Obligatory Unsafe Range Behavior Thread.

Treo

Treo

Bullet Proof
Got my first range trip in a while in this morning Had a friend who wanted to try out her new Millineium Pro (wasnt impressed.) and DW wanted to try out her CZ452 Scout. (Apparently DW thinks bolt guns are boring so I inherited a new CZ this morning )

Anyway about the time we were getting done a group of Romainians shows up W/ a Mosin an AK , a shotgun & a couple of semiauto pistols. They didn't set up targets, they didn't call for a cease fire they just loaded up pointed their guns down range (gotta give 'em credit for knowing which way to shoot) and started blasting. They were pumping rounds down range as fast as they could pull the trigger and they were all over the place. As I turned around to tell my friends " Unload & pack up right now, we're done.) one of the Romainians sweeps me with a pistol (that he was firing from behind the line BTW) .

I actually had the presence of mind to politely ask that he not point his weapon at me while his finger's on the trigger while we were packing up and the yutz actually apologized.(his finger was still on the trigger when he did but at least he said I'm sorry)

So there's my bad experience at the range story.
 
That is one reason I don't go to public ranges any more.
The last time I was at a public range we were checking and marking our 100 yard targets. (After an appropriate cease fire.) We are walking back and when we hit about the 50 yard mark. Two idiots opened up on the 50 yard range. I guess they figured 40 yards to the right of was ok. I thought the range officer was going to pee his pants. I don't think I have ever seen a guy so mad and ready to shoot somebody as he was. Even though he kicked them off the range, there are many times there is no RO there. Nope. Not going back.
 
dang! where did you go? tis why I love living where I do, I shoot right by my house. Maybe I shoudl invite you up to shoot with me instead of dealing with people down in the springs
 
CRW said:
dang! where did you go? tis why I love living where I do, I shoot right by my house. Maybe I shoudl invite you up to shoot with me instead of dealing with people down in the springs
Click to expand...

That's actually an older post. it happened at Rampart Range.


I couldn't get to Florissant anyway Hiway 24 is closed due to the fire.
 
This is why I love having my own land. I walk outside and shoot when I want and never have to worry about other shooters.
 
I once had a student look down the barrel of his loaded gun during a PP class. He got bounced. Also once had a woman (armed guard with 29 years experience) turn with a semi. Grabbed her arm just in time. She got bounced too.

I think the huckalero factor is alive and well. I always tell people don't just setup and shoot. take a look at the habits of those shooting before you put yourself in harm's way.
 
Here's some more...

Went to check the range one Saturday afternoon. A car pulled up while I was inside. As I walked out of the rangehouse there were three guys, each drinking a beer, getting ready to shoot. They had a six-pack and had just opened the first beer. I made them dump it out. One guy tried to just chug down his beer quickly. I told him if he drinks it then he will be booted. They dumped it out.

Received a call one Wednesday night (Wednesday is steel plate night) to report that several guys pulled up in a car to shoot and when they opened the car doors the smell of hooch permiated the air. The RSO running the event is a retired LEO. He questioned them and they left quickly. They were gone when I got there. He had a friend run the license plate and got me a name. I was unable to do much of anything. I advised the RSO to call the police the next time something like that happens.

Received a complaint from an RSO that one guy comes to steel-plate-night smelling of alcohol but does not appear drunk. He was stopped from shooting. I reamed the guy out the next time I saw him. He promises to not drink before he comes... but I don't believe him. He was warned that next time he'll be having a conversation with the local PD.

Entered the rangehouse to check things on another Saturday. Found a guy with his 14-year-old son and the son's friend. They were shooting two .40 cal handguns at once. The guns were climbing, clearly not able to control two guns. The friend was videotaping it. I took the father aside and reamed him a new one. I then spent some time teaching the son the proper handgun fundamentals. No video cameras are allowed anymore.
 
Yikes! we just joined a range and this is the kind of stuff I am worried about. Fortunately when we were their last time, there were very few other people.
 
CCWlady said:
Yikes! we just joined a range and this is the kind of stuff I am worried about. Fortunately when we were their last time, there were very few other people.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the huckalero factor is alive and well. When you go to the range take a moment to look at the habits of the other shooters. If there's any questionable behavior come back when it's safer.
 
BC1 said:
Yeah, the huckalero factor is alive and well. When you go to the range take a moment to look at the habits of the other shooters. If there's any questionable behavior come back when it's safer.
Click to expand...

I have found that private ranges are a bit more safe. Our range has 8 separate bays for different disciplines. From paper to steel plates to movers. Public ranges are a nightmare. Too many "huckaleros" there. (Had to use the term since I now have a definition.)

Good Luck!
 
Here's some more. I could go on all day.

In 2007 I entered the range house and flipped on the lights. No power! Checked breakers, etc. Found someone had shot-out the electrical box. To ensure this wouldn't happen again we rewired the range putting the electrical box in the parking lot. This year we put heat in the range house. The propane tanks were put behind the parking lot and are surrounded with 1" steel plating.

The distance markers/signs have been shot up so much the we changed over to in-ground steel plates set in concrete.

We supply target stands, targets and staplers to shooters. When they ran out of staples they took the tape from the first-aid kits to hang their targets. Also, after having so many accessories stolen I finall put all the shooting rests and lead sleds on a chain.

In 2010 we had one guy practicing his draw stroke actually discharge the gun into the concrete floor on a draw. There were half a dozen shooters there at the time. His membership was revoked.

I've seen so many people turn with an unloaded gun to reload that I changed the rules, requiring all guns be loaded at a shooting station.

Jeez, as I reflect on past incidents I'm starting to scare myself. This is a private range with 325 members. When you spend 15-20 hours per week policing a range you see a lot over the years. Makes you very wary of people. It isn't any particular range. I've spent a lot of time policing various ranges and have seen this behavior all-over. This is why I believe everyone should attend safety training before purchasing a firearm. The worst part is that these types are all around us in public carrying a gun. Are ya sure you want them intervening in a robbery? These people couldn't hit the ground with their hat. They might miss the perp but rest assured they'll hit the light fixture ;-D
 
These problems -- and I"ve seen them @ private ranges as well -- is why unless there is an RSO at each shooting range (unfortunately not as common as I would have expected) I only go when I'm with a buddy so that we can watch out for each other.
 
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