Usually, I shoot on farms that belong to friends. That’s perfect for teaching new shooters, as nobody else shoots near us, reactive targets like clays are possible, and photography is easy.
The problem is that one of these farms is an hour from me, the other an hour and a half. They aren’t always available. I’d like to find additional locations near Hermitage (Nashville), TN where I would be welcome to shoot (even if it’s just a short range with suppressed .22s) and/or take photos. If you have a location like this or know someone who does, please help me out.
mmm, i have a buddy in Vonore, near Knoxville… that’s not TOO close to you, but he might know people near you.
also, i made him buy a pmr-30. he love sit.
we’re both waiting with baited breath on the rmr-30 🙂
tah
I shoot regularly at NRange in Hendersonville. Its a nice but small indoor range. They are normally a pistols only range, but their backstop is rated for up to .50 BMG and they have weekly rifle/shotgun nights for members.
The trouble with the indoor ranges is the increased noise level. Also, most formal ranges don’t allow movement, unconventional targets or calling a ceasefire to be able to explain a technique without shouting.
I shoot at two outdoor ranges, one in Manchester and one in Tullahoma (or just south of Tullahoma) but that’s still 1.5 hours for you.
There’s an outdoor range just south of Mt. Juliet which is run by the TWRA, but there are a few catches. It’s only open Fri-Sat-Sun and it costs $5.50 per person for two hours.
I’ve never been, as I prefer an indoor range (IE: Guns and Leather in Greenbriar or The Gun Room in Lebanon).
“Usually, I shoot on farms that belong to friends. That’s perfect for teaching new shooters, as nobody else shoots near us, reactive targets like clays are possible, and photography is easy. The problem is that one of these farms is an hour from me, the other an hour and a half. They aren’t always available…Most formal ranges don’t allow movement, unconventional targets or calling a ceasefire to be able to explain a technique without shouting.”
I agree with you 100% that informal ranges, such as where you shoot, are the best places to teach others, for the reasons you stated, plus other reasons I won’t go into here.
As you said, “Teaching people to shoot is so much easier with the right tools.” One of the most overlooked tools is someplace that is, again quoting you, “safe, fun and comfortable.” To that, I would add conveniently located.
When the the lack of such places was brought up in prior threads, your reaction was rather dismissive and glib:
Oleg Volk says:
June 27, 2011 at 8:48 am
Several semi-solutions exist. One of them is laser “cartridges”, also Airsoft. Airguns are a close substitute. A person could stay somewhat competent with those plus dry fire and get live fire every few months.
https://blog.olegvolk.net/2011/06/26/good-learning-tools/
Oleg Volk says:
July 3, 2011 at 9:41 am
Use an air gun to maintain marksmanship skills. Train when you can.
For newbies, an effort may be necessary to learn, so get their interest using the nearest substitutes like airsoft or pellet guns.
https://blog.olegvolk.net/2011/07/03/more-than-one-martial-art/
Comment by olegv — October 8, 2011 @ 9:16 am
I am going to address the lack of ranges in one of the coming articles. There are ways around it — sub-caliber and laser cartridges, as well as biting the bullet and actually traveling to locations where such facilities are available.
http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=12384
If people don’t have a place to shoot that is safe, fun, comfortable, and convenient, the fact that there are 100 gajillion gun owners in the United States isn’t going to make a difference. Demographics, economics, and geography will do to gun ownership what Sarah Brady, Charles Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, etc. have been unable to.
Based on my unscientific personal observations, most gun owners had a casual interest in learning to shoot at one time, bought a gun, maybe shot it once or twice, and then put it in their nightstand where it’s been sitting for years, untouched by human hands.
I know a lot of these people. And I know they would like to go shooting. Many of them have asked me to take them. But since there is no where to go shooting that meets Oleg’s (and my) criteria, they have lost interest. There is simply no way that most people are ever going to become as familiar and comfortable with their firearms as you and I are.
It appears that you have finally figured out that Airsoft and dry-fire is not the answer.
Don’t know if its any close but down in Dickson is a place that I know Suarez International trainings are held from time to time
Might take a look at http://www.gallatingun.com if you can get a membership.. It’s tough to get I hear.