How safe is you shooting range?

[tacticaledge]

The reason for this post is I went to the indoor range that I go to when its too cold or windy well its the closest to me @ 40 minutes away needless to say I wont be going there no more I was punching holes in targets as I always do send my target down range start to reload and thats when I had the scaryest moments of my life I felt like someone punched me in the nose I looked down there was blood I realized I was hit with a riccochet it didnt penetrate but it did break the skin, Now whats more frightening is I found out five other people last week had the same thing happen there were children in the range when this happend to me and as a responsible parent this worrys me. They have a Certified Saftey Instructor according to him it happens ever so often call me crazy I dont feel this is acceptable Im curious to hear everybodys take on this?

 

[DPG]

It happens. It is just one of the risks you take when shooting with others in such close proximity.

 

[tacticaledge]

It happens. It is just one of the risks you take when shooting with others in such close proximity.

But should it happen as often as I mentioned.

 

[swood0580]

The only time i v had a riccochet was shooting steel plates. Was it your own riccochet or was it some ones elses.The indoor range i goto has a rubber type of back stop. so the rounds dont bounce back they more or less get stuck in the rubber i dont know what the stuff is called.

 

[gruntdeputy]

I've seen ricochets occur on a couple different outdoor ranges too. I don't think that it is "the range" itself that is the fault as much as inexperienced shooters on "unexpected shots" that strike something on the range and bounce the bullets back.

If it a consistent problem then the range needs to be modified to cure the problem, but I think 99% of the ricochet problems occur from behind the firing line.
Frank

 

[spaniel]

Unless you are shooting at steel, this should not happen on a safe range. I used to shoot indoors a lot and not only did it never happen to me in those years, I never heard of it happening...ever. Bullets don't ricochet off paper so there is something hard that is either worn out, or improperly designed to begin with.

 

[GJH77]

The only time i v had a ricochet was shooting steel plates. Was it your own ricochet or was it some ones elses.The indoor range i go to has a rubber type of back stop. so the rounds don't bounce back they more or less get stuck in the rubber i don't know what the stuff is called.

But look at the target holders going back and forth downrange-I bet they are steel- and see the number of times they are dented from being shot- sometimes on purpose. And the side walls are probably concrete block which can send a piece of a bullet around the room.

 

[WarpedWheel]

That would be kinda scary to get hit by a ricochet at an indoor range. Reminds me of this outdoor video:
Guy hit in head with .50 caliber ricochet - YouTube

 

[tacticaledge]

The only time i v had a riccochet was shooting steel plates. Was it your own riccochet or was it some ones elses.The indoor range i goto has a rubber type of back stop. so the rounds dont bounce back they more or less get stuck in the rubber i dont know what the stuff is called.

It was someone elses bullet.

 

[tacticaledge]

This happens alot at this range I have a friend that just told me he was hit twice there Im gonna go to my favorite out door range only from now on.

 

[Practical]

It happens. It is just one of the risks you take when shooting with others in such close proximity.

Being hit by a riccochet from a bullet from an indoor range should not happen if the range is properly designed and people are shooting correctly!

All surfaces should be angled to deflect bullets into traps.

You might get hit by brass, but our ranges seperates each bay so brass might bounce back at you.

The back stops deflect bullets down into sand traps.

Frankly, I have shot for 35 years and NEVER seen a riccochet at an indoor range hit a person. I have belonged to 3 different indoor ranges and shot at 8 or 9 ranges over my lifetime.

A range which results in injury likely won't be in business once a lawsuit hits them. It sounds to me like it is being run by incompetents.

I would talk the the board of directors and get the NRA range advisors in.

Probably they KNOW they have issues and they are too cheap to fix them.

A lawsuit will be a lot more costly than doing things right.

 

[tacticaledge]

Unless you are shooting at steel, this should not happen on a safe range. I used to shoot indoors a lot and not only did it never happen to me in those years, I never heard of it happening...ever. Bullets don't ricochet off paper so there is something hard that is either worn out, or improperly designed to begin with.

I would have to agree Ive gone to alot of ranges for many years never had any issue this shakes my confidence in indoor ranges,,

 

[tacticaledge]

Being hit by a riccochet from a bullet from an indoor range should not happen if the range is properly designed and people are shooting correctly!

All surfaces should be angled to deflect bullets into traps.

You might get hit by brass, but our ranges seperates each bay so brass might bounce back at you.

The back stops deflect bullets down into sand traps.

Frankly, I have shot for 35 years and NEVER seen a riccochet at an indoor range hit a person. I have belonged to 3 different indoor ranges and shot at 8 or 9 ranges over my lifetime.

A range which results in injury likely won't be in business once a lawsuit hits them. It sounds to me like it is being run by incompetents.

I would talk the the board of directors and get the NRA range advisors in.

Probably they KNOW they have issues and they are too cheap to fix them.

A lawsuit will be a lot more costly than doing things right.

If you cant maintain a range you shouldent run one just my opinion, Im glad my son wasnt with me that could of been him...

 

[scooter123]

It happens. It's especially common with the 50 foot indoor ranges that are so popular today, with 25 yard ranges it's not nearly as common.

As for causes, in many cases it's simply bullet traps that need to be cleaned out. Even the ground rubber traps will throw debris back to the firing line when they get "full". In addition the conical traps will throw jacketing back to the firing line if the shooters hit the rim of the trap.

As for what to do about it, I'd suggest starting with asking the range to clean out their traps. If enough complain they'll likely start paying more attention to range maintenance. You can also simply avoid using the indoor ranges or limit your shooting to those 25 yards or longer. Other than that, you simply have to make sure that you always have your eyes and ears on and wearing long sleeved clothing is an excellent idea. Good news is that while I've heard about people getting cut up by debris I've never heard of anyone actually getting hurt. BTW, IMO if stitches aren't needed you are not hurt.

 

[pharmer]

I have been hit by "splash" maybe a half dozen times over a 40 year period. Usually happens when all the lanes have shooters blasting away. One time a piece of copper jacket drew blood from a cheek. Safety glasses are a must on indoor ranges. Joe

 

[Basic]

Um,,,,,,, NO!

 

[TheBigC1234]

Was it the actual bullet or the jacket of a bullet? Only time I ever experienced this was during plate shoots and the copper jacket hits people. It happens a LOT during the plate shoots. I haven't had it happen regular shooting though.

 

[thacheese]

i've been splashed before, and it's usually when someone has the target like 10 feet out and hits the steel carrier.

shotgun wadding is a constant problem though.

 

[DPG]

How many of you have signed release forms to shoot at your range?

 

[tacticaledge]

Was it the actual bullet or the jacket of a bullet? Only time I ever experienced this was during plate shoots and the copper jacket hits people. It happens a LOT during the plate shoots. I haven't had it happen regular shooting though.

it was a flattend .22 slug