How many times have you found yourself or someone else at the range with no ammo, incorrect equipment ..???
- Courtesy of CED
These are basic suggestions of certain things you want to check before you go to the shooting range:
1.- FIREARM:
- If you have more than one firearm like me lol, make sure you have the correct magazines for it, you can easily take to the range by mistake your Glock 17 mags instead of your Glock 22 mags.
- Same thing applies to check if your pistol is 100% set up for the caliber you will be shooting. Ej. There are caliber conversions and barrel conversion that allows you to shoot your pistol in at least two different calibers, you need to make sure your pistol + mag are in the same caliber you want to shoot.
2.- AMMUNITION:
- Very important to check if you have ammo before you go to the range, and that is the same caliber of your firearm. If you have a Glock 22 with a barrel conversion in 9mm, you need to go by the first step so you can verify that you have the correct ammo to shoot.
- If you are new in the sport, make sure you know the caliber of your firearm. While working in a Gun shop I had a lot of people asking for ammo but didn’t which caliber, because there are similar ammo calibers: Ej. .45ACP and .45GAP, 9MM (9×19 Luger) 9MM Mak (makarov), Etc.
3.- GEAR & EQUIPMENT:
- Make sure you have in your range bag your eye and ear protection, but I also suggest:
- HAT so the empty brass doesn’t get inside your eye protection burning your eyes (It had happended to me before)
- MAG LOADER: After loading a few magazines your fingers get a little bit sore, get one and you will thank me! ;)
- TOOLS: Always try to bring with you a punch, oil and plyer, very useful in case of a malfunction. - If you shoot competitively like USPSA or IDPA, PLEASE make sure you have your rig with you… There has been so many times where shooters forget their belt, holster and mag pouches…!! Check your range bag
4.- CLOTHES AND SHOES:
- NO low “V” Necks t-shirts, make sure that your t-shirt is appropriate for your activity, HOT empty brass can fall into your chest and burn you… You don’t want a scar in your chest; on top of that HURTS. Ouch!
- Comfortable shoes, try not to go with dressy shoes or high heals, this is your practice and you must practice good, later on if you want to practice as you dress because you carry a firearm concealed, do so, but always practice perfect and comfortably first… Practice your technique!
5.- ATITUDE:
- Enjoy the day at the range, if it is your first time then be Happy that you are learning something New and if you have done it for several years, try to get better every single time…!!!
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude”. – Thomas Jefferson
Thank you for reading and hope you had enjoyed my shooting in TOP SHOT
Gabby Franco
Firearms Instructor
Learn how to shoot with Gabby: info@gabbyfranco.com
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Twitter: @GabbyFrancoTS4
Don’t mix calibers if you can avoid it. Preflight the gun the night BEFORE you go to the range. Check it and lube it the night before. Run your inventory as well, so that everything is ready to go, and YOU are ready to go as well.
Gabby, those are all good tips. I’m confessing my most common and avoidable range errors.
That’s right! and thank you for your comments! I think the best way we can make this sport better and brighter is by helping each other..!!! Have a great day
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Gabby, even though you mentioned them in other sections, everyone should first check for ear and eye protection… and HAVE SPARES!
How many times have you had some brass fly up and scratch your eye protection right in your sightline? (Wow, I hope that isn’t only me that has happened to!)
BTW – Love the Jefferson quote under “Attitude”. TJ was a man who knew the importance of the Second Amendment. Great source!
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