A lot of people that are new to guns don’t know what to bring to their first time at a shooting range. Because they don’t know what to expect, or how it works, it can cause a lot of anxiety.
That makes a lot of sense given how guns are portrayed by Hollywood and the news. They tend to make guns scarier than they are and push new shooters away.
In reality, once you get past the initial shock that comes with shooting, it can be a fun experience. It may take a trip or two, but getting used to the range is critical to getting good at shooting.
What To Expect For Your First Time At A Shooting Range
On your first time at a shooting range, if you have anyone you trust that shoots, ask them to take you. Being with someone who knows guns will help make things feel less stressful.
The range will be a bit of a stressful experience the first few times you go. This is especially true if you are someone who scares easily or jumps at loud noises.
Guns make a lot of noise, and you will typically be around a lot of guns. If you go to an indoor range, the noises will feel even louder to you, so try to mentally prepare yourself for that
In addition to the noise, guns send out a pressure wave every time they are fired. If you are in a lane next to someone you will feel the shock wave of their gun.
Pair the shock wave and the loud sound together, and you have a recipe for jump scares. Don’t be ashamed of being afraid, especially if you are new to shooting.
99% of shooters including myself were in the same shoes as you when we started. It’s something that takes a while to get acclimated to because it’s natural for the human body to react to these things.
How To Prepare For Your First Time At A Shooting Range
Before you are ready for your first time at a shooting range, make sure you have basic firearm safety down. You will be dealing with real guns and live ammunition. The last thing you want is an accident.
Make sure you have everything you need to bring to the range ready to go. Double-check that all your firearms are unloaded, and stored properly according to your local laws.
Every shooting range I have been to requires that all guns enter the range completely unloaded. Additionally, an unloaded gun is much safer to transport.
What To Bring If You Are Renting A Gun
If you plan on renting a gun or two instead of bringing your own, make sure you leave your ammo at home. Most ranges will require you to use their ammo if you are going to use their guns.
The reason they want you to use their ammo is that not all ammo is created equal. Cheap ammo can cause excessive wear and tear on guns, and in some cases even break parts.
Additionally, if someone doesn’t know what they are doing, they can load the wrong ammo into a gun. I have also seen the result of someone accidentally blowing up a gun because of bad ammo as well.
You should still bring ear and eye protection, but typically gun ranges will offer those for sale. Bringing decent targets is also a good idea.
What Happens Once You Get To Your First Time At A Shooting Range
Once you arrive, you should let the people at the desk know that this is your first time at a shooting range. They can often help guide you through the process.
While each gun range will operate a bit differently the process is usually similar. You will get assigned a lane, then they call you up when it’s ready.
At this point, they will take you to a staging area where you can put your ear and eye protection in. Once you are all set up with your safety gear, you can head to your lane.
Once you get to your lane you can unpack your guns, but make sure to keep them pointing downrange as best you can. Additionally, don’t load them until they are safely set up and you are ready to shoot.
Indoor vs Outdoor Ranges
This is the part that will become a little bit different depending on where you go. The process is going to be different at an indoor vs an outdoor range.
At an outdoor range, you will have to wait for the range to go cold before you can set up your targets. That means everyone stops shooting, they unload their guns, and the range safety officer (RSO’s) will give the all-clear.
Once the range is cold, and the all-clear is given you can go out as far as you would like to set up your target. If you are just starting, I recommend keeping it as close as you can to start.
At an indoor range, the targets are typically operated by target retrievers. They are machines controlled from the stand that moves the target back and forth.
So, all you have to do is put up your targets, and set them to a specific range. Remember though that if you are shooting at a target too close, you can hit the ceiling or the walls of the range.
What To Expect Shooting For Your First Time At A Shooting Range
When you are ready to shoot for your first time at a shooting range, you will probably still be getting acclimated to the environment. At least for me, it was hard to focus while everyone else was shooting.
This is why you absolutely need to make sure you have basic firearm safety down. Even if it is hard to focus, safety needs to be your first priority. Everything else will come with time.
If the shock is too much, try to relax and focus on breathing. Find a rhythm in the people shooting around you, or perhaps wait for them to reload.
Additionally, there are usually plenty of RSO’s around. They will usually be happy to help and are a great resource for new shooters. I have learned a lot over the years from some great RSO’s.
What To Do As You Leave The Range
Once you are done shooting for the day, you will need to pack up. Some ranges will require you to call a safety officer over, but that is not the norm in my experience.
Make sure all the guns are unloaded and unchambered, and put the mags and ammo away first. By putting the ammo away first you reduce the chance of unintentionally loading a gun.
Load the guns into your range bags and/or cases. Make sure to keep the guns pointing downrange to the best of your ability. Sometimes it’s just not possible, but make sure you are not pointing it at someone.
The last thing you will need to do is bring in your target and clean up. If you are at an outdoor range, wait till the all-clear is given then bring your target in.
Sometimes ranges will also require you to sweep up your spent cases. Make sure you leave the range the same way you would like to find it. It helps make shooting a positive experience for everyone.
If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy shooting folks!
Leave a ReplyCancel reply