Use The Range To Shoot, Not Talk

My son and I headed to the range to shoot on Sunday. As we drove past the first pistol bay, we noted a group of folks at the firing line. They were just sitting there, talking. We continued on to the next pistol bay. It too was occupied by another group. This group was also sitting in chairs and chatting. So we continued on to the rifle range, only to find it occupied as well, by a bunch of folks sitting at the bench, talking.

At all bays, targets were hung and guns were on the benches, but the shooters were just chatting. Not shooting. Not checking targets. Not reloading magazines. As we reversed our drive out of the park, the activity at all three ranges had not changed. At we pulled through the gate to exit, we heard it — single shot from one of the pistol ranges.

We knew there was the possibility that families might be spending time at the range with dad on Father's Day. It would be less frustrating if they actually wanted to shoot while they were there.

Look, a pavilion where people could sit and talk

Instead we spent the afternoon chatting on the deck at home. We'll hit the range — to shoot — later this week.

"I forgot my holster!"

I have this long standing worry that one day I'll drive an hour or more to a pistol match, and realize I have forgotten some important piece of a equipment; eye protection, ammo, gun, or holster. To hopefully avoid that, I have a checklist on my phone that I review as I pack up for a match. But I didn't use it Friday morning when heading to the local range for some practice time.

I awoke Friday morning to the sound of falling rain against the windows. Since I had the day off I was planning to hit the range, but it seemed that was not going to pan out. However, later in the morning as I enjoyed my coffee, it struck me that the sun was shining, so I (too) quickly loaded my gear into the car and headed out for some shooting practice. When I arrived that I realized that in my haste I had neglected to pack the holster and mag pouches for the gun I planned to shoot. (I had the weapon I was carrying but only one spare magazine, and no time to clean the gun before my other commitments.) So I adapted and drilled from low ready instead of the holster.

After some trigger-control head shot drills, and a bit of 25 yard work, I spent most of my time shooting on the move. Traveling back and forth between the 7 and 15 yard lines, I concentrated on steady, level movement and accurate shooting. Paying particular attention to a rolling step and stable gun, I gradually worked up my speed, at the same time being aware of the group of range officers gathered in the next bay. I didn't want to be admonished for shooting too fast or for engaging in forbidden "tactical training."

Despite the missing equipment, it still ended up being a good practice session. And the timing of my trip was just right. Near the end of my practice, the sky was getting gray again. No sooner did I begin picking up my brass did I feel rain drops hitting the back of my neck. Even though my brass was spread out around the bay and had to be hunted for, I was on my way home before getting very wet at all.

This is not my brass.

It also occurred to me that people who shoot cheap steel-cased ammo must not think the rules about picking up their "brass" applies to them. That's just lazy AND thoughtless if you ask me.

Sights and Sounds of Spring

Okay, it's not officially Spring for another week, but after the cold and rain and snow of recent weeks, the 65° plus temps, it's close enough! Nice weather combined with longer days culminated in a welcome trip to the range. The last time I was able to shoot outdoors was back on January 2nd. On Sunday evening I grabbed my gear and a couple target stands and headed for the range. No one else was shooting so I was quickly set up and enjoying the solitude. Unfortunately it was so windy I had to use the second stand as an anchor for the first, so didn't get in any multiple target practice. (Note to self: Pick up some metal spikes at the hardware store.)

Most of my time was spent drawing from the holster and just putting one or two shots on target. Starting at 7 yards, then 10, then 15, I fired about 50 rounds from each position. I did mix it up a little with some movement, and switched between taking body and head shots.

A beautiful sight — brass on the ground

My solitude was short-lived when a guy came by and asked if I had found any ear protection. I replied I hadn't and he left. He returned a short while later with his young son who had apparently left the gear behind earlier. They searched around the bench area, all the while he was berating the boy for his carelessness. (And don't think I missed his surreptitious glance into my range bag and back of my car.) After a while I was thinking, "Give it a rest, dude." Fortunately by this time I was on my last string of practice and was soon picking up my brass, all the while he continued his chiding of the boy. Not all the sounds on the range are enjoyable, but despite this interruption, I was still thankful for the time spent outside shooting. Let's hope this is the start of a trend!

Clueless Shooters Shorten Another Range Trip

Regular readers are aware I shoot at a semi-unsupervised range conservation organization. There are RO's that pop in regularly to enforced the latest iterations of the range rules, and I've been told numerous times the rules are to keep the "less safe" shooters under control. My response has always been, if they can't be safe and can't follow the rules, kick them out!

Sunday afternoon my friend Greg and I were at the range getting in some practice. We were having a fun time and enjoying the beautiful fall afternoon. At one point we turned back up range from pasting targets to see three new arrivals setting their gear on the bench, AND handling and setting out firearms while we were down range. I look at Greg and asked, "You done?" to which he replied in the affirmative. We proceeded to police our brass and pack the gear, but as we were loading our gear into our cars the new arrivals began shooting — without a warning. We were caught off guard when as we had taken off our ear protection.

After getting our ear protection on quickly, we watched them for a short time. I remarked to Greg that I was glad to find he was as anti-social as I was when it comes to shooting with people I don't know. I prefer unsupervised ranges, but only when it's just me and folks I know. We watched as they continually swept each other with firearms. I get really nervous when I see someone unholster a firearm while standing directly behind another person at the line. Apparently maintaining muzzle awareness is difficult with a cigarette in your hand.

Over the years, I've found that shooting enthusiasts are by far the most friendly, safety conscience, and courteous folks I've met. That's why incidents like this are so exasperating. There's been chatter lately about limiting or even ceasing the range use at the club. In fact the hours they are open have already been reduced. It's because of people like this. When I take new shooters to the range, I make sure they understand they have a dangerous weapon in their hands. Unfortunately even some long-time shooters seem to forget that when they head out to the range. Just because it's fun doesn't you can ignore the safety rules.

And unlike the time we were admonished for shooting at three targets instead of just two, there wasn't an RO to be seen.

Opening a Beer with a Rifle

Here's an interesting video for a Friday morning, involving two of our favorite subjects. It's entertaining, but still wrong in so many ways.

As much as I enjoy shooting, followed by a good beer, the two should never meet at the range. Granted the video doesn't actually show anyone drinking the beer, as these folks did. Another issue with the operation shown? They spill a good amount of the beer. Even if it is Costco beer, the method is highly inefficient.

Why I'm Anti-Social at the Range

I like people who shoot, and who understand the 2nd Amendment. I find they are typically friendly and intelligent. In spite of that, I prefer not to shoot with unknown persons, especially at an unsupervised range. Shortly after I arrived at the range this weekend, a trio of shooters pulled in and, without a word, began setting up on the same bay. The male shooter was going to be helping two ladies shoot. Typically I would have packed up and gone home, but they said they would only be a short time. I made the decision to be neighborly and share the bay with other members. However, in retrospect...

After I finished loading my mags I waited while this group finished getting ready. One of them turned to me and said I could go shoot —all the while he's loading a revolver while one of the ladies was handling another pistol. I replied I'd wait until they finished loading, and reminded them that guns are not to be handled at the bench while someone was downrange. Eventually we all went downrange to shoot. I was even more neighborly at that point and provided cardboard to them and helped hang their targets.

I was feeling a little more comfortable. Until, back at the bench...

I looked over and the guy was standing on the downrange side of the bench, holding his .22 revolver with the barrel pointed away from the berm; pointed directly at, and less than a foot, from the face of one of the women on the other side of the bench. I couldn't take it! I walked over and told him he could not be pointing that weapon at another person. He had at that point set the gun down, but with the aimed barrel at her stomach. I picked it up and turned it to a safe direction. I also reminded him he needed to stand on the uprange side of the bench when loading. He apologized profusely (to me not her.) Since that was three safety violations in about 10 minutes, I was preparing to pack it up but they decided they were done for the day. I guess they didn't want to share the range with such a busybody. :-)

After they were gone, I set out a couple more targets and enjoyed myself putting a couple hundred rounds downrange and practicing target transitions from various distances.

I think I'll stick with being anti-social.

A Christmas Eve Range Trip & Errant Bullets

I was one of the few folks in the office on Christmas Eve, so I decided to take a lunchtime excursion to the indoor range. Arriving at the range, just a few of the lanes were occupied, but I ended up near a lane being shared by three "youths."

It's not that I'm anti-social, or maybe I am, but I prefer shooting alone, or at least with people I know. Controlled competitions being an exception. We've been known to leave the outdoor range when other folks have arrived and asked to share the bay. Since their skills, and intents, are unknown, I'd rather skip shooting than deal with any negligence. However, by design an indoor range is a shared range. I'm always alert to who else is there, especially when the dividers make it impossible to see the goings on nearby.

Well, this afternoon I was having a good time, just relaxing and enjoying time away from the office, when suddenly there were ceiling tile bits and fluorescent bulbs crashing to the floor in front of me. The girl two lanes over had put a round into the ceiling, just 7 yards or so from the line. Laughs and giggles ensued. 

Of course, that commotion was immediately followed by me packing up and making a hasty exit. It's too close to Christmas for a trip to the ER. Or maybe I'm just a Grinch.

 A seasonal target. 

Range Time: It started out as fun

After being off the practice range for six weeks, I finally had a chance to get back out after work this afternoon. It's getting harder to get over there with the shortening days of Fall. (Is it any wonder I don't like Winter?)

I set up three USPSA targets and worked on some shooting on the move from 15 yards to the 7 yard line. After a bit of that I got to work on target transitions, from both 15 yards and 7 yards. I was enjoying getting the splits down and accuracy up, putting two hits on each target. It was a lot fun and I was having good success. I was hitting times of 3.68, 3.45, 3.78 seconds for the six shots, in the A zone. Hardly world class, but I was pleased.

I was having fun too. And then the range official showed up. Apparently there's yet another new rule; "no rapid, controlled or uncontrolled, fire." There's no definition of "rapid," it's all subjective. I was told I was fine, in his opinion. He was just warning me that other RO's might rule otherwise. And the penalty is removal from the range, and possibly loss of membership. So there's no exact definition of "rapid," but the penalties are quite specific. I guess that's the risk of belonging to a club run by "preservationists."

It was fun while it lasted.

Maybe that Powerball ticket I picked up this week will hit and I'll buy my own dirt berm somewhere.

Shooting and Sipping; in the wrong order

Good beer, shooting sports, explosions. When I saw a link to this video from Flying Dog Brewery I was intrigued. At first. However, my interest soon turned to disappointment. Before I explain, watch:

A bunch of guys going out to shoot. We're good so far. I can't say I agree with the waste of the beer, but it's their beer to do with as they wish. However, there's a proper order to these things. At the end of the video, one of the participants takes a final shot at the exploding target, AFTER he's apparently had a drink. Once any of the guys in the group had anything to drink, there shouldn't be any shooting.

Flying Dog may be one of my favorite breweries, and shooting may be my favorite sport, but I don't agree with the activities as promoted here.