My girlfriend just got a Taurus .38 special (don't know what model). She wants to learn how to shoot it, and I figured the best way would be to go to the range. I haven't ever been to a handgun/rifle range before so I don't really know how they operate. I was just wondering if you guys had any tips so we don't feel so out of place. We will be in missouri for school so we don't have any land to shoot on.
indoor handgun range newbie
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chris in va
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I've been to several in the N. Va area.
Most ranges will rent earmuffs and safety glasses which are mandatory, but often the glasses are very scratched up. You probably want to buy your own, usually about $10 each.
Get a gun bag. WalMart has decent ones. Put your unloaded gun(s) in there along with your targets. Most people agree that cheap paper plates with some red sticky dots or Shoot-n-See's work great...again, available at WalMart.
So you and your girlfriend will walk in and you ask the guy behind the counter for some range time. Depending on the time of day, that may be just an hour or indefinite. Some ranges require you to take an 'open book' safety test, and one even made me watch a really bad video for 20 minutes along with the test.
The entrance to the range usually has double doors. Let one close first before you open the other. Make sure your muffs and glasses are on.
Say you're assigned to 'lane 12'. Put your bag on the counter behind you or on the floor. With the gun POINTING DOWNRANGE, place it on the table in the booth, action open, unloaded. The carrier may/may not have cardboard, so staple your target to this. Don't feel bad if a range officer 'corrects' you from time to time...it's normal. Read all the range rules first before you take the guns out BTW.
You'll have a lot of guys with BIG hand cannons firing all around you. It'll jangle your nerves at first so don't worry. Sound really echoes indoors.
In the booth there should be a control box to send the carrier downrange. I'd start off with 7 yards at first to get a feel for where your shots will go. Remember...always POINT THE GUN DOWNRANGE when loaded. When you put it back in the bag, point it straight up with the action open.
There's more, but that'll get you started.
Most ranges will rent earmuffs and safety glasses which are mandatory, but often the glasses are very scratched up. You probably want to buy your own, usually about $10 each.
Get a gun bag. WalMart has decent ones. Put your unloaded gun(s) in there along with your targets. Most people agree that cheap paper plates with some red sticky dots or Shoot-n-See's work great...again, available at WalMart.
So you and your girlfriend will walk in and you ask the guy behind the counter for some range time. Depending on the time of day, that may be just an hour or indefinite. Some ranges require you to take an 'open book' safety test, and one even made me watch a really bad video for 20 minutes along with the test.
The entrance to the range usually has double doors. Let one close first before you open the other. Make sure your muffs and glasses are on.
Say you're assigned to 'lane 12'. Put your bag on the counter behind you or on the floor. With the gun POINTING DOWNRANGE, place it on the table in the booth, action open, unloaded. The carrier may/may not have cardboard, so staple your target to this. Don't feel bad if a range officer 'corrects' you from time to time...it's normal. Read all the range rules first before you take the guns out BTW.
You'll have a lot of guys with BIG hand cannons firing all around you. It'll jangle your nerves at first so don't worry. Sound really echoes indoors.
In the booth there should be a control box to send the carrier downrange. I'd start off with 7 yards at first to get a feel for where your shots will go. Remember...always POINT THE GUN DOWNRANGE when loaded. When you put it back in the bag, point it straight up with the action open.
There's more, but that'll get you started.
As Chris emphasized and I'll reiterate...biggest issue in ranges is the angle of the muzzle. Shooting booths are usually pretty packed together and you generally can't see the shooting bench of the person on each side. Nothing gets your attention like a round coming through or impacting on the lane divider! Some folks tend to hold the gun nearly broadside while they load a new mag or inspect a jam. Just look at the booth walls around and in front of you to get an idea of what can happen.
No matter what goes on, keep the muzzle pointed within about a 60 degree arc to the front of you. That includes while clearing a jam or reaching up to flick the light switch or run the target carrier. If two people are sharing a lane (usually one getting instruction), it's real easy for the shooter to half turn to address the person behind with the gun in hand...think safety first and you might save the guy beside you from having to do an extra laundry!
/B
No matter what goes on, keep the muzzle pointed within about a 60 degree arc to the front of you. That includes while clearing a jam or reaching up to flick the light switch or run the target carrier. If two people are sharing a lane (usually one getting instruction), it's real easy for the shooter to half turn to address the person behind with the gun in hand...think safety first and you might save the guy beside you from having to do an extra laundry!
/B
Camjr
Member
All good advice. Safety for you and others is critical. But don't forget two of the most important things: Have a good time and learn something!
go slow. don't be in a hurry.
keep an eye on everyone around you. if someone's gun-handling skills are making your nervous, don't hesitate to leave and come back later.
if the range has some stupid rules like wanting you to buy their ammo, etc., don't get an attitude. patronize them or don't.
unless you see signs or rules posted, ASK before drawing from a holster, shooting prone, or firing at a pace of more than about 1 shot/second.
Don't bring any ammo with steel in it.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS BEHIND YOUR TARGET. make sure your bullets will impact the backstop from whereever you're firing. e.g. if you're short, don't hang your target at the top of the carrier and shoot close range. you'll shoot the ceiling downrange.
if the range has nice target carriers, and you're shooting small targets, buy a sillouette-sized target, turn it around, and tape or staple your small targets to it. this reduces the chance of you hitting the target carrier, and allows you to set an appropriate height for my previous point.
it doesn't sound like you'd be in a position to reload in college, but if you want to keep your brass, don't let it go forward of the line. you won't be allowed to retrieve it. if it goes behind you, pick it up regularly rather than waiting until the end of your session, as a range janitor may wander by periodically with a big broom and sweep it up w/o asking you.
be friendly, but don't be the guy who tries to give unsolicited advice to everyone on the range.
have fun,
keep an eye on everyone around you. if someone's gun-handling skills are making your nervous, don't hesitate to leave and come back later.
if the range has some stupid rules like wanting you to buy their ammo, etc., don't get an attitude. patronize them or don't.
unless you see signs or rules posted, ASK before drawing from a holster, shooting prone, or firing at a pace of more than about 1 shot/second.
Don't bring any ammo with steel in it.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS BEHIND YOUR TARGET. make sure your bullets will impact the backstop from whereever you're firing. e.g. if you're short, don't hang your target at the top of the carrier and shoot close range. you'll shoot the ceiling downrange.
if the range has nice target carriers, and you're shooting small targets, buy a sillouette-sized target, turn it around, and tape or staple your small targets to it. this reduces the chance of you hitting the target carrier, and allows you to set an appropriate height for my previous point.
it doesn't sound like you'd be in a position to reload in college, but if you want to keep your brass, don't let it go forward of the line. you won't be allowed to retrieve it. if it goes behind you, pick it up regularly rather than waiting until the end of your session, as a range janitor may wander by periodically with a big broom and sweep it up w/o asking you.
be friendly, but don't be the guy who tries to give unsolicited advice to everyone on the range.
have fun,
Kamicosmos
Member
Where at in Missouri? If you're in my area, I can provide range specific help. Could even show up and help you both out.
Otherwise, when you get to the range, let them know you're new. They'll set you up with eyes, ears, targets, maybe even a real casual basic safety class if you're both new to guns.
Otherwise, when you get to the range, let them know you're new. They'll set you up with eyes, ears, targets, maybe even a real casual basic safety class if you're both new to guns.
IMO, too many people ignore health issues while shooting, and these can be exacerbated while shooting indoors.
Always wear both ear plugs AND muffs indoors.
Avoid lead contamination. Only shoot at well ventilated, well maintained ranges. Do not eat or drink untill you've thoroughly washed yourself. Do not spread lead all overyourself or your home - change and shower asap. Wash the soles of your shoes.
Always wear both ear plugs AND muffs indoors.
Avoid lead contamination. Only shoot at well ventilated, well maintained ranges. Do not eat or drink untill you've thoroughly washed yourself. Do not spread lead all overyourself or your home - change and shower asap. Wash the soles of your shoes.
kamicosmos- i will be in saint joseph, mo as of Aug. 20th. I would appreciate the help, but if you are out of town, no worries. I am not new to guns but I am new to revolvers (seem simple enough). The only range I have been to is a trap and skeet. I would prefer to just go out and shoot on my own but I don't know of any spots in missouri. In Washington, I just drive 25 minutes out of town and shoot away!
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