1) Shoot with an Experienced Friend or Instructor
Even if you have taken a firearm safety course, being in the presence of an experienced shooter is the best thing you can do as a new shooter. Not only will they keep a close eye on making sure you follow safe protocol, but they can also help lay a solid foundation for your shooting technique.
Also, know that if you are going to the range to rent a gun most places require you to be accompanied by a friend. This is to reduce the chances of people going to the range to commit suicide which has unfortunately happened. If you have your own gun you can often go by yourself.
2) Follow the Four Rules of Firearm Safety
Never point a gun at someone even if you believe it’s unloaded!
No matter the time or place, you need to follow the four rules of firearm safety:
- Consider the gun always loaded
- Point the firearm in the safe direction, assume whatever you point at will be destroyed
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to shoot
- Always know what your target is and what’s behind it (also referred to as the “backstop”)
3) Watch Out for Slide Bite
Sometimes new shooters will improperly grip a semiautomatic handgun causing “Slide Bite”. Be sure to understand how the weapon cycles and know how to grip the gun properly. Here is a helpful video to better understand what I’m talking about.
4) Bring Amplified Ear Protection
Every range requires eye and ear protection and often has these items for rental. However, one very useful piece of gear they likely won’t have for rent is amplified ear protection. Normal ear protection works by blocking out all sounds which is great for loud gunshots but not so great when trying to have a conversation at the same time.
Amplified ear protection allows you to have an easily discernible conversation with the people around you while blocking out the noisy gunfire. I highly recommend and use Howard Leight Amplified Ear protection available here from Amazon. Super helpful.
5) Do Not Wear V-Necks or Low-Cut Tops
I get it, you want to look good shooting guns for the Instagram pics. However, consider that semiautomatic firearms eject hot brass casings that can find their way onto your skin causing burns. Having a low cut top exposing delicate regions of the body is an open invitation for a painful lesson.
6) Avoid Rapid Fire
This advice is aimed for inexperienced shooters. Although unloading a magazine as fast as possible is exhilarating, it can draw unwanted attention especially if your bullets are going all over the place. You want to demonstrate the ability to have slow controlled shots before increasing the rate of fire. Not to mention a lot of ranges have restrictions on how quickly you can shoot your gun.
7) Learn How to Squeeze the Trigger
A smooth trigger pull is how you want to fire your weapon, not a quick jerky yank that causes the gun to jump even before it has fired. If you are bringing your own gun to the range, learn to dry fire properly before shooting live rounds to improve your accuracy and overall experience, see my article on dry firing here.
8) Bring Your Gun in a Case
Most gun ranges expect you to bring your firearms in some sort of case rather than you just walking in with an AR-15 over your shoulder and a Glock 19 in your other hand. For handguns, I really like the Pelican 1200 Case since they can be locked easily and are very durable. If you need a case for your AR-15 or other long gun, check out my article on rifle case recommendations.
9) Transport Your Guns to the Range Unloaded
You will also want to make sure you transport your firearms to the range unloaded. It should be obvious that most ranges do not want individuals walking around with loaded weapons. In California this is required for any type of firearm, see my article on transporting guns in California.
10) Check Ammunition Restrictions Before Visiting Range
Often times there will be ammunition restrictions at the gun range when you bring your own ammo. Steel core or bi-metal jacketed ammunition (anything magnetic) is commonly restricted in California due to spark potential and the fact that it causes greater wear on steel targets.
Most ranges have websites that list the rules on what you can or cannot use, otherwise, you can show up with restricted ammunition and be forced to buy marked-up ammo at the range.
11) Ask Questions and Be Humble
You will find the gun community to be extremely helpful as everyone wants safe and responsible shooters nearby. So do not be afraid to ask questions to the range officer overseeing the shooting. Just be open to suggestions or even criticisms if you are doing something deemed unsafe. It is ultimately for everyone’s safety and it is how we learn to be responsible shooters.
12) Clean Up After Yourself
Always remember to take your targets down and throw them away along with empty ammo boxes and other trash. Nobody wants to clean up your mess, so be sure to leave your spot better than you found it.
Some ranges will have a broom handy to sweep your spent casings on the ground, however before you try to take any home makes sure the range is cool with it.
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