Originally Posted by caseyj

There are no ranges around me that I have been able to find that rent guns. Ok so here is the question. I go to an outdoor range to shoot and there are usually 5 -20 other people there. Since I have wanted to buy a .40 and I am not sure if I am going to like it I have wanted to shoot one first. So Would it be or is it rude if you are at the range and ask a fellow shooter to shoot their gun? Thanks in adavance.

If I'm on my outdoor range and someone else is shooting along with me and looking or inquiring about my guns, I have no problem letting him/her try my guns so long as they have displayed the requisite measures of safety that I consider adequate while I have watched them on the range. I first go over the features of the gun if they are different from what he/she is shooting. Then, I start them off with an open slide or cylinder and let them load and lock it for use, making sure they engage a safety if relevant.

It's fairly common with the group I go shooting with. It's polite to provide your own ammo.

I see no problem with this as long as he/she shows that they are safe and really interested in the firearm. Be polite and ask questions many shooters will offer to let you try out the firearm in question. I have seen all kinds at the range that just scare me. I might even want to fire something that he/she has. It works boyh ways a lot of times I know it does for me (I love to shoot anything especially something I haven't shoot before.

Usually if you get into a conversation with the people, you will get a feel for them and they will for you...Obviously you don't want to be shooting and see a couple people walk up and start shooting and then you say "hi..my name is ____ is that a ____? Wow...can I shoot it?

I like many others here would gladly offer to let someone shoot one of my guns if the seemed to be gun saftely conscious and not reckless in any way...If they inquire about my gun(s) and act interested, I would gladly ask them if they would like to shoot it and try it out..usually they would ask if I would like to shoot what they are shooting...I have seen my fair share of people who just act stupid (young guy acting all cool with his girlfriend, shooting gangsta style or two guns at once, etc)...I would say 95% of the people who shoot where I do are responsible good friendly people..

Willy

Start the conversation with:

"Sorry to bug you, but I really like your gun. In fact, I'm thinking about buying one just like it, but I haven't been able to find one to shoot first. How do you like yours???"

If he does not offer the gun to you to try at that point, he does not want you to shoot it.

If at that point he says: "Here! Shoot a mag through it, you'll love it!", you're fine.

I've let half a dozen guys shoot my guns, and I've shot tons of other guy's stuff too. Shooters love to brag and compare their toys. But like a woman.... lead with a compliment.

Jeff

One thing I'll add is if you do shoot someone else's gun, offer a few bucks for the ammo you just shot off. A lot of guys will refuse, but it's the polite thing to do.

Originally Posted by JeffWard

Start the conversation with:

I've let half a dozen guys shoot my guns, and I've shot tons of other guy's stuff too. Shooters love to brag and compare their toys. But like a woman.... lead with a compliment.

Jeff

That's really very nice of you!

Not too many guys on the range I go to would actually engage you in conversation and I guess they're trying to steer away from having to lend their handguns ..

I do make it a point to compliment another shooter on their skills and I sometimes pick up some good tips..

You are all much nicer than me. If someone I did not know came up to me at the range and asked to shoot my gun, I would most likely give them a dirty look and ask them to get lost. I am very particular about who I let touch my guns, and I would have to know someone pretty well first before I would allow the person to shoot any of my firearms.

I think that what most have mentioned is pretty sound advice. I shoot on my own property, so it doesn't apply to me. I have been to a range once or twice, and I would let someone try my guns so long as they aren't idiots...

I was the local LEO range and a Deputy was admiring my XDm. I asked him if wanted to try it and he gladly accepted. At the same range, I've tried friends weapons and they've tried mine. You just have to ask nicely or admire and wait for an offer.

Thanks for the advice!!

Originally Posted by Todd

One thing I'll add is if you do shoot someone else's gun, offer a few bucks for the ammo you just shot off. A lot of guys will refuse, but it's the polite thing to do.

i agree, last time i got out to the outdoor range there was only one other guy out there and we started talking after i had put one mag through my g29 and he was asking what model it was and i told him and he was curious about the 10mm. 10mm rounds ain't cheap, but he had a walther pps .40 and i figured why not add another to my list that i've shot so i made the offer to load up 5 rounds for him if he'd do the same for me.

I wouldn't think it was rude at all but who knows how others will react.

Same here.. Don’t ask for my bike, my gun or my lady.

Originally Posted by Ptarmigan

You are all much nicer than me. If someone I did not know came up to me at the range and asked to shoot my gun, I would most likely give them a dirty look and ask them to get lost. I am very particular about who I let touch my guns, and I would have to know someone pretty well first before I would allow the person to shoot any of my firearms.

After talking to them for a while, I always offer to let them try my gun and most times they will ask if I want to try theirs. By doing so I have had some pretty good conversations at the range and made some good friends.

Originally Posted by caseyj

There are no ranges around me that I have been able to find that rent guns. Ok so here is the question. I go to an outdoor range to shoot and there are usually 5 -20 other people there. Since I have wanted to buy a .40 and I am not sure if I am going to like it I have wanted to shoot one first. So Would it be or is it rude if you are at the range and ask a fellow shooter to shoot their gun? Thanks in adavance.

First of all, you made my heart leap by your asking if it were rude. So many folks today have no inkling of propriety or courtesy. You have been taught manners.

Asking is never rude. Its the proper thing to do. Shooting another's gun is not like asking to share his toothbrush. Hopefully, you met someone of equal courtesy.

Bob Wright

good luck man. try the advice and let us know what happens!

Originally Posted by Bob Wright

First of all, you made my heart leap by your asking if it were rude. So many folks today have no inkling of propriety or courtesy. You have been taught manners.

Asking is never rude. Its the proper thing to do. Shooting another's gun is not like asking to share his toothbrush. Hopefully, you met someone of equal courtesy.

Bob Wright

I'm with you Bob... it's a very personal experience. I'd say that striking up a conversation with someone about their guns is a great idea. Asking to "see" it, aka hold it, is a good step in the right direction. If someone is willing to let you shoot it, they'll offer to let you shoot it. I've had people come up to me and ask to shoot my 5.7 pistol and I say sure, go right ahead. Then they proceed to shoot 20 rounds out of it at $0.45 a round with no consideration for cost. Every time I've shot someone elses gun, I fire 2-3 rounds at most. Keep that in mind. I guess I could have just loaded 2-3 rounds and then let them shoot it, but then I'd look like some sort of cheapa$$ and that usually turns the conversation sour.

So, in review..

1. Strike up a conversation
2. Ask to see it
3. Hand it back and if they offer to let you shoot it, be mindful of expense.
4. Reciprocate the offer with your guns.


Zhur

Most the time if I'm at a range and someone starts talking to me and says something like "That's a good looking gun" I'll over to let them see it. If the appear to know what they are doing then I'll offer to let them shoot a mag. Most gun people I know are pretty much the same. You act like you have some manners and some sense then you should be able to approach someone and strike up a conversation with them.

I'm with you Bob on the manners thing. I see mostly out of younger people today that manners and a small amount of respect seem to be dying fast. It is nice to see someone asking about range etiquette before they attempted a trip out is refreshing.

I'd let someone run a mag through one of mine if they:

Politely started a conversation with me about it first. "Awe, that's a sweet gat dawg, lemme try it out." ain't gonna cut it.
Showed a bit of knowledge regarding the gun and gun safety
Supplied their own factory loaded ammo.

I guess I have a different idea about how I treat my guns. I'm the type who cleans his guns after each range secession. I take top care of my equipment and in turn don't lend them out to anyone. I once saw a guy looking at another guys gun at a range and he dropped it on a concrete floor. That was enough for me.

Anyone who I do not know does not get to shoot my guns, and aside from range rentals, I don't ask anyone who I do not know to shoot their guns. I don't think it's rude to ask though.

Originally Posted by walleyerich

I would let a good looking woman shoot my gun -but that would be it. I would suggest buying your own guns. If you can't afford to play then find a different hobby.

I don't think money is is issue. Moe a little market research before he drops a bunch of money on a gun that he might not like after he gets it.

We all can't or don't want to buy a bunch of guns to find one they like.

Originally Posted by walleyerich

I would let a good looking woman shoot my gun -but that would be it. I would suggest buying your own guns. If you can't afford to play then find a different hobby.

Little harsh, don't you think? I let a guy at the range shoot my $2300 Les Baer Custom on Sunday. No big deal. Didn't think twice about it. It was worth seeing the big grin on his face. We need more people on our side, not less.