We know plenty of experienced gun owners who simply will not go to public ranges. They’ve been to ranges and seen people fooling around, been flagged by someone, and seen too many dangerous situations play out, even if there’s an RSO on duty. They just don’t want any part of it.
Thankfully, that kind of thing (above) is rare. What you see much more often is someone who’s obviously new, who’s there with a more allegedly experienced friend, but isn’t getting good advice, or someone shooting on their own who’s clearly having trouble. If you see someone who’s having a tough time with their stance, their grip, manipulating their gun or whatever…what do you do?
The reality is, a lot of people just aren’t very receptive to being offered advice. You may mean well and only want to help, but it might not be taken that way. They may see you as pushy, a busybody who thinks he knows everything.
We all want to get more people into shooting and enjoying gun ownership. That’s good for everyone. If you’ve ever taken a noob to the range and started them out the right way, you’ve seen what happens. The smiles. The sense of achievement. The ‘I never knew guns were so much fun” comments. But slipping into a stranger’s booth at a gun range and trying to help them isn’t always taken in the spirit in which it’s intended.
So what do you do? Do you put on your friendliest face and give it a try? Do you offer unsolicited advice to other shooters at the range? Or is that a violation of basic range etiquette?
I don’t, and if I think it’s unsafe being around them, I immediately pack up and leave.
I *vastly* prefer shooting on private property where I’m invited…
I do, maybe 25% of the trips to our public range, but I always preface the interaction with a compliment on whatever gun they’re holding. I ask about it, what they like about it, their experience with it, etc…and that always leads into a gentle segue into a suggestion to improve the grip, stance, safety awareness…
It’s all in the approach.
“I always preface the interaction with a compliment on whatever gun they’re holding.”
Haz has the right idea. Break the ice with an introduction and chat some before offering advise.
The time spent early chatting and observing may offer a clue as to the person’s receptiveness to advise.
I think it would depend whether one is a certified instructor.
We are ambassadors of the sport. A little free advice can significantly improve the experience.
If someone is shooting with another person, I might casually offer advice to the non shooter, eg, while they are loading magazines. If it’s a couple, I might ask the one who appears to be more experienced if I can offer some advice.
For my own personal safety at the range, I’m watching the shooters on my left and right at a minimum (the range I frequent has bullet proof glass between the lanes, instead of opaque barriers as in the picture). I watch for handling, grip, and the groups. Any safety issue (thumbs crossed behind, mishandling, etc) gets immediate attention (anyone can announce a safety issue – period).
Note, in the picture above, the red line is too far back IMHO. It appears that one could potentially handle a firearm “outside” the booth.
“I think it would depend whether one is a certified instructor.”
Many time over the years I’ve been told I’m certifiable.
(Bat-shit insane, that is…)
Yeah Geoff, some people are ‘off’ even when they are at work!
On an indoor range I have only 1 time offered help to someone…that was the time a lady, new to guns, with some guy (not sure who he was) yelled out ‘DO I AIM DOWN THERE?’ and was pointing down range woth one hand and waving the gun around with the other. I offered help to her by yelling back “YES! PLEASE AIM DOWN THERE!”
The other two guys and the RSO on the range cracked up.
(A classic video) 7 Types of People At The Range.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFxo4uCFWhY
My observation is, most of those who understand they need some assistance, will usually ask for it at some point. Those that don’t know they need help, don’t take kindly to its being offered; rather, it’s sometimes taken as an insult.
The exception for me is if someone’s being actively unsafe. If it’s a controlled range, I will first bring it to the attention of the range safety officer. (One indoor range in the area is usually quite good about keeping an eye on things, and have a policy of actively intervening if – okay, when – they see something.
The majority of people who go to public ranges are already YouTube trained experts…and do not need or want anyone’s advice.
Seriously, they would put a gun in their ear before shooting at the target…just because some idiot with a YouTube channel told them the wax increase accuracy.
Ear wax increases accuracy? That’s just plain stupid and 100% false.
If you want to increase accuracy … the friction heat generated on the fingertips from a good deep probe butt scratch makes the fingers more sensitive to the trigger thus increases accuracy by ensuring the trigger finger can more easily gauge the trigger squeeze so one doesn’t inadvertently jerk the trigger.
Judging from the article pic, it seems people who use the ‘Marksman Indoor Range’ really really like to eat.
That’s a tough one. Generally speaking I keep an eye on the other shooters for safety’s sake and mostly just mind my own business. Once in a while you may strike up a conversation with a lane neighbor and chat about what you’re shooting, etc., but usually not offer advice. Funny though how a lot of RSO’s at my public range like to help attractive female shooters.
I haven’t been to a public range in a long while.
The last advice I gave at one was s.p.o.r.t.s. to a young man who was having issues. That and he really needed to clean his weapon.
I mostly shoot in the back yard and on another larger property that I own. I shot at Bud’s once. I felt good about it because they were strict about everything and had two RSOs watching everyone intently.
So, as an instructor I apply the same wisdom that Haz stated above; start with a compliment, introduce myself & my background, then offer them the choice of accepting a small bit of advice. Usually peeps are glad to get help, and when they immediately improve, they become even more engaged in the hobby. Other side of that same coin is my being an RSO. I start conversation the same, and offer safety instructions to whatever it is that they’re doing wrong that they don’t know they’re doing. If their ego gets in the way, I pack up and leave and tell management what’s going down that’s not safe. Usually management/owners talk to them immediately. And if the offending shooter’s ego gets in the way again, they are told to leave and not come back. There is zero room for ego centered arguments over safety protocols.