When are shooting ranges typically least busy?

Zero One · September 26, 2009, 08:49 PM

I'm trying to teach my friend how to shoot. She's never shot before, and I think it'd be nice to go when the range is not completely packed.

We both work 9-5 jobs, so those times are out Monday through Friday. Anytime after on weekdays, or anytime on weekends, is good though.

So besides 9-5 times, when do you find that the range is least busy?

Thanks, all.

varoadking · September 26, 2009, 08:56 PM

Indoor range? Summer...

hoytinak · September 26, 2009, 08:56 PM

I work nights and I'm off Friday and Saturday nights so my best time is to head to our private clubs outdoor range about midnight or so if I'm only shooting my handguns. I'll just use the headlights/off-road light on my truck for some lighting. I'll keep some off for some good low light shooting as well.

If I need to go during the daylight though, first thing in the morning works best for me.

oldkim · September 26, 2009, 09:03 PM

The least busy times are truly a hit and miss but most often... during the weeknight from 7-9pm Check the hours of your range.

Also early weekends right when they open are always pretty good.

Good luck.

B. Lahey · September 26, 2009, 09:07 PM

If there is no match scheduled, early in the morning on weekends is usually fairly unpopular.

Unfortunately, I'm not an early riser if given any other option, but it could work for you.

bluetopper · September 26, 2009, 09:43 PM

I'm sooo glad I don't live in a big city any more and have to put up with crowds.
Especially at a range, that would be NO fun.

JerseyDrez · September 27, 2009, 12:06 AM

In my area, weekdays are the time to go. Specifically during the morning when everyone is at work.

I always try to go then as Im the only one there (indoor range) and its nice to have everything to yourself.

Weekends are the worst. The place is packed with everyone whos not working and lots of irresponsible shooters come out then (rental shooters).

larryh1108 · September 27, 2009, 12:07 AM

I usually have the range to myself on Sat evenings from 5-7pm.... dinner time. It's jammed before and after but dinner time most nights gives you "quiet" time.

bigghoss · September 27, 2009, 02:16 AM

Quote:

When are shooting ranges typically least busy?

when there's the least people there. but that's just my observation.

Rich Miranda · September 27, 2009, 02:29 AM

The absolute best time is early in the week (Monday, Tuesday) and when they first open.

But since weekdays 9-5 are out for you, be the first ones there when they open on the weekend days.

Ranges are like IHOP: Weekends at 8 AM are OK to go. At 10:30, forget it.

herbie1 · September 27, 2009, 02:42 AM

Try calling the range and ask.

H.

Elvishead · September 27, 2009, 02:52 AM

If you can find a range open on weekdays that stay open late like 8 or 9 pm, I'd go on Tuesdays.

Blue Grass · September 27, 2009, 10:13 AM

I work midnight shift (11pm-7am) so I go early in the morning and usually have the public and private ranges to myself.

trucker john · September 27, 2009, 06:34 PM

I live in Milwaukee, WI, and people here LOVE their Green Bay Packers. Grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, laundry, shooting range......if I go while the Packers are playing, it's never busy. Not sure where you live, but try going when the local pro or college team is playing.

Vt.birdhunter · September 27, 2009, 08:08 PM

Avoid the month right before hunting season...... my local ranges are packed this time of year, probably will be through thanksgiving or so.

BobbyT · September 27, 2009, 09:33 PM

I also work nights, so the last few times I've experimented, and I can't seem to figure it out.

On Labor Day weekend I meant to go Friday morning but ended up running errands. Showed up Sunday afternoon expecting it to be packed (even left my range bag in the car figuring I'd grab it if it turned out not to be), and only about 4 of the 10 lanes were being used, with a couple more people showing up as I was leaving.

The last time I went, I again meant to show up Friday morning to a nice empty range and got sidetracked, but made it up there around 3pm. I figured it would be filled with people who get Fridays off early, but there was only 1 lane occupied.

The range where I went has 2 separated sections of 5 lanes, so I was the only one in my section for about the first half hour. Kind of eery, but nice.

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · September 27, 2009, 09:43 PM

delete

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · September 27, 2009, 09:45 PM

G'day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigghoss

when there's the least people there. but that's just my observation.

My first thought was along the same lines. When they are closed

.

On a more serious note try early mornings, or ask at your local range.

Regolith · September 28, 2009, 01:25 AM

I usually go during weekdays, sometime around noonish. The range is usually abandoned around those times. Then again, this is a members only, low-traffic outdoor range that's 20-30 or so miles out of town in a very rural area. Most of the members are likely working during the weekday and don't have time to get there during lunch.

45Gunner · September 28, 2009, 09:55 AM

I think you may be S O L.

Local ranges here are packed all weekend long and week days after 5 PM is pretty busy. I prefer Monday mornings at 10 AM, right after they open as I find it to be the most quiet. Of course, for you, that won't work. Why not find some place out in the boonies, if that is practical for you, and you can have all the time you need to work with your friend. And, you don't have to risk being shot by the guy standing next to you.

NavyLT · September 28, 2009, 04:01 PM

Right after a democrat gets elected and there's no ammo in the stores.

September 26, 2009, 08:49 PM	#1
Zero One Member Join Date: July 22, 2009 Location: In the North! Posts: 32	When are shooting ranges typically least busy? I'm trying to teach my friend how to shoot. She's never shot before, and I think it'd be nice to go when the range is not completely packed. We both work 9-5 jobs, so those times are out Monday through Friday. Anytime after on weekdays, or anytime on weekends, is good though. So besides 9-5 times, when do you find that the range is least busy? Thanks, all.

September 26, 2009, 09:03 PM	#4
oldkim Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 462	least busy The least busy times are truly a hit and miss but most often... during the weeknight from 7-9pm Check the hours of your range. Also early weekends right when they open are always pretty good. Good luck.

September 27, 2009, 12:07 AM	#8
larryh1108 Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2008 Location: NC Posts: 813	I usually have the range to myself on Sat evenings from 5-7pm.... dinner time. It's jammed before and after but dinner time most nights gives you "quiet" time. __________________ Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

September 27, 2009, 09:43 PM	#17
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	delete Last edited by SKULLANDCROSSBONES65; September 27, 2009 at 09:50 PM.

September 28, 2009, 09:55 AM	#20
45Gunner Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2009 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 1,902	I think you may be S O L. Local ranges here are packed all weekend long and week days after 5 PM is pretty busy. I prefer Monday mornings at 10 AM, right after they open as I find it to be the most quiet. Of course, for you, that won't work. Why not find some place out in the boonies, if that is practical for you, and you can have all the time you need to work with your friend. And, you don't have to risk being shot by the guy standing next to you. __________________ 45Gunner May the Schwartz Be With You. NRA Instructor NRA Life Member

September 26, 2009, 08:56 PM	#2
varoadking Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2004 Location: Dixie Posts: 2,315	Indoor range? Summer...

September 26, 2009, 08:56 PM	#3
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	I work nights and I'm off Friday and Saturday nights so my best time is to head to our private clubs outdoor range about midnight or so if I'm only shooting my handguns. I'll just use the headlights/off-road light on my truck for some lighting. I'll keep some off for some good low light shooting as well. If I need to go during the daylight though, first thing in the morning works best for me.

September 26, 2009, 09:07 PM	#5
B. Lahey Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,857	If there is no match scheduled, early in the morning on weekends is usually fairly unpopular. Unfortunately, I'm not an early riser if given any other option, but it could work for you.

September 26, 2009, 09:43 PM	#6
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,214	I'm sooo glad I don't live in a big city any more and have to put up with crowds. Especially at a range, that would be NO fun.

September 27, 2009, 12:06 AM	#7
JerseyDrez Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2009 Location: Hmmm? Posts: 510	In my area, weekdays are the time to go. Specifically during the morning when everyone is at work. I always try to go then as Im the only one there (indoor range) and its nice to have everything to yourself. Weekends are the worst. The place is packed with everyone whos not working and lots of irresponsible shooters come out then (rental shooters).

September 27, 2009, 02:29 AM	#10
Rich Miranda Senior Member Join Date: May 5, 2008 Location: San Antonio, not San Antone... Posts: 1,203	The absolute best time is early in the week (Monday, Tuesday) and when they first open. But since weekdays 9-5 are out for you, be the first ones there when they open on the weekend days. Ranges are like IHOP: Weekends at 8 AM are OK to go. At 10:30, forget it.

September 27, 2009, 02:42 AM	#11
herbie1 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2006 Posts: 192	Try calling the range and ask. H.

September 27, 2009, 02:52 AM	#12
Elvishead Junior member Join Date: August 8, 2007 Location: Las vegas, NV Posts: 3,397	If you can find a range open on weekdays that stay open late like 8 or 9 pm, I'd go on Tuesdays.

September 27, 2009, 10:13 AM	#13
Blue Grass Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Posts: 398	I work midnight shift (11pm-7am) so I go early in the morning and usually have the public and private ranges to myself.

September 27, 2009, 06:34 PM	#14
trucker john Junior Member Join Date: September 13, 2008 Posts: 8	I live in Milwaukee, WI, and people here LOVE their Green Bay Packers. Grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, laundry, shooting range......if I go while the Packers are playing, it's never busy. Not sure where you live, but try going when the local pro or college team is playing.

September 27, 2009, 08:08 PM	#15
Vt.birdhunter Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Posts: 637	Avoid the month right before hunting season...... my local ranges are packed this time of year, probably will be through thanksgiving or so.

September 27, 2009, 09:33 PM	#16
BobbyT Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Posts: 266	I also work nights, so the last few times I've experimented, and I can't seem to figure it out. On Labor Day weekend I meant to go Friday morning but ended up running errands. Showed up Sunday afternoon expecting it to be packed (even left my range bag in the car figuring I'd grab it if it turned out not to be), and only about 4 of the 10 lanes were being used, with a couple more people showing up as I was leaving. The last time I went, I again meant to show up Friday morning to a nice empty range and got sidetracked, but made it up there around 3pm. I figured it would be filled with people who get Fridays off early, but there was only 1 lane occupied. The range where I went has 2 separated sections of 5 lanes, so I was the only one in my section for about the first half hour. Kind of eery, but nice.

September 28, 2009, 01:25 AM	#19
Regolith Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 400	I usually go during weekdays, sometime around noonish. The range is usually abandoned around those times. Then again, this is a members only, low-traffic outdoor range that's 20-30 or so miles out of town in a very rural area. Most of the members are likely working during the weekday and don't have time to get there during lunch.

September 28, 2009, 04:01 PM	#21
NavyLT Junior member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: Oak Harbor, WA Posts: 1,719	Right after a democrat gets elected and there's no ammo in the stores.