Offering help at the range

[Chameleox]

Many years ago, on another, sadly defunct forum, a member posted that every man thinks he is good at shooting driving and sex. I would expand that thinking to add that offering unsolicited advice to a grown man on shooting is akin to offering advice on the other two. Its a powerful ego thing. This goes double when they're with a member of the opposite sex (either a partner, child, or another relative). Probably something to do with questioning their image as a protector and provider.

My advice or avenue of approach? Shoot good and enjoy yourself, and let your own performance, gear selection, or demeanor draw them over to you. Otherwise, I'd steer clear, unless you're looking at a serious safety issue.

Of course, when I'm actually working as an instructor at my agency, if someone is doing something truly stupid or inefficient, I'll head right over.

[Zane1844]

Since I am new to shooting I look for all the help I can get, and sometimes ask people for advice if I feel comfortable to do so.

Practicing MMA has taught me to be humble with everything. There is not a worse feeling than thinking you are doing something correctly and to have your coach yell "that was F*cking ugly!"

"Stay humble and learn."

I actually like when people take their time to teach me something.

[skydivr]

The only time I might consider offering anything unsoliticted is if a gross safety violation is occuring and no RO is around to notify/stop it. Still, it's all in the approach ("Excuse me, I can't help but noticing"...). I've certainly got plenty to learn and am smart enough to accept whatever help someone wants to offer..

[NavyDavy55]

I will offer my help when it's clear people want it.

The worst thing I've ever done was to offer help to a guy in front of his girlfriend.

I saw a guy and girl at the range last summer who I assume were boyfriend/girlfriend.

The girl was new to shooting and the guy was a moron. He kept trying to force her to shoot guns with too much recoil. She cut her finger slightly and he kept pushing. Giving advise in that situation was not for me. She ended leaving the range by herself.

[Chameleox]

She ended leaving the range by herself.

A lot of these often self-correct. Makes for some good entertainment, too. There was a thread about this a long time ago...

Zane: You have the right attitude.

I think training for MMA is different than training at the range. with MMA, you pretty much train at a gym or studio, where you'll be around other students of varying ability, instructors, competitors, etc. Getting and being schooled is very much the norm and expected. Going "live" or testing skills with competition is also more commonplace, so people who do go to MMA gyms get their reality checked more-so than people who go to the range to pop caps.

With your attitude, if you came to me for advice, I'd be glad to share it, if I had it to give to you.

[CleverNickname]

Unless it's a safety violation or something that has the potential to cause injury (e.g. a newbie shooter wrapping their support hand's thumb around the back of the gun where it could be cut by the slide), I keep to myself.

[Smash]

It's a lot like lifting weights at the gym. People usually know by looking around who to ask for advice, but walking up to someone and pointing out what they're doing wrong looks pretty D-Bagish.

Good technique and visible results will make people ask you for pointers but in both shooting and lifting the people who are always looking to hand out advice are wearing affliction shirts and don't really know what they're talking about.

[ST911]

I tend to keep to myself, and usually create distance or physical barriers between me/my group and other shooters. There have been times over the years that I've chimed in with others when an opportunity presented itself. It's all about the ice breaker, word choice, and body language. I have given away an awful lot of lube, a good deal of spare parts, and done some minor armoring when people have mechanical issues. Those opportunities are easier to spot, and the people more open and accepting of a stranger.

People can go downright caveman if you attempt to help their SO in their presence, or give conflicting advice. Tread carefully here.

You can telegraph the ability and willingness to help by adjusting your own range activity. A sort of mirroring that draws attention.

[Ty_B]

Smash - the gym is a great analogy for this.

Couldn't agree more. Unless you think someone is going to hurt themselves or others, say nothing unless asked.

There was a goofball at IDPA last month who I considered helping, then someone else (the SO) tried to and was rebuffed with the 'I want to train like I'm going to fight' BS, so my lack of involvement was validated.

As a practical matter, if you try to help and hurt someone's sensitive feelings, they're not going to listen anyway and might even intentionally not do what you suggested out of spite, so the net result could be worse than doing nothing.

[Five_Point_Five_Six]

I will gladly help anyone out if they ask. If they don't, I keep to myself.