Range Experience

[texanron]

While I'm waiting on my CHL I try to make it out to the range at least once a month. Ammo and range fees aren't cheap. The last time I was there was about two weeks ago and a couple of things made me nervous. First observation: two individulas that just didn't "fit in" were firing a defender style shotgun from the hip. Worries me as to what they might've been practicing for. Perhaps its a case of profiling on my part but that is just the world I feel we live in. Second observation: two guys in their early twenties were shooting a 6" .357 that they could barely keep on the paper at 25 yds. This lack of skill combined with the over use of profane language led me to pack up my stuff and head for the exit. I would've mentioned the behavior to the range officer on the way out but he was no where to be seen. Anybody else just ever get that "feeling" of its time to leave the range?

[MoJo]

When the "bug out" instinct kicks in it's time to go wherever you are. That said, I think you should have found the range master before leaving.

[tomneal]

You're in Tomball.
You should check out Tomball Gun Club.
Do a internet search to find the snail mail contact information.

In the long run, it will be a lot cheaper (and safer) than public ranges.

[Warhammer]

When the "bug out" instinct kicks in it's time to go wherever you are. That said, I think you should have found the range master before leaving.

+1 on both counts!

[dnavaille]

I have had numerous experiences like that, one included bullets flying overhead. The last time I will visit that range. The best part is the range management had a casual attitude when safety concerns were reported!

[Carry-a-Kimber]

Those two individuals that didn't "fit in" might have been practicing alternate possition shots, you might not always be able to shoot from your prefered possition. I figure, to each his own. I tend to just roll with it unless I feel that others or myself are in immidiate danger.

[Beiruty]

Last time, I went late to the range, While shooting at the bench, I was startled with thunder of large caliber fire from the next lane to my left. turned left and I see a young Muslim women wearing her headscarf (Hijab). Something like: See here: http://www.femagination.com/1009/womens ... arf-hijab/.

2 sec later, I hear a voice of male speaking in Arabic, Egyptian accent. Both were shooting an evil AK and seemed proficient with it.

What do I make of that just when Egyptians were revolting against Mubarak Regime? All citizens have the same right of the 2A.

As for safety, at the pistol range, you will see tons of gun safety rules that are smothered by gang-banging wanabees, young tough guys! One I saw, next to my lane is an Asian in his late 30s who was, I kid you not, using his trigger finger as a hook inside his evil glock trigger gaurd and his glock is all upside down and he was swinging his evil glock left and right while waiting for his friend to finish shooting at the lane.

[MasterOfNone]

First observation: two individulas that just didn't "fit in" were firing a defender style shotgun from the hip. Worries me as to what they might've been practicing for.

Maybe self defense? Unless there's something else they were doing, I don't see a concern.

Second observation: two guys in their early twenties were shooting a 6" .357 that they could barely keep on the paper at 25 yds. This lack of skill combined with the over use of profane language led me to pack up my stuff and head for the exit.

Their lack of skill may be the reason they were at the range. If there weren't any safety issues, I see no concern.
Their profanity is a real etiquette problem and would be reasonable to address with the SO (had he been there). Otherwise, this seems like just a case of different people having different uses for the range.

[RiverCity.45]

Those two individuals that didn't "fit in" might have been practicing alternate possition shots, you might not always be able to shoot from your prefered possition. I figure, to each his own. I tend to just roll with it unless I feel that others or myself are in immidiate danger.

I will sometime do that, practice shooting from alternate positions. I learned from my military training that your target and your location may not always permit shooting from a standard position.

[Abraham]

I ALWAYS practice shooting in different positions with both strong and weak hands i.e., drawing from the holster, standing up, squatting, on one or both knees, around barricades, retention style, facing away from the target 180 degrees and then turning around and shooting, etc...

Banging away with bullseye target style shooting is fun, but your shooting proficiency is rather limited to that style if you don't practice other forms of shooting.

Of course, I have a range in my back yard and can practice as I like... I realize some of the practice I can perform may not be allowed at some ranges.

[RoyGBiv]

Of course, I have a range in my back yard and can practice as I like... I realize ALMOST ALL of the practice I can perform may not be allowed at MOST ranges.

Fixed for accuracy.

[Pacifist]

Hmm, shooting from the hip, doesn't quite fit in, profanity-laced conversations---obviously, you were standing next to a couple of LEOs.

Seriously, unless there is something blatantly unsafe going on around me, I'm usually far too busy attempting to improve my own stance, aim, accuracy, etc. to pay much attention to something or someone that just doesn't seem to "fit in" at the range. Now, once off the range, it's a whole different story.

[Ameer]

Those two individuals that didn't "fit in" might have been practicing alternate possition shots, you might not always be able to shoot from your prefered possition. I figure, to each his own. I tend to just roll with it unless I feel that others or myself are in immidiate danger.

I think he was more concerned they couldn't hit the target (unsafe) and the foul mouths.

This lack of skill combined with the over use of profane language led me to pack up my stuff and head for the exit.