Who Pays When You Bring a Friend Shooting?

[numaone]

I guess the title says most of it... I have many friends who know of my shooting hobby, and I take every opportunity to invite them out to the shooting range, or when they ask to come, make some time to bring them out. I've even stooped low enough to make a first date out of shooting .

I was wondering what the proper etiquette was on paying for ammunition. Most have never shot a gun before, so I start with .22 rifle and .22 handgun- so the ammunition is (err wasn't) a problem. I, of course, supply the firearms that are used to the day and I don't mind paying for a split brick ($18) for a fun afternoon of shooting. But what about more expensive ammo? Do you bite the bullet, (excuse the pun) and just pay for it? or do you tell them up front how much?

Thanks for your input.

 

[1-UP]

If I invite non-shooting friends I usually expect them to pay their own range fee and I supply the ammunition. I usually let them shoot a box of centerfire and then we shoot mostly .22 or trap/skeet thereafter.

If it's a shooting buddy I usually pay for the ammuntion we shoot in my guns and they pay for the ammuntion we shoot in their guns. Again, we'll shoot maybe a box of centerfire and then revert to .22 or shotguns.

 

[armoredman]

Range is free, nobody pays. I might bumthem a box o' amoo or two, if they don't reload, but it's on them if they want to use my handloads or not.

 

[cuervo]

If it is a person's first time shooting, I will pay everything except the range fee (if there is one, depending on where we go). Some of the time the first timers will volunteer some ammo money. I will remind them the first time is on me, but I usually won't refuse if they really insist to contribute.

After that, they can pay for their own ammo, either by buying it themselves or just reimbursing me for what I have.

What we shoot will depend on what the person is interested in. If it is a true novice, I bring in a sampler collection for them to try.

 

[jdc1244]

I would pay for everything the first time: range fee, ammo, etc for a complete novice.

 

[Owen]

first time or two, I'll cover everything

after that, I expect them to bring their own ammo, or pay me for mine.

After 5 or 6 trips, i expect them to join the club.

 

[w_houle]

I shoot at the gravel dump by the house, so range fees aren't an issue. If someone brings ammunition, then it is up to them how it is shot. If I am footing the bill for it (of which I don't have issue with) the heaviest recoiling things get shot first to wear you out, then we can finish off with some .22 plinking.

 

[punkndisorderly]

First time is on me. I'll pay for everything.

Second time, on me again, but they have to join the NRA.

 

[Dulvarian]

First time is on me. My guns, my ammo, and I spot the range fee. After that, they can pay for whatever ammo they want to shoot in my guns or I direct them to rented guns. After that, they usually are not interested or have their own.

 

[christcorp]

All Non-Gun owners/Shooters/etc... that I know, I try and INVITE at least once to the range. (Range is Free). I try to show them the positive side to guns, shooting, sport, defense, 2nd amendment, etc... After that, I try to get them buy a gun, and I'll even train them on the use and safety of it. Then hopefully they will join the range, NRA, etc... If not, they at least have a new appreciation for gun owners and their rights. But the little amount of money I spend on a single outing, isn't anything compared to the good it creates in another possible pro-gun supporter on voting day. Now, if a "Friend" wants to come shooting OFTEN; I simply ask them to buy some ammo for the caliber they want to shoot.

 

[meadmkr]

First time the ammo is on me using my own firearms and I will usually pick up the range fee if I invite them. I have multiple sets of hearing/eye protection so that saves the rental and I typically print my own targets. So unless they want to rent something different or shoot at 'zombie targets' there is no out-of-pocket costs when I take someone shooting. Lately most of them are shooting for the first time or since childhood. And like some of the other responses, if they come with me a 2nd time they have either have picked up their own ammo and/or firearm

 

[rgwalt]

The first time I went shooting clay, my uncle took me, my dad, and my cousin. His equipment, his ammo, and he paid the range fee. Second time we went, I had my own gun and provided the ammo... seemed fair.

The first time I went pistol shooting I was visiting a friend who was still in grad school. I had graduated at that point and was doing fairly well in my job, so I paid for everything. Range fee, ammo, and a rental on a Glock (he had a Colt revolver that we shot as well). I was staying with him for the weekend to see a football game and I actually asked him to go out, so between me being gainfully employed and asking him to go to the range, I figure it would be best if I paid for the outing.

Now that I shoot pistols and shotguns fairly regularly, my policy is that if I have someone in from out of town, I will generally take them clay shooting and pay for everything. It is a unique experience that almost everyone I met has enjoyed. On the other hand, if I friend who lives in town wants to go shooting (clay or pistol), the first time is on me (range fee, equipment, and ammo). After the first time I expect them to pay their own range fee and ammo (buy their own or buy from me). They are free to use my equipment if they don't want to rent or buy their own. Guns aren't cheap to feed...

 

[knockonit]

shootin

If I invite them, I carry the load, they can buy lunch or dinner, works out well.
If they ask to go again, I just tell them to pick up some ammo, and we're off.
Once they figure out the costs, most either stick with it or drop out, either way you end up with a good deal.
Rarely have had anyone drop out a 100%, but have had most wanna go till the going wore me out. Now they invite me, go figure.
rj

 

[george29]

Friends? What are those?

 

[peyton]

I will cover things the first time with new shooters, it helps to get them to the range. The smile on their faces get them to come back!!

 

[Claude Clay]

Fridays noon to 5ish are family day for the 4 of us at the club. there are another 4 people who , knowing we will be there often show up. it makes for a fun afternoon of reactive steel,informal IDPA, plates and pin shoots--a lot of whatever. besides a whole lot of different guns/calibers there is usually 2 or 3 guests.
no shortage of ammo--i reload all but common mil-surp and rim fire. 1st timers are generally asked to bring a brick of 22lr or a box of their 'wanna try' centerfire. for the weekly regulars there is a informal list of needed stuff [primers/powder/bullets] that people pick up during the week and leave for me to assemble. good to say that eveyone contributes more to the mix of what they are good at than they use overall. ammo is not the only thing of value.

 

[Aw4g63]

I usually supply the ammo, targets, glasses, plugs, etc.. they pay their fee.

I have a few friends that I regularly bring and I still just supply the ammo. Don't bother me. Good times are priceless.

 

[PT1911]

easy answer... me...

I go to a members only range (yearly membership) so there is no fee for them to pay.. if they are shooting my guns then they can use my ammo, it they are shooting their own guns, they can provide their own. If I invite them to come with me and OFFER to let them shoot my guns, I am not going to then turn around and ask for money in return.

 

[Boba Fett]

First time or first few times is on me.

If I'm taking a lady to the range, it is always on me (gentlemanly thing to do after all).

Usually my friends and I will just alternate or split costs or one will pay for range and the other ammo. We're all pretty lax about it.

 

[yeti]

If they are non shooters, and I invite them, I pay. If they are shooters I expect them to cover their own costs.

 

[CountGlockula]

Depends on what's in my wallet.

It's a good gesture to pay for your friend and don't expect anything in return.

What I've seen lately are guys that fight over the bill, by whoever pulls out the credit card first.

Anyways, I'm at the range 24-7 so the guys behind the counter let's me in for free. So my buddies are free also.

 

[pittspilot]

When inviting a non-shooter for the first time it is on me. If they want to contribute I let them buy lunch/dinner afterward.

Shooters should split ammo.

 

[chris in va]

If I invite them to shoot, it's usually my ammo that gets depleted. Most of the time new shooters have zero idea how expensive ammo really is though, so from now on anyone that wants to "come along" has to pay.

 

[Dunkelheit]

pittspilot

When inviting a non-shooter for the first time it is on me. If they want to contribute I let them buy lunch/dinner afterward.

Shooters should split ammo.

Fits to 90% of the first time shooters.

 

[numaone]

I like the responses. Pretty much what I do now, just wanted to make sure I was in-line with everyone else. First time is on me, second time you can supply the projectiles. Unless you're a girl, of course, then I'm probably buying BOTH the ammo AND dinner later. What's a single man to do these days?