Nothing here.

[Divernhunter]

I have always allowed and even offered to have others shoot my firearms. People usually do not ask but will want to look at the firearm(especially the 50bmg rifles or Oncore pistols) then I offer to let them shoot it and any other firearms I have. I have some high dollar ones and some un-common ones. Now I accept money sometimes for the ammo since I am retired on a small income and ammo like 50mbg stuff is costly.
Often they will ask if I want to shoot their firearm. Most of the time I say no just because I may have one myself or just not the desire. Not a snob thing as I am happy to let them shoot mine and I usually have more of mine to shoot than I have time for. But I will take the time to allow other to shoot mine.....especially kids as they are the future of the sport and I want them to always have a positive experience at the range and with the other shooters.

I would not have allowed those guys to shoot ANYTHING because as an RSO they would have been removed from the range at the 1st sight of beer/booze. That is the range rules at the 2 ranges I go to and RSO at. If not at such a range with those rules I would have considered leaving myself. Drinking and firearms do not mix for me.

One last thought: I agree the OP is a snob and someone who would not be enjoyable to be with at the range for me.

[calif 15-22]

Because people who want to kill themselves or other people often borrow a gun they aren't familiar with from someone rather than use the one they have at the range with them?

I get the alcohol thing, and of course that changes it for a lot of us, but if I want to kill myself I'll do it with my own gun, or a range rental. I wouldn't depend upon the generosity of a stranger.

That was just an example, to many things could happen for me to be comfortable.

I feel sorry for you.

I can live with that.


I realize it sounds harsh, but it's my deal. I do chat quit a bit when people want to chat, and if asked I simply say "I'm not really comfortable letting people shoot my guns" I've only been asked twice. Both times with my .357 SSR. Just not ready to hand a loaded gun to a stranger. But that's just me.

[sonofeugene]

For me, if they were drinking while shooting, I would have packed up and left.

32 posts before someone mentioned the beer? I would have left as well as soon as I saw the beer.

[Barbarosa]

I have offered to let strangers shoot my guns, but I can't recall any time a stranger asked to shoot my guns. Then again I don't send out a very warm and fuzzy vibe either.

I was shooting a very nice Garand at the range a couple months ago and overheard a young teenager ask his dad what I was shooting. I saw him eyeing it pretty closely so after a few minutes I asked his dad if it was OK if his son shot a clip. Dad was very thankful and the teen was really happy. He did pretty good too, but I think he was surprised at the kick. I offered to let dad shoot it and he politely said no. I hope I planted the seed....

[Barang]

..... Edit: forgot to add that they had bottles of beer with them. One of them did offer me one and of course, I declined.

No way Jose!

[spyde12]

Depends on where they fall on my prejudice meter. If they look like gang bangers, I'll decline. I don't mind being asked. A few rounds are on the house. If they want to fire more, then all they gotta do is buy more ammo. Hopefully it gets them the extra push to finally own one.

Edit:
Never will I shoot where alcohol is served, or if the person is drunk.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[lowracer]

The only thing relevant for discussion in this OP is the part about the beer. If I see guys shooting and they have open bottles of beer, that means it's time to depart. They don't get to ask if they can shoot something because I'm no longer there.

never hurts to have another set of prints on a gun

LOL

-Mark

[Half Cocked]

I've never asked anyone if I could shoot their gun/rifle. And I have let people shoot mine.
If I want to try someone firearm; I'll try to very politely strike up a conversation in between rounds while the No Shoot is in affect. If they reciprocate, I'll continue the conversation until they finally ask if I want to try it out.
That's my method anyhow.

Bingo! If you want to shoot someone's firearm that interests you, then strike up a conversation about that firearm with the owner. If they offer to let you shoot it, great! If not, it's their gun, not yours, and they can do what they want with it.

[I Swan]

I have offered on occasion. Last time it was a group of younger scruffy looking adults on BLM land playing paintball. The female refused and her boyfriend or whatever said he couldn't due to a felony conviction. Their other friend tried put a round of 7x57 Mauser out of a old long Mauser I had he seemed to enjoy it I single loaded it for him he was also hesitant at first.

At an indoor range I let some European tourists try out a 44 mag Dan Wesson snub after I watched them for a bit so see their maturity and safety level and making sure to explain to them not to drop it! I rarely to never get asked maybe people think I'm mean or it is rude to ask. The tourists did ask me to clear a jam on a shotgun though.

I never ask people part of the reason is I own and have owned so many guns that most other peoples guns aren't too exciting to me. One guy once insisted I shoot his Tec-9 and out of politeness I did.

[Lonestargrizzly]

Funny because when I ask, everyone is mean to me........

[calif 15-22]

Funny because when I ask, everyone is mean to me........

^^^ I see what you did there ^^^

[Mayor McRifle]

I let people shoot my guns. Not a lot of ammo granted but a magazine for sure. I've had people say "hey you want to shoot it" and of course being into firearms I say yes. I offer up my guns as well. It's all about give and take. If someone is on the fence about a particular model or frame being able to shoot one is awesome.

Exactly. What's the big deal? People generally don't ask to shoot my guns, but if they demonstrate any sort of interest, I offer. To me, that's what it's all about. They ALWAYS offer to reciprocate, but I usually decline . . . unless they have something I've never fired before. I can't tell you how many cool guns "strangers" at the range have let me shoot. I've never asked to shoot them -- they offer -- and they've never asked for anything in return.

There's a real gun community out there, and it doesn't take much to be a part of it.

[mikeyr]

I dont really care what other people have with them, if they want to shoot my guns I let them. But I am not snobby about guns, I love them all.

I usually decline to shoot theirs, just let them shoot a few rounds with mine.

[Citadelgrad87]

Not all people have rich parents to gave them a weekly allowance to buy $5000+ guns. My guns to me are worth what yours Wilson Combats are worth to you..

How old are you? You think everyone who has nicer stuff than you do had it handed to them?

[ziconceo]

I shoot at a member's only range. Everyone I've meet there is extremely nice and a joy to shoot with. I've let dozens of people shoot my guns and I've shot plenty of theirs. A lot of people in this thread called it, it's polite to show interest in the gun but not to just ask to shoot it. I've never had someone directly ask me, I've always offered to let them try it. Same with me, I never actually ask to shoot it, but I get offered to all the time.

Also, guns and alcohol/drugs don't mix, I would never let anyone under the influence touch my guns. I would simply pack up and leave.