Proper range etiquette.

[joepa150]

As a "noob" I was wondering proper etiquette for shooting ranges. What are the do's and don'ts?

For Example:
What to do with spent shells?
Can you go to the range carrying gun concealed?
Should I bring back my target to look at it while the person next door is shooting?

[raven11]

What to do with spent shells?

collect them in your are but not in stalls being used

Can you go to the range carrying gun concealed?
sure, but some ranges don't allow holster draw
Should I bring back my target to look at it while the person next door is shooting?
only if you have a device to bring the target to you without physically walking out on the firingline , if not there will be a cold range period when you can walk out and get your target

[psychohellbilly666]

I only shoot at an outdoor range and might not be the best to answer but I have been shooting for 15 years. As stated at the outdoor range I shoot at and the fact I don't reload I and most other non reloader leave the brass for others who do reload. I'm sure I misread one question but never go retrieve a target while someone is shooting downrange (common safety and common sence says that). Other than that I would think common ettiquite and the golden rule would apply. Do onto others as you would have want done to you and enjoy your new hobby.

[hoytinak]

Each ranges has their own rules....some make sense, some don't. Your best bet is to ask the range officer at that particular range.

[oneounceload]

At an open, public, non-regulated outdoor range everyone makes sure everyone else knows the range is cold or hot before proceeding.

Stay away from your gun while others are downrange during a cold situation

Put up enough targets so you don't need to call a cold range every 5 minutes

Watch how you handle your guns and your kids so as not to endanger others

[joepa150]

Yeah I guess each range has their own rules.

I was referring to indoor ranges so all I have seen is automatic target retrievel.

Outdoor ranges I like much better but I don't have any close to me.

[Elvishead]

Read all the rules posted, or on the waver you sign. And don't be condescending when they tell you things by saying something like "Yeah, I know!"

Fallow the rules.

[Ronbert]

Don't move real fast. Fast movements with a gun in your hand makes the RO nervous. Especially if it's not clear whether the gun is loaded or not or whether you are a squirrel or not.

The faster you move, the quicker you might wind up sweeping your muzzle over someone. Take your time, don't scare the RO.

[JohnKSa]

You should collect your spent shells and either keep them or put them in the receptacle that is marked empty brass. If there is no such container and you do not wish to keep them you can discard them in the trash receptacle.

Any garbage you generate (empty boxes, shot-up targets, etc.) should be collected and disposed of before you leave.

The range rules will determine whether or not they allow concealed carry at the range. IF they do allow it, be aware that drawing your concealed carry gun--even on the firing line may be problematic depending on the muzzle restrictions at the range and your mode of carry.

Generally speaking the guns you intend to shoot should be unloaded and cased and should remain that way until you are on the line and ready to shoot.

Automatic target retrieval means that you can essentially pretend that you are the only shooter there. Run your target out when you want, run it back when you want.

At an indoor range you probably won't have this happen, but if someone has to go downrange, STEP BACK FROM THE FIRING LINE and do not touch or handle your guns AT ALL while anyone is downrange.

The range should have rules and if you have questions ask someone who works there. It's better to ask than to make a mistake. This is NOT one of the times where it's better to ask forgiveness than permission.

Other than that, the golden rule works pretty well. If you think that what you're doing would bother you if you were shooting in the next lane then it is probably bothering the person shooting in the next lane.

[buck9]

When cease fire is call you are to drop the mag and lock the slide back for autos. For revolvers open the cylinder and eject the rounds. We have a red line painted on the concrete and you must stay behind it unless you go down range. If you go down range you must put a red flag in front of you bench and remove it when you are back at your bench. I rely like clearing the weapon during cease fire it makes me feel better knowing some would have to load the weapon to have a mistake.

[HuntAndFish]

There are range rules. You must read and follow them. Reading and obeying them is part of the etiquette.

If there are multiple indoor stalls open, pick one as far from the other shooters as possible. Do not set up to shoot your .357 mag next to the guy target shooting with a .22 when you are the only two on the range.

Do not start shooting your muzzle loader indoors without asking the RO to turn on the fan.

[Silverado]

I have a couple of indoor ranges in my area and they each have a set of range rules. Both sets are similar, just follow the "ground rules". Both ranges are equipped with double doors into the range and the employees get cranky if you allow both to open at the same time- it exposes them to the reports from the firing line which is problematic if you are there every day, day after day. I guess they don't wear ear protection 'cause it makes normal conversation difficult while working the cash register, renting guns, etc. That would be why they constructed the double doors...

One of my local ranges does not allow some kinds of ammo, like Wolf steel casings. Not sure why?

BTW, anyone want to weigh in on where one can legally shoot outdoors? There are many BLM areas close to my place. Can I shoot there as long as I use common sense and remove all my targets and casings when I'm done?

[joepa150]

I guess every range is different. The one I went to two days ago didn't want you to clean up your spent casings??

[Skans]

Just read the posted rules, you should be perfectly fine. Like others have said, the biggest faux pas you could commit is disregarding one of the posted rules. Other things that you might want to keep in mind that won't be posted:

1. Know the terms "Cold" and "Hot" and don't call a hot range "cold" just because you arrived and want to put up targets (outside ranges only). I usually take some time to get organized, look around for a natural break in the shooting and then politely ask if we can go Cold.

2. Don't ever cross the firing line FOR ANYTHING during a hot range. I don't care if you dropped your new $10,000 machinegun - don't go pick it up!

3. Try to space yourself out so that your spent casings don't hit the guy shooting next to you. Or, if the range is crouded, then take turns shooting.

4. Don't shoot the ground. Don't shoot over the berm. Or if you are inside, don't shoot the ceiling. Sounds stupid, right? Look at the ceiling sometimes in an indoor range.

5. Don't try to chit-chat with someone who is shooting.

6. If there is a Range Officer (RO) Listen to him and don't ever argue with him.

7. Pay attention to whether or not you are on a range that permits rappid fire. I personally hate this rule, because I always engage in rappid fire when I'm shooting.....but, that's why I only shoot at the plinking range where this is permitted.

8. Keep the muzzle end of your gun down range AT ALL TIMES, loaded or unloaded, or resting on a table, unless it is encased. Don't turn around with gun in hand and "sweep" everyone who is between you and whatever you're looking at that isn't a target. You'll be ripped a new one if you ever do that!

9. Know how to deal with a FTF (failure to fire). In a revolver, keep the gun pointed down range for at least 10 seconds before you rotate the cylinder. In a semi-auto, just keep it pointed downrange for 10 seconds before you eject the bad round - then know where you are supposed to dispose of bad rounds safely.

10. If you bring a kid with you: a) You better know the rules backwards and forwards and be a somewhat experienced shooter and, b) have complete control over your kid at all times. Nothing bothers me more than when I see an adult who has hardly ever shot a gun trying to instruct his kid how to shoot. It's like having the blind leading the deaf, blind and ignorant while bobbling a hand grenade.

11. Don't EVER pretend to be an expert and tell someone else that he's not holding the gun properly, not standing correctly, not shooting properly, or that his gun is no good or junky. As long as the person is being safe and following the rules, tha's about the most annoying thing someone could ever do. Now, if you are one of the noted experts, unsolicited instruction can still be annoying, but occasionally appreciated.

[pinetree]

Just follow their rules and be sure to mind your handling and use of the gun - safety. Though now I belong to a large outdoor club, it use to amaze me all the stray bullet holes in dividers, the ceiling so on... have fun and remember front sight and squeeze.

[carguychris]

8. Keep the muzzle end of your gun down range AT ALL TIMES, loaded or unloaded, or resting on a table, unless it is encased. Don't turn around with gun in hand and "sweep" everyone who is between you and whatever you're looking at that isn't a target. You'll be ripped a new one if you ever do that!

...and please follow this rule even if the mag is out and slide is locked back, or the cylinder is open. This is a big pet peeve of mine!

Corollary to this rule: don't rely on the external safety to render your semi-auto "safe". Remember, you're probably the only one on the range who's close enough to see the position of your safety. ROs don't like closed slides when the range goes cold, period.

Corollary to the corollary: ( )if you have a handgun without a manual slide lock, but it locks open on an empty magazine (eg. Walther PPK and other older European autos), please put an empty mag in there to lock it back.

[davlandrum]

If you bring a kid with you: a) You better know the rules backwards and forwards and be a somewhat experienced shooter and, b) have complete control over your kid at all times. Nothing bothers me more than when I see an adult who has hardly ever shot a gun trying to instruct his kid how to shoot. It's like having the blind leading the deaf, blind and ignorant while bobbling a hand grenade.

My 3 boys are .22 shooting age (my daughter is still on the bb-gun), but only 1 of the 3 can go with me to the range at a time, unless my buddy comes with us so he can work with 1. Lots of hurt feelings about who gets to go, but I will not let them stand there un-occupied (idle hands = devil's workshop...) while I am on the line with another one.

My kids, My responsiblity.

[MTT TL]

The one I went to two days ago didn't want you to clean up your spent casings??

If your brass lands forward of the firing line at an indoor range you very likely won't be able to pick it up safely, therefore that brass is gone. Very few ranges I know of won't let you pick up your brass at all.

In fact I only know of one which was a rental range that reloaded their own ammo and you had to use it in their rental guns (which of course you bought at a premium from the range). That is very rare thing. The brass is your property.

[Dragon55]

1. Always wait until your neighbor is away from his/her position before scrounging his/her brass. It seems to bother people when you rake brass from around their feet.

2. Always congratulate new shooters when they manage to hit more than 2 horizontal surfaces (you know... ceiling, floor, wall) with their brand new .44 magnum.

3. Always pick the left most firing position so your semi-auto will eject hot brass toward your neighbors to your right. (When they move to another position farther away scrounge their brass)

4. Always take plenty of masking tape so you can use the same target for 300 rounds. Hey.... 50 cents is 50 cents!

5. Most importantly keep a target with you you've shot from 2 feet while at home in case anybody wants to see how you've done. (Don't forget to rattle it a lot as you hold it up to look at it)

I guess there's more but these come to mind right away.

[KD5NRH]

1. Always wait until your neighbor is away from his/her position before scrounging his/her brass. It seems to bother people when you rake brass from around their feet.

Only scrounge the spent brass: they get really bothered when you're going through their range bag with a bullet puller.

2. Always congratulate new shooters when they manage to hit more than 2 horizontal surfaces (you know... ceiling, floor, wall) with their brand new .44 magnum.

If the walls are horizontal, find a better-maintained range.

3. Always pick the left most firing position so your semi-auto will eject hot brass toward your neighbors to your right. (When they move to another position farther away scrounge their brass)

Watch out for tiny booths that will allow a hot .243 hull to go rightwall-ceiling-leftwall-leftear.

4. Always take plenty of masking tape so you can use the same target for 300 rounds. Hey.... 50 cents is 50 cents!

Make sure you use the empty roll for a target too.

5. Most importantly keep a target with you you've shot from 2 feet while at home in case anybody wants to see how you've done. (Don't forget to rattle it a lot as you hold it up to look at it)

Only shoot it once, so you can brag about your perfect single-hole group.

[stevieboy]

Seriously, folks, there are a few basic principles that apply universally.

1. Follow all of the local rules scrupulously and without exception. If you think a rule is stupid, fine, discuss it with the RO but follow it while you're there.

2. NEVER point your weapon in any direction except downrange. No exceptions to this rule. If you put it down while you're hanging a new target, leave it pointed downrange. If you need to take a bathroom break and you put your gun down, leave it pointed downrange. Do it even if the slide is locked open and the magazine is out and you've checked to see that nothing's in the chamber. Or, if it's a revolver, do it even if the cylinder is open and you've made certain that there are no rounds in the chambers.

3. ALWAYS clear your weapon when you're not using it.

4. Be courteous to your fellow shooters.

5. Assume the worst. When you're on the line don't assume that your fellow shooters are following the rules. Assume that they're not. Increase your personal margin of safety by being wary at all times. Remember, the other people there are armed with loaded weapons and some of them are likely, unfortunately, to be pretty clueless about what they have in their hands.

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to shoot at the Smith & Wesson public range at their headquarters in Springfield, Mass. It's a beautiful facility and really well run. The rules there are much stricter than the rules at my local range. For example, they require every shooter to wear a hat. I was a bit mystified by that one until I thought about what it would feel like to have some hot brass fall on my nearly bald scalp. Since then I wear a hat when I shoot, at least when I'm shooting my semiautos. I'd thought I was a model shooter with many years' experience but, to my chagrin, I was caught breaking the local rules when I put my empty gun down momentarily with the barrel facing me. The RO was almost instantly on me like white on rice, as he should have been. Lesson learned, and I've never forgotten it.

[output]

I think everyone has pretty much covered everything. Make sure your read and understand the rules that your rage has posted. Also, I will reiterate “pick up your spent shells” it can be annoying to everyone else that has to pass your both if brass is all over the floor and it can be hazardous. I have seen more then a few people slip on them, some on their own brass.

[EdInk]

General safety and common sense (which seems less commonly found these days, doesn't it?) are the most important.

I like indoor ranges because weather is not as big an issue but I guess it is all preference and familiarity.

I leave brass for reloaders/range staff because they will use it. If you rent a gun plan on buying their ammo. Have fun and be safe.

[joepa150]

To be more clear the range said not to pick up any brass and put in the trash can. Just sweep forward onto the range.

[Skans]

Yes, I've seen a couple of indoor ranges that tell you not to pick up ANY of your brass and claim that all spent brass is theirs. My advice is only shoot wolf steel cased ammo or CCI alluminum ammo at those places.