Real Talk: Private vs Public Ranges

[@petert8807]

Thanks for all the videos over such a long period! I've been watching you forEVER and love your attitude and voice and mannerisms

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Well said. I've had similar experiences as well, plus plenty of trigger time at govt. or agency run closed ranges. The safety rules have to be the constant. Just stick with them and be alert for those on the other lanes that aren't. 👍👍

[@chrischiampo7647]

😀😎👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Private Property Ranges Are Always Better I’ve Found

[@MidwayShooter]

I belong to a private range and YES locked down tight waaaay down a dirt road as well. I also use an indoor public range as well but I only go there during midweek cause it’s almost empty. No feral beings.

[@martintangman366]

I became a member of a small private indoor range, BUT they still have similar rules as a public range. Owner said IF I joined the shooting league I could draw from the holster eventually. The outdoor range I go to does let me draw and move.

[@redesert_boy8202]

Good discussion and points. Agree private gun clubs are better for training including drawing, multiple targets, and steel target options. However, if you ever lived in a state like California, you are thankful for ANY decent public range. Thanks TheOl1911 sir.

[@Dfgbuiiyyyybb]

Most private gun clubs vet their applicants. I belong to 2 and indoor and an outdoor. The indoor range is 24/7 self serve there is no RSO but there are cameras everywhere. You cannot do any holster work because of safety reason, the range is unsupervised. The range has an extensive onboarding process new shooters (I’ve never shot before are not allowed). The outdoor range is a bit more lax also unsupervised…. But since it’s outdoors there’s less concern about damage… but also they heavily stress if you poke a hole in yourself you probably won’t make it because of how remote the range is. There are other cool benefits like some ranges will have special events like shooting ballistic gel.

[@rbm6184]

Well some of us don't have choice. A public range is the only option. Its either that or don't shoot. Even affording a public range is hard enough let alone a private/club one. I did used to belong to a club a long time ago in another place. Yes I would take a club or private range over a public one any day if I had that option. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidb6659]

You make a lot of generalizations about public ranges. I use two in Northwest Florida. At Oakridge Gun Range, you pay a flat fee for a lane. There is no time limit unless there are people waiting, and then you can get back in line again. If you know your range, you know what times to go when it isn't crowded. Also, you can leave and go back on the same day, show your receipt and get back on the firing line. No rapid fire or drawing from holster here, but you can do double taps. The other is Emerald Coast Indoor Shooting & Sport. They do charge by the hour. They also allow shooting from the holster after you get training from them. The first time I went there, I asked if they allow rapid fire. The response I got was, "We rent machine guns." I said, "Good but do you allow rapid fire," and got the same response...Duh. So, the latitude one has at public ranges depends on the particular range.

[@maxmccain8950]

One shot per second just didn’t work for me. I found a place in the hills years ago. Nobody else there works for me. I agree about public ranges and safety. I’ve seen things that really made me nervous.

[@ProthoPectore]

depends on the level of convenience you want. my father has always owned enough land for us to shoot on. we have a 45 yard pit and a 98 yard pit. at each distance theres a 3' x 4' enclosed dirt pile thats a one way angle. gotta shoot em strait on is what im trying to say. thats the best we can do, but it's fun. 7ish years ago i joined my local private range. indoor 20 yard range for pistol calibers 22lr. no magnum or rifle rounds. its heated and lighted which is so nice in winter. air conditioned, so nice if ya want to shoot on a hot humid day. outdoor 25 and 50 yard dedicated pistol range with a roof and shooting tables. 1 25 yard station, 10 50 yard stations. outdoor 25 rifle spot for sight in. 100 and 200 yard range with 12 tables with a roof. a 300 yard station that can only be used when nobody is at the 25, 100 & 200 yard stations. a skeet range, lighted. big skeet club activity. the skeet house is its own building. and when you're a member you get to shoot our local Service Rifle competitions. i thought i was a decent shot before i competed against those shooters. the rapid fire booms on both sides of you when you're trying to make a 200 yard hit. it's a whole different type of shooting vs. bench rest golf course quiet shooting. so yeah, both private land and private clubs are worth it. i shoot on public ranges back in the early 2000s when i was a college kid. i would make sure to drive by a few times to make sure there was no one else there. i experienced a few yahoos a couple times that had shown up after i had been shooting already. to this day if i see a public shooting range and have a minute i'll stop If No Body Is Already There. but yeah, if someone of already there i'll keep driving. and if i'm shooting and someone shows up it'll just so happen that I was just packing up to leave.