Fear & Loading: Ranges And Evolution

by
posted on October 19, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
nra-range.jpg

Back in the day, when I was working my way through college at the grocery store, I had a boss who encouraged us to join him at lunch at a shooting range about five miles away. He had a membership and those of us who could squeeze into his Toyota Land Cruiser qualified as “guests” for the day. 

It was a wonderful break on those occasions I worked daylight hours, and we were usually the only ones on the firing line. That’s a good thing, because formal ranges—even outdoor ones like this one, where southern Arizona’s dust devils were the only company—were new to me. I learned a lot from Jerry Orcutt over lunch, including safety and range etiquette when another shooter showed up to temporarily escape their daily grind.

Don’t get me wrong. I’d been behind the trigger a lot, but all my prior experience was in wide-open spaces. This organized firing line scene, with complete strangers shooting simultaneously, was new. Thankfully, Jerry was eager to provide the kind of etiquette and safety instruction that has since served me well.

Things have changed and there aren’t enough awesome bosses—wonderful friends—to help all of today’s new shooters. The odds you’ll be on a climate-controlled, well-ventilated firing line are better than ever, and those tight confines and unblinking oversight can feel a little intimidating to novices.

That’s one of the reasons the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) recently produced a new “Introduction to Range Safety and Etiquette” video. It’s free and packed with easy-to-understand tips.     

Changes from the old version include demonstrations/explanations in a modern, well-appointed shooting range. Naturally, it begins with gun safety, but it also covers a range of topics that includes how to uncase your firearm, range officer commands and more. “More than ever, NSSF is focused on helping our industry better engage their customers,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Shooting Range Services. “Paramount to that is ensuring all shooters have a pleasant and safe experience every time they head to the range for a practice session.”

It’s not quite the way Jerry smiled when he explained how it’s done, but the female moderator’s sincerity glows the same. The video is worth sharing with all those new shooters you know.    

Latest

Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view
Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy Compact 3.5" AOS black pistol handgun right-side view

Gun Of The Week: Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS

For this episode, we’re on the range with a double-stack, M1911-style handgun that’s more compact and lightweight than we’re used to seeing. This is the Springfield Armory Prodigy Compact 3.5” AOS chambered for 9 mm Luger.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 1, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Budget Pistol Rigs With AIM Surplus

It's still possible to pull together a budget-friendly, name-brand pistol rig for $300 to $400, if you play your cards right.

Nextorch Celebrating 20th Anniversary—A Timely Preparedness Reminder

Nextorch North America is celebrating the company’s 20 years of providing lighting solutions for consumers, law enforcement professionals and military forces around the world.

Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum

One of Smith & Wesson's recent additions to its M&P handgun line is the M&P 22 Magnum, and there's a lot more going on in this gun, technologically, than it appears at first glance.

New For 2025: Beretta BRX1 Ranch

Beretta has expanded its BRX1 straight-pull action into a "ranch rifle" configuration, providing a handy, lightweight platform that still includes some of the groundbreaking features of the original BRX1 rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.