Finding a range & range rules

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Bill_D

Bill_D

Member
Jan 4, 2022
270
215
Lago Vista Texas, United States
I just recently acquired a suppessor for my 300 blackout - went to the range to give it a try over the weekend.

I also too my PCP to try some new ammo.

So the range rules are - during ceasefire, bolt open and mag removed, no handling of firearms.

The range officer wants me to explain how this "BB gun" works - so I do my best to explain it, how to charge to and how it operates.

So then I get the - I'm sure I can allow that here -In a very respectful manor I asked him to explain his concern

Him - that thing is sitting there loaded all the time.

Me - no not really - the bolt is open and the mag is removed

Him - it's got air pressure in it you need to get it out.

So I try again and explain how a PCP works but he not hearing it - says I cannot even have a muzzle loader on the bench loaded without a cap on it during a ceasefire and this is basically the same thing.

Well there was no since in even getting into this discussion so I just left.

Anyone else ever run into this kind of situation or have any suggestions on how to handle this?

I live in Central Texas (near Austin....ya I know) and have been having hell trying to find a place to shoot my Air Guns. 
 
Did you consider allowing him to close the breech and dry fire the air rifle without a projectile loaded? 


As for ranges what’s worked for me is calling the range and speaking to someone, preferably a range master, before going. If they tell you you can come it’s a good idea to make a note of their name, the date and time you spoke, and that this person specifically gave you permission to bring and air rifle to shoot on their range. Also be sure to tell them your name so if there’s an issue you can remind them that you spoke with them and when you last communicated. It is helpful to be sure that they understand what shooting air guns entails, particularly you bringing a travel compressor which would cause you to be walking back and forth with your gun to refill it; or SCBA tank by your table which is essentially an liability if struck by a firearm projectile (think of the potential for explosion). I’ve only called around to ranges a couple of times, but doing so enabled me to use a range without issue when I needed to.


Also maybe you can find someone with private property that will allow you to shoot with them or to use their property to shoot your airgun. Maybe find someone with property outside of the city that they lease for hunting. A lot of guys that come into my area from surrounding towns and the larger regional cities shoot on hunting leases. They pay for the lease, hunt in season, and some come and target shoot in the off season on the weekends. Hope this helps some. 
 
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Did you speak with anyone else besides the RO? Sounds like justifiable ignorance on his part if hes never seen a pcp. Im near San Austintonio and bolt open was always fine, i put some dayglo trimmer string in as extra measure. I find the RO’s where I go are more curious and impressed with airguns, but there are some who give a stink eye to air. Talk with the head RO and let him shoot a pcp even. Only question i had while on a lane was with tethering and hose safety, easily solved. Airguns in TX are gaining popularity and you could turn this into a positive for them and airgunning. 4H hosts 10m clubs at Mission Ridge’s indoor range here and can even get Norma pellets. Alamo Airguns has a storefront in San Austintonio as well, the TexTreme is right up the road from you too. Showing them the popularity and functionality of modern airguns may help them accept airguns easier, i would bet its a one off individual RO decision and solved easily with a conversation. 
 
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I just recently acquired a suppessor for my 300 blackout - went to the range to give it a try over the weekend.

I also too my PCP to try some new ammo.

So the range rules are - during ceasefire, bolt open and mag removed, no handling of firearms.

The range officer wants me to explain how this "BB gun" works - so I do my best to explain it, how to charge to and how it operates.

So then I get the - I'm sure I can allow that here -In a very respectful manor I asked him to explain his concern

Him - that thing is sitting there loaded all the time.

Me - no not really - the bolt is open and the mag is removed

Him - it's got air pressure in it you need to get it out.

So I try again and explain how a PCP works but he not hearing it - says I cannot even have a muzzle loader on the bench loaded without a cap on it during a ceasefire and this is basically the same thing.

Well there was no since in even getting into this discussion so I just left.

Anyone else ever run into this kind of situation or have any suggestions on how to handle this?

I live in Central Texas (near Austin....ya I know) and have been having hell trying to find a place to shoot my Air Guns.
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Bill, a couple thoughts...

Can you contact the 'owner' ( not this particular range officer ) of the range and rationally explain how you employ your safety routine when you go 'COLD.' i.e., you de-cock the action, open side lever/bolt, remove magazine or projectile from an SST. Offer to give him a quick demo next time you go to the range, to show him how safe it is. Explain that 'removing air pressure' is not the answer nor is it even necessary to having a safe environment with an air gun.

I actually had the owner of my range come over and watch me for around a half an hour when I first joined up. He did not have any questions, but he was watching me closely since there is no other person at his range that shoots and air gun besides me. I am sure he was watching how I handled the range HOT and COLD protocols, to make sure I was being safe, since I was new. 

I think you are running into a situation whereby the Range Officer is incorrectly thinking 'air in your rifle makes it unsafe.'

Tom


 
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My local range is pretty air gun friendly, but I get it. Very few people there, including the range officers, have any experience with air guns.
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been to my range at least a dozen times by now in last 3 months since I started going there and I have always been the only person with an airgun. I had range staff come over and wondering about my guns and asking what is it because they look different so first time for at least 2 of the range staff. They however had zero issues. the standard protocol/rule is no mag, breach open with chamber/breach flag applies to ALL guns without any sort of exceptions. It just sounds like that range staff had an issue with OP or airgun in general…….some people are simply ignorant and prejudice around their ignorance which VERY apparent these days thanks to the internet. 


 
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All good advice, thanks .

I did ask to speak to the owner but he wasn't available at the time and they wouldn't give me his number so I left a message for him to call, hasn't so far.

I also didn't try and just sneak it in, I told the guy in the office what I had and he just said, Ya ok.

I'm poking around trying to find private property and maybe some others to shoot with.

Anyone in the Austin interested please drop me a message.


 
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I'm really glad you posted this, as I am just about to start a new membership with an indoor range (my old one closed down at the beginning of covid)

I'll need to go over this. It's going to be even harder with the LCS, no breach to open, no mag to remove :(

I could argue that the lever that flips open and locks the action is similar to a single action revolver, no way to swing that cylinder open!

That said, at least with that, if push came to shove, I can unscrew a fully charged bottle. (if they give me the time. Not a long process, but decidedly takes more time than popping a magazine)
 
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Been a member and been at many clubs and never had a concern like yours HOWEVER understand that the range officer is responsible for safety and HE/SHE is in charge.

It's always better to be safe than sorry. If ignorant err on the side of caution. I have been a range officer and it is a thankless job, particularily when you have to tell shooters things they do not want to hear.

That all being said the simple solution would be to place the rifle in the rifle rack or case it during a cease fire. 

My club is a general shooting club so not everyone knows everything about every type of gun and yes some of the rules seem silly but we try to follow them as best we can.

Sorry to hear about your experience.

Rick Bassett, FTRPA
 
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There is a big difference between a "gun range" (which is a walk-in-walk-out range) and a "gun club" (which is a privately owned or members owned club, like mine, and you need to buy in to a club share).

I am shooting in a gun club and I had to do a course and mandatory shots before the application, 3 months probation period and finally I got accepted (last Aug).

At this my place the majority of people have not seen a PCP or have no high opinion about.

What I have learned is ..... a yellow chamber safety flag in place of a mag. Remove the mag and replace with a a yellow - or anything sticking out colour bright - flag/plug, which you shall be able to buy in any gun store. You can even put two, one that replaces the mag and one in a muzzle.



yellow flag.1643055580.JPG


People may don't know PCP's but for sure every RO knows what is a chamber safety flag.

Edit:

and btw the " ceasefire " command means everybody clears the range because some incident happened.

At my club (and I believe these commands shall be general across North America) the range commands are:

- “The range is live. You may approach the bench and commence firing”

- “Last string”

- “Make your gun safe and stand behind the yellow line.”

- “Range is safe. You may go forward and check or change targets.”

and the last one which means emergency - “Cease-Fire”




 
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Ya I do understand the safety aspect - but you would think they would ask questions if they dondontt understand, I think these guys just don't want to know and don't want to deal with it.

As bigHUN says - ceasefire usually means - all stop something happed - this place calls "ceasefire" every 20 min to check change out targets. 

Whatever I'm not getting hung up on there terminology, its there range the call it whatever they want.

Personally I can't see the difference in my PCP being charged with air (unloaded) than a load cartridge laying on a bench or boxes and boxes of ammo being present.
 
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Ya I do understand the safety aspect - but you would think they would ask questions if they dondontt understand, I think these guys just don't want to know and don't want to deal with it....
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The RO may have asked you those questions to check do you know what ya doing....being and RO is a biggest responsibility at the range. Nobody cannot touch your or anybody's gun but the RO can ask you to show him it is safe......If you keep going to that range for months or years you will be an RO as well sooner or later, and you will see stupid things and misstakes people doing in some moments.



Similar to bigHUN, one RSO was fine with a yellow flag in my Impact; weeks later another was not so I put the patchworm cleaning line down my barrel and that worked for him. I have stuck with that approach, even at the home indoor 10m range.
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Normal request....they must confuse you sometimes to see how you behave how you move. Yellow safety flag, cleaning rod all these normal requests the RO want to stay on safe side of the law. Next thing (safety related) they can ask you to show them unpacking and packing, or to take your gun to the rack....do you understand how can you take your gun to the rack....???

Guys, lets be reasonable with these. Nobody want to see the range or club close because of any accidents. Any accident the RO's name is first on the list.

Just do as the RO asked you to do and don't judge them....
 
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Never been to a range except for hunters safety class 50 years ago. Living on the farm(s), It was never even considered. How lucky I have been. To those of you that shoot at ranges or clubs that do not have your own shooting space, It must be hard. Finding the time, driving, waiting your turn to shoot, being told how, where and when to shoot…. Glad you can still enjoy the sport. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t grab an air gun that I just worked on, or a PB that I just added a scope to or even my bow and walk out back and shoot. But then again, I couldn’t imagine living in a city. But hats off to those of you who do and still get to enjoy shooting. 


I take some of this back. I have belonged to a few bow clubs and use to do a lot of FT shooting. But it was always outdoors on your own. More hunting then bench shooting beside others. But, there were rules. They were pretty much common sense. Which probably isn’t the same definition today. 
 
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bigHUN - agree on being reasonable, and that is of course a two way street. Well trained in range safety, and never been asked to take my gun to the rack, or anything close to that, in 4 decades of range visits.

If RSO's are obsessed with the risk of lawsuits and start picking at people, that isn't going to work. Being human, RSO thinking and behavior does vary, so we get mixed results. Shouting to stop unsafe behavior - 100% reasonable. Creating anxiety / confusion with questions to see how you move or handle yourself - sounds like a recipe for tension vs. a calm atmosphere that promotes responsible behavior. 




 
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I think all of us, especially we oldsters, long for the days when we shot with friends at the range, and there were no posted rules, and we all handled our guns safely. But, insurance carriers and plaintiff lawyers have changed that scenario. So in a formally organized club with many members, the safety structure has to be more meticulous than we would prefer. One law suit that goes the wrong way, or, one incident that cancels the liability insurance, and the club may be gone. That said, I've witnessed several RSOs who should not be in that role. Little people who want to be big people can be a pain, and it's not necessary. 

And yes, the air rifle can introduce a complication. In my experience, when the range is declared cold, I have told the other shooters that the rifle was safe, stepped away from it, and there was no further comment. Given the air rifle quiet operation, most other shooters view it as a very benign contraption, and don't pay much attention to it. But, it's our responsibility to be sure we handle it safely and not create a bias against this strange new thing at the range.
 
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