Who Pays When You Bring a Friend Shooting?

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Personally what I do is pay for the ammo and usually around here if you tell the RO its the persons first time then they waive the range fee or cut a non-member fee down to members rate. If not I would ask that you pay your own range fee. Also depending on how much ammo was shot the person is on the hook for assisting in the cleaning process when we get back.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to take someone new out with my gun yet but this is how i was treated when introduced.
 
My general rule is to completely cover ammo costs for the first time I'm taking someone out. I consider it doing a good service to the shooting community by introducing someone new to the sport. Though if there are range fees they still pay that. After the first time or two out, I start asking them to chip in for ammo.
 
In my book: host provides guns and ammo and targets etc....host's choice what gun and how much ammo.

It is quite reasonable for the host to supply 1 shotgun 1 centerfire handgun and 1 22LR of some sort (handgun or rifle..both is even better) -of course at a pistol range, scratch off the shotgun.

Ammo I think should be 1 box of 25 shells trap loads (or whatever is cheapest) 1 box/ 50 rounds of centerfire handgun ammo, and 3-5 boxes of 22LR

If I was bringing two centefire handguns, I'd still bring about 50 total centerfire rounds, but split between the two calibers. 3+ centerfire handguns? I'd go with 20 rounds for each

If I was adding centerfire rifles to the mix, any bolt gun would get 10 rounds, and any AR or AK would get 2 x standard magazine capactity, plus 10 demonstration rounds.

If a gun discussion, shooting at the range comes up, and someone wants to be taken, I'd expect them to pay their range fee. If, on the other hand, I invite someone...I'd pay their range fee.

In all cases, they are free to purchase exotic targets, or rent exotic firearms and ammo on their own dime
 
When we go out with our oldest boy (22 years old, good job, just bought a house) we have a wide range of calibers to shoot. His shoots ours, we shoot his, ammo wise it all works out. When we borrowed a friends xd40 we bought 3 boxes of ammo. When returning the gun we gave him 1 boxes of ammo for letting us use the gun.
If someone is coming with us I prefer they bring ammo with them, not pay me for it. Then they get an understanding for how hard it is to find and how expensive some of it can be. They tend to have a little more respect for your ammo supply then.
 
Pay or no pay

If it's a first time shooter, friend or family, I always pay for everything. I let them know that it is my way of introducing them to my lifestyle/hobby. I start with the 22's then move up calibers if they are comfortable with it. I never force the issue of firing more than they want to handle, turning it into a negative experience. The object is to have fun and possibly gain another member to the firearms community! :D
 
If I invite them then I pay for range fees and a sampling of ammo. If they want to shoot more then they can go the the front counter as well as I can. If they have their own guns then they pay for their ammo or bring some with them.
If someone asks for me to hold their hand at the range and show them some basics then we go dutch.
 
If I asked them to come along (for the first time), then I would probably take care of it all (gun rental included..if necessary).

Now, if they asked to come along, I would tell them of my intentions of supplying ammo and weaponry...but they would be responsible for the range fee.

Now, if they wanted to rent a weapon in a caliber different from my own, I would offer to pay for the ammo (up to 100 rounds or so) and cover all range fees. The weapon rental fee, however, would be their responsibility...as would any ammo above and beyond 100 rounds.


This is all assuming handguns...shotguns and/or rifle ammo will vary.
 
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I pay, atleast for the 1st few times.

range fees are cheap so are a couple boxs of 22lr and shot shells.

We are talking less then $20 here.
 
All my friends shoot, we meet at the range we each pay our own fees, and we each shoot our own ammo until I say try this out then they shoot my ammo in my guns.
 
For a friend, I tell them upfront, the ammo cost, range fee, targets are all their expense. But, I let them choose which gun I have, and they can fire that weapon after we go through a check list in safety, and loading, clearing a jamb, etc.

If a relative, such as one of my Nephews, I cover all costs, the first time. After that, they carry all expense. Again, I give them weapon of choice from my collection.

My rule that is enforced for all shooters, is that after the target shooting is done, all weapons must be cleaned by whoever shot that gun. I think it gives a good knowledge in the action and workings of each gun. Everytime I've done this be it my Nephew or a friend, they are extremely meticulous in their cleaning methods, and show great care.
 
I took a buddy to the Missouri Dept of Cons. Range southwest of St. Louis - he had never fired a gun before and had a great time with an SKS and a couple of WASR 10's. He was so excited he covered the range fee and wanted to pay me some money for the 12 boxes of ammo we went through-I split the cost of the ammo with him.

The best part of the evening was when he decided to buy dinner after the range closed. He picked HOOTERs. As he sat there with his beer and chicken wings, he told me it was the perfect end for a "man day."

It must have been fun for him because I've had several of our mutual friends approach me wanting to go to the range-and they have volunteered that they would pay for ammo.
 
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As he sat there with his beer and chicken wings, he told me it was the perfect end for a "man day."

It must have been fun for him because I've had several of our mutual friends approach me wanting to go to the range-and they have volunteered that they would pay for ammo.
Click to expand...

You just touched on something here...

At the end of the day, all fees/swapping of funds aside, its about showing someone else a "good time" and doing what you can to facilitate a positive shooting experience (within realistic expectations).

After all, if being introduced to the world of guns/shooting does not result in one having any "fun," they more than likely will not be back.
 
I've only run into problems with ammo once. I took someone shooting, he wanted to compare CETME and a FAL I brought 4 boxes of winchester white box. I figured 2 mags through each platform should be enough to make a distinction. At the first cease fire I asked what he thought of the CETME he liked it but asked if there was anymore ammo so he could try the FAL. I figured well he was having a good time and got carried away so we packed up and headed over to the gun store. A clerk asked how many boxes he wanted, he looked at me and I said you can shoot as much as you want, have at it. So he asked for 10 boxes, when the clerk told him it was $167.50 he looked at me expecting me to pay. I looked right back and said "Well I'm not the one shooting it." So we left without buying even one box when he realized how much ammo costs. Haven't been shooting with him again either.
 
Anyone who comes to the range with me knows up front they will be paying their own way. Never had anyone refuse to go.
 
If i invite anyone to come shoot with me i'm paying. If a friend asks to come shoot with me i don't mind chipping in if he or she doesn't have the funds. I don't really have a problem with it cause none of my friends are freeloaders. We all take pride in paying our own way.
 
If somebody begs to learn how to shoot, they can pony up (~ someone who wants to try a particular gun before they commit to buying).

Usually, I talk anti-gun people into trying it once. Can't ask somebody to pay, when they feel they are doing me a favor by coming at all. 100% of the time, a 22lr enlightens them. It is worth ammo+targets+cleaning materials to change a friend's mind about a fundamental human right (rkba).
 
Generally if I invite, I pay. But I choose what we shoot and how much. If they invite themselves, then they buy their own ammo.

Second time, they pay their own way at least covering the range fee and ammo they use.
Third time, they bring their own guns and I shoot them with my ammo.

I'll help them pick out a rifle, but it is on them. :D
 
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