One of my friends from work is really interested in shooting, so I've invited him out to range. Thing is, now 3 people want to go. These are all first-time shooters, and I want everyone to be safe, so should I limit the number of people I take? Do you have a personal limit on how many people you'll teach at a time?
Taking new shooters to the range -- how many at time?
- Thread starter Telperion
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CGofMP
Member
One on one.
Gives you a chance to tutor and to watch safety rules and keep a new shooter from getting yelled at by the range officer. A PRE-rangetime 'class' on safety and how the weapon works is a must as well.
Charles
Gives you a chance to tutor and to watch safety rules and keep a new shooter from getting yelled at by the range officer. A PRE-rangetime 'class' on safety and how the weapon works is a must as well.
Charles
Waitone
Member
If its a group thingy, you can gain mileage by shooting wth a group.
Problem is with 3 newbies you need help. If you can't do it one at a time, get an experienced shooter to give you a hand.
Problem is with 3 newbies you need help. If you can't do it one at a time, get an experienced shooter to give you a hand.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Agreed ... one on one ... AND a pre-shoot safety chat too.
A group can work IF they are ''coached'' one at a time re live firing ... the remainder observing from safe distance .... one guy can only IMO can assist, in all the ways needed - to safely manage one novice with a gun ...... it requires total concentration, patience and attention.
A group can work IF they are ''coached'' one at a time re live firing ... the remainder observing from safe distance .... one guy can only IMO can assist, in all the ways needed - to safely manage one novice with a gun ...... it requires total concentration, patience and attention.
Chupacabra
Member
Definately 1 on 1. I always insist on a pre-range safety session too. Going over operation and safety at the firing line with guns blasting and ear protection on is a pain in the rear.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
I agree that one on one is the best way to go, and that having a safety discussion before heading to the range is of the utmost importance.
cool45auto
Member
One is the most I've ever taken at a time.
Going to go against the crowd a little bit here.
Yes, one on one is the ideal.
However, if you have three real live newbies who are willing to go this weekend, and you put two of them off, that's two people who may not ever be interested again -- human nature being what it is.
So don't put them off.
It's obviously turned into a group thing, so go ahead and invite one or two more friends along -- people you absolutely trust 100% to help you keep the new shooters safe.
Go over the safety rules and basic gun anatomy before you get to the range.
And have fun.
pax
Without friends, no one would want to live, even if he had all other goods. -- Aristotle
Yes, one on one is the ideal.
However, if you have three real live newbies who are willing to go this weekend, and you put two of them off, that's two people who may not ever be interested again -- human nature being what it is.
So don't put them off.
It's obviously turned into a group thing, so go ahead and invite one or two more friends along -- people you absolutely trust 100% to help you keep the new shooters safe.
Go over the safety rules and basic gun anatomy before you get to the range.
And have fun.
pax
Without friends, no one would want to live, even if he had all other goods. -- Aristotle
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I wouldn't even consider taking more than one newbie at a time to a shooting range, and then only after a serious, detailed chat about firearms safety. The vast majority of new shooters are conscientious, but it takes only one mistake.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I'm also in favor of the one on one theory. Not to say
that an accident won't happen; but this sure cuts
down on the likely hood of it happening.
My wife and I took another couple shooting right
after we got married. The female friend had 0 fire-
arms training, or experience; and the male had
very little. I'm instructing the female, who is armed
with a Smith & Wesson 2" barrel model 36 that
belonged to her husband. She has the gun in her
hand, and assumes the Weaver stance firing
position. Next thing I know, she has cocked the
hammer and turned sideways; aiming the
cocked and loaded firearm right at my noggin!
After shaking in my boots momentrily, I got her
attention; watching the firearm ever so carefully.
Lucky me, she was scared to pull the trigger for
fear of the recoil; so I was able to get the weapon
pointed safetly downrange. Moral of the story is,
we never invited those particular persons to go
shooting again!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
that an accident won't happen; but this sure cuts
down on the likely hood of it happening.
My wife and I took another couple shooting right
after we got married. The female friend had 0 fire-
arms training, or experience; and the male had
very little. I'm instructing the female, who is armed
with a Smith & Wesson 2" barrel model 36 that
belonged to her husband. She has the gun in her
hand, and assumes the Weaver stance firing
position. Next thing I know, she has cocked the
hammer and turned sideways; aiming the
cocked and loaded firearm right at my noggin!
After shaking in my boots momentrily, I got her
attention; watching the firearm ever so carefully.
Lucky me, she was scared to pull the trigger for
fear of the recoil; so I was able to get the weapon
pointed safetly downrange. Moral of the story is,
we never invited those particular persons to go
shooting again!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
I do NOT think that having multiple experienced people on scene will make it ok to take multiple newbies to the line in and of itself.
AND, risking the lives of 3 people just so two of them will have the chance to shoot on a given day doesn't make any sense--not even if it means that the other two don't every get interested in firearms.
I wasn't being sarcastic with my initial post. If you want to take more than one at a time, you need to have a thorough session on gun safety, gun use, and range protocol. It should take as long as is required to make sure that everyone understand the important stuff.
There should be only ONE firearm during the shooting session so you can completely control what's happening. Take the most experienced/most careful shooter to the line first so the others can learn from his/her mistakes.
IF you decide to have other experienced people help, you MUST assign the people to one newbie apiece and make it clear to the newbies which person is their "instructor". You must make it clear to each "instructor" that he is to pay attention to his "student" ONLY so you don't get all three "instructors" trying to help the cute blonde "student" while the other two wave their guns around. You should still do a brief familiarization session to make sure everyone understands things like "Cease fire" and basic muzzle control and how to make their gun go bang when it should and not go bang when it shouldn't.
AND, risking the lives of 3 people just so two of them will have the chance to shoot on a given day doesn't make any sense--not even if it means that the other two don't every get interested in firearms.
I wasn't being sarcastic with my initial post. If you want to take more than one at a time, you need to have a thorough session on gun safety, gun use, and range protocol. It should take as long as is required to make sure that everyone understand the important stuff.
There should be only ONE firearm during the shooting session so you can completely control what's happening. Take the most experienced/most careful shooter to the line first so the others can learn from his/her mistakes.
IF you decide to have other experienced people help, you MUST assign the people to one newbie apiece and make it clear to the newbies which person is their "instructor". You must make it clear to each "instructor" that he is to pay attention to his "student" ONLY so you don't get all three "instructors" trying to help the cute blonde "student" while the other two wave their guns around. You should still do a brief familiarization session to make sure everyone understands things like "Cease fire" and basic muzzle control and how to make their gun go bang when it should and not go bang when it shouldn't.
PATH
Member
One on one is generally best. However, I agree with Pax. Take all three and let them go one at a time. Best case would be getting other experienced shooters to go with you. I once took four newbies to the range. They shot one at a time.
It can be a very rewarding experience. The more people we reach the stronger we become.
It can be a very rewarding experience. The more people we reach the stronger we become.
10-Ring
Member
I prefer one on one, but I have gone 2 on one. It will really depend on how thin you can spread yourself and confident you are in controlling the situation.
One on one at the range.
Before I take anyone to the range I do a brief talk ahead of time, basically explaining how modern firearms work (aka Show and Tell), and the utter importance of the 4 Rules. No one gets to touch a loaded firearm until they can quote the 4 Rules from memory and can explain in their own words what they mean.
Mike
Before I take anyone to the range I do a brief talk ahead of time, basically explaining how modern firearms work (aka Show and Tell), and the utter importance of the 4 Rules. No one gets to touch a loaded firearm until they can quote the 4 Rules from memory and can explain in their own words what they mean.
Mike
only1asterisk
member
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I have taken many dozens of people out to shoot for the first time. One on one is best. It makes for max. safety and best experience. However depending on several factors (range, help available, maturity and openess to learning) it is possible to take 2 or 3 people together.
If you decide to take them all, make it easy for yourself. One gun, one magazine and a long talk on safety with emphasis on the gun you will be using.
Don't bite off more than you can chew, more than 3 people will make you into a nervous wreck, as will more than one gun. How do I know? Where do yuo think I got all my grey hair!
David
If you decide to take them all, make it easy for yourself. One gun, one magazine and a long talk on safety with emphasis on the gun you will be using.
Don't bite off more than you can chew, more than 3 people will make you into a nervous wreck, as will more than one gun. How do I know? Where do yuo think I got all my grey hair!
David
cadfael
Member
The times I've taken someone to the range who's never done any shooting, I decided to make it one on one for two reasons.
1. There's only one of me. So only one shooter at a time. Watching is boring. Reloading Mags are boring.
2. Less bystanders make the new shooter less nervous. For a new shooter, being nervous is one of the major factors to overcome to enjoy firearms.
I'd try to get some trusted friends along. And explain the 4 rules until they can tell them all back to you.
Adam
1. There's only one of me. So only one shooter at a time. Watching is boring. Reloading Mags are boring.
2. Less bystanders make the new shooter less nervous. For a new shooter, being nervous is one of the major factors to overcome to enjoy firearms.
I'd try to get some trusted friends along. And explain the 4 rules until they can tell them all back to you.
Adam
Just watch them closely to make sure they observe the rules. I dont see any problem with it myself. Really, shooting safely is not a complicated thing to do. Just let them have fun and dont get on their case TOO much with regards to technique. All you should worry about is that they are safe. You'll be fine.
I agree with the posters who said you should take all three. When else will you get a chance to potentially recruit three new shooters?
Do a safety briefing for all three at once, but only let one shoot at a time. Have the other two observe and after each shooter has shot, use their experience as a "learning moment" for the other two. Always start with a positive comment on what that shooter did RIGHT, before mentioning what they should try to improve next time. Keep the comments upbeat and brief and explain that this is just a intro to shooting and not an in-depth lesson.
Bring a variety of guns, since different people might like different guns, but only uncase one gun at a time. By all means bring a good .22 handgun and have all the shooters start with that before anyone moves onto anything bigger.
Finally, offer to take any of the three out again for a one-on-one session at your mutual convienence. Hopefully, they'll not only take you up on it, but will ask your advice on where to get more training and what type of gun they should buy for their first gun.
Do a safety briefing for all three at once, but only let one shoot at a time. Have the other two observe and after each shooter has shot, use their experience as a "learning moment" for the other two. Always start with a positive comment on what that shooter did RIGHT, before mentioning what they should try to improve next time. Keep the comments upbeat and brief and explain that this is just a intro to shooting and not an in-depth lesson.
Bring a variety of guns, since different people might like different guns, but only uncase one gun at a time. By all means bring a good .22 handgun and have all the shooters start with that before anyone moves onto anything bigger.
Finally, offer to take any of the three out again for a one-on-one session at your mutual convienence. Hopefully, they'll not only take you up on it, but will ask your advice on where to get more training and what type of gun they should buy for their first gun.
1:1 at least, preferribly two experienced shooters per newbie. That way the experienced shooters can either watch a basket case, or if they make a lot of progress one can shoot on his/her own while the second helps the newbie and then switch after a while.
Kharn
Kharn
RTFM
member
I'll throw my hat in to the 1:1 ring also.
Explain to the others that you like the first person the best, so you'll take second and third when you feel like it,.... HAHAHA
Seriously, attention to detail is easiest 1:1 and that person will get the most out of the experience. Maybe after you take them all once, and feel comfortable, bring the group. You just might find some new shooting partners.
Best of luck, stay safe.
..... "Like the first person the best"...... I make my self laugh.
Explain to the others that you like the first person the best, so you'll take second and third when you feel like it,.... HAHAHA
Seriously, attention to detail is easiest 1:1 and that person will get the most out of the experience. Maybe after you take them all once, and feel comfortable, bring the group. You just might find some new shooting partners.
Best of luck, stay safe.
..... "Like the first person the best"...... I make my self laugh.
themic
Member
i'll take em 2 or 3 at a time, in some cases, but you gotta be real careful. go on a day that's not too crowded, do all the instruction first with EVERYONE, and make sure they're the type that when they're together they aren't bad influences on each other. don't know how to describe that real well but you know it when you see it. if ver more than 2, though, get help. one other dude makes a big difference, and you only need dude for range time not prep time.
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