It's not that I'm anti-social, or maybe I am, but I prefer shooting alone, or at least with people I know. Controlled competitions being an exception. We've been known to leave the outdoor range when other folks have arrived and asked to share the bay. Since their skills, and intents, are unknown, I'd rather skip shooting than deal with any negligence. However, by design an indoor range is a shared range. I'm always alert to who else is there, especially when the dividers make it impossible to see the goings on nearby.
Well, this afternoon I was having a good time, just relaxing and enjoying time away from the office, when suddenly there were ceiling tile bits and fluorescent bulbs crashing to the floor in front of me. The girl two lanes over had put a round into the ceiling, just 7 yards or so from the line. Laughs and giggles ensued.
Of course, that commotion was immediately followed by me packing up and making a hasty exit. It's too close to Christmas for a trip to the ER. Or maybe I'm just a Grinch.
 |
| A seasonal target. |
Merry Christmas David.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think there’s a one size fits all answer to this scenario. It certainly is a mood killer.
Like you, I enjoy shooting with a partner or partners of known resume, or by myself. I’ve also implemented the same strategy - leave, before blood gets shed. I try to keep in mind that we were all there at one time or another. Sometimes, asking the RSO for some shooting tips or at least some extra scrutiny is in order. Or maybe offering some assistance in some of the fundamentals.
One thing for sure, if debris is falling to the floor, someone is going to have to pay for it, and the range is going to pass that cost on to the users. Also, if it’s someone who is under skilled trying to show a rookie how to shoot, it will reinforce bad habits.
Inevitably, this happens when you need a good round of practice, or something intricate like zeroing an optic.
Shoot safe!
Other_David
Merry Christmas to you as well! Hope there's some shooty goodness in your holiday.
Delete