I’d like to go play with guns (in a mature responsible manner) tommorow in Tel Aviv or nearby. I have never fired a weapon before and have no experience with guns. What objective qualities should I look for in deciding upon which shooting range to choose? Are there any specific safety features of the range that I should request/look for? Which gun/guns are suitable for a novice?
cheers.
-xiix-
First and foremost, look for a good range master. He should be alert to what’s going on, and not goofing off somewhere out of sight. He should have plenty of help, depending on the size of the range and whether it’s indoors or outdoors. Safety and responsibility should be stressed above all else.
My favorite range I’ve ever visited was in Phoenix. It was outdoors, and we were required when entering to give our names and addresses with photo ID, list our weapons and ammunition, and wear shooting glasses. Ear protection was optional, but advisable.
Shooting was done in rounds. The range master would call to the assistant to his left at the end of the line, “Is all clear?” The assistant would answer, “All is clear.” He made the same call to his right. All clear meant that no one was “on the range”, that is, no one was beyond a bright red line just in front of the shooting tables.
“You may fire!” he would announce, and firing commenced. We shot for about 5 minutes or so. You could sit or stand. There were moveable tall shields available for people who were firing weapons that discharged spent rounds through the air. (The guy to our left had an M-1 rifle, and used the shield.)
When time was up, the range master would shout “Cease fire! Cease fire!” When all shooting was stopped, he would say, “Unload your weapons and place them on the table facing the field!” We all did as he said. “Step back behind the yellow line!” That line was behind us, well back from the tables.
He called to his left and to his right, while his assistants verified that all chambers were empty and that all shooters were behind the line. “You may retrieve your targets!” At that point, we all walked out onto the field and got our targets. Ours was only about fifty feet away, but some people had targets hundreds of yards away against the side of a mountain. They used a local dirt road to drive out and retrieve theirs.
We were not allowed to leave until the “safe time”, when all weapons were unloaded and all shooters were backed off. It was the safest I ever felt at a range before. Good luck finding what you like. If you were in the US, the NRA would be an excellent source for finding a good range. If Israel has something similar, you might give them a call or check their website.
Since the OP calls for opinions, let move this to IMHO.
samclem General Questions Moderator