If you are a newbie to the gun range, there are some mistakes you shouldn’t make. People that go to the shooting range often with all the right training and experience are careful not to make these errors in judgement. The shooting range is a serious place that needs to be treated that way. It’s not the time to goof around with your buddies in an environment where something bad could accidentally happen. Plus, with more and more people purchasing firearms for the first time with record numbers sold in 2020, there are more inexperienced first timers at the gun range than ever before.
Let’s look at some common bad practices at the shooting range that everyone needs to avoid.
Get Some Basic Training First
You are around serious people at the shooting range. They don’t want to be bothered by basic questions, like “how do you load this gun?” Get some basic training first to make sure that you know how to fully operate your weapon before heading to the gun range. Many shooting ranges offer classes in basic and more advanced training that you can take. Sign up for that before you go to the range on your own.
Avoid Using a More Powerful Gun Than You Can Handle
People sometimes don’t know what they can handle. If you have only ever shot a .22, it’s not the time to rent a more powerful gun that may be overwhelming to shoot.
Don’t Be Distracted By Taking Pictures or Videos
In this era of extreme social media use, the urge to pull out your camera and take a picture or video to showoff for your friends is definitely inappropriate at the shooting range. It’s a distraction you don’t need.
Never Go When Drinking
It’s amazing how many people go to the shooting range after a few beers. That’s completely unacceptable. That goes for being under the influence of any kind of drug or alcohol.
Pro-tip: you can always hit up the bar when you’re done!
It’s Not a Time to Be Social
People are generally focused on shooting and getting that practice in while at the shooting range. They don’t want to be social or hear about the new gun you bought. Keep to yourself and the task of becoming a better shooter, rather than asking the guy in the next stall what kind of gun he’s using. No one wants to be bothered.
Have Exceptional Muzzle and Trigger Discipline
This probably goes without saying, but inexperienced people forget. Having the right muzzle and trigger discipline is unbelievably important. For example, don’t stick the gun under your arm when you are going to reload it. This may be common sense, but it’s also something that people without a lot of training forget or can be careless about.
Be Mindful of the Time
Don’t make adjustments to your weapon with a tool kit while at the gun range. There may be other people waiting to use the stalls, so it’s waste of time to work on your gun while you should be getting that shooting practice in. This is something that people with experience sometimes aren’t mindful about.
Having the right range etiquette is important, not only for your safety, but the wellbeing of everyone else around you at that facility.
I recently was at the range when a guy showed up with his friend to teach him how to shoot…without calling clear the guy sends his friend down range to hang their target. I and the other guy there who was a certified instructor stopped firing immediately and the instructor walked over and calmly gave them both proper range instruction.
I work as an RSO at a Gun range, you don’t even scratch the surface….
If I wish to fine tune my firearm on MY range time -I will! Focus on safety!