What should I wear at the range?

[otomik]

http://www.hottopic.com/store/product.asp?LS=0&ITEM=265696&RN=337
i always wear this, tends to start conversations

the rest is kind of like this
http://www.dobi.nu/emo/

for shooting you need to get a good pair of shades and a hat. meshbacks are common and not unfashionable (like ashton w/ john deere) but nothing wrong with a good Fedora to complement your 1911.

seriously though, please don't feel the need to conform to mainstream gunnie culture. Perhaps living in kali you can reach out and surprise more antis if they don't see you coming.

 

[catsupsam]

What to wear?
On one of my son's early trips to the indoor range, a .22 case bounced off the divider and went down his loose t-shirt. He was 12 at the time and I was very proud of him as he keep his ruger pointed downrange, flipped on the safety and place his gun down on the counter, jumping up and down the whole time. He had no idea what happened. He wore high button-downed shirts for the next year.
Another reason to wear tight clothing was demonstrated at a shotgun clinic he attended. Most of the other boys wore fashionable loose over-sized shirts and they had trouble shouldering the shotgun. Their shirts got in the way.

 

[XD40EZO]

I'm a little over the edge when I go to any range. I pretty much have every Springfield XD accessory you can think of. Believe me, I look like I'm being sponsored by Springfield, hehehe. Its just my stuff were NOT given to me free like "Rob Leatham", except for the cap. I actually had to caugh up the money to keep up with the trend. (Sad isnt it?)

Who cares I look good.

 

[mmay1]

Action Barbie, thingamajiggies are abundant and useful. There is no limit to what you can spend, or you can take the economy route. I go to a range about once per week and have tried all kinds of bags, other than paper, but really enjoy a range bag especially made to carry the handguns, mags, ammo, ear protection and all the little extras you will collect. The range bags are padded and sectioned, adding another element of protection for the contents. I like either of these: I-Shot (which you can order direct from I-Shot or www.gunnersalley.zoovy.com) or Competitive Edge Dynamics (http://www.cedhk.com). I also use Uncle Mike's sidekick holsters or Mil-tech Soft Armor holsters for transporting pistols and revolvers, in the car, etc. - cheap and padded and some models will carry an extra mag. See them at www.natchezss.com. These holsters are not adequate for concealed carry, in my opinion, but useful nonetheless. Here is another cool thingamajig that you might find usefulif you have mags difficult to hand load to capacity: www.magloader.com And take an old hand towell, as you will get dirty, especially if you shoot a revolver.

 

[Nick96]

Don't sweat it. If the range you go to is anything like the one I frequent - about half or more of the people there will be fairly inexperienced shooters. You can spot them right off. New looking gun (almost always a large caliber auto), Still have the original case for it (in pristine condition), ammo brought out in the paper sack they bought from the store in not more than a couple of hours before. No rags, tools, oil or other stuff. Disposable ear plugs. Most don't have shooting glasses or hats to keep junk from flying into their eyes or down their collars.

More often than not a couple of middle aged "baby boomer" types or kids that are just barely over the legal age to buy a gun. Very often a guy and a gal. The gal is humoring the guy by touching off a few rounds from some gigantiac blaster that he no doubt has acquired to satisfy some testestrone driven urge to posess at least the equivilent sized "member" of his perseived peers. None of the above manage to put more than 20 rounds into a 12 circle at 7 yards. The ritual is usually completed in about 20 minutes (the typical time required to set off 50 rounds from a $20 box of ammo).

The more seasoned folks though will be off away from the crowd. They obviously pace themselves - their targets prove it. The "wrappers" have obviously long worn out. No paper sacks - just well worn range bags & ammo cans. No "cammo" clothing, combat boots, SWAT Holster Rigs, mirrored sunglasses or tee shirts with sayings like "Kill E'm All & Let God Sort E'm Out". Their firearms look well kept - but certainly well used. Comfortable but clean clothing that they are not afraid to get soiled. Appropriate eye & hearing protection.

And, if you wait until the the seasoned folks have finished shooting and properly secured their firearms, most will freely share with you what they have learned and answer questions you may have. NEVER reach for one of their firearms without permission - most will gladly let you handle them if you ASK though. Above all, have fun. Be safe, pay attention & be aware what's going on around you, be respectful of others - but don't worry about "appearance". The "newby's won't know the difference - and the seasoned shooters won't care. With time, you will learn what to bring & what to wear.

 

[Binkus]

First of all dont just stick it in your jeans, Ive found that gun bags are nice but often overpriced, I bought a 20$ carpaterns bag from lowes and it will hold my eyes, ears, mags and my 2 pistol hard case (needed for airline travel) while on the range I usually keep it holstered in a safariland leg holster, but thats becouse of my training/cary scenaio. I ceap simple waist holster would also work. Main thing is dont spend a lot of money on a really expensive range bag or top quality holser untill youve done some shooting and learn what your needs and desires are.

 

[grislyatoms]

Nylon duffel style bag that doubles as a tackle bag. (I use those modular Plano type "cases" for my fishing stuff)

Tool box that holds my AR when it is broken down.

Eyes and ears

A semi clean rag and a clean one

Masking tape

Notepad and pencil

A cleaning rod, patches, and holders

Multi tool

Little bitty bottle of FP10

Depending on where I am going I might also bring:

A couple quarts of Gatorade

A cap

Extra set of keys in my bag

Small daypack

 

[denfoote]

I wear shorts, t-shirt,and a baseball cap to the range.
I carry gear in a small nylon carry on bag purchased from Wallyworld.
I'm a fan of gun cases, so I carry pistols in those plastic cases you can buy at any gunshop.
I have Peltor ear muffs, and my glasses are already safety glass.
I also carry a small binocular for spotting purposes.
A couple boxes of ammo and I'm good to go!!
Sandals complete the image!!

 

[Brigrat]

I have never been to a range that frowned on holsters, what is up with that? Holsters are part of responsible gun ownership...If I can be trusted to fire in the lane next to you, shouldn't I be trusted to use a holster in your presence? This is very foreign to me. All three ranges in my area could care less about what type of holster you use, and the ranges I used in the military prefered holsters, and actually commanded you to holster your weapon occasionally. I don't get these anti holster attitudes.

 

[mack69]

RE:

Brigrat, I think the thought process in most ranges up here regarding holstered weapons is due to the fact that most people have no clue as to how to properly holster or draw a weapon from one. Shooting themselves in the leg or foot, or if the holster is canted to the rear pointing a loaded weapon at the folks behind the line or even lasering folks on either side while drawing or reholstering. Considering those same folks do that when their weapons are sitting on the bench is also no comfort....Picture that knows it all guy in the next lane drawing or reholstering his weapon with the safety off and his finger on the trigger...scary deal there....mack

 

[joe sixpack]

Thank you for your responses fellow THR
forumites!

Update:
Ok, I received my pistol a couple weeks ago and just this week got my cleaning stuff from makarov.com. I took it apart, cleaned and oiled
it.
The plan is sometime this week, my son gets out of school and he and I will go to the range (taking in account the above posts as to what to wear, of course) and see what it can do.
Definitely looking forward to it.

cheers, ab