View Full Version : Obstacles that keep you from enjoying shooting
kidicarus13
04-23-2015, 06:59
What, if anything, keeps you from enjoying shooting more? Some of the examples I could think of:
1.) Cost of ammunition too high
2.) Unable to find ammo consistently
3.) Not enough places to shoot or places to shoot are not close
4.) Significant other is not supportive of shooting
5.) Not enough free time to shoot
6.) Physical limitations (poor eyesight, shoulder surgery, etc.)
7.) Anything else: ___________________________________
ruthabagah
04-23-2015, 07:08
#3 is on top of my list for long guns.
buffalobo
04-23-2015, 07:13
Lack of free time and money.
Lack of free time and money.
+1 and I'll add too many idiots at the range when you do go.
5 followed by 1 and 3. Just bought 125 acres and gettin into raising pullets for a large layer operation so I'm hoping that takes care of those problems.
8.) Always having to act as defacto RSO when shooting with a group.
You'd think some of the safety/handling/range protocol would have sunk in by now, but I usually have a better time when shooting by myself. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother trying to shoot when I take some of my extended family to the range. I guess #5 is right up there, also.
#5 with a little bit of #3.
fullmann
04-23-2015, 07:38
#5 has me.
Something about a 11 month old at home....
hurley842002
04-23-2015, 07:43
3,5 for me.
3. but hopefully if things work out, I'll have a new place with some land to shoot on
ZERO THEORY
04-23-2015, 07:51
3.) Not enough places to shoot or places to shoot are not close
Shooting on a static range is god-awfully boring. It's so much more conducive to my goals to go out in the national forest and set up a mock action shooting stage or have variable-distance targets set up. Shooting static compared to a 3 Gun match or open shooting setup is the equivalent of shooting free throws instead of popping a jumper at the buzzer.
Good, open, safe national forest hotspots are all 45 minutes or more away, though.
ANADRILL
04-23-2015, 07:55
1.) Cost of ammunition too high
2.) Unable to find ammo consistently
3.) Not enough places to shoot or places to shoot are not close
1 and 3 get me most of all, especially for rifles.
5 combined with 3. Between work and finishing up school I get about 1 day off and on that day I have other stuff to do and can't make the the 2 hour round trip drive to go somewhere.
Great-Kazoo
04-23-2015, 08:40
6 & 7 Possibly being of limited vision has become a potential liability. ;)
Definitely a lack of free time for me. I work a lot of hours and some of my time off is spent taking care of the house and yard and personal business.
Chad4000
04-23-2015, 08:48
#1 for me..
it's kind of a shame, because I'm the only one in the family who takes care of this sort of thing. but basically ever since I got into shooting, I budgeted for training ammo for myself, and then I keep a 1000 or so of each main caliber. well now that everybody else is in to shooting, I have to stock pile more ammo... ugh lol
Delfuego
04-23-2015, 08:56
VTAC walls and barricades are obstacles that prevent me me from shooting [Peep]
#3 used to be a problem, but now I go 100-300 miles every week to matches.
Also the time it takes to sort, clean, reload every week!
You can always find an excuse not to go. But if you don't shoot, your just a "Firearms Collector".
+1 and I'll add too many idiots at the range when you do go.
+1
TheBelly
04-23-2015, 09:09
7. There number of people that come over to eye-fu** my rifles is just too damn high! Interruption from other folks at the ranges. I don't have the coolest guns, either. Just run of the mill stuff. I don't get it.
Several years ago, it seemed I was always able to make it to the range and often had it all to myself. Nice and quiet, focused enjoyment.
Now, I do have more responsibilities that make it tough to get out there, and when I do it's usually bringing someone else along who is new to guns or wants to shoot some of my stuff. Plus the ranges are generally more busy in the last few years.
It's still fun, but I do miss those quiet mornings/afternoons quite a bit.
cfortune
04-23-2015, 12:45
7. There number of people that come over to eye-fu** my rifles is just too damn high! Interruption from other folks at the ranges. I don't have the coolest guns, either. Just run of the mill stuff. I don't get it.
Maybe they're checkin out more than your rifles? [fags]
The time it takes to reload is my main problem. I'm not at a point to where I enjoy it. It seems like a chore most days. Especially since I got into reloading for accuracy instead of just a cheap(er) ammo source. I still get out and shoot a couple times a month though.
I should probably be like Ray and spend more time on my house and such. That's not nearly as fun though.
Zundfolge
04-23-2015, 13:04
1,3,5 for me.
Ya, generally none of those are an issue for me. I reload and stock up on componets when I see deals. I am a member of three gun ranges with varying needs filled by each. Just got back from taking my wife down to Whittington for a romantic week of both of us shooting to our hearts content. I own my own business and work odd hours most of the time meaning I can go shooting at odd times of the day. Generally I have run of the range when I go. This offsets when I have to go on travel and can't shoot. Still relatively young so shoulders are fine and vision still fine. Wife loves shooting and she has no problem when I want to go make more bullets. Colorado has the most sun, several friends are in the same situation I am so finding a shoot'n buddy works most of the time. I do a lot of builds myself again keeping the cost down.
Love shooting, love work..... Really love the wife. Mostly for me it takes planning for what you want and getting lucky enough to find a great better half.
sellersm
04-23-2015, 13:15
6 & 5 mostly. 1 & 2 are solved by reloading: it's the only way I can afford to shoot!
TheBelly
04-23-2015, 14:02
Maybe they're checkin out more than your rifles? [fags]
We all know that's not the truth. I'm not even good looking by wildlife standards!
We all know that's not the truth. I'm not even good looking by wildlife standards!
Oh don't get down on yourself. Given the chance, I'm sure the IRS would f-- you.
drift_g35
04-23-2015, 14:33
3 for me. I hate having to drive 2 hours to be able to shoot long range. We need someone generous to buy some land and let us responsible ones shoot on it.
3.) Not enough places to shoot or places to shoot are not close
Shooting on a static range is god-awfully boring. It's so much more conducive to my goals to go out in the national forest and set up a mock action shooting stage or have variable-distance targets set up. Shooting static compared to a 3 Gun match or open shooting setup is the equivalent of shooting free throws instead of popping a jumper at the buzzer.
Good, open, safe national forest hotspots are all 45 minutes or more away, though.
This. Coupled with going to the range when I do want to just shoot I hate dealing with other people. I'm there to mind my own and shoot, not have to worry about someone else either being unsafe or trying to get attention by being an idiot (which usually involves being unsafe).
#7 - Need to win the lotto so I don't have to work a day job to pay for shooting.
#7 - Need to win the lotto so I don't have to work a day job to pay for shooting.
... and buy some land to set up a range for friends and family? :)
sellersm
04-23-2015, 15:54
#7 - Need to win the lotto so I don't have to work a day job to pay for shooting.
(to follow Sawin's post) ... and buy lots of ammo for said friends and family to shoot? [Coffee]
#7 - Worn-out pickup truck. Steering is shaky and flaky, water pump's on it's last legs. Plus it's a gas pig. Cuts down on my range trips a lot. But, steering parts are ordered and should be here soon. Water pump to be done soon as well.
I would say that these obstacles may be a blessing on my bank account. If I could shoot in my backyard, Id need a second job for the ammo cost.
I would say that these obstacles may be a blessing on my bank account. If I could shoot in my backyard, Id need a second job for the ammo cost.
You're not the only one!!
1) Too much time spent on internet/gun forums
2) Wifey-poo co-opting my social calendar
3) The need to earn a living
4) Responsibilities to family
5) ad ifinitum
ZERO THEORY
04-23-2015, 17:19
This. Coupled with going to the range when I do want to just shoot I hate dealing with other people. I'm there to mind my own and shoot, not have to worry about someone else either being unsafe or trying to get attention by being an idiot (which usually involves being unsafe).
Things I've seen at Silver Bullet:
-A Korean guy visiting the States who wanted to shoot a pistol like in the movies. He rented a P226 and used his support hand to grab the dust cover.
-Three kids in t shirts down to their knees and sagging pants shooting a Tec 9 while flinching and turning their heads away.
Things I've seen at an established outdoor range off of 285:
-An obese guy wearing a plate carrier (with armor in) dumping mag after mag after mag at nothing at all.
-A guy trying to walk downrange while other people were shooting.
Things I've seen in general:
-Girls who are in the process of being "wooed" by some guy about-facing or flagging people with loaded pistols.
-Fingers on triggers in every conceivable portion of loading, unloading, racking, drawing, and/or putting away a weapon.
hurley842002
04-23-2015, 18:05
Well I may have found a solution to #3 today. I think there may already be a feedback thread on these guys, but I didn't seek it out.
"Shoot indoors" in Broomfield is an awesome range! Pistol, rifle, and shotgun (slugs). Staff were really friendly, and not the typical range commando types (I suspect that could be different if there were more than two shooters). Place was clean, ventilation was good, and it's close(ish) to me.
newracer
04-23-2015, 19:07
You know you can make a poll.
Mostly it is a lack of time for me. If I had more time the cost of ammo would probably factor in.
3.) Not enough places to shoot or places to shoot are not close
6.) Physical limitations (poor eyesight, shoulder surgery, etc.)
7.) Anything else: Kid.
RYAN50BMG
04-23-2015, 19:37
No one to shoot with. If you're trying to wow your new squeeze with your awsome Glock skillz, you don't want me showing up with a full-auto Uzi.
Daniel_187
04-23-2015, 19:50
All of the above.
#3.
I know Pawnee Sportsman's Center is ONLY 45 minutes away, but that doesn't factor in the hours upon hours I've already spent behind the wheel the previous work week up and down I25 and all over the front range. An extra hour and a half on the weekend can sometimes make me consider early retirement. It's the reason I gave up on NRA HighPower after one year. Couldn't take the additional driving.
And I have to agree with those that opined that if they had a range in the back yard (I admit I covet the idea), they'd be broke buying and loading ammo. Me too.
1 and only 1.. Everything else is just a matter of priority.
spongejosh
04-26-2015, 00:17
3 and 5.
I've been considering a membership at CRC to solve #3 but 3 hours of travel time eats into #5.
rock_castle
04-26-2015, 03:58
1 and 3
1 & 3
1.) Cost of ammunition too high .
3.) Not enough places to shoot or places to shoot are not close
I like to shoot papaer sometimes but I don't really like the crowded and packed ranges in Denver. I usually go with the wife and we are cramped in a 5ft wide lane with guns, gun bags, targets, water bottle, Next to people banging round after round of 223s or 357s(like you need 357 rds to blow holes in paper?) Then we end up paying $15-$20 an hr and have a headache from poor ventilation.
I really like to go out to National Forest or BLM but it is an all day drive to anywhere decent around here. Pawnee is our best range it is 2hrs one way and many days I just don't feel like sitting in the car.
wctriumph
04-26-2015, 08:00
Work
Mud
Indoor range costs
Double00
04-26-2015, 08:28
1 and 5 for me.
buckshotbarlow
04-26-2015, 09:18
This one is for me...listed in the other section...
Wife + 2 kids involved in everything = no time. Need to figure out a way to put in a drive by shooting range on 470 so I can shoot while taking the kids to their different events.
Aside from work travel (getting ready to head off to Geneva), it's the lack of convenient shooting locations.
I used to shoot up at the Allenspark dump area at 72 and 7 till it closed. Even that was 45 minutes each way, which simply shut down a lot of opportunities due to insufficient time.
I've been on the Boulder Rifle Club waiting list for a decade. I've gotta be close . . . maybe.
BlasterBob
04-26-2015, 14:16
Just too damn lazy. The mere thought of getting all the necessary stuff assembled, knowing that it will ALL have to be cleaned and put back in the proper places just wears me out. Guess that's what "old age" does to some of us. Sad! [blaster]
Places to shoot that allow you to pull the trigger more than once every two seconds, draw from a holster and in general allow you to shoot in a manner that is actually worth shooting..
..and $$.
Need to figure out a way to put in a drive by shooting range on 470 so I can shoot while taking the kids to their different events.
According to a certain member here, that would be Aurora. *cough* BP *cough* [UZI]
7) Too many expensive hobbies
Building a new gaming computer, need about $250 worth of parts to finish it off
Working on the car, many hundreds more to be spent there
Guns, the last item for my AK should be in tomorrow, just need to get a tool to adjust the front sight post
Just too damn lazy. The mere thought of getting all the necessary stuff assembled, knowing that it will ALL have to be cleaned and put back in the proper places just wears me out. Guess that's what "old age" does to some of us. Sad! [blaster]
My mom was surprised I didn't go shooting for my birthday last week. My excuse was that I didn't want to have to deal with cleaning everything afterwards! [flamingo] <-this emote never gets used, so I'll use it.
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