Is it me, or...?

[OldSchool]

We need some education on range protocol, please.

Granted, we are very new to shooting ranges (accustomed to practicing on our own property, but that was in another lifetime). So, I have to figure it's just us not knowing what we're doing. However, after a day of not shooting at the PSC today, I just wonder....

While DynaBlue and friend were at the Ladies' Day today, where a great time was had by all (and I think a new monthly habit has been created), I figured I'd have three hours to work on some things. When we arrived, the range was unusually full, but there seemed to be some shooting benches available at that Bay (4). It was tough at PSC today, since there was (due to construction) only one handgun bay open, and Bay 1 (rifle) was closed (for a special event, I guess, which had a handful of shooters). I didn't have anything rimfire, so Bays 2C (handgun) and 4 (bench rest) were my only options.

I looked again at Bay 4, and it seemed that the shooting benches were all occupied -- but not by people! I decided to sit in the car and read, waiting for 2C to open up -- but each time it did, a group of people would come driving in and run in ahead of me. (One of those people was carrying a rifle....)

When DynaBlue was free, we went back to Bay 4 to check for space. A bench seemed available for the little bit of the 100yd backstop that was left. We double-checked with the RSO, and DynaBlue started to the backstop to put up targets (it was a convenient ceasefire when we arrived) -- but just then, the "gent" to the left suddenly decided to put some of his gear there. She asked him if the bench was still free, but was roundly ignored. Figuring we had been outvoted by an older member, and noticing that this was happening elsewhere along the line (1 person = 2 benches), we decided to beat a retreat and go home.

Now it's my turn to glare at DynaBlue, since she got to shoot and I didn't.

Pettiness and kidding aside (hard for me ), what is the protocol for us in this case, so I could have had some range time? What should we have done better?

It's PSC renewal time, so we're also in the situation of having to figure whether it's worth it for we new folks. I never have been able to use Bay 1 outside of a match.

[The Annoyed Man]

Not being familiar with PSC, I can't speak to that particular range, but I am a member of the Dallas Pistol Club, and my strategy is to not go shooting on days where there are likely to be a lot of other people there... i.e. Saturdays and Sundays. Sundays are "competition day," and since I'm not competing and the pistol bays are pretty much occupied by the event in progress, that day is out. And Saturdays are generally out unless you want to go later in the afternoon, after most of the crowd have gone home.

That leaves weekdays, and since I am self-employed, it isn't that hard for me to go then. My son, who works full time, starts his shift at 3:00 p.m.; so we will usually go on a week day in the late morning, and that's fine by me.

I don't know if you are self-employed or retired, but perhaps something similar might work for you?

[OldSchool]

Thanks, TAM, good thoughts. Unfortunately I work for "The Man." (I won't say which "Man" but he does get into the headlines on occasion.... ) We do try to take some hours off on a Friday. I kinda figured we let ourselves in for it today, but hoped there was some way we could have done better.

[TLynnHughes]

We need some education on range protocol, please.

Granted, we are very new to shooting ranges (accustomed to practicing on our own property, but that was in another lifetime). So, I have to figure it's just us not knowing what we're doing. However, after a day of not shooting at the PSC today, I just wonder....

While DynaBlue and friend were at the Ladies' Day today, where a great time was had by all (and I think a new monthly habit has been created), I figured I'd have three hours to work on some things. When we arrived, the range was unusually full, but there seemed to be some shooting benches available at that Bay (4). It was tough at PSC today, since there was (due to construction) only one handgun bay open, and Bay 1 (rifle) was closed (for a special event, I guess, which had a handful of shooters). I didn't have anything rimfire, so Bays 2C (handgun) and 4 (bench rest) were my only options.

I looked again at Bay 4, and it seemed that the shooting benches were all occupied -- but not by people! I decided to sit in the car and read, waiting for 2C to open up -- but each time it did, a group of people would come driving in and run in ahead of me. (One of those people was carrying a rifle....)

When DynaBlue was free, we went back to Bay 4 to check for space. A bench seemed available for the little bit of the 100yd backstop that was left. We double-checked with the RSO, and DynaBlue started to the backstop to put up targets (it was a convenient ceasefire when we arrived) -- but just then, the "gent" to the left suddenly decided to put some of his gear there. She asked him if the bench was still free, but was roundly ignored. Figuring we had been outvoted by an older member, and noticing that this was happening elsewhere along the line (1 person = 2 benches), we decided to beat a retreat and go home.

Now it's my turn to glare at DynaBlue, since she got to shoot and I didn't.

Pettiness and kidding aside (hard for me ), what is the protocol for us in this case, so I could have had some range time? What should we have done better?

It's PSC renewal time, so we're also in the situation of having to figure whether it's worth it for we new folks. I never have been able to use Bay 1 outside of a match.

I'm sorry that happened. I'm not sure what to tell you to do better. You talked to the guy, but he ignored you (which is rude)! It's not always like that there, most folks are reasonably friendly. And TAM's right...pretty weekends are packed! Not having some of bays open because of construction isn't helping at all. Don't forget about the plate rack tucked back in the "canyon" either.

You guys shoulda introduced yourselves at the Ladies Day! I would have loved to put a face to a name! (Was I possibly shooting next to DynaBlue? I was wearing purple!) I'll look for y'all next month.

T.

[OldSchool]

I'm sorry that happened. I'm not sure what to tell you to do better. You talked to the guy, but he ignored you (which is rude)! It's not always like that there, most folks are reasonably friendly. And TAM's right...pretty weekends are packed! Not having some of bays open because of construction isn't helping at all. Don't forget about the plate rack tucked back in the "canyon" either.

You guys shoulda introduced yourselves at the Ladies Day! I would have loved to put a face to a name! (Was I possibly shooting next to DynaBlue? I was wearing purple!) I'll look for y'all next month.

T.

Thanks, we're starting to lean your way. We just came up against the crush at rush hour, I guess! We just didn't want to interfere with others' activity.
I've never done the plates, so will have to figure out how to do that sometime.

Yes, DynaBlue was there, with the big hat (on a small lady).

Same here, we'd like to meet more of the folks from the Forum. We'll correct our omission next month for sure, sorry!

[Teamless]

this is a good time for this post.
My wife and i both are scheduled for orientation the end of April, and it would be good to hear the ins and outs, goods and bads, to determine what we can do to enjoy it more, or if it will be worthwhile to even join.

My wife and I both work and our only opportunities will be evenings or weekends, and we will probably defer to weekends mostly.

is there some ranking where "older" members have more rights than "newer" members?
Or is it just that in this instance, being rude took advantage of someone who is not rude?

If we are at the range and have similar issues, what should we do?

Thanks

[TLynnHughes]

this is a good time for this post.
My wife and i both are scheduled for orientation the end of April, and it would be good to hear the ins and outs, goods and bads, to determine what we can do to enjoy it more, or if it will be worthwhile to even join.

My wife and I both work and our only opportunities will be evenings or weekends, and we will probably defer to weekends mostly.

is there some ranking where "older" members have more rights than "newer" members?
Or is it just that in this instance, being rude took advantage of someone who is not rude?

If we are at the range and have similar issues, what should we do?

Thanks

Teamless,

I would like to think this is a fairly isolated incident. We've never had anyone out and out ignore us. It's clear that sometimes folks don't want to be "friendly" but never really have they been rude. williamkevin and I go out there on weekends mostly as well. Best thing to do is watch the calendar on the website and try to schedule your range time when there aren't any events. The orientation will be a great time to ask questions. As far as I know, a member is a member and no one has any special perks because they've been members longer.

Look forward to seeing you and your wife out there some time!

T.

[Teamless]

TLynn,
thanks and we look forward to meeting you and WilliamKevin.

[TLynnHughes]

I'm sorry that happened. I'm not sure what to tell you to do better. You talked to the guy, but he ignored you (which is rude)! It's not always like that there, most folks are reasonably friendly. And TAM's right...pretty weekends are packed! Not having some of bays open because of construction isn't helping at all. Don't forget about the plate rack tucked back in the "canyon" either.

You guys shoulda introduced yourselves at the Ladies Day! I would have loved to put a face to a name! (Was I possibly shooting next to DynaBlue? I was wearing purple!) I'll look for y'all next month.

T.

Thanks, we're starting to lean your way. We just came up against the crush at rush hour, I guess! We just didn't want to interfere with others' activity.
I've never done the plates, so will have to figure out how to do that sometime.

Yes, DynaBlue was there, with the big hat (on a small lady).

Same here, we'd like to meet more of the folks from the Forum. We'll correct our omission next month for sure, sorry!

Goodness...certainly no apologies are necessary! It's difficult to tell who are forum members and who aren't. I've been tempted to go around asking everyone but folks tend to look at you a little funny!

We'll catch up next time!

T.

[OldSchool]

I would like to think this is a fairly isolated incident.

Probably is. I hesitated to start the thread, figuring we were just naive, but really felt the need to ask what the "normal" way to handle this would be (for all we know, maybe go to the RSO -- but I doubt they have that "authority", we just don't know).

We went ahead and renewed with PSC, since it's still the best "bang for the buck." (sorry, couldn't resist!)
Also, I don't know of any indoor range that allows Garands....

[puma guy]

I would like to think this is a fairly isolated incident.

Probably is. I hesitated to start the thread, figuring we were just naive, but really felt the need to ask what the "normal" way to handle this would be (for all we know, maybe go to the RSO -- but I doubt they have that "authority", we just don't know).

We went ahead and renewed with PSC, since it's still the best "bang for the buck." (sorry, couldn't resist!)
Also, I don't know of any indoor range that allows Garands....

Old School. PSC is probably the best range around for facilities, number and types of ranges and affordability. I am sorry you had a bad experience.
I had a similar experience two weeks ago at #4 Range. It was a busy Saturday. My partner and I were setting up and I asked the shooter next to me if he was going to move the two bags and two empty gun cases off the bench. There was one bench to the right of the gear that had a line on the 100 yd targets. He said his partner was down at the far end sight-in benches and would be moving soon. We started setting up and before my partner could get his rest on the far right bench the guy came down and took it leaving all the gear on the other bench. My partner politely asked him to move his gear and he was not happy. First he asked why every one was bunched up together in the first place. We explained to him that there are limited benches that have a line on the 100 yard target standard. He still didn't get it. We had to be a little more forceful, but polite and reminded him the benches are "Shooting benches" NOT storage benches and he needed to use the tables behind the firing line for storage. He also had his car parked just behind the area, which is accepatable and I don't know why he didn't leave the excess baggage in the car. . He finally acquiesed to the request and moved his gear. Don't know if he was a junior or senior member.... we can all learn something new and hopefully he learned something. He also had an entire standard covered with his targets and although they were on the right most bench they were shooting the left most standard. We let that slide. I understand no one wants a confrontation but please don't be intimidated by seniority. I just recently rejoined PSC ( 1 1/2 years), but I have just as much right to shoot as the next guy. So do you.

[TraCoun]

OldSchool,
As the Chief Instructor for PSC, I carefully read your post. Thanks for bringing these things out. I am sorry for some of your experiences.
I sent you a PM. I look forward to hearing from you.
TraCoun

[Teamless]

Thanks for bringing these things out.

This does make me feel much better about my wife and I joining PSC later this month

[OldSchool]

Thanks for bringing these things out.

This does make me feel much better about my wife and I joining PSC later this month

Absolutely, TraCoun is a really good guy, and knows his stuff (as do all the instructors we've met there). We've learned a great deal from him in classes before this. (I can place a face to the forum name, now.)

Credit us with an error if we should have contacted him first. I'm still learning the people to talk with out there; chalk this up to more experience gained.

[TLE2]

I am a member at PSC, and I have not encountered this kind of behavior before. Quite the opposite.

Once when I was shooting at pistol range #2, I inadvertently prepared to shoot from behind the benches, not realizing that the firing line had been established in front of the benches (several people already on the line). The fellow next to me was very polite and helped me realize my error.

Another time, I took my granddaughter to pistol range #2, to shoot my 45. She struggled with control. The man shooting next to me saw her problem, and offered to let her shoot his 38. She loved it, and left with a good experience shooting, when it could have been a bad one. The gentleman was polite, kind and generous. I only wish I knew his name. We thanked him profusely. My granddaughter left with a smile (and now I have to buy a 38, before her next visit).

I usually shoot on Friday (my weekday off), so crowds are not such a problem. I hope to join the "after church group" in a few weeks, so I'll see how the weekend is.

I apologize for the poor reception you received at PSC. I love that place, even though I don't shoot often (soon to change, I hope).