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I grew up in rural Arizona...so shooting ranges are not something I am familiar with. I just purchased a XD9SC that I would like to shoot to become comfortable with, but I have no idea what I am doing when I go to a range. What is the procedure for a newbie like me? I am not super close to any that I can find...Bullet Trap is probably the closest, maybe Elm Fork. Is one better for a first timer? I think Grapevine Bass Pro has one as well.

How much should I expect to shoot? Most times I have been shooting it has been a case of taking turns, so probably not more than 50 rounds at a time, but I never felt fatigued. I don't want to overdo it, but I also don't want to spend a bunch to shoot just a few dozen rounds.

Do I need to bring targets? What kind?

Most ranges supply at least one target with your range fee. As far as the amount of ammo, shoot as much as you are comfortable with. I usually end up shooting 100-200 rounds sometimes with multiple pistols. All ranges will have their rules posted as far as types of ammo allowed and procedures while in the lanes.

Indoor ranges usually have a wire / trolly to bring the target holders to the firing line to change targets without going forward. Outdoor ranges usually do not; it is necessary to call / wait for a "cease fire" or "cold range" to go downrange to change targets.

It is generally considered good practice to refrain from handling weapons or magazines while the range is cold. Looking back toward the firing line and seeing someone with a pistol in hand can be disconcerting. Best to put everything down on the bench and step back from the firing line until the range is hot.

Some ranges are stricter than others about range etiquette. You decide if the range is strict enough, too strict, or just right for you.

Some ranges charge per gun, some by time, some a flat fee for the use of the lane. Again, you vote with your feet/wallet regarding whether you feel fairly treated.

I hope this is at least slightly useful.

Regards,
Andrew

Thanks, that helps a bit. What kind of targets would I generally bring for Pistol shooting? I hate to make the 20+ mile drive and realize I forgot something I needed. Also, I read that some ranges don't allow FMJ...is this just in regards to rifles? I can't see it being a real issue in 9mm, but again I don't want to bring the wrong type.

I, too, am a newbie but as to what kind of targets, paper targets of your choice.
I personally like those that splatter a bit to show where you hit.

And some ranges wont let you shoot target with pictures of people on them (Osama bin Laden, for instance)
so I would stick to "standard" grid or bullseye patterns. If you take silhouette targets have some other
style as backup just in case although I haven't heard of problems with those.

Ammo- for pistols, bring the cheapest brand that you can feed reliably through your weapon.
I occasionally shoot hollow points just to prove the reliability through my gun, but that is an unnessary
expense.

Other good range items include masking tape or stick-on dots that help cover old bullet holes so
you can get more mileage out of a target. Staple guns help place targets - again depending on the
range.

And lastly, check their website or call them and ask about their rules. They have newcomers all
the time and I am sure they would rather tell you the do's and dont's for their range rather than
have to have a range officer correct you there at the range. Plus, it is an inexpensive way to make
sure you have all the fun you can without feeling like as big a newbie.

Good luck and have fun!
Bryan

Your choice of target should have scoring lines that correspond to realistically sized depictions of the areas of the body most likely to result in rapid incapacitation when hit.

Here's one example.

There are lots of others under various names such as the IDPA Target.

The widely used B27 target is not my favorite. I see it used all the time by folks who feel really good about getting a whole 70% of their shots somewhere on the paper, with most of them well outside the areas they'd need to hit in a real street encounter. It's pretty safe to say you will never encounter a fully exposed nonmoving target that large with a full frontal orientation, and grazing shots or shots to the shirt cuffs won't stop anyone.

Keeping in mind that one can expect his performance to degrade by at least 40% during a real encounter due to the physical effects of a life threatening situation, movement, nonideal target orientation (turned to the side or partially away), partial target concealment (on the other side of a vehicle), etc. during practice I score any shots outside the smallest head and chest areas in the center of the target as a miss.

It's much better to be hard on yourself during practice than to find your skill set lacking in the street.

Most ranges have something like this:

You arrive with the guns empty. Most don't allow loaded guns to go through the entrance. Some do, but assume they won't and you won't be surprised. Bass Pro, it is worth noting, will place a lock on every gun you bring in the store entrance which will be removed once you get to the indoor range. However, they allow you to conceal carry in the store and you don't have to take that one out. If you want to shoot that one, you might have a problem at the other end when you pull it out loaded without a lock--I don't know. When you get to the other side, you can load the gun on the range.

Many require you to sit through a newcomer's orientation of some sort, though not all. If they have an orientation, it goes over the range's rules.

When you get there, at an indoor range you pull the target backstop up and attach your target to it and then send it back out. Some have very specific rules on what targets are allowed (no paper plates, no people, only this type, etc) while some don't care at all. Some have push pins to attach the targets and some expect you to have a stapler to use to attach them. I haven't seen a range that doesn't have an ample supply of targets available for sale for 25 cents to $2.50, depending on the target chosen. Most also sell cheap eye and ear protection, some common ammos, and similar accessories. Some also rent scopes, guns, etc.

At an outdoor range, you can choose your spot and get everything ready, but you obviously can't walk down range to put up your target when everyone else is shooting down range. Once you're situated, step behind the line to let people know you are waiting for a cease fire/cold range. Some ranges call cease fires on a specific schedule and some call them whenever there is a need. You can ask the range officer if you're unclear on that range's cease fire procedures.

Once the cease fire is called, the range officer will give you instructions on what to do. In my very limited experience, they expect all people to go behind the line to indicate that they are ready and have acknowledged the cease fire. They might also want the guns empty and chambers back. The range officer will then announce that the range is cold and you're free to go down to put up or check out your target. They expect you to then stay away from the shooting bench and when you're finished to go stand behind the line again. At Elm Fork, you can move the distance of your target during this time. This is not the ideal time to move bays if you're at a range with fixed distance targets because you can't go back to the bench to move your stuff, so if you want to move aisles, do it before the cease fire. Some ranges assign you to a specific lane and some allow you to choose your own. If you're assigned a lane, make sure you let them know when you move lanes for whatever reason. Once everything is clear, the range officer will announce that the range is hot again and you're free to go back to the shooting bench and knock out some more rounds.

Repeat until you're done.

Hey I'm in Frisco area as well. Let me know if you ever want to go to the range and I can help you out. Or shoot me a PM and I can answer questions about specific ranges, etc.

I signed up for the Frisco Citizens Police Academy awhile back and I got to shoot with the Frisco PD. I heard a conversation about the possiblilty of a gun range coming to the Frisco area. Does anyone have more information on this? That would be a dream come true.