Do you let others handle, or shoot your firearms?

[searcher451]

I do it frequently. It's a good way to introduce others to the sport, or to interest them in firearms in general, or to let them scratch their itch a bit if they'd like, without investing high amounts of dollars. I don't let the guns walk out the door by themselves, however. I'm at the range with them.

 

[Lumpy76]

I want new shooters to fire my guns. I spent a few hours cleaning last week just so my new shooter friend can try out a wide variety. From .22 to .458 Win Mag. I know that I should of made him help but I never make anyone help the first time. I like to get them hooked on the sport first.

 

[LeontheProfessional]

I never make anyone help the first time. I like to get them hooked on the sport first.

Me too. I don't want any newbies to look at shooting as a little fun and a lot of work from the beginning. With that being said, I enjoy cleaning my guns.

 

[shockwave]

An example of this came up recently. My father was visiting me and wanted to try shooting. So I gave him the best I could recollect of the NRA safety class. I recollect pretty good, so when we hit the range he knew all the correct procedures for safe handling. This is a case where I'd let someone handle my firearms. It really depends on the person.

If the person has my level of experience and training or better, no problem. My neighbor is far more proficient than I am and builds ARs as a hobby. I'd let him fire any of my guns. But somebody I don't know? No.

 

[481]

With the exception of trusted friends, never.

Once your firearm is the hands of an "unknown", you are subject to their "whims", some of them silly, some of them careless and thankfully, only a few of them malicious.

We've had a couple of robberies occur at a nearby (unsupervised) range after someone permitted a person unknown to them "try out" their gun.

Fortunately, there have been no fatalities as a result of these "incidents".

 

[Beetle Bailey]

Yes, definately. When I started shooting on a regular basis, there were a lot of guys at the shooting range who were very friendly and helpful towards me and it really allowed me to learn and grow as a shooter. I got to shoot everything from belt-feds to EBR's to milsurps to black powder to custom race guns to O/U's to single-shots. I'll always be grateful and help others out as much as I can with my modest collection.

I've let dozens and dozens of people shoot my guns and only regretted it once. For 19 different people, my AR15 is the first EBR they have ever fired. Most of my guns are really just toys anyways, so it's not a big deal if something happened to them. I have learned to be very picky about who I let shoot my self-defense guns, however.

 

[WinchesterAA]

I do my best to present myself in such a way as to indicate that I don't have firearms.

Used to be different, but I believe the decision to be with respect to my best interests.

 

[scythefwd]

Yes, but not with reloads. If a KB happens, it will be a manufacturing fault. All of the people I shoot with are ex military, and they all are very aware of muzzle control and the importance of keeping the muzzle clear and free of debris. I did offer to let one of my buddy's arrogant sons shoot my 12 ga pump with slugs in it once. He declined having never shot anything before. I was polite enough to warn him that it kicks a little. I also let him watch it move me around a little while I was getting used to it. I outweigh him by 40 lbs. His dad was all for it Most of the people I take get to fire my .22lr, and maybe a small handgun, like the .32 H&R using .32 longs. Some get to fire the 9mm, but most don't care for it.

 

[MarkDozier]

I'm not going to let a kid fire my Mosin Nagant,
Wrongo Dongo -
i set my M-44 on the bench, a slow day at the range and said shoot it if you like. By the end of thier visit both Dad and Junior (age 12) were all smiles, thanking me and asking where they could get one. Don't confuse small with weak.

 

[Bobarino]

there are a few people that i'll just hand one of my guns over too, but i'll let just about anyone that wants to shoot them after i go over the four rules, the weapon's MO and proper gun handling with them. then it's off to the range to teach a new shooter!

 

[Sav .250]

In my case, when I go to the range, all the "shooters" are family members and hunting partners. Not much,"let me try yours" going on. Suites me just fine.

 

[crue cab]

Only people that Iam very tight with, or someone I am close to that Iam teaching something on. ie taking someone to the range for the first time.

 

[Sawblade]

I let a friend borrow my Mossberg for the duration of my deployment here. He was afraid to shoot trap (because of the moving targets) with me right before I left, so I told him he'd better be ready by the time I got back.


Nobody touches my Marlin 336, my Dad's .357, my Grandfather's .22 revolver, or my great grandfather's Iver Johnson shotgun though.

 

[possum]

if i am comfortable with the person and thier abilities, and don't see them as a "risk" then yes i will let most anyone, handle and or shoot my guns.

 

[woad_yurt]

If I hadn't let others try some of my guns, I would not have been able to introduce 3 new enthusiastic shooters to the fold, all female. One now has her carry permit, one wants to get hers now and the last is looking like crazy for an old Whitney Wolverine for her first gun (she loved mine.)

I have some finish-challenged weapons for newbies to use. I don't care if they get a scratch.

I do have some nice pieces that I let a few very responsible friends shoot. I do, however, always say "you mess it up, you pay to fix it, ok?" One guy got upset with me for saying that and wouldn't say "yes" so he didn't get to shoot my gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

Yes, I do let other's shoot handle/shoot my firearms; under my strict
supervision. That is, except for my "SAFE QUEENS"; which are handled
by me only, wearing non-powdered latex gloves~!

 

[The Gunman]

I let others shoot some of my weapons. I do not let complete strangers shoot my weapons.

If you do not want the risk of damage by another person don't let them shoot you weapons. If you are not ready to take the responsibility for another person's weapon, don't handle the weapon.

 

[SaxonPig]

Total strangers? No.

Friends and acquaintances whom I trust to have a basic understanding of proper firearm handling? No problem. All my friends know they can shoot any of my guns any time. I'll even provide the ammo.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes on most, under my supervision. Some guns heck no, sorry.

I let folks at the range try my stuff if they are interested. No, I don't worry about accidents, lawsuits etc. Likes too short to live scared.

Family shoots my stuff while I am there as well.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Absolutely. I LOVE guns of all kinds, types and calibers, but they're just tools. They're made to be used and enjoyed. I am picky about loaning them out though. Family and close friends that I know I can trust only. But sure, I'll let anyone shoot them if I'm there and they seem to have some basic knowledge of safety and respect for firearms.

 

[Bubbles]

Yes, I'm a dealer and we have samples for rentals and demonstrations.

 

[Jonah71]

If I don't trust someone enough to let them handle my firearm, chances are I'm not going to be there long enough for that question to matter anyway. But I usually get to the range at sunrise. I tend to see the same people on a regular basis at that time on the range, and am quite comfortable with letting them fire my weapons. Plus I often get to shoot a few rounds through guns I could never afford. Not to mention the knowledge many of the more experianced shooters have shared with me. Beats the heck out of golf! lol

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Yes and No

The folks I hunt with have permission to use my weapons and I theirs. Some we have sold back and forth or shared. I need to go get my .30-06 and 12ga. now that I think about it.

I like to teach (not certified or anything) family and friends but am very hands on and always start out with only one round in the weapon. So yes they are using my weapon/s but under close supervision one person at a time.

No/// was at the Quarry(range) they dug up truckloads of clean clay there. I was 19 years old with a friend and his weapons. Two rough looking guys packing beers came up and immediately asked to shoot our guns.
No was the answer. We got in the car, guns in hand, and left.

The only person I would trust with my weapon without really knowing them would be a Range Boss and I'd still be watching them mighty close.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Yes and no and yes.

The only ones I will ever allow shoot my great-grandfather's Winchester will be my daughter and son when they are old enough to learn rifle operation. Of the others... my husband may shoot whenever he wishes and provides his own ammunition.

 

[NMGonzo]

Yes.

All the time.

I have really close, good friends that I trust with my guns when I am out of town.