when at the range why not let a few others shoot your stuff

[simple_rule]

wounderful post paintball dude!

someone like you dragged me to go shooting one day. handed me a .44 magnum, glock 40, m9, ak47, and other things i cant remember...

thats how i got started.

i only have 2 9mm pistols today. but ive been able to convince a couple friends to get behind them and see if they like it.

to keep the karma going i took my girlfriend shooting. Guess what she wants for christmas?!?! ive been looking everywhere for a decent .22 pistol for 150$ but no luck. We are both broke college students...

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

I don't really have any interesting firearms, but when I took my Sig P6 to the range, I was astonished that it did generate some interest. One older fellow took a look at it, said he had a P225, which would be pretty much the same thing. You'd think those folks had never seen a Sig before.

 

[John828]

I'll never forget the day I was at the local Fish and Game range when I got to shoot some Hi-Points.

I was shooting my pistols when a distinguished looking gentleman started to set up. When we went cold, I walked past his equipment to check my target (who doesn't look to see what others are shooting?) and I saw some ugly guns. He had some sort of bulky pistol and a carbine that could be used for a softball bat in a pinch.

Anyway, an hour or so passes and as I pack up to go, I stop over and say, "Howdy." We exchange pleasantries and I ask about the guns. He looks like a kid who just received a BB gun for his seventh Christmas. With eyes all lit up and an animated face, he tells me about the Hi-Points.

He says his ACOG is a Chinese knock off, but for five bucks, he said that he could not be happier. He practically begs me to shoot his guns. I decline on the pistol but took him up on the carbine. I put some rounds through it.

Lesson learned: Don't buy Hi-Points.

Share a gun at the range? Absolutely.

 

[Lonestar49]

With the right folks, sure do

...

Absolutely share,

Almost never fails, either someone wants to try one of my my Sig P229's 40 and *9mm (*with CT laser grips) or my SA EMP SAO 1911 9mm (because she barks loud) lol..

In return, I get to shoot mainly 1911's or Beretta 92's, one really nice AR15 22lr with scope and 32 round mags (was nice) and sounded almost like it had a silencer on it, but didn't.

And my favorite, a pristine 70 series 1911 38 super, with scope.. talk about accurate.. even this blind man (both eyes open) saw the light at distance lol and hit home with every shot.


Ls

 

[rondog]

Lesson learned: Don't buy Hi-Points.

That's not nice. Hi-Point carbines are dang sure ugly, but man, are they fun to plink with!

 

[John828]

Replace fun with cheap and I would have agreed with all my heart (okay, maybe not my whole heart, but at least a skin cell sloughed off when putting on my coat.)

Save your money and buy something nicer. I just would hate to have a Hi-Point as a family heirloom. I would shudder if my great-grandson said, "Yep, this here Hi-point was my grandpappies and his pa gave it to him."

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Over the summer, friend from work let my 12yo son have some trigger time with what he'd brought along for a plinking session. My buddy obviously enjoyed watching my boy tear it up, and you can guess how my boy felt about it.

 

[paintballdude902]

hb till i turned 16 i wasnt allowed to have a gun my grandfathers rule for my dad and my dads for me

no family hunts and actually i believe i am the only gun owner in my family that is untill my sister got married

my dad is a vietnam vet and ever since then he hasnt had an interest in guns when he got back he sold all but one that was a collectible browning

he still doesnt see a reason for large caliber handguns.....but i do since then ive shot many many many more guns every thing from .22short to a desert eagle and a 500 s&w, the .44 is my favorite now but the .357 was the first centerfire handgun i ever fired and i still loved it and still think that the .357 is gun even when i have bigger guns at my disposal

 

[Art SC]

As it turns out I'm the guy everyone usually hopes will show up at the range!

I bring lots of different guns, lots of ammo, lots of different targets and a willingness to share it with anyone who comes across as friendly...especially younger folk.

It am, however, a bit amazed that I can still go to the range from time to time and have not a word exchanged between folks. That bothers me some.

 

[John828]

I am, however, a bit amazed that I can still go to the range from time to time and have not a word exchanged between folks. That bothers me some.

Yeah, I know. Lots of friendly nods and silent helloes but no deep conversations.

My fault usually. Not really out going unless in the right situation. Sometimes I blame it on just being a man.

Look at it like this: Most men have some deep rooted insecurity or feeling of inadequacy somewhere whether they admit it or not. The feeling is often unnecessary, and it is based on false premises such as "if I am not the best/biggest/whatever, then I am the worst."


Combine that with holding a piece of ultimate power in your hand(s) and you got a recipe for an egomaniac with an inferiority complex.

 

[Autopistola]

Sharing can have bad consequences too, like feedthehogs mentioned. In my case I let my friend fire my new .22 Neos, then he managed to drop it on the concrete bench when some girls stole his attention.

It's great that you all share, and that's good karma too. I like to let friends fire mine as most are not gunnies; however, it brought something to mind. You see, I have often assumed that people in my area know how to operate firearms safely (I thought most took hunter's safety). So now I'll just give them a quick primer and run through the four rules of gun safety and pray they're paying attention.

 

[cleardiddion]

I love being able to try out new things and to let other do the same.

Probably one of the best ones was when there were a group of boys who came to the local county range (aged right around 8, 9, and 11-ish) who got to shoot one of my Mosin-nagants. It was pretty awesome to see them light up at even the prospect of shooting it. That was only topped off by the big grins they had coming off the line.

Not the most interesting rifle or anything like that, but it's always a good thing to share

 

[John828]

cleardiddion:
Probably one of the best ones was when there were a group of boys who came to the local county range (aged right around 8, 9, and 11-ish) who got to shoot one of my Mosin-nagants. It was pretty awesome to see them light up at even the prospect of shooting it. That was only topped off by the big grins they had coming off the line.

Not the most interesting rifle or anything like that, but it's always a good thing to share

Reminds me of a nice Saturday last spring when an innercity Scout troop shows up at our range. All they had with them was a .22 rifle and I think a 1903A3. Anyway, I think those kids got to shoot just about everybody's rifle that day, most of the handguns and a few shotguns.

This was the first time for most of them to hold a gun and probably see firearms being used for fun and competition in a responsible way.

It was a good day.

 

[Ric in Richmond]

Couple of weeks ago I was at the neighbors private range with my 4 boys, my oldest boys girlfriend and one of their friends. Trying out my sons first shotgun and letting the kids shoot at targets.

Gentleman rolled up and kind of checked us all out. Moments later came back with an M4 and an M60 and had us all shoot them.

I tell you...I was appreciative...but what it meant for the kids was even more special.

To have this former military man, obviously skilled in his trade, take the time to educate, instruct and let the kids fire such awesome weaponry I know made an impact on everyone there.

I know we ran at least 6+ foot belt through the M60. Took us 15 - 20 minutes to find all the brass and clips!!

 

[greenr18]

No one's ever asked to fire my guns and no one's ever let me fire their guns other than my father. I have had people go and essentially drool over my guns (and a few times there's been a person or two who'll stand next to me and watch me shoot which is sort of an awkward and strange feeling,) and I've had many people ask what gun I'm using. Sometimes I get someone who'll ask something stupid along the lines of "An AK47? Is that even legal?"

 

[Conqueror]

I get the "is that legal?" question a lot (NFA collection). I am always happy to explain the Title II process to folks. I have probably referred a couple dozen people to local SOTs to inquire about suppressors and whatnot.

The only time I ever feel "unpleasant" at the range is when I get weird looks from the older guys shooting benchrest or military surplus guns when I roll up with silenced black rifles. I'm fairly young and I think some of them consider me a whippersnapper who should still be learning on a Marlin 30-30.

 

[nelson133]

When I go to the range, usually once a week, I take a rolling tool box with up to 16 pistols and much ammo. Since I shoot at an indoor club range, the people there are at least minimally screened so I don't have a problem with sharing. I've shot a lot of other people's interesting guns also.
For me, the social aspects are every bit as important as the practice.

 

[acpchuck]

Do it all the time

My oldest son and I are at the range almost weekly during the summer. As he as all the 'cool' guns, lots of people ask questions and he lets them shoot his A2, M4, FN PS90, AK 47 and his suppressed Sig 226. It often turns into him asking if they would like to shoot any of his guns and they let him shoot theirs Best was when some National Guard guys were there and they let him shoot their M16s.

It is really funny to see the reactions when he shoots the metal swinger with his suppressed Sig and the bullet striking the steel is so much louder than the gun firing. People ask if it is legal, he explains it is and then asks them if they want to try it. Everyone who does laughs, giggles or just can stop smiling after shooting.

Best was when we were 4H Shooting Sport instructors and the kids would always him what he brought for them to shoot when we had finished up with the 22s and air pistols. Lots of fun to watch them shoot these guns.

We attend three gun matches also and generally get a lot of people who stop and watch. There is always an open invitation for them from all the shooters to try a stage or two even if they don't have guns or ammo as there is always lots they can use.

Overall it is a great way to meet new people and talk about our shared interest in guns.

 

[ultradoc]

I was shooting at the range one day and the guy next to me was shooting an XD-9 s.c. He said I am selling it.Want to shoot it? I did and I bought!!

 

[zoom6zoom]

These are the ones we bring that always attract attention. People are usually surprised that we ask if they want to try them out. These are both kit built semi-auto guns; the closer one is in .30-06 and the other is 8mm.

 

[Big B]

Since joining my local rifle club I've been fortunate enough to shoot more guns than I could have ever rented. Than includes .223 and 30-30 out of thompson handgun, ARs, and more semiauto pistols than I knew existed. No one cares to shoot mine for the most part, but I get lots of questions about shooting clays on the 50 yard berm w/ a .22. I end up handing out clays for people to try. They seem to like it. I guess it pays to be a friendly face at the range.

 

[Calibre44]

zoom6zoom – can I respectively ask you not to post pictures of this nature? … do you have any idea what these photos can do to a gun enthusiast from the UK!?

My wife has had to resuscitate me twice after viewing them!!!

 

[scrat]

I thought that was the only reason to go to the range

I agree great post. For sure we do the same. i let people shoot my guns no problem. i try to take people shooting with me when i can as well. it gives people more variety. some people cant afford new guns same time some just are not too sure how big they want to go. I guess thats why i like my .50. Once you shoot that you realize everything else is below it. So when i can i let people shoot that. Then they realize if they can shoot that. they can shoot something else.

 

[natecade1]

I am at the range almost weekly and I usually go in the early afternoon or morning on a weekday, so there might be 1 or 2 other people besides my shooting buddy.

So, we almost always make small talk and be friendly.

A lot of times people look at my mosin nagant just because its so loud, and I offer it to them for a couple rounds. I've gotten to fire some pretty cool handguns in return sometimes.

It is a huge perk since I'll be turning 21 in a few months and I've already got to shoot a bunch of different things that will guide me in the direction of my first handgun purchase.

 

[JWF III]

As it turns out I'm the guy everyone usually hopes will show up at the range!

I bring lots of different guns, lots of ammo, lots of different targets and a willingness to share it with anyone who comes across as friendly...especially younger folk.

I'm with you there Art. I generally take 8 - 10 mil-surp rifles with me each time I go to the range. Ammo usually includes about 200 rounds for each rifle. I usually shoot only 100 or so rounds thru each. But they are open to the public while I'm there. All anyone ever has to do is show interest. I've even had a few DNR rangers shoot some guns that they never new existed.

This is a great way to have our sport grow. (But it does add competition to the mil-surp collector.) But it's worth it.

As the list of TYPES of guns I haven't shot is rather small, I usually ask nothing in return. But if they have an oddball (or something on that list), I'll defenently take the oppurtunity if offered.

Wyman