Your First Time At A Gun Range
Your first trip to a gun range can be a bit intimidating, especially for new gun owners. But it can be made a whole lot easier by following a few simple rules. The most important rule, and one you must never break, is to follow the established rules for gun safety. Many ranges, both indoor and outdoor, will post their usage rules prominently. If you don’t see them, ask where you can find them. Ranges often have a Range Officer (commonly known as the RO) on the premises. This person runs the range, and his every command must be obeyed.
Proper Setup
As mentioned above, every range has its own rules for safe operation. Typically, it goes something like this: Put on your eye and ear protection, and proceed to pick a station from which to shoot. If the range is crowded, grab any spot; if there are only a few shooters, pick a station that allows space between the users. This is a simple courtesy that will be much appreciated by those who arrived before you.
Walther PDP Optics Ready Semi-Automatic Pistol
Make sure that whichever gun you shoot is unloaded (you checked that before you left home, correct?), and place it on the bench. Make sure the muzzle points downrange. For a bolt-action rifle, open the bolt; for a revolver, open the cylinder; for a pistol, pull the slide back and make sure the magazine is out of the gun. This simple procedure tells the other shooters and the RO that you know the basic rules of safety.
Walther PDP Optics Ready Compact Semi-Automatic Pistol
Open your range bag, retrieve your ammo and spotting scope, and place them on the bench. Depending on the range rules, you may not be able to load the magazine or the gun until the RO instructs you to do so. If that’s the case, wait until the RO tells the shooters they may load their guns.
Putting Up Targets
Some indoor pistol ranges have motorized target holders that make it easy to change targets. If the target is downrange, simply recall it with the flip of a switch. Outdoor ranges require the shooters to walk downrange to put up or change targets. Here, the RO will make the range “cold.” This command means that all guns are unloaded and the shooters step back from their guns. Once the RO has determined the range is safe, the shooters can walk the 50 or 100 yards to the target frames. Staple the target in place (with the stapler from your range bag), and then walk back. Do not handle your firearm until instructed to do so by the RO. His duty here is to make sure all the shooters are safely back at their stations. He’ll then say the range is “hot,” meaning you can now shoot.
"FIRE!"
You’re now ready to shoot. Pistol shooters have a variety of stances from which to choose. Typically, most face the target directly, hold the gun with both hands, and commence to fire. Others (mainly those who choose to shoot one-handed slow fire) will turn 90 degrees to the target. However you shoot, make sure at all times that the muzzle faces downrange.
Rifle shooters—especially anyone sighting a scope—will be seated at the bench with the rifle on a rest. Assume a comfortable position, with the butt firmly against your shoulder, acquire the target, and squeeze the trigger. Repeat as necessary, making adjustments to the scope as you go.
Check your progress with a spotting scope. When you need to change the target, unload the gun and step back or sit quietly until the RO declares the range cold. At that point you can go downrange, retrieve the target for a closer look, or put up a new one. Do not, under any circumstances, start downrange until the RO declares the range cold.
Trouble?
If for any reason you experience trouble with your firearm (for example, a failure to Hatsan Sortie Tact Air Pistol Pellet eject or feed in a semi-auto pistol) and you don’t know what to do, place the gun on the bench (muzzle downrange) and call on the RO for help. He’ll clear the gun and show you what to do if it happens again.
Packing Up
At the end of the session, unload the firearm, safely case it, and repack your range bag. Wait until the range goes cold, and then walk downrange to retrieve your target. Pick up any spent brass and discard in the appropriate bins. Do not take off your eye and hearing protection until you’ve exited the firing stations.
Wilson Combat EDC X9 Semi-Automatic Pistol
FAQs
Q: How much ammo should I Buy Firearms Online bring to the range?
A: That depends on what you are shooting. Rimfire shooters tend to shoot a lot, so a couple of hundred rounds is not excessive. Centerfire ammo is considerably more expensive, so shooters tend to shoot less. For sighting in a rifle, bring at least two boxes. Handgun shooters tend to shoot more (they may be practicing for competition), so 50 to 60 rounds is not excessive.
Q: What will it cost to shoot at a range?
A: Prices vary from range to range. There may be a set fee or you may be asked to pay by the hour. The prices will be posted on the range’s website. They’ll also be posted prominently in the office. Public ranges are free, but the facilities are usually very spartan, and they can get very crowded at times.
Q: What about gun clubs?
A: Gun clubs usually offer yearly memberships, and most cap the number of active members to avoid overcrowding. They can be a very convivial place to shoot, and new members have ready access to more experienced shooters.
Conclusion
Your first trip to a gun range can be a great learning experience, as long as you obey a few simple rules of firearm safety. Follow the commands of the Range Officer, always keep the muzzle of the gun downrange, and make sure the gun is unloaded when you arrive and depart. Nighthawk Custom Talon Semi-Automatic Pistol 45 ACP 5" Barrel 8-Round Nitride Cocobolo