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Hi Everyone, just thought I type up my first experience to share.
I am a newbie to AR 15 and have never been to an outdoor range prior to this trip. I've done a little bit of research on Metcalf Field Sports so I knew a couple things; range price ($15), bring your own ammo, no ATMs on site (cash only), bring your own eye/ear protection. Decided to try this out on a Saturday afternoon at 2pm and here is my experience. I've never shot an AR15 before, but have done a decent amount of research on it, building my own lower, choosing my own parts. Purchased a complete upper (Daniel Defense DDM4V7)
Easy to find using Google maps. They have 2 range areas (one for shotgun/clay shooting and one for pistol/rifle). Signs were clearly marked and I was guided to the pistol/rifle lot. Parking lot was full, but managed to find a spot on the road next to the parking lot (next to picnic tables). Since this is an outdoor range, you can hear the shots within the parking lot. I pulled out my ear protection and had it around my head as I walked into the office. There were about 5 individuals working at the time (2 on the range, 2 at desk, and 1 standing in front of the desk giving instructions as far as I can tell. Walked up and told the them this is my first time and asked for a run down. Person I spoke to gave me a quick run down (here is the 50 yard range, here is the 100 yard range, $15 per lane). He asked what if I wanted the 5 or 100 yard. Being the newbie that I am, I said 100 yards (because I read that is the typical distance on sighting). I paid and was directed to the range master standing in front of the desk, who proceeded to give me a brief but clear run down of how the range works:
- 15 min intervals (shoot for 15 mins, then cease fire for targets)
- stand behind a red line during cease fire and do not approach the bench for any reason
- communal stables on either side of the range, used to put up your targets
- communal spotting scopes (about 4 or 5 that I counted) to check your shots
- rules on pointing down range, leaving firearms at the bench during cease fire and how to transport firearms to and from the shooting bench.
He led me to my lane and that's where I felt I made my first mistakes and here's why.
-I had NOT IDEA how far 100 yard really is! I couldn't go back for a 50 yarder because when I originally said 100 yard at the desk, the response was "good because that's the only lane I have open"
-Everyone in the 100 yard lane seem to have a magnified scope. (my assumption because of the length of scopes I saw). I'm using Magpul MBUS backup sights. I definitely felt like I was out of place.
Range master told me my lane number (21). I got there during cease fire, so he pointed to the staplers hanging on the post for me to use for putting up targets. Also told me where the sand bags were if I wanted to use them when shooting. Very helpful!
I put up my target and when cease fire was called off, I sat at the bench and began loading the one magazine I have. This is the first time I'm loading it and the only reason how I knew how to load it was from the reading and youtube vids I watched. Inserted the magazine firmly, brought the rifle up and....the magazine fell out =) I've read that you're suppose to give it a firm slap, but I really didn't know how firm. It's gotta happen at least once right? Anyway, SLAPPED the magazine in, pulled the charging handle, did my best to line up my sights, pulled trigger....click! No shot. Up this point I was feeling pretty embarrassed, what with the mag falling out and now my rifle won't shoot. I don't know if anyone was watching, but I REALLY hoped no one noticed. Hit the bullet button, pulled and set the BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) in the "back" position. Saw a found in the chamber and tilted the AR back so the round would fall out. Visually checked to the chamber and didn't see anything wrong (I'm not expert). SLAPPED the mag back in and hit the bolt catch. I hear and feel the audible CHUNK sound as the BCG falls into place (I love that sound). Lined up and pulled the trigger....Pop! My first shot! I was surprised at how light the recoil is on an AR. I shot a few more times before I cleaned out the bore. I continue to do this (shoot, clean, shoot, clean) for about 100 rounds, while checking my shots and attempting to adjust my sites. Gentlemen on my right even gave me a pointer on where my shots are landing. I shot for about an hour before packing up.
Overall, I had a great time. My first experience was pretty fantastic. I had a slow start, but took my time to figure things out. The Range Masters at Metcalf was professional, communicated clearly on range rules and professional. I look forward to going back in the next couple weeks! The only thing I would've done differently was to go there earlier, maybe right when they opened.
Hope this was helpful to some of the other newbies out there and maybe even gave some vets a chuckle on my mistakes.
-WW
I am a newbie to AR 15 and have never been to an outdoor range prior to this trip. I've done a little bit of research on Metcalf Field Sports so I knew a couple things; range price ($15), bring your own ammo, no ATMs on site (cash only), bring your own eye/ear protection. Decided to try this out on a Saturday afternoon at 2pm and here is my experience. I've never shot an AR15 before, but have done a decent amount of research on it, building my own lower, choosing my own parts. Purchased a complete upper (Daniel Defense DDM4V7)
Easy to find using Google maps. They have 2 range areas (one for shotgun/clay shooting and one for pistol/rifle). Signs were clearly marked and I was guided to the pistol/rifle lot. Parking lot was full, but managed to find a spot on the road next to the parking lot (next to picnic tables). Since this is an outdoor range, you can hear the shots within the parking lot. I pulled out my ear protection and had it around my head as I walked into the office. There were about 5 individuals working at the time (2 on the range, 2 at desk, and 1 standing in front of the desk giving instructions as far as I can tell. Walked up and told the them this is my first time and asked for a run down. Person I spoke to gave me a quick run down (here is the 50 yard range, here is the 100 yard range, $15 per lane). He asked what if I wanted the 5 or 100 yard. Being the newbie that I am, I said 100 yards (because I read that is the typical distance on sighting). I paid and was directed to the range master standing in front of the desk, who proceeded to give me a brief but clear run down of how the range works:
- 15 min intervals (shoot for 15 mins, then cease fire for targets)
- stand behind a red line during cease fire and do not approach the bench for any reason
- communal stables on either side of the range, used to put up your targets
- communal spotting scopes (about 4 or 5 that I counted) to check your shots
- rules on pointing down range, leaving firearms at the bench during cease fire and how to transport firearms to and from the shooting bench.
He led me to my lane and that's where I felt I made my first mistakes and here's why.
-I had NOT IDEA how far 100 yard really is! I couldn't go back for a 50 yarder because when I originally said 100 yard at the desk, the response was "good because that's the only lane I have open"
-Everyone in the 100 yard lane seem to have a magnified scope. (my assumption because of the length of scopes I saw). I'm using Magpul MBUS backup sights. I definitely felt like I was out of place.
Range master told me my lane number (21). I got there during cease fire, so he pointed to the staplers hanging on the post for me to use for putting up targets. Also told me where the sand bags were if I wanted to use them when shooting. Very helpful!
I put up my target and when cease fire was called off, I sat at the bench and began loading the one magazine I have. This is the first time I'm loading it and the only reason how I knew how to load it was from the reading and youtube vids I watched. Inserted the magazine firmly, brought the rifle up and....the magazine fell out =) I've read that you're suppose to give it a firm slap, but I really didn't know how firm. It's gotta happen at least once right? Anyway, SLAPPED the magazine in, pulled the charging handle, did my best to line up my sights, pulled trigger....click! No shot. Up this point I was feeling pretty embarrassed, what with the mag falling out and now my rifle won't shoot. I don't know if anyone was watching, but I REALLY hoped no one noticed. Hit the bullet button, pulled and set the BCG (Bolt Carrier Group) in the "back" position. Saw a found in the chamber and tilted the AR back so the round would fall out. Visually checked to the chamber and didn't see anything wrong (I'm not expert). SLAPPED the mag back in and hit the bolt catch. I hear and feel the audible CHUNK sound as the BCG falls into place (I love that sound). Lined up and pulled the trigger....Pop! My first shot! I was surprised at how light the recoil is on an AR. I shot a few more times before I cleaned out the bore. I continue to do this (shoot, clean, shoot, clean) for about 100 rounds, while checking my shots and attempting to adjust my sites. Gentlemen on my right even gave me a pointer on where my shots are landing. I shot for about an hour before packing up.
Overall, I had a great time. My first experience was pretty fantastic. I had a slow start, but took my time to figure things out. The Range Masters at Metcalf was professional, communicated clearly on range rules and professional. I look forward to going back in the next couple weeks! The only thing I would've done differently was to go there earlier, maybe right when they opened.
Hope this was helpful to some of the other newbies out there and maybe even gave some vets a chuckle on my mistakes.
-WW
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