acquaintances who hover around when you go shooting

[knerona]

I always set the tone before shooting with new shooters.

"You are always welcome to shoot with me, and you can always use my firearms. However:
1. Your first time out with me I supply the range fees and ammo.
2. Your second time out with me you cover your range fees and chip in for ammo.
3. Your third time out with me you get to buy your own ammo, pay your range fee, and get to learn how to clean every gun you shoot."

I figure that is fair enough...

I would apply these rules to any acquaintence as well.

You are just too kind.

If they have a job, then they can pay for their own range fees and ammo. There are exceptions though. Like I wouldn't let my mom pay for any of it.

[russ69]

Just like hard drugs, the first hit is free...after that you have to feed the monkey.


P.S. Damn that sounds like I'm some sort of doper or something, lol.

[dieselpower]

When friends bring friends normally I know about it before hand and we have discussed ammo.

When someone shows up with an extra person, its not unreasonable to speak up right then and there. Explain how expensive ammo is. Its almost rude to expect someone to pay your way and most people will understand when you explain it to them No one would be offended at that point.

What may happen is the unannounced person say they didnt have any idea ammo cost that much. That shows that the friend who brought them is the problem. You could offer to stop at a store and they can buy a box or two.

I keep a .22lr for this reason. Cheap ammo and its still fun. I will let the extra person blast a few rounds out of the bigger bore, but they understand its like going out to dinner or seeing a movie... I am not paying for your friend's ticket, popcorn, soda, candy...

[DColvin209]

I have five friends I consistently go shooting with and we usually pick up twenty rounds for each other if we want to shoot the others guns. I've got the ARs and one friend has a M1A scout so we usually have no issues. Once in awhile someone brings along someone that is well a moocher and the sense of entitlement to shoot your guns whenever they come out does get on my nerves.

[JDPhx501]

thanks for the input guys,

I will discuss this with my shooting friends and know what to say from the get-go next time

[Supertac916]

I don't mind if they shoot a few rounds here and there, but when we usually check in at the range. I say, "You guys are welcome to shoot my guns. I brought 9mm,.40, .45, .22, .223, and .308's. Just buy whatever ammo you want and you don't have to worry about renting guns."

I took a good friend out shooting with me and he didn't realize how expensive the ammo was, until I told him we needed to swing by and pickup some ammo. He says, "Wow, I'll give you some money and cover the range fees. I thought it was only $30 a person." I told him, " It used to be, but now expect to pay $100-$150 per person depending on what your shooting". To say the least he slowed down his rate of fire

[bombadillo]

If anybody is there with me, they are a GOOD friend. The only other time I will bring someone to the range is a newb who I am introducing to shooting, and at that point they can shoot ANY and ALL of my ammo if I can get someone to switch viewpoints on a firearms stance. Otherwise, if someone is there who I know, I give a firm handshake and say hello. People don't ask me to shoot my guns and if they do, I'll ask if they have ammo. If not, I will trade or sell ammo.

Sorry, but I'm not giving up ammo thats going for a dollar a round anymore. If someone is really bugging me, I MIGHT hand them a .17hmr or .22lr to plink with.

[JDPhx501]

DP, some of these guys are still kids and they do get butt hurt.... I'm older than them so I do feel alittle bad I have to be firm about no mooching off me or my friends.

When friends bring friends normally I know about it before hand and we have discussed ammo.

When someone shows up with an extra person, its not unreasonable to speak up right then and there. Explain how expensive ammo is. Its almost rude to expect someone to pay your way and most people will understand when you explain it to them No one would be offended at that point.

What may happen is the unannounced person say they didnt have any idea ammo cost that much. That shows that the friend who brought them is the problem. You could offer to stop at a store and they can buy a box or two.

I keep a .22lr for this reason. Cheap ammo and its still fun. I will let the extra person blast a few rounds out of the bigger bore, but they understand its like going out to dinner or seeing a movie... I am not paying for your friend's ticket, popcorn, soda, candy...

[Mani226]

Dang, I brought the .22lr ARs and SA revolvers by mistake.

[Dooligan]

You are just too kind.

If they have a job, then they can pay for their own range fees and ammo. There are exceptions though. Like I wouldn't let my mom pay for any of it.

I figure it's a way to interest new shooters..."First time is free, kid..."

[Sennasixty8]

I only go with my wife and her close (female) friends, they always pay for ammo, range fees, and have also expressed an interest in helping us takedown and clean our guns afterwards.

I've shared trigger gropes with other neighboring shooters who have something cool to share, and always offer my own ammo in exchange.

[orangeusa]

I've never had that problem. Usually, I bring a friend or co-worker and either they know their stuff or I'm letting them use my guns/ammo to learn to start shooting safely....

Why would your buddy you invite bring friends without your permission? Usually ranges limit to 2-3 people per lane...

Confused...

[IntoForever]

I've had people offer to let me shoot their guns and hand over ammo. If it's a firearm I've not used before, I'll accept but only shoot one magazine, or limit myself to a few rounds, whichever is less. I have turned down offers to shoot more. When I offer my firearm and ammo to someone who's never used that platform I'll limit the amount of ammo. Also, I use the excuse that I'm using my own reloads (which is most of the time true) and due to liability, I cannot allow them to use my ammo, that they would have to pick up factory ammo if they would like to shoot. I am an NRA Certified instructor and I am all about getting new shooters into the sport/hobby however I cannot afford to pay for everyone to burn through serious ammo supplies.

[mag360]

I dont have moochie friends. Why would you bother inviting a moocher?

[Sac-AR15]

I've had one of my buddies bring some if his friends when we went shooting. I told him straight up y'all need go get some ammo cuz it ain't cheap and I'm not supplying all the ammo. They understood and got their own. Most of my close friends know better and always bring rheir own ammo.