Is it bad form to shoot really loud guns at a crowded range?

jasona said:
Some months back I took my Desert Eagle (.50AE) to the indoor public range I go to.
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The problem we had was that the management of our indoor rnge told their min wage counter monkeys to push the .50AE Rental Gun because it was the most expensive and the ammo was VERY pricey..... it sold in boxes of 20 for about 5 times what regular box of ammo sold for and the plus for the house: the ammo usually came back with 18 of the original 20 rounds still in the box which they could resell.

Newbies trying to impress their girlfriends could always be talked into renting that dog, then would wet them selves when it went off and turn it back in with ammo unfired. Wasn't funny when the gun recoiled back hard enough into a guy's head that it knocked him out and they had to call 911.

After that they had to post pictures of how to stand and hold the gun while firing so they didn't get sued again.
 
I'm old. My left ear hearing is shot. My right ear is getting worse. I have tinnitus so bad at times that I want to scream out loud... so this subject is near and dear to my heart. I wear the very best muffs available over the best custom plugs available.

As far as I'm concerned, at an outdoor club/public range, anything goes as long as it's in compliance with club or range rules. I may not like it, but that's the way it goes. Too bad for me. If it's too much for my ears to take, I just have to leave and come back later or sit in my car until the mega-blasters are done. Not the end of the world. It's a noisy sport.

My pay-by-the-hour indoor range is another matter altogether. It gets insanely loud and crazy in there. The indoor range allows up to .44 Magnums and 12 gauge shotguns. The muzzle blast and percussion exposure with one of those close in on either side of you (or both sides) can be mind-numbing. I have to leave the range immediately and not return. The problem is it's $25 down the drain each time that happens and they don't give refunds or rain checks.

I try to go at low usage times and I try to ascertain who is shooting what before paying. I ask not to be placed next to a shotgun or magnum shooter. Sometimes it helps. Often it doesn't.

But the bottom line is that the pay-by-the-hour indoor range has its rules and it's up to me to take it or leave it based on those rules. No one is twisting my arm and forcing me to pay and go there. It's a commercial venture and it's up to the owners there to determine how to make the most money and stay in business.

Apparently, the mega-blasters are a net positive for their business cash flow... so that's just the way it is. Whether I like it or not doesn't matter to them a hoot.
 
Those who don't like the extra noise can politely move to a different lane.

I am not a fan of the extra loud noises but its a shooting range. One has to expect it.
 
Bad form? Depends on the range rules, but generally no. I'm a "Do unto others" kinda guy, but there are limits.

I dislike rifles in the next lane at the the 25-yard indoor range I shoot at; there's a perfectly good 100-yd range one door over. I double up on muffs and plugs, but the concussion of centerfire rifles is IMO a bit much. If the shooter is zeroing or slow fire, that's tolerable; it's within range rules, and they paid for the time too. Mag dumps are another. If I'm feeling abused, I'll step off the line. If the mag dumps continue, the 3" .44 Magnum with full-house (lately, the Rem. HTP) loads comes out. A couple cylinders' worth generally induces detante...probably a stupid thing to do, but I do observe the dynamic before stepping to the line, and have asked the RO to move me a few lanes over on occasion. There are a few big-bore shooters (.454 and the like) from time to time; we generally alternate strings so as to keep the seismographs from registering false positives ;)
 
The club I belong to has an indoor pistol range, 22lr thru 45 only no mags. There is a 8 stand outdoor rifle range 25yds to 100yds. and and outdoor pistol range 25 yards or if your alone you can move closer. the rifle range is open to all calibers. the pistol range again no mags on the steel plates. But there is not a range officer on duty unless it is a range sponsored event. The sleel plate are not safe for close up shooting due to magnum loads being shot at them. I was at the rifle range one nice summer morning plinking with my M1 carbine and a young stud comes out with his 50cal bmg. One shot from the rifle and the the Waps started after him. Maybe I should have mentioned the Wasps before he sit up.
 
bountyhunter said:
The problem we had was that the management of our indoor rnge told their min wage counter monkeys to push the .50AE Rental Gun because it was the most expensive and the ammo was VERY pricey..... it sold in boxes of 20 for about 5 times what regular box of ammo sold for and the plus for the house: the ammo usually came back with 18 of the original 20 rounds still in the box which they could resell.

Newbies trying to impress their girlfriends could always be talked into renting that dog, then would wet them selves when it went off and turn it back in with ammo unfired. Wasn't funny when the gun recoiled back hard enough into a guy's head that it knocked him out and they had to call 911.

After that they had to post pictures of how to stand and hold the gun while firing so they didn't get sued again.
Click to expand...

I've yet to see at the ranges I go to a Desert Eagle for rent...

With the cost of the ammo, I'm also not surprised. The closest things to "stunt guns" that the range I visit has is a couple full auto (5 round magazine) rifles and a Kriss Vector carbine (semi-auto.)
 
Range Conditions

A range is a high noise environment. All parties involved need ear and eye protection. You ear protection should have tight fitting ear cups, and remember to bring some plugs.

Having said all that, as a Rangemaster, I always tried to keep the heavies away from the kids and dads with 22s. Sometimes, it wasn't possible.

Having said ALL that, my own sense of what is loud is colored by experience. A 155mm with a muzzle brake must be heard to be believed. It can break unprotected eardrums. We said that it wasn't loud unless you can taste it.
 
One of the ranges in Vegas has a sense of humour. I have specifically told them I have brought a .357 Mag or .44 Mag so they might want to put me in the 50 yard rifle side that is usually empty. I say this because I know they have a lot of tourist trade so :-

1) I don't want to make it a bad experience for them.

and...

2) There is always one tourist who won't stop babbling at you about your loud gun so they interrupt MY enjoyment.

Guess what, the range management send me right in and tell me to let rip. I suspect it is to move on some of the tourists. ;) Last time it was my 686 with that really loud and flashy 125gr Remington JHP load. As my buddy commented, the ones I miss with bullets will be cooked anyway.
 
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I shoot a S&W Model 48-4 .22 Mag. at the outdoor range and it's a real barker. Of course it's not as loud as my .44 Mag. Mountain Gun. There's a reason the range rigorously enforces an "Eyes and Ears" policy. If one is super sensitive to loud noises there is always archery.
 
I tell the range master what I am shooting and ask if I should be placed somewhere due to noise. I do respect others that are learning, or not accustom to loud firearms or the concussion; however, having said that, I find it great when other loud guns are firing on the range because I get to test my accuracy with pandemonium going on. It is a training opportunity. Bring 'em on!! Just my opinion.
 
At an outdoor range, I have never been expecting a nice quiet afternoon. In fact, I expect it to be rather noisy. If it is too loud for you, don't go. Certainly don't try to rain on another person's day.

regards

yashua
 
SilentKnight said:
....however, having said that, I find it great when other loud guns are firing on the range because I get to test my accuracy with pandemonium going on. It is a training opportunity..
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That's kinda what they did at my CCW qualifying class. It was pretty plain by the patterns (not groups) shot that some were not comfortable shooting in that environment.
 
After reading 50+ posts in this thread, I feel sorry for the poor, everyday .22 LR shooter just trying to enjoy a little time at the range. :o My pay-by-the-hour indoor range hardly ever finds anyone shooting .22's except for folks getting lessons.

It does make me wonder: With demand for .22 LR ammo still obviously crazy through the roof, where the heck is it all being used? :confused:

Based on my observations, it should be the ammo least in demand. :confused: What am I missing here? :o
 
Don't come to the range with the boys and me tomorrow. One's bringing a Desert Eagle 50cal, another a 454 Casull, I'll have my 41 and 44mags. We'll be making some serious noise.
 
I have an indoor range 7 miles and another one 22 miles away.
Instead I choose to travel 38 miles one way, to be a member of an outdoor range.
I don't like indoor ranges at all...,
The noise, lack of ventilation, and usually one jack hole that shows up that is trying to over compensate for something.

I really do feel sorry for the guys who only have indoor ranges around them to use.
 
The indoor range I go to usually doesn't have many people shooting large caliber handguns. But there are quite a few people that show up with AR-15's. I doesn't bother me but when I take my wife who is a new shooter I try to make sure she is not by someone with a rifle so she is not startled by the noise.
 
I have fired my S&W Model 53 in 22 Jet a few times at the indoor range where i shoot. I've noted just how disturbing this is and have since quit doing it.
Jim
 
TTSH said:
After reading 50+ posts in this thread, I feel sorry for the poor, everyday .22 LR shooter just trying to enjoy a little time at the range. :o My pay-by-the-hour indoor range hardly ever finds anyone shooting .22's except for folks getting lessons.

It does make me wonder: With demand for .22 LR ammo still obviously crazy through the roof, where the heck is it all being used? :confused:

Based on my observations, it should be the ammo least in demand. :confused: What am I missing here? :o
Click to expand...

I've got a nice .22LR pistol (Sig Sauer 1911 .22LR) but I bought it just as .22LR disappeared so it doesn't get a lot of range time. I don't mind being at the range with a bunch of people shooting rifles, shotguns, and big caliber handguns. It's almost funny, someone will be firing their rifle, so you get the big BOOM BOOM BOOM, then I start firing with these dainty-sounding little pop pop pops...
:D
I'm having fun, they're having fun, so it's all good...
 
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