Today was the second saturday in a row I went to the Garland Public Shooting Range which has been under scrutiny latley. What bothered me was all the "new" shooters. I know this sounds weird BUT for the second Saturday in a row, I spent more time helping people learn how to use "LOAD"???!!! their weapons!!! Than develop new loads for my new 7mm08. It was pitiful and scarey. I was actually scared I was going to get shot by a careless newbie. This one poor guy next to me had some cheap AR knock off with a burris dot sight, at 50 yards, his rounds were hitting the ground at about 25 yards. No wonder people want these ranges shut down. The range officers were busy SITTING ON THEIR ASSES, shootin the chit!!!

That place pretty much sux

yea, it has gone down hill. it's like a big "give up" What's left, Elm Fork?

Just wait a bit. Assuming no bans, most of these new owners will either sell their stuff or it'll gather dust 364 days of the year. When they find they can't hit sh*t, they'll get disgusted.

If within the name of a range the word "public" appears, stay as far away as possible.

It just 'ain't worth it.

Used to, here in Houston you could go to the Carters country after season and it would just be a few of us old farts having a good time. Now, you can't find a place to park and every lane is full. I just drive out to the lease and shoot at our range now. I think Core-lokt is right. I'm ready for them to get bored with it.

It is bad when the walmart clerk has to warn you that the 22-250 rounds I was buying won't fit a 22lr! I looked at him and asked if he was serious! He said yes atleast 2 people have tried to return 22-250 rounds because they wouldn't fit the .22 they just bought! I was completely amazed, shocked oh yeah and scared that people like thhat are buying guns.

Wow that's pretty bad, I go out there durning the week from time to time and there are usually only 3-5 people there.

Yea, my neighbor does the same thing. Unfortunatley, if I went during the week, my phone would ring just as I got set up. Hell, I can barely escape on the weekends

That's how I see it. The drive for me is twice as far, but I don't have to wait for a long lane, and I can trust the person next me :-)

Now that is really scarey that people have to be told that type of stuff.

Same thing here in San Antonio. I used to be able to go to the Bullet Hole on a weekday after season at 10am when they opened and you could get right in there to shooot. Now theres a line at 10am just to get checked in. The other day I went to shoot and there was a group of like 5 young women, all had new semi-autos in their brand new platic boxes they come with, all giggly about shooting them, they were clueless. Add to that the swarms of guys toting black rifles and its really just a pain in the azz to go shoot there. This gun buying panic has gone off the deep end if you ask me, never seen anything like this, not even in 08/09 with odummy was elected.

It might be scary but then again can you blame a newbie who doesn't have anybody to help him? Educating people will go a lot farther than complaining about them. Now some people are just following the trend but there are a lot of people interested in shooting that just don't have the luxury of knowing somebody to help them along the way.

I just got back from a great range
Usually we can get our own bay to be able to do what we want without dealing with newbies.

Not so today
Too many people

I am very picky about when I will go to certain ranges.
Some I just won't go to on a weekend.

I dislike Reds in Austin because they rent guns.
Too many times I have seen a group of foreign tourists in there shooting.
Clearly they know nothing about proper range etiquette, safety, etc..

The range I mainly go to has a long range and it is is good because there aren't idiots out there. You have to earn the privelage to shoot past 250.

I am all for new shooters but maybe they shoos be required to take some classes first.

Do what I did. Join a private club.
Best $400.00 I ever spent.
I don't care if it is 65 miles from home.Lots of days I have a 20 lane 100 yard rifle bay to myself.
And a room full of reloading equipment to do load development work.

Looking at joining another one that's 140 miles away to be able to shoot out to 500 yards.

I'm all for helping new shooters, enjoy doing it. But I'd rather do it in a private setting.
I used to shoot at GPSR and did for years, it's 15 minutes from home. No more.

YMMV

Hey whats wrong with the plastic cases handguns come with?

I may join a club too. I shoot more rifle than pistol, so I will have to drive pretty far but I usually make a day of it.

In all honesty we need as many people as possible get into the shooting sports, the more people that take a liking to it the more to defend our freedoms even if it is a PITA at the range. At this point I'd be a little worried to see only a couple of people there even if it would be convenient.

More importantly, whats wrong with a group of five young women? Sounds like a missed opportunity to me.

I usually don't chime in on things but wanted to add my 2 pennys worth. What bothers me is the fact that people are willing to go out and spend money to buy a gun but not take the "responsibility" of learning how to shoot it. You don't even have to pay for lessons. Information about just about every firearm can be found on the internet, not to mention that the firearm manufacturers include manuals in each box. You can also find videos and links to gun safety and tips at various websites including the NRA and youtube.

How many of these "noobs" have taken the time to read the manual? I would put money on few if any. I was once a "noob" too but I never even put a round in a firearm without learning as much as possible about the firearm including how to operate it safely. I am still not and will never consider myself fully educated or an "expert" which is why I am never shy about asking questions or for instruction. I would believe that the majority of people on here are the same way. I am a firm believer in training and education but one has to have have self initiative and responsibility to learn for themselves. For their safety and the safety of others. However, they don't. This seems to be the common thread of our society now. Instant gratification. Want the milk but not willing to milk the cow.

Very scary stuff.

Pretty much describes a large portion of our society. Look who got elected and RE-elected as President.

Is any of this really surprising?

I'm still surprised the general public has enough intellegence and initiative to find their own car in the parking lot.

I'm very disturbed by the fact that the majority of voters selected this guy. It does reflect on the collective mentality of America. I feel like a minority. It's no small issue.

On the topic. I was at Walmart today, and the clerk said he had a Colt AR come in, and that it would be put out sometime soon. I could wait around and but it for 1,100 buck, and turn around and sell it for a huge profit. I actually entertained this idea for a minute. I then came to my senses, and came home.

I've been planning on starting my fire arm collecting this year. I just picked the worst time in the last decade to do so. The only thing I've paid a ridiculous price for is magazines, and I've managed to get a decent price for them all. I really want an AK platform gun. I'm worried I may never get it.

well soje i really think by this time next year you will be able to get a decent deal on a ak type rifle hang in there and les do our best to help the new shooters , i know it must be a pain with the ranges crowed i live in east texas and shoot on our leases private range, or a buddys range both les than 15 miles from me just made me think how luckey i am , hang in there guys and gals , i might have went to the range with the 5 women ha ha

That is exactly the reason that the shelves and the gun racks are so bare, guys are camping out to buy stuff, searching the internet for daily updates of inventory and their only intention being to turn around and put it on the internet to sell it for a profit. Its really sad whats going on but reality will set in, the classifieds here and elsewhere are so oversaturated with black rifles and black rifle components that the prices will get back down to normal. Its supply and demand and right now theres a ton of supply, and even though the demand is there.....its not at the current price levels like it was a month ago. Guys will start looking stupid when they list a $900 AR for $2500 when there is 4 of the same rifle for sale for $1300, Watch and see......

When they get so excited that they hit the target and turns around to get their friends reaction, it is a pretty scary sight. The gun is cocked and loaded, finger still on the trigger and the gun is now not facing down range but pointing to the next lane.