Range Wear: What’s Too Much?

[rg115]

I’ve been going to the range a bit lately and I can’t help but notice how people dress. I mean, it’s not like we’re gearing up for a mission out there. I’m curious about what everyone thinks is appropriate.

I’m talking everyday clothes here, not full-blown tactical setups. The other day, I saw someone in full camo. Now, I get that some folks like to rock that look, but it felt a bit out of place for what we were doing—just some target practice and drills. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems a little much unless you’re actually hunting or something.

I’ve been sticking to pretty basic stuff: jeans, a simple t-shirt, and solid boots. Comfortable enough to move around but not something that shouts ‘I’m here to take down targets.’ I think it’s important to be safe—no sandals or anything like that—but I can't figure out why I feel so strongly about avoiding the ‘tacticool’ vibe.

How do others feel about this? Is there a range dress code I’m missing or am I just overthinking it? What do you all wear when you hit the range?

 

[wayn3r]

I'd stick with what you're doing now. No need to try to be Rambo.

 

[SFury]

The other day, I saw someone in full camo.

Where I live that's not an uncommon sight. Just in general, and you can see those folks anywhere.

I'd stick with what you are doing. As long as you are wearing clothing that keeps you safe while shooting nothing else matters.

My biggest threat at the range comes from shooting my S&W10MMs. Man, that brass flys all over the place...

 

[Coachk64]

I think showing up for a session at the range dressed in full tactical is a little over the top, unless you are actually a member of a SWAT team or Seal team. But I'd imagine those would have a more private range to use for practice.

Jeans, T-Shirt, sneakers, and a ball cap serves me well just about everywhere I go, including the range.

 

[Deleted member 22]

Jeans a tee shirt, and my favorite gimme cap for me. Most, if not all my camo is for hunting. I understand that some are looking for a "dry run" for their gear, so I have no problem with wearing it to the range.

 

[Cracker57]

I am not a cop, nor am I a navy seal, I have trained with them but:
I carry to protect myself and family, so I am carrying with what I am wearing that day. I swing by the range with my range bag and shoot. I may be wearing a tee shirt. shorts tennis shoes, boots, it depends on the weather. I do wear a ball cap and safety glasses other wise its what I am wearing that day.
if its a day with instruction or running drills I make sure I have on good shoes or boots and appropriate clothes for the weather and the drills

 

[tnbndr]

I just wear jeans, t-shirt and work boots. Every day attire. But I have seen everything under the sun! To each his own.

 

[Tabby]

I’ve been going to the range a bit lately and I can’t help but notice how people dress. I mean, it’s not like we’re gearing up for a mission out there. I’m curious about what everyone thinks is appropriate.

I’m talking everyday clothes here, not full-blown tactical setups. The other day, I saw someone in full camo. Now, I get that some folks like to rock that look, but it felt a bit out of place for what we were doing—just some target practice and drills. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems a little much unless you’re actually hunting or something.

I’ve been sticking to pretty basic stuff: jeans, a simple t-shirt, and solid boots. Comfortable enough to move around but not something that shouts ‘I’m here to take down targets.’ I think it’s important to be safe—no sandals or anything like that—but I can't figure out why I feel so strongly about avoiding the ‘tacticool’ vibe.

How do others feel about this? Is there a range dress code I’m missing or am I just overthinking it? What do you all wear when you hit the range?

When I was still on active duty, I would wear my usual range gear, this was usually a battle dress uniform and combat boots simply to be dressed in the gear that I would be in during real combat. I never came to the range dressed in full combat gear, did enough of that on military ranges when required.

Since retiremenr, it's jeans or leggings, a regular top dependent on the weather and type of firearm shooting and athletic shoes. From time to time I will show up in a dress or skirt and blouse generally with some form of high heel that goes along with whatever else I am wearing. The footwear is to get used to the instability induced by different types of heels and heel height. Kitten or regular high heels are generally OK to about 2 inches. Beyond that things get tipsy especially above 3 inches. Block heels are much more stable but still get tipsy much above 2 inches.

We have the usual groups of Rambo types that frequent the ranges where I shoot. All decked out in the latest gear and firearms. None of them to my knowledge have ever been in the military and it shows in how they shoot, which is generally, not well, preferring ammo dumps their favorite pastime, to any real accuracy or other tactical type training. When they show, I usually go.

 

[Tom L]

Sneakers, workout pants and a shirt to hide the weapon properly. Oh, and amplified ear cover with glasses and a ball cap. One does see a variety at the range. It is a bit humorous when you see someone come in and they are all clad in what they just bought off the internet... looking all dangerous... then you see they couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with a map! Poser??? Methinks so.

 

[Peter K]

I usually just wear whatever is weather appropriate, and comfortable. I dont need to dress up to impress anyone.

 

[Tabby]

Where I live that's not an uncommon sight. Just in general, and you can see those folks anywhere.

I'd stick with what you are doing. As long as you are wearing clothing that keeps you safe while shooting nothing else matters.

My biggest threat at the range comes from shooting my S&W10MMs. Man, that brass flys all over the place...

When on the pistol range I tend to keep to the left hand side of the firing line to avoid the flying brass.

 

[Peter K]

When on the pistol range I tend to keep to the left hand side of the firing line to avoid the flying brass.

Thats why I love my revolvers!!

 

[Tabby]

I love revolvers and bolt action rifles too, unfortunately the vast majority do not so flying brass is inevitable.

 

[Tom L]

Currently getting chemo. Bald as a cue ball. I have learned one thing, wear a hat! I forgot to mention that. Hot brass on a bald head is not pleasant.

 

[Tabby]

I just came back from the range, without firing a shot. The temp got up to 65 degrees, actually around here that is in fact bikini weather, and before you ask, "NO! I wasn't wearing a bikini." I was in my work clothes, which last night was leggings, a EAA Polo and 2 inch wedge heels. Anyway I was hoping to get to the range early enough to not have to deal with the Rambo's and pseudo Rangers/Seals. That did not happen. Between the pistol, 50 yard and 100 yard ranges there are officially 12 firing points, 4 per range. There were 12 vehicles in the small parking lot, compromising more than a bit of a traffic jam, and from the number of people wandering around had to be at least 2 people per vehicle. I watched what was going on for about 15 minutes and decided not to even get out of the car. The purpose for the visit was to check accuracy and velocity for some 38 Super reloads, but with the Rambo's on the pistol range shooting at their full size silhouettes from 10 and 15 feet, and mostly missing as they dumped magazine after magazine into the backstop with only a few hitting the targets. A few guys on the 50 yard doing ammo dumps with AR-15s, and then 2 on the 100 yard line shooting bolt guns, looked like they were either sighting in or testing their reloads. If I had a rifle with I might have joined them, but the nearest rifle wa 8 miles away. So I just came home, backed the Jeep into the garage, locked it and made myself a toddy. So much for today, there is tomorrow.

 

[Tom L]

Today's weather was amazing. All kinds of people out walking and running. Got the same report from a friend who came back from the outdoor range. If you wanted to shoot you had to join the crowd in line. He mentioned that it was apparent that off range gun handling skills had declined right along with the accuracy. He said he got out of there before someone got hurt.

 

[Tabby]

Getting out of there before someone gets hurt is kind of a cop out. But I do hear what you are saying. As an instructor and real life Range Safety Officer it's hard to turn your back on observations, but without any real authority not being a club officer there is little that one can do and trying to correct the safety issues gets you a ration of crap from the know it all assholes, especially being a woman dealing with unreasonable men.