Growing the Hobby

What comes to mind when you think of the most important thing that you can do as a shooting/gun enthusiast? Do you think that it is donating money to the NRA, or building your collection, or taking part in firearm related activities? For me, I think that the most important thing that anyone can do as a gun enthusiast is to build and grow our hobby. The stigma that gun-owners face today is usually a negative one. A stigma that paints us as belligerent, hateful, violent and paranoid. The problem with this is that it really is not true. Not all gun-owners are into to self-defense, tactical, paranoia, hate, violence or even conservative politics. This best way we can help to break down this stigma is treat even the newbies with the same respect that we would give those who have been long-involved with firearms. It may take a little effort to take someone who disagrees with us politically and explain our stances towards them and introduce them to the world of safe and responsible firearm owners…but, if it turns them or even softens a radical stance, it is worth it.

One of the easiest ways to grow our hobby and introduce new people to firearms, is to treat them to a day at the range. You do not have to pay for everything, although that may help, but you provide the firearms and go into it with the idea that you will be paying for all of the ammo–if not you might want to say something about costs up front. The first thing we should do with a novice to the gun-culture is explain to them the dynamics that can exist in that giant culture-dish that is a firing range. You know, that your goal is not to sit them down like Johnny Deerslayer at the end and pump large lead rounds down range while fluctuating the plexi-glass windows. You also are not going to get them started with a 1911 chambered in .45, now are you? I am not saying that hunting is wrong, I hunt and who knows maybe the newbie will too, just that it might be a little much too soon. Everyone deserves a warning that they may experience things outside of their comfort zones, and that if they do they should just say something and take a leave off the range to collect themselves. Show and explain the reasons for why you do certain things, like always unbag and leave weapons facing down range–though this should be obvious. Make sure when you empty a magazine and get ready to pack up for the day that open the chamber and check for any stray rounds.

The first step you should take when actually at the range with a new shooter is actually a collective of thinking, and that is to be as safe as you can possibly be. Even if some rules of safety seem unnecessary or trivial to you, when you are around someone who is unsure of firearms do them anyway so that you can keep the new shooter as comfortable as possible. I know that once most of us get more and more comfortable around firearms we tend to slack off a little about our safety, and really we should not do that. Complacency is the fastest way to make a mistake and have an accident, which with a gun can be a very dangerous thing to have happen. If you are at an indoor range I suggest giving the new party a pair of ear plugs as well as ear muffs so that they will feel more comfortable with the noise level. Show and explain the reasons for why you do certain things, like always unbag and leave weapons facing down range–though this should be obvious. Make sure when you empty a magazine and get ready to pack up for the day that open the chamber and check for any stray rounds.

When taking someone new to shooting out to shoot, you need to remember that what may be a comfortable weapon for you to shoot may be a little bit scary to them. For example, I undertook the task of getting my girlfriend into shooting. This was somewhat hard to do as she was scared of guns, however, she wanted to get into something that I was so passionate about–a good component in any relationship (doing things together that is). My go-to’s for range shooting are my SKS, Marlin 336, and HiPoint 9mm carbine. Now, if you take out someone who has never shot before, remember that though 7.62x39mm and .30-30 may be low recoil to you, it will definitely be enough to frighten someone who is new to it all. This is the exact reason that when I take someone new out to the range, whether they say they have shot before or not, I always start with either the .22LR or the scoped 17HMR.  The 17HMR is a great gun to get people started on, I know the .22LR is more typical, my Mossberg 817 is scoped and bolt action which gives it the feel of a target rifle or deer rifle but without the recoil and bang of a .243 or .270. Another good rule of thumb when it comes to firearm selection is to go ahead and shoot a magazine or a few rounds out of the firearm before you hand it over to the other party. The reason I do this is to exhibit the rapport and recoil from a firearm so that the other party has some idea of what they are walking into before they pick the firearm up…which should also allow for safer shooting.

One more good rule of thumb with new shooters: Never turn it into a contest. This applies whether you are at the range shooting or whether you have wrapped up and are discussing views over a beer or coffee. You will never win going this route. When you are at the range, if you start judging their marksmanship then it is a good way to push them away. Always stay positive, let them know that they are doing a good job and draw some connections between their first day shooting and yours, it will create a common ground. After all, the whole reason behind all of this is that you want to show people that you can have fun shooting and not to infringe your rights to do so and no one has fun when they are being belittled. On the politics subject, well I live by the guideline of not discussing politics in polite conversation. No two people have the exact same political ideals and can become a common stumbling ground between two people who otherwise are friendly. If you are introducing someone to shooting that has political ideals opposite to yours, you will never convince them to change their minds. Even if someone enjoys shooting and begins to understand your desire to preserve the 2nd Amendment, you will probably not get them to admit to changing their political views. Getting in to a political argument is just a good way to create a rift and destroy any good will you may have built.

Chances are if you are reading this blog, you enjoy guns. I enjoy guns and I want more people to understand and share the hobby that I invest so much time and energy, and money, into–that is the whole point of this blog. So, as gun-owners let’s bind together and go out with an open mind and try to introduce our passion with others; rather than try and make it an exclusive group.  I hope that this will inspire someone to take someone who does not normally shoot out for a good time and see if they can get invested in a new hobby!

 

A Day at the Range

So, you bought a gun, now what? Hopefully, now you want to go shoot your gun. The main problem that faces most gun enthusiasts is that you do not have access to enough of your own land to shoot for free. The obvious solution? A gun range. If you have never been to a gun range they can most definitely be a source of intimidation, you have all sorts of people at a gun range, many of them in the same situation as you.  My aim here is to try and give you some background information on gun ranges and their patrons, to try and avoid any embarrassing moments you could worry about. We will discuss topics from ammunition to firing your gun to basic accessories that you need for a shoot.

• RANGE.  The first aspect to discuss is the range itself. You have Indoor ranges, outdoor ranges, trap ranges, 100 yard ranges, rifle ranges, pistol ranges, long-range ranges….the list goes on. The important part of this is to know what you need. If you are a novice shooter or have a fear of loud noises, then a outdoor rifle/pistol range might be more your style. What they make lack in some amenities (air conditioning, pulley systems, shelter from the rain) they make up for with open space. I am not going to say that recoil will be less and noise will be more quiet, but the open space eliminates some of the reverberation of large caliber guns. In addition to this, it will reduce the amount of pressure you feel exerted when someone in the lane next to you fires. Outdoor ranges provide one more massive benefit, you do not breathe in as much gunpowder residue and fouling as you would in a concrete room that circulates powder and smoke through the ventilation systems. If you plan on shooting a large caliber C&R firearm, you might look to find a range that has the capability to extend to at least 100 yards. To this point, the advantage sways to an indoor range. Most indoor ranges afford you the ability to move seamlessly from 5 to 25 to 50 to 100 yards. This is particularly handy when you are trying to sight in a rifle or scope. If you want to shoot long-range, greater than 100 yards, you are going to have to do a little bit more searching as most ranges only extend to the 100 yard range mark. If you want to practice self-defense and tactical shooting, that is another consideration. Most ranges, at least in my neck of the woods, will not allow you to practice drawing from your holster (for fear that you will shoot yourself, someone else, or create ricochet). Some ranges will have a certain night that they allow you to practice holster shooting on certain nights of the week. Some ranges also offer tactical courses, if you own a gun for self-defense purposes,  the pending zombie apocalypse (sarcasm), or you just want to give it a try; these allow you to sweep areas and pick up targets. One last thing to keep in mind about ranges in general is that you should not settle on the first range you find. Some ranges charge you more money to shoot for no real good reason. If the range has all the amenities that you want, and can find nowhere else, then go ahead and pay the money;  just do not make that decision without looking around first. Moral: call the range you want to try ahead of time, or visit their websites.
• EYES AND EARS. The second of our topics, and the most important. Any range worth it’s salt will require you to wear eyes and ears. If you show up to a range and this rule seems to be omitted, stay away. Not because it is the end-all be-all of shooting, but because it is a good hint that they are not overall concerned with shooter’s safety. Many ranges, not all, will provide eye and ear protection for free with range fees or lane rental. Why do you need to wear these? If you ever run patches through your bore or think about the fouling that exits your barrel, the answer should seem obvious. With every pull of the trigger you are punching a primer, detonating gun powder, in the case of a shotgun burning wad, and then pushing soft lead out of a barrel. That is a lot of steps, and every single one of those creates airborne particulate that will make it’s way into your eyes…especially in an indoor range. This is problematic because it can cause short and long term damage to your eyes. The short term would be causing your eyes to water and perhaps some minor scratching of your lenses. In the longer term, if you were to subject yourself to this regularly, you run the risk of causing irreversible damage to your eyes and degenerate your vision. The easiest solution is to purchase your own pair of glasses, from the inexpensive to the expensive. If you shoot often, go ahead and invest in a nice pair of wrap-around sunglasses. I have a pair of Oakley “gascans” that I use because I have to wear prescription glasses anyways. The important thing to look for in a pair of glasses to wear to a range is twofold: 1) you want a wrap around frame that will protect the entire scope of your eye and 2) that they are quality in reducing light (especially for outdoor ranges) that can distort your target. What about ears, why is ear protection important? This should be obvious, almost every round you shit will be over 130 decibels (the minimum required to do permanent damage to your hearing). The most basic ear protection that you have probably seen are ear plugs. They are serviceable, usually between 22 and 30 NRR, and cheap (~$3 for10 pairs). The drawback to these is that they fit in your ear, making them wildly uncomfortable after prolonged use and not exactly hygienic. The next step up are your standard and bulky ear muffs. These are more comfortable for sure and offer a negligible decrease in NRR. The main drawback most people offer up is that they are either too pricey, too bulky, or interfere with cheek positioning. This problems can easily be solved with a pair of low-profile ear muffs, like the Howard Leight L1s ($9.99), which eliminate these concerns and still provide an NRR of 25 (higher than many plugs). I would suggest for any gunowner who would frequent a range that you own your own pair of muffs and glasses. Primarily because, the equipment for use at ranges is usually heavily worn before it is replaced. You do not want to try and sight in a gun with glasses that are well scratched, you do not want to be in an indoor range with ear muffs that have foam breaking down (leading to a loss of protection). The other concern is hygiene. At most ranges, when you are done, you put muffs on a rack and glasses in a bin. That is a lot of sweat and germs being passed around. I have had Staph at least six times, thanks high school and college sports, so maybe that is why I am more vigilant about the germ thing.
• AMMO. The ammo, and the amount of ammo, you take to a gun range can be a very important thing. The single most important thing to remember about ammo in regards to a gun range: never buy it there. This is a generalization, and I am sure there are some decent gun range proprietors out there to dispute this, but I have never been to a gun range where ammo was cheaper than at your local superstore or gun store. I am all for helping out the little guy, but, when you are charging up to 100% over the retail cost of ammo….it is not happening. Gun ranges can do this for a reason, you are a captive audience. You get to a range, you pay for an hour or however long, you run out of ammo. Do you waste the money you spent for your lane rental? No, you buy more ammo–albeit at a ridiculous cost. Know what guns you are bringing, know the average cost of ammo, and make sure to bring an appropriate amount. In addition to this if you are to bring a 22lr, 30/30, 7.62×39, 17hmr, and a .30-06; develop a plan. Try and dedicate more time, and ergo ammo, to the cheaper rounds. If you shoot more out of the 22lr and the 7.62×39 you still get a lot of bang, but for a lot less buck ($10-13 for 300+rds and $4.99 for 20 respectively). Next consideration, the type of ammo. Some ranges have bans on steel cased ammo, which is ridiculous. These ranges ban steel cased ammo because of the fact that it is non-reloadable, well it should not be reloaded. Watch an indoor range’s range custodian, every so often they go through with a broom and a pan and sweep up all of your non-rimfire brass casings. They then reload these cases and charge premium for “handloaded” ammo. Some indoor ranges will ban the use of steel-jacketed FMJs, I am looking at you Mauser owners with surplus ammo, because of fear it will punch through the backstop. While this is highly unlikely it is at least somewhat more reasonable than the steel case issue. If you have a desire to shoot steel-jacketed rounds or steel-cased just go to an outdoor range, I have never been to one and had any issues in terms of ammo I chose to use.
• GUNS. Choose your guns wisely. It is common for indoor ranges especially to ban the use of larger bore rifles. You do not want to show up to a gun range, ready to shoot, and walk out disappointed. If you have a large bore rifle you are better off playing it safe and calling ahead to make sure. If you live close enough to an outdoor range I suggest just going there, it will be easier for you and your peer shooters. So you make it to an outdoor range that only allows you shoot at 100 yds…now what? In this scenario it is great to have at least one gun with a scope. With good eyes and great sights, you can still shoot iron sights at a 100yds fairly accurately. It becomes a matter of ease and fun, it is more fun to shoot at 100 yards when you can see the actual target and see where you are hitting. Made a drive 40 minutes to there nearest outdoor/long range gun range? Make sure you take your bigger rifles. You probably are not going to drive 40 minutes every time you go to shoot, right? If you have a .338 federal or lapua or maybe a 50BMG, use them when you can and should (instead of wasting the long range with a scoped 10/22 trying to shoot at 300 yds). If you find a range that allows rapid shooting, take your semi autos (or full autos if you legally own them) and have fun. SKSs, AKs, ARs, even 22lr’s can be a lot of fun to shoot fast–but there are not a lot of ranges that allow it. I think I made my point about the guns.
• SAFETY. This includes everything not mentioned in the Eyes and Ears part. When you go to a gun range you are surrounded by people whose skill with a weapon may vary from complete novice to pro-shooter, and this means that you have to try and account for all of it. Step1, make sure that when you enter a range all of your guns are covered. If you do not have a case at least use a gun sock or the box the firearm came in. This eliminates a lot of concern from the patrons of surrounding businesses as well as making it that much easier to transport your equipment. Step 2, make sure from when you enter your range all the way until you start actually firing that your weapon is unloaded with the bolt open. It gives peace of mind to the owner of the range, the patrons, and assures that no one will accidentally discharge your weapon (particularly when introducing someone else to shooting). Step 3, make sure that all weapons, once removed from cases, point down range. Doing this ensures that in the case of an accidental discharge, no one stands a chance of injury. Step 4, clear your area of debris. This means any spent shell casings or other garbage that may be in your area, and hence around your feet, is cleared. This should lower the risk of slipping on anything or rolling our ankle which in turn will reduce the risk of any accidents with a weapon. Step 5, whether loading or unloading, make sure your safety is on. The only appropriate time to have your safety off, is when you are shooting. This should be obvious, but it will make it near impossible to discharge a round. If this seems weird look up Remington 700 and look at safety concerns with the gun. Step 6, stay aware of your surroundings. If someone seems to be disregarding range rules or just acting unsafe, do not be afraid to mention it to an employee. The rules were created to protect your safety, and a juvenile waving a gun around like his favorite video game does not…neither does someone who refuses to put a safety on while turning around and asking why something is happening. So those are some quick check points, and it should go without saying that from the moment you enter the shooting area til the moment you are out, you should have ears and eyes on.
• HAVE FUN. If you go to a range, you should be going to enjoy yourself. After everything else that was written, this may seem unlikely or hard to do but it shouldn’t be. If you like to joke about the Zombie Apocalypse, not my thing, then buy some Zombie targets and go to town. Create a game, like four shots in a row in a certain area at 25 yds then move it out and so on. If you can shoot steel targets, they are a lot of fun and instantly let you know if you hit. If tactical (or should I say tacticool) is your thing, find a range that allows you to have a more tactical based experience. If you make a conscious choice to have fun, instead of a competition, it makes it easier to hit your goals and benchmarks. Pressure rarely makes you a better shooter….at first. Ignore anyone who tells you that you should shoot a bigger gun, they bought theirs just to say they have one.

So, I have gone through some very basic guidelines on how to approach a day at a gun range. This is in no way meant to be an encompassing and exhaustive list, rather a simplistic approach. The main point, is to find a range that is right for you, it may cost more than others but if it has everything you want; it is worth it. I encourage everyone to make it to a range at some point, it gives you an opportunity to meet others like you, to shoot new guns, to try out a new environment and to put your skills on paper. Until next time, enjoy yourself and stay safe.