Strange situation at the range today!

[TLHelmer]

My teenage sons were off school today since they haven't used any snow days this year. I took them to the range. The range we go to has 5 different bays four of which have metal targets. Two of those have reactive metal plates. We were lucky enough to have the range to ourselves most of the time we were there until an older gentleman pulled up and decided to use the shooting bay we were using.

I was a little surprised when he pulled into the bay we were in because all of the other bays were open at the time. I had the boys put all of the guns down and wait for him to put his ears on and get set up. The guy turns to me and asks if there is a problem. I said no, we are just giving you time to get set up. He replied that we could all shoot. I just nodded.

He put his ears on and proceeded to start shooting. After a bit I told the boys to start packing up so we could move to one of the other open bays. About the time we were loaded up he started slamming his gear around and just left.

It isn't a big deal, but I never shoot in a bay where someone or a group is already shooting if there is another open bay. If is was just me it would be one thing, but with my boys there that is enough to keep track of for safety purposes.

Is my thinking off or is this a normal expectation?

 

[churchmouse]

My teenage sons were off school today since they haven't used any snow days this year. I took them to the range. The range we go to has 5 different bays four of which have metal targets. Two of those have reactive metal plates. We were lucky enough to have the range to ourselves most of the time we were there until an older gentleman pulled up and decided to use the shooting bay we were using.

I was a little surprised when he pulled into the bay we were in because all of the other bays were open at the time. I had the boys put all of the guns down and wait for him to put his ears on and get set up. The guy turns to me and asks if there is a problem. I said no, we are just giving you time to get set up. He replied that we could all shoot. I just nodded.

He put his ears on and proceeded to start shooting. After a bit I told the boys to start packing up so we could move to one of the other open bays. About the time we were loaded up he started slamming his gear around and just left.

It isn't a big deal, but I never shoot in a bay where someone or a group is already shooting if there is another open bay. If is was just me it would be one thing, but with my boys there that is enough to keep track of for safety purposes.

Is my thinking off or is this a normal expectation?

We always try to give as much space as possible and respect others already set up.

 

[jblomenberg16]

Maybe he liked the particular targets you were shooting at, or maybe he was lonely and wanted some fellow gun owners to talk to.

We had a similar instance years ago down at Crosely on the 200yd line. We were practicing for an M1 garand match, and an older guy came down and stood at the shooting table while we were down range checking targets.

Freaked us out a bit, but when we got back he was really friendly. He was just interested in what we were shooting and loved the Garand. So we ended up talking to him for a while and had a great conversation!

 

[snowrs]

My teenage sons were off school today since they haven't used any snow days this year. I took them to the range. The range we go to has 5 different bays four of which have metal targets. Two of those have reactive metal plates. We were lucky enough to have the range to ourselves most of the time we were there until an older gentleman pulled up and decided to use the shooting bay we were using.

I was a little surprised when he pulled into the bay we were in because all of the other bays were open at the time. I had the boys put all of the guns down and wait for him to put his ears on and get set up. The guy turns to me and asks if there is a problem. I said no, we are just giving you time to get set up. He replied that we could all shoot. I just nodded.

He put his ears on and proceeded to start shooting. After a bit I told the boys to start packing up so we could move to one of the other open bays. About the time we were loaded up he started slamming his gear around and just left.

It isn't a big deal, but I never shoot in a bay where someone or a group is already shooting if there is another open bay. If is was just me it would be one thing, but with my boys there that is enough to keep track of for safety purposes.

Is my thinking off or is this a normal expectation?

Red Brush correct? Were you in the main pistol rang, if so alot of people just use that one defacto.

 

[TLHelmer]

We were in that bay, but the next bay over has the same reactive targets he was shooting at in the bay we were in.

He certainly wasn't friendly or talkative.

 

[cmamath13]

That does some weird. I wonder if something was going on with him that made him upset. Not something you did, but something else. Still seems like he could have been more courteous.

 

[jcwit]

Probably just an old man having a bad day. Very common, don't ask how I know.

 

[Jerchap2]

My teenage sons were off school today since they haven't used any snow days this year. I took them to the range. The range we go to has 5 different bays four of which have metal targets. Two of those have reactive metal plates. We were lucky enough to have the range to ourselves most of the time we were there until an older gentleman pulled up and decided to use the shooting bay we were using.

I was a little surprised when he pulled into the bay we were in because all of the other bays were open at the time. I had the boys put all of the guns down and wait for him to put his ears on and get set up. The guy turns to me and asks if there is a problem. I said no, we are just giving you time to get set up. He replied that we could all shoot. I just nodded.

He put his ears on and proceeded to start shooting. After a bit I told the boys to start packing up so we could move to one of the other open bays. About the time we were loaded up he started slamming his gear around and just left.

It isn't a big deal, but I never shoot in a bay where someone or a group is already shooting if there is another open bay. If is was just me it would be one thing, but with my boys there that is enough to keep track of for safety purposes.

Is my thinking off or is this a normal expectation?

If there are open bays, it would seem to make sense for a shooter to go to one of those and have it to himself instead of entering a bay that other shooters are using. Just my .

 

[Dead Duck]

Were your boys cute?

 

[cmamath13]

Were your boys cute?

 

[inlineman]

Maybe you should have replied with the truth when asked if there was a problem,probably would be less speculation now.

 

[sparkyfender]

It seems odd to me......... But I have very little range experience. Do most of my shooting on private lands.........

But I do think a shooting range would be a bad place for pervs to troll. And yes, I do know you guys were making an attempt at humor.

 

[TLHelmer]

Were your boys cute?

That bad! Funny but bad.

 

[HenryWallace]

Laundry list of reasons why he'd want that bay. Perhaps it was his late wife's favorite spot. Either way it sounds like you guys respected him. That's how it starts. The important thing is that were all alive to set and talk about it.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

My teenage sons were off school today since they haven't used any snow days this year. I took them to the range. The range we go to has 5 different bays four of which have metal targets. Two of those have reactive metal plates. We were lucky enough to have the range to ourselves most of the time we were there until an older gentleman pulled up and decided to use the shooting bay we were using.

I was a little surprised when he pulled into the bay we were in because all of the other bays were open at the time. I had the boys put all of the guns down and wait for him to put his ears on and get set up. The guy turns to me and asks if there is a problem. I said no, we are just giving you time to get set up. He replied that we could all shoot. I just nodded.

He put his ears on and proceeded to start shooting. After a bit I told the boys to start packing up so we could move to one of the other open bays. About the time we were loaded up he started slamming his gear around and just left.

It isn't a big deal, but I never shoot in a bay where someone or a group is already shooting if there is another open bay. If is was just me it would be one thing, but with my boys there that is enough to keep track of for safety purposes.

Is my thinking off or is this a normal expectation?

Like mentioned above, I normally shoot on private lands so when/if I do go to a range, I'd probably make some etiquette mistakes. As a general rule, where ever I go, I try to be polite and respectful...To your point, I would normally try to separate myself from an already established group upon arrival--assuming all the facilities were equivalent, safe, practical, etc.

 

[jworm1420]

Were your boys cute?

Although somewhat funny, unfortunately possible. But that was in bad taste.

 

[drgnrobo]

Seems like poor range etiquette to me when someone squeezes into a lane you are shooting in, I always wait for a lane to open up if full but would make me question what was up if someone set up where I was.Seems he would at least ask if he could join you or have a valid reason to .

 

[Steve B]

Reasons he might have been upset when he was getting ready to shoot:

He realized he left his ammo at home
His wife texted him she found out where he was and he was in trouble
Realized he brought the wrong ammo with him
Remembered he was supposed to be going to the store for his wife and got side tracked
Remembered he was supposed to be picking up the wife from the hair salon and now was in deep crap
Was just lonely and then you shunned him like a leper and hurt his feelings

You should have asked if everything was ok.

 

[Bapak2ja]

If there are open bays, it would seem to make sense for a shooter to go to one of those and have it to himself instead of entering a bay that other shooters are using. Just my .

Could be he just wanted to be around other folks. Lonely old men often have a hard time talking to folks. Next time, trying talking to him, asking about his weapons, might make a new friend.

 

[WebSnyper]

Yes, his behavior seems a bit off to me. I would have gone to another open bay, and avoided another group, especially if there are kids involved, etc. The more people you have to keep track of, especially if it is someone you don't know, in addition to kids, becomes a possible distraction. I'd say general range etiquette would be to utilize a separate bay/area when others are already established in an area.