Things I learned at the range today (Novice)

[3000+]

Took the KAC MLOK to a new range today and fired almost 300 rounds with zero malfunctions. That makes about 700 flawless rounds since its purchase. I was reminded of how much I still have to learn, and if the following list of personal revelations makes you want to shove my head in a microwave, I apologize.

1. Sticky targets don't stick very well in a torrential downpour.
I was dismayed to return to my station only to find that 3 of my 5 targets at 100 yards had blown away. The stapler was my friend today.

2. Don't wear white shoes when it's muddy.
You would think this would be a no-brainer. Basically shooting in the rain sucks and I probably won't do it again.

3. Invest in a pair of quality earmuffs.
I use Leight plugs, but the range I usually go to lends out earmuffs. This one did not. Thankfully there weren't a lot of lanes, but it probably would've been safer to double up. Any suggestions on a brand or model are appreciated.

4. Stake your castle nut.
My buffer almost ran away from me at one point. All I need is a punch, right?

5. 2017 RAWs will need to retain their BB...?
Haven't researched this yet, but a very experienced shooter told me he found out 3 days ago. If this is true, very disappointing.

6. A 6X monocular is practically useless.
I thought I'd found a great deal when I saw the reviews and price. But even with Splatterburst targets I was having trouble seeing my shots at 50, let alone 100 yards. Good thing the range lent out high-powered spotting scopes for free.

7. Triple-check your muzzle constantly.
There were times when I thought my muzzle was pointed in a perfectly safe direction, but I was informed by a Range Master that I was mistaken. I learned that even pointing it up in my lane is a no-no. Good to know.

8. DO NOT touch your firearm, even if you and it are behind the line, during a cease-fire.
This was my most egregious error. The firing period was almost finished, I'd finished cleaning and exited my station, and thought I'd run a bore snake and wipe off some carbon on a back table before leaving. As soon as the cease fire started I felt a Range Master grab my shoulder sternly and demand I stop "fiddling with your gun." With the bolt removed and the bore snake still halfway through my barrel, he zipped it all up in my bag and instructed me to leave once the firing period started. He then explained the rule to me and I understood completely what a stupid mistake I'd made.

9. Gun people are really, really nice.
Not only was all the staff courteous, but a fellow shooter offered to spot for me and proceeded to give me pointers. He showed me an area of the BCG which I didn't know needed lubing, and he helped tighten my castle nut and BB screw.

So today was a whirlwind of feelings. It was educational, fun, cold, soaking wet, and terrifying. I will take all of the lessons I learned today and return with a better understanding of this awesome activity. I am often frustrated by the fact that my entire family is horrified by firearms, so I never received the education that many others did and I've been forced to learn everything on my own. I often feel like I'm at a disadvantage due to my anti-gun family and absence of gun-enthusiastic friends. Up until a few months ago there was never anyone in my life who had any practical firearm knowledge, and that was rough.

On the bright side, I shot pretty tight groups (for me) at 50 yards, got on paper fairly consistently at 100, and shot steel at 100 from a standing position. I'm glad I went out today and experienced as much as I could before feeling burned out. Big thanks to everyone who taught me something today.

[xxINKxx]

2) no white shoes ever..

3) Howard leight impact sport (the OD green electronic ones) cheap, work well, and pretty much the most popular you see everyone use. Also Walmart sells Peltor brand that are similar, gray color, low profile electronic ones that are decent.

4) buy an AR multi tool. Tightens better then a punch, has other uses, and doesn't damage the castle nut.

5) Yes. Bullet buttons are here to stay if you register.

[Merc1138]

4) buy an AR multi tool. Tightens better then a punch, has other uses, and doesn't damage the castle nut.

You use the punch to stake the castle nut to eliminate the issue altogether.

[Cadre]

tagged for later cooking pizza.

[1911su16b870]

Welcome to the sport and thanks for your post.

[kcheung2]

7) Yeah, always keep it pointed down range. Sometimes having it pointed up is unavoidable, such as when it's on a rack, but keep the yellow chamber flag in there & you should be fine.

8) Many ranges require the gun to always be in the case, and it only gets uncased at the firing line. Even when that's not the case, I've found that's the most prudent thing to do. And yeah, when fiddling around with the gun, it should be on the firing line pointed downrange, which also implies that this fiddling only occurs during a hot range. Cold is exactly that, NO ONE touches a gun during that time.

2) I actually enjoy shooting in the rain. Fewer crowds, and no idiots to say "hey, can you turn down your loud muzzle brake? I'm not used to loud sounds at a gun range"

[Mayor McRifle]

I was reminded of how much I still have to learn,

No matter how long you do it, you will always be learning. This is especially true if you expand your interests into gunsmithing and reloading. It's one of the best things about guns, actually. There's always more to learn!

[Cadre]

So today was a whirlwind of feelings. It was educational, fun, cold, soaking wet, and terrifying. I will take all of the lessons I learned today and return with a better understanding of this awesome activity. I am often frustrated by the fact that my entire family is horrified by firearms, so I never received the education that many others did and I've been forced to learn everything on my own. I often feel like I'm at a disadvantage due to my anti-gun family and absence of gun-enthusiastic friends. Up until a few months ago there was never anyone in my life who had any practical firearm knowledge, and that was rough.

awesome post thanks for sharing but.

[bigdawg86]

In response to #1,2,3,6...

I took a 2 day carbine course in the the most wild torrential downpour ever... class was rain or shine. It was miserable, but I loved it! I learned more shooting in the rain than any other time spent at the range.

1.) Quality optics make all the difference in the rain, many had trouble with foggin and rain water not "shedding" off the lens of their chosen "cheap" optics.
2.) Number one makes a good case for having BUIS with cowitness. You can still run through or without an optic.
3.) KISS applies... don't put useless stuff on your firearm, especially in the rain. The class was periodically delayed by people who wanted to remove crap from their guns (lights, lasers, etc) because "I don't want to get it wet".
4.) If your gun will run soaked and muddy, it will run clean and dry.
5.) Freezing hands, big jackets, and shooting gloves make for a "challenge" running transition drills back and forth from rifle / handgun.... try not to glock leg yourself because you can't feel your hands.
6.) If you run electric ear muffs in the rain, be prepared for them to become "Standard muffs" and stop working.

Have fun!

[cyborg]

So you got kicked off the range?

[3000+]

So you got kicked off the range?

Well I was leaving anyway, but essentially yes

[-aK-]

Well at least you learned. Good on ya for that.

Posting here eventually someone will rip on you. I'm not trying to do that. I'll just say this. Before you do anything just think to yourself, "would I want someone else doing this while I was down range?" That should steer you in the right direction.

[MrOrange]

It was educational, fun, cold, soaking wet, and terrifying.

That's all I've ever asked for in a range session.
And good on ya for the brutal honesty admitting your mistakes.

Muzzle control is a big reason why it's better to start new shooters with a long arm, it's much easier than with a pistol that you can wave around the place without thinking about it. One mental trick that I tell new folks is to imagine there's a super long dowel or cleaning rod coming out of the muzzle, that makes it almost impossible to point the gun anywhere but downrange.

The internet, it's like a series of pipes... but now that it's out in the public, it's easy to go to a range's site and study up on the rules for that particular place. On pretty much every outdoor range, for example, it's cool or sometimes required that guns be held muzzle up while moving them. The range with the weird cased guns rules is another example where reading up beforehand can save you a nightmare on the range.

As for the castle nut, put me in the "Use the right tools and torque it down with a bit-o-loctite" category. Makes it a lot easier, and without damaged components, when you inevitably want to try something different.

[whtl]

I think you had a good learning day.

[calif 15-22]

Nice right up OP. My first time out with an AR I had a round jam right a cease fire and could not clear the chamber. I had to raise my hand and ask the RO for help. He pulled back HARD on the charging handle and cleared it. He then went and got me some oil

Then there was the first time out with a 10/22 and not knowing how to release the mag.

All that was 6years ago when I was brand new to the sport.

Thanks for sharing for other new shooters to learn from.