advice for my very first range trip

M

mg357

Absent Comrade
Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
3,493
Reaction score
2,710
Location
washington illinois
Dear Smith and Wesson Forum, im going to be going on my very first gun range trip this summer. an i was just wondering do any of my fellow forum members have any advice for a young man who is going on his first range trip. sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum. p.s. the range is an indoor pistol range.
 
Register to hide this ad
In an indoor range especially be sure to wear ear protection, it can get really loud in there sometimes. Have fun and above all be safe.
 
joeintexas said:
In an indoor range especially be sure to wear ear protection, it can get really loud in there sometimes. Have fun and above all be safe.
Click to expand...

Add eye protection too, and possibly some towelets as you will walk away black from all the soot that is generated.
 
Most indoor ranges require that you read the rules and sign off on them. They probably all require eye and ear protection. Indoors is very loud. I wear foam ear plugs and ear muffs.

Some require you buy their ammo or lead free ammo so that will determine if you bring your own ammo or not.

Targets, again some may require you buy theirs.

Make sure your gun (if you are bringing one, some rent guns) is unloaded and in a case of some sort.

Enjoy!:)
 
Maybe double ear protection. (ear plugs and muffs) The plugs adds 5 more decibel coverage above the ear muff rating. Hearing loss can occur in an instant. Eye protection a must. Always keep firearm unloaded until ready to use, pointed in a safe direction, know the ranges RULES before starting, know your firearm and malfunction clearing for safety. Wash your hands in COLD water after shooting. (to avoid opening your pores and possibly increasing lead contamination exposure.) Have fun.
 
Read and follow the rules. Most ranges have rules that are quite different from any other range- just read and pay attention to those rules.

If you know the name of the range, look it up on the net and get a copy of the range rules (if available online) prior to showing up so you may read them and be prepared for their policies and rules.

If a person dosen't follow the rules, they will be asked to leave.
 
I hope you enjoy your first trip, let us know how it went. Make sure you know and understand all the rules and if there is a range safety officer present you might want to tell him it your first outing and you would appreciate any advice or help he may be able to offer. I work as a range safety officer and always try to pay special attention to new shooters, most of them are greatful for the assistance and willing and eager to be safe shooters. I think it is very important for shooters to develop good safety habits from the begining of their shooting experience than to try to correct them later. The biggest problem we run into are the older experienced shooters with bad habits who won't listen to the rules or stand for any correction. They don't last long at the range. A shooting range can be a bit intimidating the first time so don't hesitate to seek help if you need it. Most range officers and other shooters are more than willing to help a newcomer learn to enjoy the sport. Have fun!
 
Last edited:
Ear protection. You post enough here that I think everyone can assume you'll be a shooter for life, so try to get something that gives you good sound protection. In the long run, you'll thank yourself. In the beginning, ear protection is something one often figures he/she can invest in "later", but it's really something to start out with if you can. Eye protection too, even if it's just sunglasses. If you are going to shoot semi-auto pistols, a baseball cap pulled down to just above your glasses can keep flying brass from bonking you on the noggin. Oh, and have fun, that's important too.
 
Eye and Ear protection, keep the muzzle downrange at all times, read the rules, remember to concentrate on the front sight, and when you are finished wash your hands before handling any food or drink.
 
Take a cooler w/ice and some bottled water if its an out door range.

Safety, Safety, Safety, All the rest has been covered.

Rule 303
 
Read the range agreement carefully. One local range has buried all the regular safety rules, turn over paper and draw a star one the upp right corner, and later turn over and draw a star on lower left corner. Seen several hand in agreement and be told, "read it again".

Most indoor ranges have two doors between the sales floor and the range.(Small room between). Make sure the first door is closed before opening the next, ie make sure if someone is coming out as you are going in, make sure their door is closed before you open your door. This is to keep the noise down for all the folks on the sales floor.

And of course be safe and have fun.
 
Last edited:
joeintexas said:
In an indoor range especially be sure to wear ear protection, it can get really loud in there sometimes. Have fun and above all be safe.
Click to expand...

It can be especially loud if you are next to a lane where someone is shooting an S&W 500.
 
MG357, I cant belive I am the first to suggest you take a knowlegable shooter friend with you to show you the ropes. You most definetly need another experienced shooter to watch you and show you every aspect of safety and the basics. Wish you the best. I suspect every one of us had either our father, a friend or instructor of some type start us out. Dont try it out by yourself the first time or you will be discouraged!
 
Keep an eye on what everyone else is doing. If you think something isn't safe, go to whoever is in charge with it or call the offenders on it yourself if it is something especially blatant.

Just today when I was at the range, I had to caution an older gentleman that was sweeping me with a Ruger LCP. If done in a courteous way, most people will appreciate having this brought to their attention, as he did.

Of course, I have also been known to raise my voice/be abrupt when folks are handling guns while I or others are downrange checking targets. There is no excuse for such stupidity as that and I'm not shy about embarrassing someone over it.
 
Good advice from all these folks. Safety first. Start with light loads if possible. Don't be afraid to ask for advice.
Don't do what I did. On my 21st birthday I picked up my first handgun, a model 19, and went to an indoor range. Since the gun said 357, thats what I bought a box of.
I proceeded to go thru 50 rounds, throwing a six inch flame out the front and the gun bucking like all heck.
I developed such a bad flinch, that the target looked like I had shot OO buck at it while hip shooting from 50 yards. As I left, I told the guys behind the counter that I would have to send the gun back since the sights were off.
They probably fell on the floor laughing after I left.
 
What They Said !!

Great that you've got a range picked out. The advice on hearing
protection cannot be over-emphasized! Nobody ever warned me, and
I pay for that everyday.
Now, for my real question: what're you going to take for your first
shooting experience? (Inquiring minds, etc.)
Looking forward to your range report, TACC1.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Finally first range trip with my 4" Shield Plus P/C
Replies
3
Views
270
Beju
B
cremaley
First Range Visit With My S&W Model 19 Carry Comp Moss
Replies
7
Views
351
Dump1567
Dump1567
gunnpowderr
Advice needed on what might be my first Smith, 686+ 3" ...
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
413Maxwedge
413Maxwedge
J
What has happened to QC at Smith and Wesson?
3 4 5
Replies
83
Views
4K
JimW
JimW
cmansguns
Is this gun a "early" Model 17 ND (No Dash)?
Replies
15
Views
948
Sebago Son
Sebago Son

Latest posts

Back
Top