Common Shooting Range Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Avoid Them at Total Impact Guns & Range

Arriving Without a Training Plan

Unstructured visits waste valuable lane time. Before you leave home, decide whether you will confirm zero at seven yards, practice magazine changes, or refine trigger control. 

A single-lane day pass at the Indoor Range lets you “come and go as you please,” so you can even break for lunch and return later. 

Match the firearm to your objective: the Firearms catalog lets you filter by action, caliber, and price to find pistols, rimfire rifles, or centerfire carbines appropriate for each drill. 

Write a brief shot schedule on a note card and tape it to your ammo box so every minute on the line supports a clear goal.

How to avoid the mistake

• Prepare a written shot string (for example, five slow-fire groups followed by two timed ten-round strings).
  
  
• Use the range’s all-day pass to split practice into short, focused blocks.
  
  

Ignoring the Four Universal Safety Rules

Total Impact prominently displays the rules, treat every gun as loaded, keep the muzzle down-range, keep your finger off the trigger until sights are on target, and be certain of your target and its surroundings, in every stall and classroom. Violations stop a session instantly.

How to avoid the mistake

• Recite each rule aloud while driving to the range.
  
  
• Keep actions open and chambers flagged until ready to fire.
  
  
• If unsure about a procedure, ask a Range Safety Officer rather than guessing; staff are only a few steps away through the adjoining retail doors.
  
  

Starting With Excessive Recoil

Beginners sometimes arrive with ultralight snub-nose revolvers or magnum calibers that magnify recoil and mask poor technique. A better choice is a reliable .22 LR or 9 mm semi-automatic from Total Impact’s Pistols section. For instance, the Browning Buck Mark Plus offers a crisp trigger, adjustable sights, and minimal recoil, perfect for building confidence.

How to avoid the mistake

• Begin with .22 LR or 9 mm to focus on stance and sight picture.
  
  
• Rent or borrow a low-recoil model before upgrading.
  
  
• Once fundamentals are solid, use catalog filters to explore larger calibers within the same product family.
  
  

Skipping Professional Instruction

Self-teaching often engrains bad habits. The Total Impact Training Academy offers a Basic Pistol course covering grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, and live-fire coaching. Completion may even satisfy concealed-carry prerequisites in Florida.

How to avoid the mistake

• Enroll in Basic Pistol before your first solo visit.
  
  
• Bring the firearm you intend to carry so the instructor can adjust techniques to your specific model.
  
  
• Progress later through Intermediate, Advanced, and optics-focused classes to maintain momentum.
  
  

Mixing Ammunition Lots or Calibers

Switching bullet weights and brands mid-session makes diagnostics impossible. Shop the dedicated Ammo department where centerfire, rimfire, and shotshell loads are organized by caliber, weight, and price. For recurrent practice choose a single load, say 115-grain 9 mm, and buy multiple boxes from the same lot.

How to avoid the mistake

• Record each lot number in a range diary.
  
  
• Store carry ammunition separately; use training rounds from the Centerfire Handgun Rounds section for consistency.
  
  

Jerking the Trigger and Losing Sight Picture

Most low-left impacts (for right-handed shooters) stem from trigger jerk. The Buck Mark’s single-action trigger and fiber-optic sights provide tactile and visual feedback ideal for mastering a smooth press. Dry-fire at home with a chamber flag, then confirm on the range.

How to avoid the mistake

• Stage the trigger slowly until the break surprises you.
  
  
• Focus on the front sight or red dot throughout the press.
  
  
• Use a blank sheet behind the target to spot subtle muzzle dips.
  
  

Neglecting Proper Eye and Ear Protection

OSHA-verified clean air and lead management do not replace ballistic glasses and hearing protection. Total Impact requires both at all times beyond the safety gate. Annual VIP members receive a five-percent discount on in-store accessories, making it easy to keep fresh lenses and new ear seals on hand.

How to avoid the mistake

• Store a dedicated eye-and-ear kit in your range bag.
  
  
• Replace disposable plugs each session and inspect muffs for worn cushions quarterly.
  
  

Failing to Communicate With Range Staff

Beginners sometimes hide confusion instead of seeking help. The range counter is adjacent to the firing line, and staff can advise on ammunition malfunctions, target controls, or lane settings.

How to avoid the mistake

• Upon check-in, tell staff it is your first or second visit.
  
  
• If a malfunction occurs, unload, lock the action open, and request assistance.
  
  
• Review posted signage about no-shotgun and no-rental policies before setting up.
  
  

Overlooking Range Etiquette

Handling firearms behind the firing line, stepping in front of closed stalls, or failing to police brass interrupts other shooters. Posted rules specify no shotguns or rental guns, plus brass reclamation guidelines.

How to avoid the mistake

• Change distances with the automatic retrieval system rather than walking down-range.
  
  
• Sweep brass into the provided buckets after each relay.
  
  
• Keep muzzle and action visible at all times when leaving the stall.
  
  

Stagnating After the First Month

Skills fade without deliberate practice. A Total Impact V.I.P. membership offers unlimited range visits and a five-percent discount on ammo and accessories, removing cost barriers to weekly sessions.

How to avoid the mistake

• Schedule at least one structured session per week.
  
  
• Alternate drills: one week marksmanship, next week reloads or transitions.
  
  
• Enroll in an Intermediate or Pistol Optics course every quarter to introduce fresh challenges.
  
  

Shooting proficiency grows fastest when you combine sound habits with regular, structured practice. By planning each session, respecting safety rules, choosing sensible firearms and matched ammunition, communicating with staff, and committing to weekly range time, you have everything you need to progress confidently.

Ready to put today’s advice into action?

• Reserve your lane in the climate-controlled Indoor Range and experience the automated 25-yard target system that reviewers praise for comfort and convenience.
  
  
• Secure your seat in the next Basic Pistol Course to master fundamentals under a certified instructor and fast-track your concealed-carry readiness.
  
  
• Join the value-packed V.I.P. Membership for unlimited range visits and exclusive savings on ammunition and accessories, starting at just $199 for six months.
  
  
• Explore the Firearms Catalog to choose a  .22 LR or 9 mm pistol that makes every drill more productive.
  
  

Take these steps today, and your first year at Total Impact Guns & Range will be safe, systematic, and—most importantly—highly enjoyable. The knowledgeable team in Nokomis stands ready to welcome you, answer your questions, and help you avoid the mistakes that hold many beginners back.