SHOOTING SPORTS AS A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE

Much (most) of the discussion around going to the shooting range has to do with what you do while you’re there. What drills to shoot, what skills to hone, how much ammo to use, what firearms to shoot with, what gear to bring to the range, and so on. An aspect of range time that rarely gets discussed is who you go to the range with. For many of us, range time can be a solitary pursuit. Whether we’re focused on match prep, hunting season, or setting personal records, it’s easy to focus solely on the idea of shooting being a “you-versus-you” endeavor. While this can be beneficial from a self-discipline or ascetic practices standpoint, it does sacrifice one of the greatest potential aspects of spending time on the range: bonding with like-minded people over a shared craft and culture. Safety, skill development, and meaningful practice are all critically important, but they don’t exclude the idea that range trips can also be fun social events, or even date nights!

Professional educators have long touted the benefits of learning in groups: the synergy of multiple perspectives, the association of learning with social reward, even the drive to succeed tied to friendly competition. All of these factors contribute to a holistic skill-building experience that can increase progress and retention while learning something that—quite frankly—can be a little intimidating. If you have friends who you think are stronger shooters than you, they will be some of your greatest resources to help you improve. If you’re the crack shot in your friend group, the satisfaction you’ll get from pulling everyone up with you will only amplify the joy you get from shooting.

But sometimes the reason we shoot alone is because nobody in our circle of family or friends enjoys shooting. In that case, the shooting sports themselves can be an avenue to meet new people who do share your passion for lead-slinging. In addition to formal matches, many clubs have leagues, classes, open houses, and special events that offer ample opportunities to interact with fellow shooters and have a firearms-forward experience that offers a more communal element than traditional range practice as an individual.

Some people think that teaching your spouse to shoot is a recipe for marital chaos. From what we understand the logic is more people are inclined to take constructive feedback better from an objective 3^rd party instructor whereas the same feedback from a spouse could be interpreted as nit-picky or overly critical. While this may be the case for some couples, we think the fear around this is often overblown and doesn’t account for the benefits. Studies have shown that couples who learn new things together often feel closer afterwards. The safety and skill requirements require you to be fully engaged with your partner the entire time – no checking your phone or getting sucked into the movie. Furthermore, the sense of accomplishment you’ll both feel from a successful range day will fill the evening—and your experience with each other—with positive vibes and feel-good chemicals. Some ranges even offer Date Night or Valentine’s Day pricing specials.

Regardless of the occasion, sharing range time with friends and family can be a deeply fulfilling, energizing experience. Whether you’re celebrating an old anniversary or making new acquaintances, your trips to the range don’t have to be solitary academic affairs driven by the solemn weight of the safety rules. So be responsible, and be social – you may be pleasantly surprised by the memories you create and the bonds you forge.