knuckles
Member
Alot of the ranges I go to are deemed slow fire range (i.e. 1 or more seconds between shots). I never bothered to ask why. Anyone know why a lot of ranges have a slow fire policy while others don't?
Slow fire range
- Thread starter knuckles
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knuckles
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So, there is no reason for the policy? I mean a real documented reason?
d906670
Member
One of the ranges that I belong to just implemented this policy, because of some 
John Wayne types that have hit houses that have been built down range from the 90' high back stops
John Wayne types that have hit houses that have been built down range from the 90' high back stopsdragongoddess
member
squib loads maybe
the naked prophet
Member
Most slow fire ranges I've been to have rules about that because of rapid firing that hits the target hangers and/or the wall/ceiling/floor.
jashobeam
Member
I work at an indoor range
We don't allow rapid fire or head shots. Here's why.
MOST people who come in are not good shooters. Few are able to maintain tight groups in the center of the target. Even though they are all over the torso they want to shoot at the head, which is obviously smaller AND (most importantly) closer to the metal target carriers which, if hit, can be damaged and even cause ricochets. How do I know that they want to shoot at the head? Because everytime I tell them, "No headshots," they whine, "Ohhhh. That sucks." Then I'll sneak over and watch them shoot. What sucks? Their shooting sucks.
It is a public range. We get all types. If someone is unable to place two shots relatively close to one another using slowly aimed fire, why would we allow them to shoot rapidly? Most people have no idea what good shooting looks like. If they aim for the heart but hit 'em in the crotch well, hey, that've taught that guy a lesson, right? I've seen silhouette targets with holes all over them, and the shooter says, "I'd have ruined his day." Yeah, and your neighbors' day, too. It can be unsafe for some shooters to attempt rapid fire. I heard of one woman who shot her own hat off her head while trying to rapidly fire her revolver. That's right--her revolver, and a single action one at that. She was so focused on shooting it quickly that she ignored the muzzle direction. This woman was a competitor in a Cowboy Action Shooting match; she knew about firearm safety. We have no idea what experience our customers have.
My advice to you is this: Get to know the range workers. If they are cool and you are cool to them and they see that you are competent with a firearm, AND you are able to come in when it is not crowded, they might let you do drills that others are not allowed to do. The reason it has to be a slow day/night is that we don't want you giving ideas to those who are less skilled. Also, since everyone is aware of the rules, hearing rapid fire causes them to believe that someone is breaking the rules and that he or she might be an unsafe shooter. People tend to get very stressed out about unsafe shooting.
Take your time letting them get to know you. They may not have the man-power to appraise every shooter's skill. Just be cool and talk with them. Bring your target out and set it on the counter when you go to close-out your bill. Don't reference it, just set it there. I'm assuming that you are a good shot. If you are not a good shot, you have no business doing anything but shooting controlled, slow, aimed shots until you are consistently very accurate. In the meantime, practice rapid sight acquisition after each shot. Shoot, try to get back on target ASAP, then wait out the required interval before actually shooting your next shot. I hope this helps.
We don't allow rapid fire or head shots. Here's why.
MOST people who come in are not good shooters. Few are able to maintain tight groups in the center of the target. Even though they are all over the torso they want to shoot at the head, which is obviously smaller AND (most importantly) closer to the metal target carriers which, if hit, can be damaged and even cause ricochets. How do I know that they want to shoot at the head? Because everytime I tell them, "No headshots," they whine, "Ohhhh. That sucks." Then I'll sneak over and watch them shoot. What sucks? Their shooting sucks.
It is a public range. We get all types. If someone is unable to place two shots relatively close to one another using slowly aimed fire, why would we allow them to shoot rapidly? Most people have no idea what good shooting looks like. If they aim for the heart but hit 'em in the crotch well, hey, that've taught that guy a lesson, right? I've seen silhouette targets with holes all over them, and the shooter says, "I'd have ruined his day." Yeah, and your neighbors' day, too. It can be unsafe for some shooters to attempt rapid fire. I heard of one woman who shot her own hat off her head while trying to rapidly fire her revolver. That's right--her revolver, and a single action one at that. She was so focused on shooting it quickly that she ignored the muzzle direction. This woman was a competitor in a Cowboy Action Shooting match; she knew about firearm safety. We have no idea what experience our customers have.
My advice to you is this: Get to know the range workers. If they are cool and you are cool to them and they see that you are competent with a firearm, AND you are able to come in when it is not crowded, they might let you do drills that others are not allowed to do. The reason it has to be a slow day/night is that we don't want you giving ideas to those who are less skilled. Also, since everyone is aware of the rules, hearing rapid fire causes them to believe that someone is breaking the rules and that he or she might be an unsafe shooter. People tend to get very stressed out about unsafe shooting.
Take your time letting them get to know you. They may not have the man-power to appraise every shooter's skill. Just be cool and talk with them. Bring your target out and set it on the counter when you go to close-out your bill. Don't reference it, just set it there. I'm assuming that you are a good shot. If you are not a good shot, you have no business doing anything but shooting controlled, slow, aimed shots until you are consistently very accurate. In the meantime, practice rapid sight acquisition after each shot. Shoot, try to get back on target ASAP, then wait out the required interval before actually shooting your next shot. I hope this helps.
Valkman
Member
Because of morons who shoot the walls, floors, target holders and give us all a bad name. I was at my favorite indoor range today renewing my CCW training and they had thrown out a guy for shooting the target holder. There's a no "head shots" rule but he didn't care and got 86'd. I'm kinda the opposite and tend to hit what I aim at, and after seeing me shoot one 1911 he ok'd the other 2 I wanted on my permit without me shooting them (technically illegal, but saved much time!). Then I just had to shoot the 640 and even that target was great! 
knuckles
Member
That is what I was looking for. Thanks so much! I knew there was a valid logical reason, just wasn't sure what it was. After you mentioned it, I remember looking up at the ceiling tiles at my range and seeing a bunch of bullet holes in them and wondered 'who the hell could've done that'. I guess you get all kinds....
knuckles
Member
No, what he gave was his opinion, as noted by the 'IMHO' in his post. However, the answer has since be confirmed.
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