Range etiquette question

[Ditchdigger]

I am a relatively new to pistol shooting, and only a couple of months into shooting at an indoor range. Here is my question. Today at my local range, my girlfriend and I were shooting our m&p's and as she was watching me shoot she noticed that the gentleman to the right of us was getting visibly upset that my brass was clearing the partition wall and landing on his side. I felt bad about it when she told me what happened. Is there something I should do differently? Should I wait for him to empty his mag before I fire mine? (like bowling). Or just continue and let him throw his fit? I had someone doing the same to me a few weeks back and just thought of it as a distraction that I needed to learn to block out.

 

[DGT]

That's an interesting question. I would have gone over to him, and told him I was sorry but can't control where my brass lands and asked him if he wanted to switch lanes with me.

 

[old bear]

As a revolver shooter I don't have to worry about throwing brass, but I've caught my share of hot brass from the lane to my left and it's not a lot of fun. Perhaps you could step back a foot or so, that way the wall dividing the lanes will stop most of the brass. If everyone works together all of you should be able to enjoy your range time.

Oh yes, and welcome to the forum.

 

[seagill]

I wouldn't worry about it, after all, you didn't design or build the range. I've been repeatedly pelted by ejected brass from my "neighbor" (usually .40 or .45). I just laugh it off. Besides, if your practicing SD shooting, it throws in the element of surprise and teaches you to stay focused under stress. Some folks just look for things to gripe about. If it bothers you though, you could shoot "gangsta" style.

 

[ladder13]

You should have seen the looks I got when shooting my 4 inch 500 mag.

 

[truetopath]

To be honest I never had anyone complain about a brass shower, I think everyone gets "rained" on from time to time, myself included.

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

Just last week the when I was shooting, the person shooting to my left was as far forward as he could be (using the "bench" to brace himself. He was so far forward that his semi-auto was past the end of the partition which caused his brass to be tossed towards and into me. It was a bother but I said nothing. Finally the RSO told him he needed to step back, which he did, but by then I was thru shooting.

Maybe he should have said someting to the RSO or RO.

Me, I would step back and ensure my brass is staying in my booth.

 

[Ditchdigger]

Thank you all for the great answers. As far as stepping back, that would not have fixed the issue. The brass was actually going up and over the partition. For my last couple of mags I moved to the right close to the side that way they hit halfway up and fell back on me. I'll pay closer attention in the future.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I think it would be good to attempt communicate in a non-aggressive manner in every situation, maybe especially with guns in our hands. Communication is the most valuable skill we can develop, in my view. For a long time I was one of those who cooked like my paternal Grand Ma-the burners were either wide open, or off. I would quietly seethe until the "situation" ended, or I would explode on the often unknowing "offender." I don't have much time in indoor ranges, but the middle ground might be to do as suggested, and start out with a Magnum that came waltzing out at about 1500 fps-your choice as to which one-and that would probably clear the lanes to the left and right for "normal" handgun use!! (just kiddin') Flapjack.

 

[sjmjax]

I think it is always good to be considerate and try not to cause others discomfort.

However, I find it hard to understand the mind set of someone who would go to a GUN RANGE and complain about flying brass or noise??

I participate in some major full auto machine gun shoots. Complaining about your neighbors flying brass will get YOU kicked off the firing line.

Repeating that it is good policy if you shoot a gun(s) with heavy muzzle blast or aggressive brass ejection to choose a position on the firing line where you will least affect others. But it is my opinion that it is the responsiblity of the offended party to relocate if necessary even if "they were there first".

Personally if I'm on a crowded firing line and shooting a magnum revolver or other gun that can be unsettling to my neighbor, I try to wait until they have shot their string and are reloading before I fire mine.

Likewise, if a neighbor is the one with the hand cannon and it is affecting my shooting, I simply step back and wait until they are reloading and then resume my plinking.

 

[venomballistics]

my 45 has a rather erratic ejection pattern. I dont care where you stand, your getting some brass on you, and it will follow you wherever you move

 

[Fishslayer]

I generally try to get a lane with a wall to my right, but that's so I don't have to chase my brass very far.

If I have a mall ninja with a braked short barrel AR next to me I just time my shooting with his reloading. We have bullet buttons and 10 rd mags in Kalifornistan. Reloading is frequent and time consuming.

As for a brass shower, I don't know what the guy was expecting at a shooting range.

 

[jkc]

A little consideration for your fellow shooters goes a long way --- at our local public range, mesh screens (that don't block the RO's view of what's going on) are provided, so semi or full auto shooters can clamp them on the benches to catch their brass and keep it from raining on one's neighbors. I'll politely ask shooters who are rudely shelling me with hot brass to set one up. They are usually oblivious to what they're doing, but it's still rude...

 

[doublesharp]

If you have lane partitions, why leave the walls so short brass flies over them? Seems some simple screening would solve the problem.

 

[chud333]

Like oldbear i shoot revolvers so i don't have this particular problem.
But i have had many autos and nothing worse than catching a "Hot One" down inside your shirt collar. Ouchhhhh..
Perhaps asking if he'd like to change lanes with you might have
apeased him. Outside of that he does know he's at a shooting
range right .....


chuck

 

[vytoland]

dont worry about ejecting brass from an automatic pistol. in an indoor range not much you can do about it. i shoot S&W revolvers exclusively. if an ejected cartridge comes my way i try to stay focused on my target. it's just good practice.

 

[DeathGrip]

I suggest you don't wear a low cut blouse for shooting.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

One of the indoor ranges where I shoot the lanes are assigned as you check in, so changing lanes would not be a solution here. I think we have all be the subject of the brass shower from time to time. If you're doing your part and shooting behind the line, as far as I can tell, you have committed no range crime. You might consider taking a step back and tell him you're sorry your shells are failing on him, but there isn't really much you can do to control that. Maybe the guy was just having a bad day, or it was his first trip to the range and he did not know what to expect.

 

[Kinman]

The only range we have that you can hit your neighbor with brass is on the rifle range, we have baffles installed to keep your brass on your side for the most part, you do have to police up your brass that wanders on the floor.
On the rifle range we have brass catchers you can set up if you have to shoot alongside someone, most of time the semi auto shooter gravitate down to the far right side, although that is also where the 50yd line is most often set up.
It is range etiquette to use the brass catchers whenever possible, they have enough to go around, I missed the AR shoot this weekend so I cannot give a completely accurate account.

 

[A10]

It is very nice of you to be concerned for your fellow shooters. A conversation should always be welcome, and letting them know ou are willing to swap lanes with them is a good idea. Most of the ranges I go to try to separate the shooters if the space is available, and all the ones I go to have full height partitins to try to minimize the flying brass issue.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Flying brass at a range is normal and something you learn to expect. And IMHO, the annoyed guy next to you should have shown you some consideration and not let something so petty get the best of him.

Now if you pointed your gun at him, that's entirely different!

 

[5Wire]

My H&K P7M13 would send brass 20 feet. I tried to be the rightmost shooter on the outside firing line. Inside lines were adequately constructed to keep ejected brass from neighboring lanes but rebounds would wind up way to the left and behind.

 

[blujax01]

I generally try to get a lane with a wall to my right, but that's so I don't have to chase my brass very far.

Excellent tip! I never thought about that and will make a similar request next trip.

 

[joeintexas]

I try to do the same thing when I shoot my .45, it tends to spit brass anywhere it wants to so I try to get as far right as possible. At an inside range brass is going to fly, just a fact of life, all we can do is minimize as best we can and apologize when we can't.

 

[brucev]

Thank you all for the great answers. As far as stepping back, that would not have fixed the issue. The brass was actually going up and over the partition. For my last couple of mags I moved to the right close to the side that way they hit halfway up and fell back on me. I'll pay closer attention in the future.

You found the best solution, i.e., set up so as to keep ejected brass on your side and of course... be attentive. Thought and consideration are two very good tools to develop and employ when dealing with other folks. If/when rules must be quoted/enforced, it is like the proverbial spoon full of sugar that helps the medicine go down.

For the record, I can see why someone would not appreciate being subjected to an intermittent brass shower. I've had hot brass hit me when I've been firing at indoor and outdoor ranges. The pistol stuff is usually not so bothersome. However, on the rifle range, when a M-2 casing newly issued from the breech of a M-1... goes down inside the collar of your shirt and finds a nice place to rest against the back of your neck... it will really get your attention.

 

[Dr.-d]

If your gun ejects to the right, you could always take the farthest lane to the right so no one is next to you. Some autos eject left and others straight up and some even though the ejection port is on the right the brass goes everywhere. Offering to change lanes with the person helps.
Sometimes longtime revolver only people can be cranky.
But one thing to remember there are those that are miserable no matter what, even when you offer to be resonable and view their complaints with validility and offer to accomadate them, but will complain and gripe and sometimes throw fits when they don't have it their way or everything to themselves. That can be anybody, other auto shooters too, young and old.

 

[Jlduke]

I typically take a step back and my brass hits the partition at the indoor range. There's no need to reach over the table to fire. However within reason, if you get upset by a little brass hitting you, you probably have no business going to the range. I get hit all the time. Its not really a big deal, but it does seem like no one else ever thinks to step back so the brass hits the divider.

 

[Fishslayer]

I suggest you don't wear a low cut blouse for shooting.

Had it happen more than once. The worst part is that when a gal catches one between the twins her reaction is to spin away from the line. When she has her finger on the trigger of a cocked & ready semiauto it can get a little interesting.

 

[forresth]

I have no idea what he'd expected at a range? starting flinging brass around in a phone booth, and its bound to go all over the place. That's why safety glasses are a must and a brimmed hat is recommended. If he hates it that much, he should reserve the leftmost lane or something. Even then you won't be 100%safe. I certainly wouldn't be bending over backwards to try preventing something that should be expected.

 

[11B Lifer]

That's an interesting question. I would have gone over to him, and told him I was sorry but can't control where my brass lands and asked him if he wanted to switch lanes with me.

Concur-But as an RSO-I should be aware of this happening and do something about it. Hot brass down a shirt-in an eye-etc. safety implications. If, as the RSO I can't see or control the entire firing line-then I have too many people on line.