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Shooting Forum - Firearms licencing information


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Etiquette at shooting centres?

  • 15-07-2020 11:22pm
    #1
    Bagpipe
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭


    Hello,
    I am wondering what the etiquette is at a shooting centre/gun range?

    Would anyone be willing to walk me through the basics of what I should do from the moment I arrive and get out of my car? (Imagining a scenario where the coronavirus wasn't affecting us.)
    I just want to ensure that I do everything as it should be done and that I dont inconvenience anyone else on site.
    Apologies if this should be in the Target Shooting forum, I was unsure which to post it in)



    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    un5byh7sqpd2x0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,862 ✭✭✭un5byh7sqpd2x0


    Rule 1: don’t shoot someone.


  • #3
    Nekarsulm
    Registered Users Posts: 11,191 ✭✭✭✭Nekarsulm


    Gun in a gun slip.
    Leave it there until stepping onto a stand, then unzip the slip, reach hand in and break the gun open, then remove it from the slip.
    Barrels pointing at the ground at all times, gun always open.

    Shoot the targets at the stand, and when walking to the next one keep gun in gun slip or broken and over your arm.
    Barrels pointing at the ground all the time.
    Load no cartridges until ready to shoot.
    Finger not on trigger until the instant you are about to shoot.


  • #4
    freddieot
    Registered Users Posts: 924 ✭✭✭freddieot


    Ranges in particular can have slightly different rules but all follow a safety based mantra.

    1. Go to the office \ hut and ask the person running the range \ or RO what the rules are. Sometimes you can get these on-line first so you are a bit prepared.

    2. If you already own a gun then don't take it out of the box \ slip until you are told that you can and again follow the rules.

    3. If you are used to shooting on your own land or in quite informal situations then a busy range and the way it has to run might be quite a shock but remember their range = their rules. Safety has to be paramount, especially with dozens or even hundreds of shooters on site.

    4. Some ranges might put a regular member with you for the first while so you can benefit from their experience and get to understand the do's and don'ts.

    5. Enjoy your day !


  • #5
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,597 ✭✭✭Feisar


    I never can get my head around the requirement of a slip.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • #6
    .243
    Registered Users Posts: 1,247 ✭✭✭.243


    If in doubt,ask,you’ll never be questioned on something you’re not sure of


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  • #7
    BattleCorp
    Registered Users Posts: 11,758 ✭✭✭✭BattleCorp


    Feisar wrote: »
    I never can get my head around the requirement of a slip.

    I think it's a good idea. You don't have people walking around a car park/public area or through a club house with an uncased gun.


  • #8
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,456 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    Feisar wrote: »
    I never can get my head around the requirement of a slip.

    No immediate access to bolt, trigger, etc. IOW the things that make it go boom, whether intentional and especially when not intended.

    Also no fear of scaring the crap out of someone in front of you. You may know it's safe and clear, but the guy downrange doesn't and I for one would not be impressed to turn around and see someone walking around with an uncases firearm behind me


    @ bagpipe. Are you interested in shotgun shooting/clays or rifle/pistol shooting?

    Nekarsulm has covered the clay angle and Freddieot has covered the rifle aspect, but while each range has its own set of rules, and most do overlap, there are different protocols depending on the sport/type of shooting.
    Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

    Moderators - Cass otmmyboy2 , CatMod - Shamboc , Admins - Beasty , mickeroo



  • #9
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,597 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Points above accepted however one has no visual on the firearm and therefore no knowledge of it's condition. A rifle uncovered however, one can see a breach flag. It's just an opinion, obviously range rules are range rules.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • #10
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,456 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    I'm talking about when someone arrives at the range up to the point they begin their shooting. The firearm is cased up to that point. During ceasefires it's racked with mag out and bolt out.

    Speaking of mag out, bolt out, most ranges have a rule regarding arriving to a range, even with the firearm cased, with a mag and/or bolt in it. IOW they shouldn't be. Only inserted once on your firing point.
    Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

    Moderators - Cass otmmyboy2 , CatMod - Shamboc , Admins - Beasty , mickeroo



  • #11
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,597 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Cass wrote: »
    No immediate access to bolt, trigger, etc. IOW the things that make it go boom, whether intentional and especially when not intended.

    Also no fear of scaring the crap out of someone in front of you. You may know it's safe and clear, but the guy downrange doesn't and I for one would not be impressed to turn around and see someone walking around with an uncases firearm behind me


    @ bagpipe. Are you interested in shotgun shooting/clays or rifle/pistol shooting?

    Nekarsulm has covered the clay angle and Freddieot has covered the rifle aspect, but while each range has its own set of rules, and most do overlap, there are different protocols depending on the sport/type of shooting.

    As long as the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction I wouldn't be concerned. However 99% of my shooting to date has been informal, it could be down to "cultural" differences.

    First they came for the socialists...



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  • #12
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,456 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    Just so we're on the same page, i'm talking about at a range. As in firing points, tables/shooting points, etc.
    Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

    Moderators - Cass otmmyboy2 , CatMod - Shamboc , Admins - Beasty , mickeroo



  • #13
    Feisar
    Registered Users Posts: 6,597 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Cass wrote: »
    Just so we're on the same page, i'm talking about at a range. As in firing points, tables/shooting points, etc.

    Look at you at yer nice fancy range, I'm at the side of a ditch getting rained on!

    First they came for the socialists...



  • #14
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,456 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    pffft. Peasant :D

    A bad/hard day for me is when the range runs out of sugar for the coffee. :D
    Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

    Moderators - Cass otmmyboy2 , CatMod - Shamboc , Admins - Beasty , mickeroo



  • #15
    Emmersonn
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,128 ✭✭✭Emmersonn


    http://nationalshootingcentre.ie/safety-information/


  • #16
    sheepsh4gger
    Registered Users Posts: 622 ✭✭✭sheepsh4gger


    - never point a gun at something you're not intending to shoot
    - always treat a gun as if it's loaded
    - remember that even if you take out the clip there still might be a round chambered, don't shoot yourself in the chest like Lil Wayne
    - don't extend your arms like you're in a cop show, don't shoot from the hip. you want to yourself with both hands so it doesn't fall to the ground or get taken, tossed out of your hands. Also if you hold it like an idiot actor your arms will get sore quickly.



    That's at least from playing Half Life Alyx and other video games like Deus Ex which had a gun safety manual in it.


  • #17
    jb88
    Registered Users Posts: 471 ✭✭jb88


    Maybe contact the range beforehand to let them know when your arriving and arrange a meeting time with someone in charge to run you through whats required.

    When you get there bring your eye and ear protection with you and licences and insurance if you have any to show to the range.

    Generally the range person will give you a tour of the facilities and explain some basic rules, for that you should have your safety gear on.


    Don't even think about hauling out guns until you ask first, they are unloaded and in a case, if you have a breach flag in it all the better.


    All ranges have different rules, but possessing "cop on", is key. Its not just polite to ask to do something, its "cop on",. Ask first and often and shouting or projecting your voice helps. Ranges are noisy places.


  • #18
    jb88
    Registered Users Posts: 471 ✭✭jb88


    BattleCorp wrote: »
    I think it's a good idea. You don't have people walking around a car park/public area or through a club house with an uncased gun.

    Happens every time there is a shotgun shoot and no one says anything...


  • #19
    Nekarsulm
    Registered Users Posts: 11,191 ✭✭✭✭Nekarsulm


    Breech flags in semi-auto's and pump actions are rarely to be seen, in my experience.
    In smaller grounds anyway.
    Mag-Load make sturdy ones for a fiver each, I bought a couple, but guarantee I'm the only one there with such an accessory....


  • #20
    Bagpipe
    Registered Users Posts: 146 ✭✭Bagpipe


    Thanks for the replies everyone, very helpful. I'll post more questions as I come up with them ;)
    @Cass I would be going to the range for rifle and (hopefully) pistol shooting, I do clays at a local club.

    I saw some talk of chamber/breech flags, would it be advisable to have them or would removing the bolt until ready to shoot suffice?


  • #21
    GolfVI
    Registered Users Posts: 182 ✭✭GolfVI


    Bagpipe wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies everyone, very helpful. I'll post more questions as I come up with them ;)
    @Cass I would be going to the range for rifle and (hopefully) pistol shooting, I do clays at a local club.

    I saw some talk of chamber/breech flags, would it be advisable to have them or would removing the bolt until ready to shoot suffice?

    Not sure how other ranges work but the midlands is a very easy system and this is generally what i do.

    Walk onto the firing line with your equipment and rifle in a slip or bag. Find your preferred shooting bench/table or an area to place your shooting mat if shooting prone and place your equipment onto the bench and rifle in slip, with the muzzle facing down range.

    Remove your rifle from the slip, still keeping the muzzle down range and remove the magazine and the bolt If using a bolt action or place a breach flag into the breach if using a semi-auto.

    Behind each shooting bench is a racking area used to rack your rifle. Place your rifle onto the rack with the muzzle facing up.

    Now you can sort your equipment, spotting scopes bags, chair etc without risking moving your rifle into the wrong direction.

    If it is quiet with only a few shooters you can ask them for a cease fire, where they will rack their rifles and you can then place out your targets. If the range is busy a range officer will be supervising, you can ask them for a cease fire or wait until the next one is called. Generally every 30 - 45 mins depending on numbers.

    If in doubt simply just ask, all the range officers will be glad to help and so will the fellow shooters.


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  • #22
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,456 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    Bagpipe wrote: »
    I saw some talk of chamber/breech flags, would it be advisable to have them or would removing the bolt until ready to shoot suffice?

    Either one will suffice. Breech flag and/or bolt & mag out.
    Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

    Moderators - Cass otmmyboy2 , CatMod - Shamboc , Admins - Beasty , mickeroo



  • #23
    Cass
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 28,456 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cass


    You won't learn everything at once. If in doubt, ask. No one will bite your head off for asking too many questions but you may get a tongue lashing if you do something "silly" because you thought it was ok.

    Realise any such "talking to" is not intended to embarrass or humiliate you. On ranges people are often packed close together. Even in these "stay away" times, and in terms of the effective range a bullet, people 5, 10 tables up or on another range are close by. The harm a moments lapse in concentration can do is not worth thinking about and because each person is so in tune with this we have one of the safest sports in the country.

    GolfVI has covered it nicely as have most of the lads above. You'll pick up the rest fairly quickly, there are even signs on most ranges instructing you what to do.

    One thing i would add that i haven't read, or missed, in the posts above. When on a range only handle the firearm(s) during live fire. Never handle a firearm during a ceasefire when guys are down range. Even if it has a breech flag, bolt out, and mag out. You'll scare the crap out of the guys down range, and Murphy's law shows its always an "empty" gun that shoots someone accidentally.

    So don't touch any firearm until you're instructed the range is live again and its safe to do so.

    Last thing to do is enjoy your shooting. Its a hobby, past time and sport. When it becomes a job and looses the fun aspect its time to sell your guns and overthinking will have you afraid to take the gun out of the case.
    Forum Charter - Useful Information - Photo thread: Hardware - Ranges by County - Hunting Laws/Important threads - Upcoming Events - RFDs by County

    If you see a problem post use the report post function. Click on the three dots on the post, select "FLAG" & let a Moderator deal with it.

    Moderators - Cass otmmyboy2 , CatMod - Shamboc , Admins - Beasty , mickeroo



  • #24
    sheepsh4gger
    Registered Users Posts: 622 ✭✭✭sheepsh4gger







  • #25
    tudderone
    Registered Users Posts: 2,280 ✭✭✭tudderone


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51HjuUDK-5w


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