Range Etiquette Revisited

[Praxis]

So I take my folks and girlfrield to the local public range here in Delaware for Father's Day because my dad suddenly expressed an interest in shooting (unfortunately long after I grew up and left home). My mother decides she wants to shoot a gun for the first time so she tags along too.

I'm instructing the parents in safety rules while my girlfriend (who I shoot with regularly) is getting ready to shoot in the booth, which is on the far left, next to the concrete wall. I step over to watch her when some guy shows up in the next lane and breaks out a Baretta 92 and an FAL with a big muzzle break.

First he starts shooting the Baretta at his target, hitting mine at least 3-4 times. At this point I'm a little miffed. Then he gets out the FAL and starts blasting at his targets set 30 feet away. The concussion in our booth was absolutely tremendous, my girlfriend had to step out of the booth and walk away because it was so bad that she couldn't concentrate. At this point I am getting angry and a couple other people standing around are noting that his rounds are hitting the ground at 25 yards, so his sights are not even set properly.

Fortunately before I lose my cool, the RO sees this happen, speaks with my GF who is shook up, and then has words with the FAL guy, asking him to leave for rapid firing and using magazines that hold over 10 rounds.

Is this just a case of a clueless shooter not paying attention to those around him? The GF and I would have been happy to vacate the booth for a couple minutes if he had warned us that he was going to shoot a rifle with high concussion. Should I have said something to him if the RO hadn't seen or done anything? Having new shooters present, it would have been pointless to simply pack up and leave.

Fortunately, the rest of the trip went okay. The parents had fun and want to go again.

 

[Kharn]

Hey, exactly where in Northern Delaware is this range? I attend/live at UDel during the fall and spring and I've been looking for a new place to shoot (I used to shoot at a friend-of-a-friend's farm on occasion, but our mutual friend is leaving the area and thus I cant shoot there anymore).

Kharn

 

[Sheslinger]

Yes, I would have said something to the guy, had the RO not intervened.

On the other hand, what is wrong with using over 10-rd mags at the range? Not trying to be a pain, it just grabbed me when you said, "for rapid firing and using mags over 10 rounds".

Thanks

 

[Art Eatman]

I guess I'd "test the waters" by commenting politely to the Doofus that it seems he has some problems...If he's hostile or arrogant, then go to the RO.

It's rough when you have a mindset for your own doings, and run across somebody who not only is at the "See Spot run!" stage of firearms knowledge, but seriously needs instruction just to keep him out of trouble. Guys like that are walking evidence for the anti-gun gang...

Art

 

[Praxis]

Kharn-
Good to see a fellow UD student on the forums. I'm a history grad. student here. Ommelanden Public Range is just south of New Castle, off SR 9, about a 20 min. drive from Newark.

Sheslinger-
Apparently the 10 round limit is state imposed since the state of Delaware runs the range. It is listed among the posted rules for range use. I think the rule is that you are only supposed to have ten rounds loaded in a magazine at any given time, it doesn't ban hi-caps themselves, but I will check next time I go. Some of the ranges around here won't let you have more than one round in a firearm at a time I remember seeing a thread on that here a few weeks back.

-Ben

 

[Kharn]

Praxis:
Ah, I've heard of that place, isnt the range covered out to like pistol distances, and then beyond its open to the elements?

I'm currently a senior in Chem Eng, hopefully I'll get out this upcoming year and not have to repeat anything. You wouldnt happen to know Prof. Bernstein, would you? I took his 1648 to Present Western Civ class this last semester to get an easy humanity credit and ended up with a C+ (which screwed up my chance of boosting my GPA beyond a 3.2, it was my only grade below a B- this last year ).

Kharn

 

[larry_minn]

I like to go on rimfire night with new shooters. ONLY .22 pistol/rifle till 8pm then open shooting with the entire left side of range being taked by light load shooters. (as a general rule) the RO "most of us anyway" would assign the right for folks shooting 9mm and .45 and the far right for 357mag on up. (No centerfire rifles as indoor range. )

 

[Praxis]

Kharn-

Yes, the range has two sides, pistol is partially covered all the way down to the backstop at the 25 yard line. Other side is open beyond 25 yards I believe. Problem is that unless the range is really busy and enough ROs are present, only the pistol side is used for rifle, shotgun, and pistol shooting. Definitely one of the major drawbacks to this range. Usually rifle shooters are very respectful of other shooters though.

Yes, I know Bernstein. I think my old roommate Derek TA'd for him last semester. Sorry to hear that you got hammered.

Praxis

 

[Dorrin79]

yikes - I've seen some bad shots at the range, but never anybody out of control.

The only problem I ever have (and it's not a big deal, just irritating) is when I'm next to some guy touching off a thumpenboomermagnumkaboom rifle or handgun and the report actually makes the room shake.

I understand that they need practice too, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it

 

[Arcli9ht]

As someone who is looking at getting a rifle which happens to have one of those blast enhancers on the end of it, what is the best way to be courteous?

Usually, when using my buddies mini-14 with a brake, I'll say to the people immediately around me that it it unbelievably loud and to let me know when its ok with them to rip off a mag or two. At least to give people a chance to back off, or take their precise shots without thinking the world is coming to an end.

/Arcli9ht

 

[Peetmoss]

I would just talk to the guy. I have never ment a jerk on a gun range, Maybe I am lucky. But also you need to get some thicker skin. Guns make noise some more then others as long as the gun is withen the rules of the range deal with it. It will make you better in the long run. Heck I hit a 10 ring at 300 yrds with Wolf ammo with hot brass raining down on me, even had one resting between my arm and the mat. However lighting up your target is uncalled for. One or two can happen but more then that either the person needs help or just doesn't care and just wants to put lead down range.

 

[Praxis]

Peetmoss-

I'm not simply talking about noise, heck I like noise, nothing like standing next to someone shooting off a blackpowder muzzleloader. What I'm talking about is extreme concussion, enough to take your breath away and make your ear drums start hurting even with hearing protection. And not just once, but again and again until the magazine is empty.

I can't possibly believe that a shooter isn't aware of the concussion that a rifle like a .308 and above can put out when it has a big muzzle break. I think it's just a matter of respecting the health and well-being of other shooters on the range.

There is a reason that people don't stand next to .50bmg shooters for example, it's a good way to rupture ear drums and detatch corneas.

Praxis

 

[BallisticTip]

Yes guns do that, they make a big boom.

 

[Carlos]

Personally, I think you're out of line on the loudness of the gun part.

You're not out of line regarding his rapid firing, etc., at a busy range.

If he's a member, he has every right to be there, just like you.

Sorry this guy was an idiot on such a good day.

 

[craigz]

I have an FAL with an integral muzzle brake, and you don't really feel the concussion so much when you're shooting it as you do when you are standing next to it. Personally, I only shoot mine when the range is nearly empty, and I'm considering having the brake cut off for that reason. However, your primary complaint about the guy was not his rapid fire or his hicap mags, but the concussion of the rifle, and in that, he sounds like he was in the right. If there's no rule against muzzle brakes, he can shoot it, and if you don't like it, you can step back off the line until he's blown all his ammo. Of course, shooting my target is another story.