pretty much negate eachother in my case) but I'll still hit paper. Seems like if one is shooting at speed, and they're being safe and hitting target, good for them. If safety issues arise, then something needs to be said or done.
I don't much care WHAT they are shooting, as long as they're not endangering me or anyone else while they do it. If they're shooting safely, it doesn't impare my fun whatsoever. I'll usually watch someone I don't know that's shootin em up in a lively fashion for a spell, and if they seem to be able to handle themselves and their chosen weapon safely, more power to them.

 

[Legionnaire]

I haven't done any formal competition in years. I like to practice defensive carry techniques--drawing from concealment, rapid fire drills, speed and tactical reloads, etc.--but schedule doesn't permit me to make many of the IDPA matches. But my first love is hunting, and I guess as a corollary I like plinking, especially aimed shots from field positions. I shoot groups from the bench to get sighted in, test loads, and the like. Once that's done, I prefer more "fun" targets.

Most recently, I've taken to black powder ... cap-n-ball revolvers and muzzloading rifles. They are not "tacticool," and are certainly not fast! But they are still high on MY coolness factor.

About two weeks ago, I shared the range with one other shooter. He probably put 200 rounds down range in the time it took me to shoot 18 from my flintlock rifle. We both had fun.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

It seems to me that the whole gun world has gone bananas over the black guns and tactical shooting, and nobody shoots just for the fun of it anymore.

+1 for "those guys are having fun, too". Some days I like to shoot for groups, other days I want to see how fast I can shoot some number of rounds while still keeping them in a certain area. I am sorry that you have had bad experiences with the people at your range, but you no more need to make them conform to your idea of fun than they do yours. We have a good mix around here. Dads with their kids shooting a 30-30, younger adults with AR's, guys with muzzleloaders, etc. The state ranges say no rapid fire and limit you to five rounds in the mag at a time. One reason among many that I joined a club.

At my club, we have handgun steel plate matches. On one particular stage, a good time with a .22 pistol is 1.5-1.75 sec for five rounds. Everyone has fun and I never knew I could make the brass fly that fast until I participated! Of course, there are also steel varmit shoots, cowboy action, smallbore and a bunch else. Pretty much anything that involves putting lead downrange and everyone respects each other as long as you are respectful and safe.

 

[Hunterdad]

I just don't understand why some people care about what or how some other people shoot? You like your .22's and I like my AR.....who the hell cares!? I am not one of the tacticool idiots out there. I do enjoy sitting at the bench with my Savage 22mag or my .308 and see how tight I can get a group. But I also like to line up with a buddy and do some drills to better myself as a shooter and as a husband/father when and if the time come to defend myself or my family.

 

[oneounceload]

Maybe because of some of the ways and actions that seem to be traits of those who think black and plastic is the only way to go......

 

[Strykervet]

I've been shooting since I was about 8. I like shooting everything, but I particularly like to shoot my M4 and my Glock pistols. And my plain jane stainless w/green laminated stock 10/22, along with its long gone predecessor base model 10/22, which has gone with me to every range I have been to since I was 8...

I agree, you sir, delve into an area of taste. So many gun nuts argue about what is "right" and it seems only the one talking is right. It makes it so I really don't like to discuss firearms in gun stores, ranges and such, which is a shame because that is where you should enjoy discussing it the most.

I enjoy plinking. But the ranges I go to only allow paper targets, even the military one (where you would expect plates). That one allows double taps, but not holster draws, etc. No real tactical training or real world training. So I make the best of it, and I use formal ranges for target shooting, chrnographing handloads, zeroing, etc.

When I go to the mountains, miles up in Cascades where it is quiet and you don't see people at all, I like to plink cans. I love shooting cans, I always have. But I was plinking them with a 10mm Glock 29. Was I wrong, maybe half wrong? I was having fun, but was what I was doing wrong? I also plinked cans with my M4 testing some new 75gr. loads, and that was fun too, but maybe I was wrong again.

My wife, she likes shooting her .22 Smith 317 snub nose. A true pocket plinker if there ever was one. She doesn't like shooting high power firearms, particularly ones with lots of recoil. Is she right? She does want an AWC Amphibian though, the integrally suppressed Ruger MkII CIA and Special Forces assassination tool... So she could be wrong on the inside...

You know, in the army I was an SDM instructor, so of course I shot expert with the issue weapon. Which happened to be an M4 (a real M4). The base model came with a KAC rail system, an Aimpoint M68, a pistol grip, an IR laser, a Surefire light, and a KAC flip up sight. In addition to that, my kit had a better barrel on another upper, free floated handguard, full stock, bipod, and ACOG. So when I got out, I kept the upper I built for use in the army, turned in all their stuff, and built up my own M4. Just like old timers who have Garands, others with M14's, and others still that have plain AR's and just don't understand the tacticool doodads, I too like to have handy my old service rifle. Mine is just black with a flashlight and a pistol grip and a reflex sight.

The tools changed dude. Not the sport or the fun we have shooting. You should try out that guy's HK if he asks you again. You might like it. Likewise, he might like your shooting stick. Lighten up. Realize instead of actually having fun, you are criticizing others for having fun... How absurd!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've been shooting for 40-ish years myself.

Most of this seems to be young men under 40ish, all have the black auto pistols, and almost all the shooters seem intent only on the combat aspect of shooting.

Who says that isn't fun? Entire shooting sports have been built around this, starting way back in the 1960s with PPC (Police Pistol Course), IPSC in the 1970s and IDPA in the 1980s. But it is certainly not the "be-all-and-end-all" of shooting. I've bounced around plenty of soda cans and golf balls myself.

 

[oneounceload]

Here in FL, where public ranges in the woods are few and far between and best alone from a safety standpoint, the private clubs I have been to could care less what or how fast you shoot - many a full auto weapon has been discharged, folks practicing drawing and double taps, etc.

If that is your thing, fine

But what I'm seeing, and where I think the OP is coming from, is that folks only seem to be shooting with some form of SD/HD/zombie protection in mind. Even the various three gun and other matches are geared towards that aspect as well, IMO.

Whereas, not long ago, taking to the range with various guns in tow, even kids, meant shooting for fun, practicing some shooting for hunting, and just having some fun - not practicing for end of the world.

Different ages I suspect, and different views on life

 

[EddieNFL]

It's gotten to the point where it's become a PITA to go shooting. We try to fit our range sessions in on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings to have the range to ourselves, to avoid the unwanted advise from the concrete comando crowd.

I avoid early weekday mornings so I don't have to deal with the, "Real handguns have cylinders, not magazines," and "No one needs a 30 round magazine," crowd.

 

[Ole Coot]

I shoot for fun, don't have a "formal" range. I enjoy point shooting, cans, sycamore balls or anything I see on the back 40. I enjoy SA to play with, I do shoot with the local LEO guys when they practice drills. I don't see how fast I can shoot anymore, I had plenty of practice in the '60s playing for keeps. I have one "black" pistol I shoot with LEOs because that's what they carry. I can shoot anytime I want, don't bother anyone but I do hate to be in the woods when Rambo cuts loose in my direction. 30rds at a chipmunk is about par for some. When I can't plink at my leisure I will quit.

 

[mrbro]

We just set out our targets on the 300yd berm, clay pigeons are our game of choice. Then we sit down at the bench with our wood stocked Mauser based hunting rifles and start breaking them with boring regularity. We'll use rolled up floor mats from the car to rest the forend on, or an old Hoppes orange rest with a bean bag duct taped in place. No fancy spring loaded lead weighted adjustable thingies. No rear bags. After 20, 30 minutes of this we usually get the range to ourselves.

If the range is inhabited by the modern war rifle guys then we start out with the Garand and the VZ24. Both of these look like what they are, retired scarred old war dogs. But they ring the steel every time.

 

[GCBurner]

I shoot a little bit of everything for fun, from pocket pistols to high power rifle to shotgun clays. I belong to a private club that tries to accommodate a lot of shooting sports, and while there is a "2 second between shots" rule on the bullseye pistol and General Purpose 100 yard rifle range, there is a separate section for the combat shooting sports, long range rifle, and shotgun shooters, and some ranges are opened on specific days for black powder and Cowboy Action Shooting.
The range is open to non-members on a daily fee basis, but they are confined to the bullseye and General Purpose ranges with the "2 second" rules, unless they are participants in a match like IDPA or SASS. IDPA and Cowboy Action matches pretty much police themselves, but the GP ranges for non-members require a good bit of supervision by the Range Officers to keep the non-member mall ninjas informed of gun safety and range etiquette.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I've only been shooting pistols for a couple years now and only at 2 private clubs.
Niether club allows rapid fire or more than 5 rounds in mag at a time due to the ever growing number of residential houses. Semi autos can and do malfunction and go full auto. This is the main reason for the mag restriction.
You cannot draw from of holster, but you can practice doubletaps and reloads as long as your skill level permits.
I agree with both sides to some extent on this one.
Too many guys show up on the pistol range with very little experience and just start throwing lead downrange with poor results which leads to the range being shot up.
Both clubs are family oriented and the spray and pray crowd is kept to a minimun. Experienced shooters that want to do some drills for practical shooting won't have a problem at either club as long as they follow the rules.
Heck, I practice doubletaps and reloads myself. I also like to shoot precision bullseye with my 22 and 45. I enjoy all aspects of shooting.
That being said, put me on a sporting clays course, and I'm a happy camper...

 

[ObsidianOne]

While I agree with you that some people take it to a level that I can't imagine, you have to understand that what makes our hobby stronger is diversity.
It's that some people can pick up a .22 and have fun, a 30.06 and hunt, unload some .223 in a tacticool AR, historical weapons, etc.

Let everyone have fun, but make sure to make them allow you to have fun as well. To each their own, as long as they aren't bringing a negative image to our hobby or a danger to others.