bothersome range sessions with friends (sometimes)

[Sav .250]

There are times when friends take advantage of situations.

Either grab the bull by the horns and set your buddies straight or buy more ammo.

 

[LiveLife]

I thought that I may be too sensitive about this, but seems that other members had a similar experiences.

maybe i should start saying something, I am kind of uncomfortable in doing that

It's simple. Your guns/ammo and your range trip so you get to "Set the rules" or they don't come with you.

I reload and always have plenty of friends/coworkers/family/relatives/neighbors who want to accompany me to the range. I will bring thousands of rounds of ammo and pistols/rifles so there's plenty for everyone and also bring along cleaning kit and spare parts (springs, mag followers, magazines, red dots, etc.).

Those that can afford, pitch in for ammo and those that cannot help with picking up brass, setup targets, trash pick up, etc. Some will offer to help with bringing food/snacks/drinks for lunch.

Those that don't help do not get invited for the next range trip. If they are interested in shooting, they will get the message and will offer what they can help with.

I always accommodate people new to shooting and will spend much range time with them getting familiar with guns and teaching them to shoot. If they are interested in shooting, they will usually reciprocate and help out with cost of ammo. If they don't, I am glad that I got new people introduced to shooting. Usually their hands/wrists will get tired/sore before they shoot too many hundreds of rounds of ammo.

I also clean and repair other shooters guns, especially if they have issues with them. Often issues are resolved by replacing springs and magazines. I often do not charge for them and if they do not reload, will ask them to collect their brass for me to reload.

Life is short. It's nice to have people that are happy about shooting accompany you to the range. For me, as long as they are happy about shooting and help out in some capacity and they are good company, it's all good. As long as everyone has a good time with good food/snacks/drinks (no alcohol), it's a good range trip.

I get a big chuckle when female/male Democrat/liberal coworkers/neighbors seeing happy bunch of children/adult men/women shooting then becoming gun owners and supporters of 2nd Amendment and getting carry permits. This I am absolutely willing to pay for at any cost and I often insist that their range trips are on me. I tell them it's my way of "Paying it forward", a notion many of them appreciate.

I also love to see parents bring along their children and I absolutely devote my time with them so they end up pursuing the hobby of shooting/reloading together as a family.

I allocate monthly budget for shooting/reloading of several hundred dollars and whether I get to shoot the entire budget or get to watch others enjoy shooting that budget, I am happy either way. Usually things work out and good will extended have returned many folds.

 

[Walkalong]

I get to shoot the entire budget or get to watch others enjoy shooting that budget, I am happy either way.

Same here, I reload and shoot for enjoyment. While I enjoy doing both myself, I also enjoy letting others shoot, putting smiles on their faces and possibly helping them along a path to becoming an enthusiast, like us. Letting them shoot my stuff does that.

Letting people you know and like shoot your reloads? $20 (Well, sometimes more ). The smiles and appreciation they show? Priceless.

Only you can decide if they really appreciate it and is worth it.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Sometimes I go with friends. Sometimes alone. If I take someone who routinely makes it unfun or a hastle, I'd stop going with them.

 

[bocefus78]

I only have 1 regular shooting buddy. He sets up my targets, brings his own ammo and guns, and never asks to shoot anything. I have to force him to try new guns I may have that he hasn't shot.
I even let him use my reloading room but rhe rule is he buys his own components.
In exchange, I get his brass from the guns he doesn't reload for.

Newbies get to shoot for free and I don't complain. I enjoy helping a new shooter almost as much as shooting. That's easy to say I guess considering reload costs vs store bought.

Op, you need to say something or quit bringing them with you, plain and simple. If they are real friends, they will apologize and pay up. If they complain, load up and go home.

 

[Ignition Override]

Nope.
That reinforces their expectations of your "welfare check" ammo, so to speak.
I would not continue allowing so-called friends or just buddies to take advantage of my generosity.

If they had been furnishing ammo and Then lost their job, or then had a major "lifestyle change" (lost guns/ammo/lots of cash in the process), that would be different.

 

[627PCFan]

I have a range buddy but a different issue. I'm a much better shooter than he is...with his guns. He is recoil shy and add to the fact he doesn't consider firearm fit when he chooses firearms and is not real consistent with technique. Can make for some awkward moments when I pull back my targets.

 

[drband]

I have a range buddy but a different issue. I'm a much better shooter than he is...with his guns. He is recoil shy and add to the fact he doesn't consider firearm fit when he chooses firearms and is not real consistent with technique. Can make for some awkward moments when I pull back my targets.

Maybe he'll start asking questions... I sure would.

 

[Scionti95]

Am a member at a local range, but only shoot alone. This is my private, quiet time and not interested in conversation. Am now retired, so avoid the range on weekends. Range is to busy, to much jawboning and often observe unsafe gun handling. Enjoy getting my gear together, short drive and spend an hour or so sending some lead downrange. Entire career was interacting with others, so having some private time with my guns is a luxury. Wife understands and gives me space even when cleaning them afterwards. Recently celebrated our 50th anniversary. Suppose that "quiet time" was part of the success.
Semper fi

 

[joem1945]

I belonged to a club for 20 years. Most of my range sesions involved working on other members guns instead of shooting mine. New club, very few menbers and I can't believe how much ammo I go through now.

 

[Krogen]

Interesting subject. To me, a big part of our sport is giving. My long-time buds and I happily share our guns, ammo, whatever with each other. Run out of ammo, forget something, have a new gun. Anything you want you're welcome to it. It's given freely both ways. With newbies, it's one way. After all, they're just getting started. I'm happy to let them use my stuff - up to a point. Once they get their sea legs and start to accumulate their own resources, they need to embrace this sharing thing. Or at least, quit taking and not giving.

I haven't encountered mooching behavior very much, but here's a recent example. I work with a guy who started shooting a few years ago. First few trips to the range, I helped him out. He needed targets, wanted to try some of my guns etc. After a few trips, he started helping himself to stuff in my range box, moving my spotting scope to his position, suggesting I bring "the chronograph" like it was a community asset, wanting to borrow things. He even bought a couple boxes of ammo with the intent of shooting it in one of my guns - without even asking if it was OK. He wants to go with me to my club, but does he bother to invite me to the indoor range he frequents? Or when he goes to a gunshow? Does he offer to share anything back? You guessed it. The giving is one way only. He's not a bad guy, really. He's just a mooch. It probably doesn't even occur to him to give back. But, I'm not his provider. So, I fixed it. We don't shoot together anymore. We have to work together. OK... fine, but that's where it stops. I spend my off time with my good friends. Life's too short for cheap Scotch, bad coffee and fair-weather friends.

 

[scaatylobo]

No question

Sound to me like you are being USED and way too much.

those "friends" of your's that are LEECHES should be either excluded from your range sessions .

Or told to MAN UP,and do the right thing.

Since it is most likely easier to not be that confrontational,then justy go with the "friend" that brings his own and shoots his own.

there is no way I would be going with the other 2 on a regular basis ---- ever !.

 

[SeanSw]

I don't take many people shooting. My range doesn't allow guests (spouse and young children only) and the indoor range doesn't allow guests without a FOID, so it's been a long time since I introduced anyone to the sport.

When I did, the first trip was always free. After that I took requests for any firearms of my own they would enjoy using and it would be packed up with the rest and then I'd tell them we were going to the store first so they could buy their own ammo or pay for my lunch on the way back.

It has been a long time since I took anyone to the range so that may not have been possible during the ammo shortage. These days I would be more discriminating about who comes along too. Personal friends only. The rest will just have to learn the hard way like I did.

I accidentally allowed a new coworker get too close before I knew who they really were. They found out I was into guns and tried forcing their way in with me. Luckily I realized my mistake before a range trip was arranged. They are the ultimate mooch. The stories are numerous. They are helpless, pushy, cheap, and shameless when it comes to begging for favors. When refused, they get forceful with their endless cries for help. "You owe me", "just this once", "I'll pay you back", "don't leave me hanging", " Just take a look at it for me", "I need a ride to work", etc..

Since it's off topic I won't go into the full story but once this mooch came to my door begging for a ride to the next town over and I said okay, since it sounded like a family issue. I offered to do it for the cost of gas. I estimated that to be about $10 worth. He offered $9 instead. I refused. Then he told me if it was gonna cost him money he'd just drive himself.

Infuriating!

 

[onelastshot]

I reflected on the OP's issues and concerns for a time before posting. At the end of the day I think what matters most is what you take away from the time spent with each of the four individuals. Their participation either enhances your afternoon or, detracts from it. The fact that you took the time to post about shooting with them tells me that the negatives outweigh the positives with at least two of the individuals.

Shooting for most of us is valuable free time to enjoy a sport we care about. I myself don't want to have to concern myself with spending my free time with individuals who make an outing less enjoyable. Unfortunately there are certain people who are opportunists and take advantage of any situation that presents itself. Personally speaking, I don't want to spend time with someone who has to be reminded or told that they have an obligation to carry their own weight.

If you enjoy someone's company but they are not contributing address the issue, tell them what you expect; one of three things will happen. Either they will start contributing what they should and the problem will be resolved or, the second possibility is they will complain and whine; the third possibility is that they simply won't ask to be invited again. If the first scenario happens terrific, problem solved. If the second or third scenario occurs, exclude them from your valuable free time.

 

[goon]

Sometimes I enjoy helping new people get better acquainted with guns, especially people who've never shot before or people who just bought their first gun. I'm fine with helping them gain some confidence or make a better informed choice of what to buy (or whether to buy anything at all). I don't mind using a little ammo for that, even more-precious-than-gold .22LR. Some of them even become reliable range buddies.

Shooting is also a social activity for some of my friends. When several of us are in the area, we sometimes schedule a range trip so we can all socialize, catch up, and try out each other's new guns. We may then progress to a local restaurant for a couple beers and some overpriced mediocre food (and possibly even argue about the government). Nobody keeps track of ammo or supplies used for that kind of thing.

One thing that I have kind of given up on is bringing more than one or two new or inexperenced shooters to the range with me at a time. I just plain can't adequately supervise more than one or two new people well enough to keep things safe. I mostly shoot at unmonitored ranges, so I'm usually the closest thing to a range officer. I can help one or two people break bad habits, but when there's a crowd behind me all goofing off (like people do), that's just too much.

 

[WestKentucky]

I'm in good shape. I go by myself usually, if somebody else goes it's my wife or a couple close friends, they don't reload but they make sure they keep brass going my direction...more than once we have parked my truck where it will catch empties. And everybody does the same thing, if you bring it and intend for it to be fair game leave it on the tailgate, if you want to hold it in reserve leave it in the truck. Nobody shoots much of anybody else's stuff unless asked to for some reason. One is a better rifle shot than I am so he has sighted in a couple rifles for me and I am a better pistol shot so I get asked to check consistency from time to time. The one guy who is a little bit of an ammo mooch brings a cooler or something each time. Good crop of folks.

 

[simonstough]

I shoot with my best friend most of the time, the only issue I have is the idiots he brings with him, and his occasional safety slips. I have another friend who has been begging me to go shooting with him, he has a private range and his own guns I just have different options that he wants to try so I need to go shoot with him, and I should probably see if he wants to go fishing soon too.

 

[Mauser69]

Not much excuse for repeated freeloading - if it happens more than once, you are inviting it or like it in some way. You are doing the right thing to finally say no.

 

[Ignition Override]

dekibg:
Maybe give the worst of them a clear hint that people need to start "chipping in before we meet again", or words to that effect. A little Steady eye contact as you Slowly wipe some sweat from your shooting glasses
(i.e. eye contact the way German/Nederlander people show sincerity, and that they mean it).

And they will respect your ability to stand up to their lack of character; but easier said than done. Frankly, some of us are too easy-going until Finally losing my cool a bit...late in the game. It's not easy for me.

Moochers pray on human nature, realizing that it is really awkward for most people to suddenly change the "rules".
A steady stream of subtle hints are not noticed/absorbed, or are ignored by most people.

 

[captmoto]

The only person I don't have a problem with shooting for free is my wife. Even my grown kids have been told to pitch in, it's the polite thing to do.
I've made some good friends at the range. It isn't an issue when we shoot cause everyone brings their own. I like it that way. They are pretty generous about letting each other play with their latest range toys.

 

[Onmilo]

I guess I'm lucky in that all my buddies are gun cranks who bring their own guns and ammo.
Occasionally someone will tag along because they want to try this gun or that before they commit to buying one and we allow them the chance but they must supply their own ammunition.

My friends and I will occasionally try someone's weapon and we always just hand the gun over and let them shoot five or ten rounds.
It's a gentlemen's game which allows us all to try out guns we may never buy or own ourselves.

I have had the pleasure of shooting some incredible firearms this way and so have my friends.

If someone shows up with just the intention of shooting O.P.'s guns using O.P.'s ammo I guarantee they will never receive another invitation.

 

[Krogen]

It's interesting to read all these "Shooting Mooch" accounts. Most of us gun people are generous and willing to share our love for this sport. Lots of people get it and embrace the culture; others never do. I learned about mooches back in high school. Dad let me use his boat for water skiing. I just needed to keep it clean and pay for my gas. Some "friends" vanished when it was time to gas up or wash down the boat. This sport is no different. I learned early to spot a mooch a mile away. Got no use for them.

 

[OpticsPlanet]

I just started going solo to the range a little more myself

I love bringing new shooters out for trigger time but less and less to an indoor range

But I know what ya mean dekijb, it seems everyone (who doesnt have a gun) wants to shoot but not everyone wants to pay for ammo or help clean

a couple of my friends with guns never seem to be very interested in going shooting (they say they are but they never make it to the range)

so, especially when i decided that i need to shoot more than once a month, i started going to the range on my no workout day (wednesday)

a weekday, afternoon trip to the range has been the greatest thing i couldve added to my routine/schedule

just wish i had a friend or two who felt the same way.

-Matt S.

 

[Mauser69]

I agree that there is a HUGE difference between helping people get into the sport (I am very happy to do that for free!) and the existing shooters that just want to take advantage of your or my good nature. The last type should never be tolerated.

 

[dekibg]

OpticsPlanet,
I feel the same recently.
going solo sometimes is much relaxing and you can concentrate on thing you want to do.
I just wish the my best shooting buddy ( #4) can go more often, but he has a full-time job, and a part-time small business owner