An actual thread about night shooting

[funkymonkey1111]

No mods, I'm not being cheeky here.

Does anyone do it? I've always wanted to, but my range doesn't allow it. I'd like to check muzzle flash on home defense loads. Is there any public place to do it? Any issue with doing it at the south site or Pawnee? (I've never been to either of those places to shoot so I'm not familiar with any rules at either place)

[00tec]

I can at a friend's house. Definitely fun policing the runny babbits...

[buffalobo]

We do it couple times a year in our back yard range.

Neighbors kinda don't approve. So we invite them to participate. ;).

Does help knowing what to expect from muzzle flash.

Sent from my electronic ball and chain.

[Fromk]

I'm pretty sure you can't shoot after sunset on public land.

It would be nice if some indoor ranges facilitated low-light shooting every once in a while. Wouldn't even have to wait until it's dark outside and an occasional event like that would probably attract some business.

It's also very important to know how your defensive ammo acts in the dark. It's half the reason I'll never buy or recommend those Glaser safety slugs and I would never have known otherwise. Some friends and I did an evening at a range testing various rounds and I wish the video and the list hadn't disappeared. It was very informative.

[asmo]

Did a couple of night shoots at Ben Lomond. Don't know if that is something they explicitly allow or if George pulled strings for us.

It was very educational. Especially the rifles.

[Irving]

Shot a rattlesnake with 9mm snake shot, in the dark once. I didn't notice the muzzle flash so much over the feeling that my ears were bleeding.

[brutal]

Did a couple of night shoots at Ben Lomond. Don't know if that is something they explicitly allow or if George pulled strings for us.

It was very educational. Especially the rifles.

I could be way off base, but I think if an RSO is present, and you have notified/ have permission from Dan, Bill, or George, it's kosher.

[Big Wall]

The Boulder Indoor Combat club does one every third month. They meet on the first Fridays of the month. My work schedule changed and I haven't been to one in a long time. They were a lot of fun and I miss going to them.

[Hoser]

We shoot low light stages at Whistling Pines IPSC matches about every other match. Not enough to require night sights or a flashlight, but enough to make you think.

[Tim K]

I'm pretty sure you can't shoot after sunset on public land.

I think that's just for hunting. From the BLM website:

Target Shooting on Public Land

Target shooting can be a fun and challenging activity and is generally allowed on public lands in Colorado except in developed recreation sites or areas. Target shooting may also be restricted in some units of the National Landscape Conservation System.

If you have specific questions on areas that may be appropriate for target shooting please contact the BLM Field Office you plan to visit.



Shooting and possession and use of firearms are allowed on public lands managed by the BLM as long as the activity:

• Does not create a public hazard, public nuisance or direct threat to public safety and use. This includes the shooting any weapon from, across, or toward any road or trail, regardless of the road or trail surface, shooting in an unsafe manner, or shooting in an unsafe direction.

• Does not damage or destroy natural features, native plants, cultural resources, historic structures or government/private property. This includes using any vegetation or structure as a target, backstop, or target holder.

• Does not facilitate and create a condition of littering, refuse accumulation and abandoned personal property. The shooting of any glass bottle, container, or material that would break into small pieces and create a hazard or litter is prohibited. All spent shells or brass are considered litter and must be removed by the shooter.

• Does not violate an existing use restriction, closure order or supplementary rules notice.

LE PSAIn addition you must not possess or discharge a firearm or explosive device in violation of any Colorado State Law. This includes possession of a firearm while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon in violation of State law, and the possession or control any firearm, other than a pistol or revolver, in any motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded.

Additional Colorado firearms regulations can be found at the following website:
http://www.michie.com/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp

[IceAxe]

Frontier Sportsman Fountain Range

[Mick-Boy]

Dan512 and I go out and shoot in the dark. About once a month or so when I'm home (so maybe four times a year). When I'm at work, most of our ranges (unless they're admin) are shot under NODs.

For manipulations (accessing your flashlight or activating your WML) you can do most of the work dry. Practice getting all the tools in play. Do it until you can be smooth. You don't need to fire a single round for most of this training.

For shooting, remember that you're going to be working strong hand only if you've got a flashlight in your off hand. Might spend a little more time practicing that at the range....

You need to be able to ID a target before you can morally and ethically engage it. To ID it you need to be able to see it. To see it you need a light (or NODs) and you need to be able to get those tools into action... and you need to be able to do it without making a mess of things. This requires practice.

Train, train, train.