Tips for the spoon range?

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Or how bout' "pet peeves"?

I recently started taking lessons at a local range. It became clear, really quick, I have a lot to learn, and until recently have pretty much been staking out unattended ranges by myself not to make ignorant mistakes or whatnot. Shooting alone ignorantly is one thing. I can always mess myself up, but at a range, the ante gets upped.

By signing up for lessons, I hit that part of the dunning kruger curve where I realized I am straight up wanting to learn everything I can (read- Ignorant phase).

There are some pretty established spoon fans here.
What do you all suggest or common issues you see at your local ranges that peeve you?

[cassisrot]

Pay attention to protecting your ears.

[berettafan]

stay away from mall ninjas.

avoid being near AR and other rifles, very hard on the ears.

relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that the vast majority of people you see at a range suck royally at shooting and don't know half what they think about shooting.

if someone ever says to you 'hey if you don't mind i'm gonna run some drills' pack your **** up and get to a safe distance. True story some clown decked out in soldier of fortune nonsense said this to me once and within 30 seconds was kneeling playing with his pistol like he was friggin john wick or something and had his loaded AR pointed directly at me (behind him).

i'm a bit jaded but there is just so much dumb****ery at ranges i do my best to avoid them or at least only go when i think it will be deserted.

[M.D. Holloway]

Here are my favs for the range, my .22, .38, .40, .45, 9mm, and 10mm...just make sure you keep them clean.

[pwd72s]

1. Understand and follow all posted safety rules
2. Understand and follow all posted safety rules
3. Understand and follow all posted safety rules

[jyl]

You’ll get lots of safety comments, so I’ll skip those.

My pet peeve is people who shoot a lot at targets that are way too large or way too close and are very bad at it. It’s not about volume of shooting, or speed of shooting, it’s about hitting the target and making that target smaller as you get better.

I basically think you should think about and learn from every round. Where it landed and why. Correct and learn again. I seldom fire more than 50 rounds a session. I can’t understand how most people can fire 100 or 200 rounds and not be just going through the motions, expensively. I know some people can, but I can’t concentrate that hard for that long.

If you’re shooting a handgun two-handed, I think you should work on a 8” diameter target at 25 feet (scale appropriately for other distances) until every shot falls in that circle, then work on 6”, then 4”. When every shot - okay, 9 of 10 - at 25’ falls in 4”, and you know where that 10th is going to miss (high and right, etc) before you see where it landed, then things like speed can get worked on. That’s getting the basics down before getting fancy.

Different standards if handgun one-handed, handgun with optic, mini-handgun, or long gun.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Hey MD- Glad you're back!

I've got a 9mm glock knock off (PSA- essentially a HF spoon equivalent ) right now, and was actually thinking a quality 22 would be a good addition.


I'd been shooting rifles, but, then getting the pistol I realized I really couldn't hit the broad side of the barn. Funny about the AR's, I've got a turkish POS AR 12 gauge and a PSA 308 ar-10.

As a complete beginner I could hit just clear of a 1 minute MOA on the first go! (well- with the 308) the 12 gauge- more like A 2+ inch group, but whatever...

Also, I like shooting on bipods and bags. So that might be my thing.

Then I picked up the handgun...duhn duhn duhnnn!!!!

I couldn't hit air in front of me.
Hence the lessons. Also for integration into the real world. I currently travel to mordor, in early morning hours during rain and snowstorms to ensure an empty public range.

Enough of that though- again, the lessons.


After some rounds on the 9mm, two rounds on the ar-10 woke me up (cassi's response!).

With that in mind, when I fired the ar 10- two guys showed up and were setting up their bench. I dropped my mag, but- there was still a locked round in the chamber which I could not extract. I told them to hold on a sec, I had one more in the chamber, they said ok, and I dumped it (downrange), but it's stuff like that (In my case- familiarity with the weapon).

That said also, I put a 'better??' trigger in the ar-12 and the empty mag detent would cause a light strike on the final round. So there I am, with a no fire light strike sitting in the chamber. Fun for all if I'm alone, I'm cool, but I don't want people around for those types of scenarios. Fortunately, that's a pretty easy rifle to clear. Those are the rules of the road I'm looking for.

JYL- thanks for the range recommendations for handgun. With the rifles, it is immediately 50 yds/100 yds/ etc. This weekend with the handgun I was shooting five yards- and "good news" I was well within 8 inches (which I'd hope), but- like you said, I tried to make each shot a learning experience.

I'm also liking Beretta's idea of relax and that there's a lot of 'talk' at the range and people will give conflicting info, which makes me want to stay incognitio, but I need to get to closer ranges.

Also, my uncle from Texas comes in next month. He's a spoon fan. Love to get him to some skeet ranges.

[Por_sha911]

There are many different reasons to go to the range. Not everyone has the same needs, abilities, or desires.

I see people shooting bulls-eyes at 5-7 yards but from a rest and with 30-40 seconds between shots. The targets look impressive if it makes you happy then good for you.

Some are marksmen who are quick, accurate, and consistent. I envy them.

Some are wanting to be in practice for self defense. They are shooting 7-25 yards in a fairly quick pace. They aren't interested in 1" groups but in hitting a pie plate target in the middle of a human chest. I fall into this category and have the added challenge of old age so my hands aren't as steady as others. To me, a good day is doing my best to be ready should the need arise to defend myself and my family.

Some just like to blow off some stress with a loud bang.

Some want to judge anyone who isn't shooting 45 ACP or larger.

My point is to not judge the guy or gal in the lane next to you. They may have bad eyesight, neurological challenges, just safely having some fun, or are just plain old beginners. Lets agree that we plead the 2nd, agree to respect the firearm in our hands, and understand the basic principles of safety.

Pet peeves:
-folks who bring in their own special reloads and end up with squibbs or blown apart
guns.
-folks who bring a beginner to the range, hand them a firearm and a box of ammo and tell them to go for it.

EDIT:
Suggestion: wear at least 2 layers of ear protection when indoors. Tinnitus stinks.

[otto_kretschmer]

If you see someone with a rifle that has a muzzle brake, give a wide berth and use double ear protection.

[Jim Bremner]

Always assume that the gun is loaded.

Have your ear protection on at all times. Buy electric earpro.

[id10t]

I hate it when people introduce new shooters with anything that really recoils. Unavoidable in shotgun sports, but for rifle/pistol much easier to get someone in on the basics without them developing a flinch or being afraid of the gun

I hate it when people try to introduce kids to guns and the guns are waaay to big for the kid to handle AND they don't have appropriate rests, etc. to let equipment do the job of handling the gun for the most part.

I've fixed many an intro session for strangers by saying "hey, try this 22 pistol" or "hey, wanna borrow this extra set of bags/rests?"

[flatbutt]

NEVER EVER SWEEP THE LINE!!

Don't obsess over your MOA...yet. Get within the 9 ring consistently at a "combat" distance say 10 yards. Then work on getting tighter groups. I'm always amazed / horrified by people that miss the paper entirely at that distance.

Protect your eyes as well as your ears.

Have fun!

[cjh]

Don't shoot other peoples targets and if using a laser sight, learn how to hold it steady in one place.

[Racerbvd]

*if using a laser sight, learn how to hold it steady in one place.

Since my hands have nerve issues, it is very difficult me to hold the dot steady.

[HardDrive]

I rather enjoy setting up with my .50 cal Hawken black powder next to some kids with their AR-15 barbie accessorized rifles. Nice watching them jump and say, "holy schiat!" when I set that thing off.

I agree on double ear protection. Ear plug and muffs. Helps both comfort and safety.

[DavidI]

Leaky, understand and practice the four basic firearms safety rules:

1. Your firearm is always loaded
2. Don't point your firearm at anything unless you intend to destroy it
3. Keep your finger off the trigger
4. Be aware of your backdrop and anything between you and your intended target

Even the most seasoned shooters become lackadaisical with these rules.

Prior to going to the range, become familiar with your firearm(s). Always make sure it is unloaded prior to handling it (that means verifying for yourself) and learn how it operates, how to clear malfunctions, the trigger's break point, mechanical safeties, how to reload, and what to do if you cannot solve a malfunction.

There are plenty of YouTube videos with instructions on how to grip, control sight alignment or dot, and press the trigger. One of my favorites is Sage Dynamics, Aaron Cowen. Another is Wilson Combat.

I applaud you for seeking information from this board to improve your range skills! Enjoy yourself and always be safe.

Rock on, David

[Flat Six]

Lots of good suggestions; I'll add two for those 'just in case' moments (outdoor ranges, obviously):

1) Program the range/RSO number into your phone so it's easy to call when something goes wrong
2) When you call 9-1-1 specify that there's been a 'training accident' and you need immediate medical response -- you don't want to say 'shooting' or 'someone got shot' else the dispatcher may interpret as an active shooter scenario and send 5-0 (unless, of course, that's what happened)

[Por_sha911]

One more pet peeve I just remembered:
Don't be a show off or bragging by lining up 20 different firearms to be shot.

One more really important suggestion:
If you are a first or second timer, tell the range officer. They will want to keep an eye on you to be sure you aren't doing something dangerous to yourself or others. Also, most ROs will offer helpful advise on proper hold, stance, shooting habits.
I'd rather have my pride wounded than a body part!

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

One more pet peeve I just remembered:
Don't be a show off or bragging by lining up 20 different firearms to be shot.

When you are the only 2 there is it still bragging?

[flipper35]

Just an anecdote, but my daughter cannot hit anything with our PX4 Storm, but she can drive a tack with the 1911 or the High Standard Double Nine revolver. Some people just have a different fit.