Triangle Tactical Podcast and Blog on Guns, Gear, and Competition Shooting
I’ve found myself using a small private shooting range in rural North Carolina all by myself recently. It’s probably the first time ever that I’ve been all alone while shooting, and this has prompted me to take some extra precautions. Unlike Tex Grebner, I’m not sure that I’d be able to fall back to my training and call my parents if I were to get hurt on the range, so I’ve been taking some precautions while I’m out there:
Someone always knows I’m there. When I get to the range, I make a phone call and let them know how long I’m expecting to be there, and then I call them again either when I leave, or if I’m going to stay longer, I let them know. Sometimes it’s a text to my wife, sometimes it’s a voicemail. The point is, there’s a record of where I am, how long I’m going to be there, and when I’m expected to return.
First Aid. Admittedly I’m pretty novice when it comes to first aid. In the Boy Scouts we learned very basic stuff like applying pressure, checking airways, and how to deal with minor burns, but I’m pretty unprepared to deal with a gunshot wound if, God forbid, something like that would ever happen. I do have a med kit with a couple Israeli bandages, gauze, etc. It could use a tourniquet, which I’ll probably order soon.
Security. I might have my priorities mixed up a little bit here, but security while on the range is something that’s always in the back of my mind. Let’s face it, I’m in the middle of nowhere with expensive guns wearing ear protection that somewhat hinders my ability to be aware of my surroundings. A couple things that I’ve taken to doing for my own safety when on the range: I always have a hot gun. If I’m practicing with my USPSA rig, I reload before heading down range to change targets, and if I’m evaluating another gun, my concealed carry pistol is always on my hip, in addition to the gun I’m testing. I carry pretty much everywhere, so it should go without saying that I’m carrying when I’m alone on the range, but during my first few times out by myself I found myself down range changing targets with my gun up range unloaded on a table, or in my holster without a mag in it, or something like that.
Chances are the public range you’re shooting at won’t allow you to walk around hot, and I’m pretty okay with that, but when I’m out by myself I play by my rules.
Do you shoot alone? Any other safety tips?
Great tips and excellent food for thought!
Yes. Never leave an operable gun out in the open anywhere that you aren’t. When I’m at the target end, my rifle bolt(s) and my handgun slide(s) are in my pockets, and any revolver has a padlock behind the trigger.
Or they are locked in the trunk of my car, which is backed in close to the firing point.
The only operable gun will be the loaded one in my holster.
I always back in to parking spots where I can, anyway. I’m never in a hurry to get somewhere, but I might be in a hurry to leave… especially if I need medical attention.