what to expect at a range?

[Skuggi]

Ok, so yea, I just realized something I have never been to a range before lol. I've shot plenty of times, but it's all been in the woods, pistols, shotguns, rifles. I'm going to the group shoot this sunday, and would like some heads up on basic range etiquite as I am sure there is such a thing.

I'm also taking my 3 guns I have yet to shoot, so should be interesting.

[D-FENS]

Well, when people yell "Clear!" That means, pull out the magazine, lock the slide back and visually check for a bullet. Then place your gun pointing down range on the table or holster it.

Don't shoot beside someone's face like I did to GRoPA with his cannon.

When a "Clear!" is called, most people take off their shooting glasses and ear protection. When folks return from down range, and before you fire, yell "Eyes and Ears" to make sure everyone can put on their eye and ear protection on before firing resumes."

Be conscious of other folks at the range. If people ahve been shooting for 20 minutes and some dude trying to sight in his gun is dozing off, ask him if he needs a "clear". No one wants to go to the range where a bunch of dude's are just firing down range and they can't check on their stuff. It makes for a very long range-going experience.

If you fire a round and it fails to go off, hold the gun down range for 30-45 seconds before ejecting it. Check your gun visually.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS make sure there is no one down range. ALWAYS call out eyes and ears and look around to make sure everyone heard you. Being your first time, just follow someone elses lead and you'll be fine.

Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire, in fact. Don't even load a round into the chamber until you're ready. In between shots, if the gun is loaded. Hold it at 45 degrees in front of you in "low ready".

See ya soon

[jsb889]

Hey, my first time at a real range too! I didn't even think about that...good call! See ya there

[762xIan]

Read any posted range rules...the biggie for me is NO HANDLING GUNS DURING A CEASE FIRE! Watch your muzzle..keep em pointed down range....I have only been swept a few times....it's always scary seeing a gun pointed at you.

Thats about it...have fun.

[PisnNapalm]

Do not shoot across lanes. This one drives me nuts.

I was at a public range on the 4th bench from the right shooting at a 100 yard target. The 25 yard targets were on benches 1 and 2 from the right. Some ass setups up on the 5th bench and start blasting at a target setup for bench 2!

I got the hell out of there immediately.

[John Fox]

TheHighChild: Very good advice! I qualify members at my club and you covered it very well. Would never worry if shooting next to you. I've seen a lot of mistakes in my time.

[Emptymag]

I'm going to the group shoot this sunday, and would like some heads up on basic range etiquite as I am sure there is such a thing.

(these are in no particular order)

1. New guy cleans up all the brass at the end of day.

2. Muzzle pointed downrange or at ground.(still downrange) If muzzle directed up and a round is accidentally discharged, it could end up coming down with tragic results. (ask me about my Silverado or see... http://www.pafoa.org/forum/general-2...-acp-pics.html)

3. For your safety:
a. Shooting glasses (I wear my regular glasses)
b. Hearing protection (Ear muffs or plugs)
c. Baseball style cap (keeps hot brass from falling down in between your glasses and eyes - it DOES happen)

4. Other than targets provided by the club, Paper targets only.

5. When folks are downrange checking/hanging targets, leave gun on the table. If you aren't handling it, nobody can be injured by accident.

6. When drooling over someone's prized possessions, wipe your chin, nobody wants slobber on their firearms!

7. When someone asks "you wanna' shoot it?" say, "No, guns are bad!"
optional response: "Yes, thanks... you want to shoot mine?"

8. If you have a question. ASK. It's how you learn and we gun owners love to talk.

[D-FENS]

Also, don't paw at people's guns. I say this as a general rule. Here at the PAFOA shoot, most people yell out "Anyone wanna run a mag through this?" and usually a few people line up. The rule still applies. You can stare, all you want but don't touch people's guns until they offer to let you look at them. Someone may or may not offer you a mag to run through it. I usually offer with my guns but I never assume anyone else will.

These are more of general rule's but the folks at the Group Shoots are generally like family and don't care. As long as you know how to use it and are responsible. Don't hesitate to ask how it works or how to disengage/engage the safety. No one wants someone breaking off their safety or something else because they thought it worked in a different way.

[JIMMYC308]

Boy I'm definitely out of it, where is the group shoot taking place and when!!!!!!!

[D-FENS]

Originally Posted by JIMMYC308

Boy I'm definitely out of it, where is the group shoot taking place and when!!!!!!!

Check the Allegheny subsection to the Pittsburgh section of the Regional Forum.

The event will be held near Pittsburgh in North Versailles pa at the Pitcairn Monroeville Sportsman's Club. The cost is $3(charged by the club) and will be on Sunday the 13th of this month, AKA Mother's Day.

It's absolutely NOT sponsored by PAFOA, just members of the forum that get together to go shooting.

I'll start posting in the Events forum. I meant to this time but didn't want to ask Danp to fix my mistakes more than once (first was the date)

http://www.pafoa.org/forum/allegheny...-3-9-00am.html