Taking friends who've never shoot before, have them chip in for the ammo?

[chickenfried]

that's a good way of looking at it. But then again if you went to a movie with them would you pay for their tickets too?

When they're acquaintances rather than friends or family it's hard to eat the whole tab.

If you invited them over for dinner, would you ask them to chip in for the cost of the food?

[c good]

First day and/or second trip is always on me. Then after that I let them know how much a mag of whatever their caliber of choice will cost. I always loose money on these adventures but I consider it a good investment if I can turn a previous "on the fence" person about guns into someone that now understands what it's all about. Money well spent IMHO. c good

[Rusty Scabbard]

Jeez Rusty, you should tell them when they get out of the car, and do a practice, unloaded, before they get to the firing line.

Stress Safety? Yeah remember that next time.

Point taken !
I did cover the basics first. Even had a couple of them rack slides and uncock while unloaded. But realized partway into the afternoon that the importance and real understanding of handling hadn't sunk in. In hindsight, with the pistol I would've had them fire the first couple rounds with only one in the magazine.
But FWIW, we now have a several 2nd ammendment supporters in Germany now!

[sharxbyte]

Generally I provide the ammo on the first time

[Beetle Bailey]

I always go with "The first time is free." If they try to pay, I don't accept it and just tell them to either pay it forward to another new shooter or they can just buy the ammo next time.

[glenbear]

First time shooters or family, it's all free but the range fees!

Totally agree, they pay their own range fees and lunch ain't a bad idea either. But charging them for ammo, nah! I shoot my friends 460 and he pays the freight, he shoots my 44 or 10mm or 5.7 and I pay. Good friends, it always works out.

[gunnerstuff]

First timers is on me, especially if they are converts! After that they pay their way, except 22s.

Basic firearms operations and safety at my house before hitting the range. Good time to get them accustomed to the guns and handling them safely.

[skosh69]

First timers is on me, especially if they are converts! After that they pay their way, except 22s.

Basic firearms operations and safety at my house before hitting the range. Good time to get them accustomed to the guns and handling them safely.

What he said...first trip is solely on me.

[AlbcAlbrr]

First timers get a free ride

[JDPhx501]

I ended up not charging for ammo

Decided this is no different from bottle service at the club, I'd rather have everyone have a good time and not spoil the time by nagging people to fork up because I booked the table and put the bill on my credit card.

Oh and I'm happy to say my new Benelli M4 ran through all 200 rounds of Walmart bulk birdshot with no hiccup.

And yes, I made sure to point out that safety is always first, muzzle awareness, keeping the gun pointed safely when handling, turning the safety on each time, etc. They all did pretty good too.

[Colt562]

Well this is one reason I reload. I would ask if they could chip in for some components and ill do the rest, at most like 20-30 bucks plus about 10 for the range fee. 30 bucks isnt bad for a day of shooting. Plus Im 19 so really cant afford paying for everyones way but when I get older Im sure that will change.

[emptybottle151]

Charge for gas and tell them to bring snacks.

[Watters Edge Design]

Depends on the case of ammo you bought. First time free they buy lunch / beer (afterwards) or help you clean them is what I usually do.


Thanks,
Scott Watters

scott@wattersedgedesign.com
661.312.2047 main

http://wattersedgedesign.com

[Cactus_Tim]

My anti-gun/liberal friend gets to shoot free any time I can convince him to go shooting.
He usually doesn't shoot much and he stops with the "I don't see why anyone needs to own (large cap mags/assault weapons, etc.)" which I have to listen to on the way to the range.
It's worth it to see the smile on his face when he hands the gun back to me.

[enzo357]

I often take people shooting. Up front tell them the range fee cost and to bring 100 rounds of 9mm and a box of 22s. To most, they actually enjoy going to wal mart and buying ammo. If they shoot my other guns I just absorb the ammo cost. This works pretty well. They still want to buy you lunch, smile and go dutch.