Prepare for your First Visit to the Gun Range

Congrats! You’ve made the big leap of showing up to the range. This is not something that should be missed. It takes a lot of courage, knowledge, and prepation for people to figure out what gun to purchase, what ammo to purchase, and finally made the decision to put all your knowledge into practice.

This article will guide you through the steps to make a successful and confidence-boosting visit to your local range. Whether you are visit a public outdoor range, indoor range, or finding a privately-owned long  range – they are going to have their own specific rules that all shooters need to follow.

Steps for a Successful Visit to the Gun Range

  1. Know where to go
  2. Bring the right shooting gear
  3. Prepare yourself for what to expect
  4. Take your time shooting
  5. Leave on a positive note

Know Where to Go

With any range, they have certain restrictions and permits they honor to allow for shooting activities like archery, trap, and live action. That means that, at least the outdoor ranges, probably aren’t going to be in the heart of town. Indoor ranges are a different story. Make sure you do your research beforehand to find the range, understand the layout, and know where to check-in.

Where to find a shooting range

  1. Quick Google search to find the location
  2. Ask a friend to go with you
  3. Call local fish & wildlife
  4. Ask a local gun store for recommendations
  5. Use onX to find public land that allows for shooting activities

Understand the range layout

Once you found a reputable range, research their website or call the range directly to understand the layout. Since ranges often have several different modalities like pistol, shotgun, and rifle, the areas are going to be far apart and well barricaded for the protection of the shooters. At our local range, the Redmond Run & Gun club, it can take 10-15 minutes to drive to the pistol check-in once you just get past the gates. Knowing where you are headed will help ease any anxiety and squash those little voices telling you your lost, turn around, and come back later.

Bring the right shooting gear

Each range will have specific rules on what is required for you to shoot safely. At the bear minimum, these required items need to be in your range bag before you head over or be prepared to pay once you get there. Or, browse our guide to appropriate range attire.

Required items to bring to the range:

  • Gun(s)
  • Gun case
  • Eye protection
  • Ear protection
  • Hard/fully enclosed case
  • Ammo that matches your gun
    • If you are trying out different types of ammo to see which one your gun likes best, make sure to bring at least 15-20 rounds to get a consistent grouping
  • Chamber flag
    • The chamber flag is a way to clearly show to the safety officer that the action of your gun is open and it is visibly safe.

Nice-to-have’s to bring to the range:

  • Paper targets
    • Doesn’t need to be anything fancy. The targets that have multiple circles on a singular paper can be nice if you are trying out different types of ammo or different guns. You’ll want to keep track of what you were shooting so you can make a note for next time.
  • First Aid Kit
    • If you are at a public range, the range check-in
  • EZ-loader/Uplula
    • These make reloading stiff magazines a breeze. They come in a bunch of colors and calibers but these really save your thumbs from having to hold down the magazine spring as you are loading new cartridges.
  • Cleaning items
    • Having a small bottle of CLP (cleaner, lubricant, and preservative or protectant) can help with sticky rails on your frame
    • A long cleaning rod can help eject any bullets stuck in your barrel
  • Snacks & water
    • Your arms will get tired. You’ll need to wait to check your targets between shooting series so you’ll get thirsty and hungry. I do try to bring snacks that don’t require a long of contact with my fingers since I’m actively touching ammunition and getting residue on my fingers.
  • Roll of painter’s tape
    • New shooters often tape over their non-dominant eye to help with aim and remove any distracting stimuli
    • The tape can also help in a pinch if you need to secure your paper target to the backing you plan to shoot on
  • Hat with a brim
    • Depending on what time you go, you’ll want protection if it is really sunny or windy.

Prepare yourself for what to expect

At check-in

Once you’ve made it to the station, you should expect to do the following:

  1. Check in at the station
  2. Pay the daily drop-in fee
  3. Sign a waiver (showing you are not under the influence and you plan to respect the rules of the range)
  4. Purchase any chamber flags, paper targets, or ammo. Some indoor ranges require you purchase their ammo to prove that you aren’t using unsafe ammo

At the shooting line/bench

After you’ve checked in, then you will bring your range bag and gear up to the shooting area. Be mindful of any “shooting line” designations. If there are shooters down range adjusting their targets then you absolutely want to steer clear of approaching the firing line. Instead, set your stuff off to the side until you receive further instruction.

At this point, there’s probably a Range Safety Officer (RSO) who will give you the safety briefing and will cover the rules of the range.

RSOs responsibility is to ensure all shooters are abiding by the safety rules set by the range. They may be able to assist with any fundamental shooting questions but it is not their primary purpose.

Within the safety briefing, the RSO will cover:

  1. Cover safety rules
    1. The NRA safety rules should always be top of mind as you are shooting:
      1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction
      2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
      3. Always keep your gun unloaded until ready to use
  2. Cover commands
    1. Commands like hot, cold, and cease fire give quick instructions to all shooters whether it is safe to shoot.
      1. Hot = means the shooting line is hot. You can commence firing your gun
      2. Cold = means the shooting line is off. You can safely proceed down range
      3. Cease fire = Immediately set down your gun and step away from the firing line
      4. Anyone can call a cease fire if they see unsafe practices that can put others at risk
  3. Check your firearm to ensure it is eligible at the range and you are using the right ammo
  4. Pause and make interruptions if they see any unsafe practices
  5. How and when to put up your paper targets

Once the RSO invites you to approach the bench, bring with you:

  • Your gun in an enclosed or locked container
    • At the bench, always keep your muzzle pointing down range
  • Ammo paired with gun
  • Eye & ear protection
  • Chamber flag
  • No distractions – put away your phones

Take your time shooting

Your paper targets are set up, you have eye and ear protection, and you know the ammo is safe to use with your gun. Once you are ready to commence firing, take your time. Get re-accustomed with your gun. While your gun is empty, practice opening the slide or chamber(s). Know where your safety is if you have one. Know how to load your magazine. Get familiar with how to put in a chamber flag.

Take your time doing some dry practice so you can adjust your sight picture and sight alignment with your paper targets before you’re ready to do any live fire. In between rounds, take breaks to give your eyes and arms a rest. If you are practicing with multiple types of ammo, be mindful of which target you were shooting. That way, you can keep track of your groupings. This will tell you which ammo your gun prefers the best.

Leave on a positive note

If you are feeling frustrated on your accuracy or consistency that is completely normal. For your last shots don’t be afraid to shoot from a closer distance. It may be weeks before you shoot again and you want the memory of your shooting experience to be a positive one.

When you are done shooting:

  1. Safely unload and stow away your firearm in its enclosed/locked container
  2. Wait for instruction from the RSO for the range to be cold so you can grab your target
  3. With your target in hand*:
    1. Mark the gun you were shooting with
    2. Mark the date and time (to keep in mind the weather and wind)
    3. Mark the ammo you were shooting with
    4. Mark the distance
  4. Wash your hands with cold water. Hot water opens your pores. Since you were handling ammo and getting residue everywhere you want to leave with clean hands.

*The importance of taking notes on your target. It may be weeks, or months, until you shoot your gun again. You’ll want to be able to remember what you were shooting and use your paper targets as an indicator for your accuracy and consistency.

In Summary: Steps for Smooth Range Practice

  1. Know before you go
    • Get directions
    • Know the range station
  2. Have the right gear
    • Eye & ear protection
    • Enclosed case
    • Chamber flag
    • Checked that you already matched the ammo with the gun, cartridge, and box
  3. Know what to expect
    • Check in
    • Safety briefing
    • Commands from safety officer
  4. Take your time
  5. Leave on a positive note
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