Do you let other people shoot your firearms?

[Aguila Blanca]

I let other people try my guns, with my ammo or factory ammo. I don't trust other people's reloads -- especially the guys who proudly proclaim that they like to load 'em "a little on the warm side."

[Pahoo]

The OP never said "allow two or more new shooters to handle your guns at the same time?". Apparently one or two paranoid people are reading a lot into the question.

Point well taken; rather than bring paranoid, private and protective. I gladly share the exchange of usage, at the range. I also do not ask but if offered, usually and gladly accept. ......

As far as loaning, I only loan to my Grandsons as I at least have "some" control over their usage and they show respect for my "stuff" ......

I use to be more liberal and accommodating and paid the price ....

Be Safe !!!

[Crankylove]

If I trust them to handle them responsibly, they can shoot all they want until the ammo is gone.

When my family goes shooting together (dad, uncle, brothers, maybe a cousin or two), there could easily be 100+ firearms laid out in the back of trucks, cars, or on tables.

Everybody has a little different taste and variety, and it’s fun too shoot something you don’t have, or something that’s not real common. Want shoot my dads .450 double? Just ask. Want to shoot my brothers type 38 or 99 Arisakas? Just ask. Want to shoot my brothers WWII hand made black market copy of a Mauser(ish) pistol? Just ask. Nobody just up and grabs something, always ask, only time there might be a no is if there is very little ammo, or the gun is having some issues worked out.

[jackstrawIII]

Yes, all the time. I buy guns to let my friends shoot them with me. It's good times.

[buck460XVR]

Yes...all the time. Many times, my firearms are the first time some of those folks have ever shot a firearm, especially when it comes to handguns. For the most part, I find that new shooters are more careful at the line than so many so called "experienced" shooters.

[stinkeypete]

If you want to come hunting with me, I can loan you a shotgun or .22. We can pick up a hunting license for you on the way out of town.

Shooting pistols? Sure, but I need to know you as a shooter otherwise under very very close supervision. Muzzle discipline is so very easy to lose with a pistol.

Heavy recoil loads? Not until I am sure you have the skills and strength to handle it. Those youtube videos of people losing control of handcannons are NOT funny to me.

Loan out? Close family or dear friends- not the arms that are dear to me, otherwise okay.

[CleanDean]

I have been friendlier when I was younger. But now in my validated Mature years... I am a self described VIGILANT CURMUDGEON.

95 % of the folks at my Club’s Range are wary & Cheap. So I won’t make the first move of generosity. If they want to shoot my guns they have to buy the ammo that is used. Back at ya’

[Mainah]

Shoot yes, borrow no.

[montanaoffroader]

Under supervision with my ammo I have no problem letting people shoot my guns. It's often as much fun as shooting them myself, especially if the person is a new shooter.

As far as loans go it's a short list, both the persons I'm willing to loan to and guns I will loan them.

[JWT]

Sure. But only when they remain in my sight and are shooting at the same range that I am at.

[AzShooter]

I often have people ask if they can shoot my guns and I have no problem as long as they use my ammo. I've had people watch me with my Black Powder guns and the children always want to give it a try. I love seeing the look on their faces when they touch off a round.

I think it's very important to let someone feel how a certain gun fits in their hands before they buy one and if I have that model I let them shoot mine.

[Ignition Override]

The only danger I saw was when a Yugoslav Mauser and an Enfield were both on the gun bench.

You must monitor the guy’s hands so that he never reaches for the wrong ammo.

And this guy was a very experienced shooter—but only with modern guns.

[burbank_jung]

I'll only loan my gun to someone I'm willing to go to jail for because of the mistake. That leaves my three brothers, my oldest friend whom I've known for over 50 years, and my nephews.

[bbqncigars]

The people that I've let shoot my .50BMG bolt gun at our club's range have to go through a couple of runs with a snap cap before they get to use live ammo. This lets them get used to the trigger and lets me adjust the stock to them as well as checking their eye relief. I've gotten more enjoyment from kids (under parental supervision) shooting it than when I do. Every kid gets the still smoking brass as a parting gift. The look on their face is truly priceless.
OTOH, only experienced pistol shooters get to shoot the Auto Mag.

[TailGator]

If someone shows interest in one of my guns at the range I'll invite them to shoot it. And I have taken several people shooting for their first time. (This starts with a good safety lesson at my house, and practice handling unloaded guns.) I won't loan guns out without me going with them, though.

[markr6754]

Yes, in my presence.

[kenny53]

Yes I let others shoot my guns. I don't loan my guns out unless you are a child of mine or a very close friend. I did loan a gun to a very close friend and asked him about it. He was positive that he had returned it. I know that that he hadn't. I figured he would find it sooner or later and about 18 months after he borrowed I heard a knock at my front door. I opened the door and my buddy was standing there looking very sheepish holding my rifle. He had found stuck in the back of a closet. I had a good laugh.

[burbank_jung]

It's good to have buddies that you can trust. They'll always come through

[FlyFish]

Yes, in my presence.

+1

[doofus47]

Yes, in my presence.

+2

[shafter]

If they're in my presence at the range then I would let just about anyone shoot my firearms unless I had a good reason not to. I'm especially willing to let a new shooter try them.

Letting people borrow my firearms is another matter. I can only think of a handful that I would feel comfortable lending them to and I'm not really comfortable with borrowing guns myself either. If it's something common that I could easily replace then that's one thing, but I don't want to be responsible for something happening to a firearm that's meaningful to you.

EDIT: I'd loan a firearm for the range or hunting but never for defensive purposes. I'll help you shop around but your protection is on you.

[SIGSHR]

Yes, in my presence and under my supervision.
I had long wanted a Colt Cobra, another shooter let me fire his, it was then I realized I didn't like aluminum frames. I got a Detective Special instead. It was thanks to other shooters letting me shoot their Glocks that I realized I didn't like Glocks.

[BourbonCowboy]

That's the same way I found that I didn't like the Glock grip angle. I can't really explain it, but it's different.

[DaleA]

I'm going to chime in again on this thread and just say I better let other folk shoot my guns because of all the folk on the ranges that have let me shoot their guns.

I got to shoot a genuine WWII BAR (I channeled my inner Kirby (TV series "Combat!" reference) during the experience). And also got to shoot a WWII full auto Tommy gun.

I've got to shoot .44 magnum revolvers and some very expensive guns and I am and should be thankful for the experience and I should pay it forward.

That said, I'm talking about folks at the range, shooting my ammunition in my guns and me standing right there.

A slight variation on this theme is if a friend shows an interest in shooting, (someone who is not a shooter) I offer to take them to the range, my guns, my ammunition, my ears and eyes protection etc., etc. and they pay our range fee. I've done this several times and so far it's always been a positive experience for both of us and we've never caused any "anxiety" at the range, due in part to safety lectures at home before we set out for the range.

I feel like this is a very small way to give back to a sport I have enjoyed a lot.