new shooters, need some advice.

[DirtFarmer916]

This weekend Im taking my friends to go shooting. I have a few questions, hopefully you guys can chime in. There will be two semi-experienced shooters and 3 new to shooting. At least they're new to me, they've stated they have shot before but I'm not going to assume anything.

When we get there I will pull all the guns out and have a safety meeting. Go over the different guns and their unique functions. Make sure eveyone has eye/ear protection and that we all know how to be safe with the guns.

Im curious about speed of shooting, gun cool down time and what could be abusive to the guns. Were gooing to shoot about 1000 or so rounds thru an S&W MP15. As well as shooting a glock 17, S&W MP .45ac., and a winchester 1300 defernder 12ga.

I assume that the guns are durable but have never been in a situation where we have gone thru tons of ammo(im sure 1000 rounds is not tons :P). Should I be worried about shooting to many rounds in succession? Considering we have 10 round magazines, a bullet button, and limited magazines I don't think we're going to push thru the ammo too fast but when does it become to much?

Any tips at all would be appreciated.

[DVSmith]

Boy are you in the right place!!!

I would take a lube break by 500 rounds in any gun. Earlier if you start seeing malfunctions. The Winchester will probably go forever. Check the barrel lock as I have seen one or two come loose. That may have been that they were not tight to begin with, but check anyway.

[DVSmith]

One other thing, make sure everyone is in agreement on range commands and where to load and unload firearms and the importance of locking back actions and showing clear before going down range to attend to targets.

I am appalled by the number of shooters that think it is OK to pick up a firearm and handle it while someone is downrange. You admonish them and get "What is your problem dude?!?! It isn't loaded!!" Yeah, right....

[DirtFarmer916]

cool, thanks for the pointers!

[Divernhunter]

My rule of thumb is if the barrel is too hot to put my hand on the it is time for it to cool down. Except when it is 100+ degrees out and the guns are in the sun. They can get too hot without shooting them.

[d4v0s]

I have seen a lot of issues with new shooters when they get bored or don't have a clear goal. Setup a few targets in a row and make it a competition. This way at least in the start your only having one person a time shoot. Kind of tuff to watch three newbies at a time.

And the no handling of mags, ammo, guns during cease fires is a good idea. I never shoot at ranges so I also make a firing line out of rocks. No loaded weapons allowed unless your on the line, muzzle pointed downrange.

Just remember to have fun and the competitions make it much more fun than punching paper, I love punching paper but that's more of a accuracy consistency thing, most newbies want reactive targets ha ha