Just list etiquette items as you think of them: Don't muzzle sweep anyone. Don't touch firearms when anyone is down range. Don't talk to anyone during their string of fire. Do police your brass. Do accomplish target changes in a speedy fashion. Do clean up after yourself(targets) when finished shooting.

Just list etiquette items as you think of them:

 

Don't muzzle sweep anyone.

Don't touch firearms when anyone is down range.

Don't talk to anyone during their string of fire.

Do police your brass.

Do accomplish target changes in a speedy fashion.

Do clean up after yourself(targets) when finished shooting.

 

Bad day at the range?

Don't have your gf/wife/girl that's a friend wear yoga pants and distract Drez.

Bad day at the range?

Not me

 

Anthony, never a bad day.

A few of the newbies requested that this thread be started.

They want to get a more comfortable feeling knowing what is the courtious thing to do.

 

And being I'm the consumate gentleman of the forum I started the thread...

Not me Anthony, never a bad day.

A few of the newbies requested that this thread be started.

They want to get a more comfortable feeling knowing what is the courtious thing to do.

 

Awesome! Sometimes people do things at the range not consciously knowing that it is improper. Now what's about this yoga pants distraction thing? Pics or it didn't happen.

Thanks Old School!!

 

In addition can you or others list what are the accepted ways of 1. calling a range "hot" (live), 2. requesting a ceasefire to change targets? etc.

 

Thanks

Keep weapon cased until on the firing line

Obey all range officer commands immediately

Red range lights mean don't touch firearms (cease fire)

Draw from holster only when you know it is explicitly allowed

When using a high power rifle or handgun, be aware of those shooting around you - choose a farther bay/lane when possible.

Don't have your gf/wife/girl that's a friend wear yoga pants and distract Drez.

Please delete this - yoga pants on attractive women should not be discouraged!

Thanks Old School!!

 

In addition can you or others list what are the accepted ways of 1. calling a range "hot" (live)Ranges vary with this procedure. If there is a RO pay attention to his commands. If no RO, someone on the line should call the line and if no one does it it could be you. If you call the line make sure everyone is back from changing targets and settled, By settled I mean no one coming back to pick up more targets , 2. requesting a ceasefire to change targets? Again this varies. Some ranges call a cease fire / target change on the 1/2 hour. If you need to put targets out wait. If the range is not crowded use your judgement and ask for a cease fire. Some times you'll get a dirty look, most time Not. etc.

 

Thanks

When cease fire is called make sure your action is open (chamber flag if possible) eject your magazine too. And if its not yours, don't touch it. Wear tinted safety glasses to hide your eyes when hot girls in yoga pants are present.

Is it wrong to bring your target forward or push it out via electronic target system while someone is shooting in the lane next to you? I personally like the " distraction", but I only shoot at 5 and 7 yards and do not spend much time looking for a perfect shot / sight picture.

In addition can you or others list what are the accepted ways of 1. calling a range "hot" (live)Ranges vary with this procedure. If there is a RO pay attention to his commands. If no RO, someone on the line should call the line and if no one does it it could be you. If you call the line make sure everyone is back from changing targets and settled, By settled I mean no one coming back to pick up more targets , 2. requesting a ceasefire to change targets? Again this varies. Some ranges call a cease fire / target change on the 1/2 hour. If you need to put targets out wait. If the range is not crowded use your judgement and ask for a cease fire. Some times you'll get a dirty look, most time Not. etc.

 

Thanks Old School

When cease fire is called make sure your action is open (chamber flag if possible) eject your magazine too. And if its not yours, don't touch it. Wear tinted safety glasses to hide your eyes when hot girls in yoga pants are present.

 

Noted gimmemym1, :-)

Don't be TOO damn friendly.

 

Seriously, look, how do I say this without sounding like a jagg off? I'm not a bad guy, I like how people outside the metro area are friendly. I like talking to people and being friendly. You wanna chit chat a little with me at the range? That's fine.

 

But for the love of God, if you're a complete stranger, I do NOT want you to sit there and bend my ear for an hour about random gun/political chat. I don't care! Shut up! I drove an hour to get here and I don't want to spend the next hour listening to you tell me about your new scope you got at Cabela's.

 

Whew.

 

Sorry.

Not me

 

Anthony, never a bad day.

A few of the newbies requested that this thread be started.

They want to get a more comfortable feeling knowing what is the courtious thing to do.

 

And being I'm the consumate gentleman of the forum I started the thread...

Do you mean 'old guy' Frank?

Do you mean 'old guy' Frank?

 

 

No Tony, I mean non- abrasive and non-confrontational...

Make the gun safe when ppl go downrange to pick up targets...that means remove the mag, nothing in the chamber, action open and safety on

 

Had a guy leave the mag in on me a few weeks back and scarred the crap out of me

Is it wrong to bring your target forward or push it out via electronic target system while someone is shooting in the lane next to you? I personally like the " distraction", but I only shoot at 5 and 7 yards and do not spend much time looking for a perfect shot / sight picture.

 

If the range is equipped with electronoc target holders, use them as you see fit.

As long as you don't continuously move them back and forth the distraction to others is minimal.

I cannot speak for shotgun stuff... but here are a few things that irk me, both for public ranges/just shooting, and any type of matches.

 

 

Public/Private Ranges

1. Don't try to show off to your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/child. Pay attention to what you are doing. ( Shore Shot)

2. PLEASE, do not hand a loaded AR to your 8 or 10 year old son, and not pay attention while he proceeds to SWEEP the entire firing line. (Range 14)

3. Do not walk between ports with a gun, with your finger on the trigger, and slide forward to show your friends. Fawking rack back and lock the slide, or have your friend come over. (Shore Shot, Brick Armory).

4. If indoor range... don't hold the damn door open to the range while everyone in the showroom goes death. (BA)

5. Do not fire birdshot out of your shotgun or 410 handgun (judge, governor), at a target less than 5 yards in front of you. That crap goes everywhere. (BA, SS)

6. There is no such thing as a double tap... most competitive shooters you see on tv that you are trying to replicate can really see the sights that quick. Don't look like a moron looking cool, and make sure your bullets go downrange and impact the back berm. No one needs to put holes in the ceiling. (BA/SS)

 

Organized Matches (USPSA, IDPA, others) My point of view both as a shooter and an RO.

 

1. If you are new, introduce yourself to other people on your squad. We do not bite. Most of us already know each other, and know what to expect... nothing wrong with being new to a match. Let us help you.

2. You are not going to win your first match.... so slow the hell down and most of all, be safe, and very careful. Ask Questions!

3. Especially if you are new, pay attention to how the match is run and all the procedures, there will be plenty of time to socialize.

4. When it is your turn to go, if you are not mentally ready, ask to be moved down the shooting order. Don't be a nervous, (unsafe) wreck. This is also why you tell the squadmates you are new... so that you will be put last in the shooting order.

5. In between shooters, help out pasting targets, setting and painting steel, policing brass (if it is match policy).

6. If you are the next shooter to go, get yourself mentally prepared. After you shot, go reload your mags. If you did not either just shoot or you are the next shooter, see #5.

7. Please help and don't be known as the guy who does not paste a target or most of all Shoot and Scoot. This is an all volunteer sport. Setting steel, pasting targets is PART of the Match FEE. Most of all, you cannot be a Squad of 1 person.

8. Show up early and help setup if you can, but at the very least, don't leave early, we all need help tearing down the match.

9. While the shooter is getting ready to shoot (Make Ready command), or is shooting, SHUT THE HELL UP, or move far far back and have your convo. Nothing more annoying that having someone screaming while you are the shooter in your Zen zone trying to get ready. Most of all, you can be penalized for it.

10. If your squad shows up to a stage, the the squad ahead of you is STILL shooting the stage... Stay the hell off of the stage. You will have plenty of time to walk it. This is why you show up early to help and get a chance to walk the stages ahead of time.

11. (Mostly a bigger matches). If you come early to check out the stages (ie, before the match starts), and there is an RO sitting on the stage... ASK THEM if it is OK to go check out the stage. Do not assume it is ok to do so. ASK. Furthermore, if there are any moving targets.... DO NOT touch them.

12. If you are early shooter in your squad... and you just got done shooting... STAY WITH your Squad. DO NOT go check out the next stage. Stay with your Squad and HELP the other shooters.

Maksim, excellent post. If I may ask, are we allowed to pick up our own brass at steel matches? I've ordered a brass picker upper to make it faster, but was wondering what the policy on this was.

Maksim, excellent post. If I may ask, are we allowed to pick up our own brass at steel matches? I've ordered a brass picker upper to make it faster, but was wondering what the policy on this was.

 

I do not shoot Steel, however at most local matches, it is perfectly fine to pick up your own brass, as long as first and foremost..., the set is reset (taped, steel reset and painted) for the next shooter.

 

At CJ, after the match, you can brasswhore all you want, after the match is done and torn down and put away.

 

At most Level 2 matches and up, it is considered a lost brass match, meaning, you cannot pick up brass during the match, as it slows it down too much. The Brass is then there for the RO's. However at a local match, not a problem at all.

 

At indoor matches, I believe you must pick up brass, as it is a hazard for the next shooter.

 

The biggest issue we face when it comes to picking up brass... alot of people will only pick up brass for themselves, and otherwise slow down the match.

 

Ie... as an RO, we ran the shooter, the targets are scored, the steel is reset and I am ready for the next shooter... yet there are still 2 people downrange picking up brass. It slows down the squads if we have to go through that EVERY shooter. x 5 to 7 stages. So after the match, or unless the stage is still being scored, and there is plenty of help, and you want to grab your own brass.

1) Clearing & flagging a chamber is important. But, if the line is cold and you realize that you have mistakenly left an uncleared gun on your table, DO NOT try to clear or flag it at that point! Just make the RO aware of your mistake [so they don't discover it on their own and assume you don't know or care what the rules are] and make it a point to clear it properly next time. A human being handling a firearm while others are downrange is exponentially more dangerous than having a fully loaded gun siting on a table by itself, so it is a net loss to safety to try to "correct" the mistake at that point.

 

2)If you have the opportunity to set up in a position where your spent brass will not travel into another persons area, do so. If its too crowded for that, you're not really doing anything "wrong" if some of your brass ends up contacting someone else, as thats the environment they signed up for when they go to a shooting range. That said, if you're consistantly flinging brass directly into someones area/table/etc, it's probably a good idea to at least acknowledge it appologetically with something like 'Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I ususally try to set up to avoid that, but it's kind of packed today'. Most people don't mind the brass itself, but some will take it as disrespect or an insult if you don't even seem to care that your brass keeps hitting them.

I shoot at uncontrolled ranges.

Know the rules of the range and club, you don't belong there if you don't.

Follow the rules of the club.

Use range flags to let others know the range is occupied.

When you select your seat, also hang your targets straight out, so when others arrive you are not crossing each others line of fire.

Keep guns cases until you have communicated with the others and know it is safe to uncase, handle ammo and magazines.

Communicate with others so you know when it's safe to go down range.

If someone is in the middle of a string of fire, wait until they are done. If they see you but don't stop their string in a short time, nicely ask them to pause so you can go down range.

Don't be a dick.

If others are being dicks, kill them with kindness - being a dick back doesn't accomplish anything.

If you have a specific objective for the trip, tell the other shooters; usually this will help them understand and make them more accommodating.

If someone is being unsafe, bring it to their attention. If it continues, leave and report the behavior to the club. (I recorded a video of someone's unsafe activities once, brought the behavior to their attention and when they continued, I emailed the video to the people in charge of the club. That member isn't there anymore.).

Be safe.

Ask questions if you don't know.

Carry a copy of the range rules with you.

Have fun.

Here's a few of my suggestions:

 

INFORMAL SHOOTING:

 

1. At a commercial range that you pay for by the hour, STOP looking at your watch! Pay attention to what you're doing and do it safely so that you're NOT the idiot screwing-up. If that means that you'll spend a few dollars more, so be it! Nobody's life is worth the coupla bucks you're gonna save by doing something (unsafely) too fast! At a Private Club, there is NO EXCUSE, since your membership covers the range fees already!

 

2. Figure-out ahead of time where the muzzle of your gun will be when you open-up that cheap, OEM injection-molded plastic case! A piece of masking tape or a sharpie works wonders and keeps everybody else on the line from being swept as you get your gun (with magazine installed, action closed) out of said case. Gun cases actually CAN be opened at a 90* angle, with muzzles pointed at the backstop/berm!

 

3. ASK who is in charge if no RO is present. Report to that person what you'll be shooting (especially if it's really LOUD, I.E. a .50 AE, .454, .44 Magnum, etc.). This gives the folks that are already there shooting their .22's time to install upgraded hearing protection, like putting their muffs on over their plugs. Or time to re-locate and give you some more room, so you all have a better time.

 

4. Police your brass only when the line is safe. It's more distracting for someone to see you reaching under/around/in-front of your bench/lane while the firing line is HOT than to have someone chew your ear off! Employ common sense at a commercial facility with electric target frames, and leave the brass you can't reach, instead of creating a distraction crawling under your bench while others are still shooting!

 

5. Uncase only at the Firing Line, when the Range is HOT! And do so ONLY after READING the Range Rules! See #1 about checking your watch! READ the Rules instead of looking at your watch!

 

6. If you need assistance, seek competent help. Don't be afraid to stop shooting if you hear something that isn't "right", I.E. a squib (yours OR your neighbor's!).

 

7. ANYONE can call a CEASE FIRE! If a ten year old sees or hears something, and says something, treat it as if it was spoken by a Master-Class Shooting Instructor. Kids have really good eyesight, and can often identify animals (or bike riders, etc.) that wander onto a range/pit more easily than the adult that's with them, since the adult is concerned primarily with Firing Line safety.

 

8. Be mindful of creating range hazzards such as wet floors, loose brass, rifle cases laying about, etc. Don't turn your area into an obstacle course!

 

9. If you think even for a moment that something needs to be corrected (range equipment failure, other shooter breaking safety rules, etc.) SAY SOMETHING NICELY to that person. Stop a problem BEFORE it becomes a BIG PROBLEM. OR a Bad Habit developes! Most times you'll be thanked, and for the ones that won't listen to reason, notify the RO of the unsafe condition! Everybody wants to leave the joint without the drama of a range accident, even the idiot causing the problem!

 

I have several more of these, which I can relate at some point later today/tonight/tomorrow.

 

Thanks for reading and showing an interest in becoming a Good Example of what a Shooter should be.

 

Dave

4. If indoor range... don't hold the damn door open to the range while everyone in the showroom goes death. (BA)

 

I agree, that would be really bad...

ASK - If you are unsure of something, just ask! dont guess, dont try to fix something you are not familiar with, ask someone to help you! Everyone (Even Frank :-) ) was new once.. we all were, and most of us love to help new shooters.. this is a hobby where mistakes cant be taken back.

 

I had a new member of CJRPC walk up to the general purpose range while it was hot, put his gear down on the table and proceeded to flip the switch (calling the range SAFE) and start to walk downrange to set up his targets while we had 3 or 4 shooters SHOOTING... luckily I was standing back while my guests were shooting and was able to stop him before he hit the dirt... I yelled at the guy and he got pissed at me.. that was just plain stupid..

A little off the safety topic....but please don't proclaim or openly mouth off on offensive issues: Using racial/religious slurs, wearing 3 Reich/Nazi images (less accurate embellishment for WW2 period shoots, obviously)...besides being disgusting, low class and a blight on America...it proves your'e an A-hole.

 

We are here to shoot and be amongst, what I believe, are the best citizens that our country has to offer. Tolerance, Liberty and freedom for all is why the 2nd Amendment was guaranteed. Let's show our best to the gun grabbers and not give them fodder.

A little off the safety topic....but please don't proclaim or openly mouth off on offensive issues: Using racial/religious slurs, wearing 3 Reich/Nazi images (less accurate embellishment for WW2 period shoots, obviously)...besides being disgusting, low class and a blight on America...it proves your'e an A-hole.

 

We are here to shoot and be amongst, what I believe, are the best citizens that our country has to offer. Tolerance, Liberty and freedom for all is why the 2nd Amendment was guaranteed. Let's show our best to the gun grabbers and not give them fodder.

 

+1. Please tell me this does not happen at NJ matches?

 

Its bad enough to see that crap at gun shows, I would shit a brick to see it at one of the local matches. Yes, they have the right to their beliefs, but it does not mean anyone has to feed that hatred. I have no respect for people like that, and sincerely hope no one like that is associated on the forum.

Round Two: INFORMAL SHOOTING:

 

10. Ask if anyone wants your brass (if you don't save it) PRIOR to just throwing it away. It's nicer, and cleaner, and the boxes don't have coffee & soda spilled on them in the garbage cans.

 

11. Become 100% familiar with the term CONE OF FIRE and it's MEANING! And in the meantime, STOP stapling multiple targets to a single frame and then engaging them up close (5-7 yards) at an Indoor Range! If the walls, floor and ceiling could talk, they'd say "thank-you"!

 

12. Get your targets ready FIRST when you arrive at the outdoor range. Don't be in a rush to unload your vehicle with every possible gun and accessory only to then want a cease fire (after one has just occurred) so you can post your target(s). Instead, get your targets & stapler ready so when the line is called "COLD" you can spring into action so you too can post a target during the regular cycle. This is one of the BIG Newbie mistakes!

 

13. Kids are usually always welcome--especially at Private Club's outdoor ranges. Younger Kids need constant supervision, so sometimes this means that THE KIDS GET TO SHOOT AND YOU DO NOT! Depending upon various circumstances such as Club Rules, how much gun experience YOU have, age & shooter training level of Kids, number of Kids, etc., you have to make adjustments for both safety and range accommodation of other members/guests. In other words, don't uncase and tie-up way more benches than you can SAFELY supervise, I.E.: A Dad & (3) Kids should only be on 1-2 benches UNLESS the oldest Kid is VERY experienced (shoots competitively for instance)! Laying-out half a dozen rifles with each one on it's own bench is a disaster waiting to happen, since dear old Dad can't be in (6) places at once! Use some fore-thought and common sense. Upon arrival at the range, EVERYBODY goes potty BEFORE you uncase the first gun, so this way you don't have to leave Kids, guns, or any combination of the two unsupervised!

 

14. If an Old Fart like me wanders-over to your area to invite your Kids to shoot one of my guns (and you think that the Kid(s) can handle whatever "it" is), by all means let them try it! It will help to enforce good disciplined range behavior and make an Old Man's day! And possibly "break the ice" with a new range buddy that has a ton of experience just looking for an outlet. It's our way of passing-along knowledge to the next generation. We like to see Kid's faces smiling. It's good for our hearts and good for the sport too!

 

15. At an outdoor range setting, simply removing the bolt or carrier on a rifle DOES NOT make said rifle so safe as to allow you to pick it up and sweep everybody else on the firing line just because you want to adjust your sights or show it off to someone around your area! Someone 5-20 benches away sees it, and doesn't look for the removed bolt because they're too busy looking down YOUR MUZZLE, you IDIOT! Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction! ALWAYS!

 

16. Put your DUDS in a range-approved container. DO NOT simply throw them in the trash! OR--take them back home to take them apart safely, LATER (not at the range)!

 

17. Let the RO (and everyone else around you) know if you're going to rapid function-fire your firearm, especially at a Club that frowns on "uncontrolled rapid fire". This way, nobody comes a-runnin' with the "WTF was THAT" look on their kisser!

 

18. If you're a reloder or use a friend's reloaded ammo, buy a damn squib rod and bring it with you! It's only a matter of time........

 

I'll think of some more later, as there's a whole list just for shotgun sports. Till then,

 

Dave

Edited August 30, 201214 yr by Smokin .50

Great Stuff guys, as a Newbie Thanks!!