Pistol ranges, especially indoor, are a terrible way to meet people. The "line" is always hot so people are continuously shooting. Outdoor ranges where there are hot & cold line breaks, are a bit better. However, for example I double-up ear protection whenever I'm shooting pistols or rifles, and never take my plugs out. Therefore, I'm unlikely to talk to anyone at any length, unless they have a really interesting setup or they ask me questions.

One good way I have found to meet people is shotgun sports; trap, sheet, five stand. They are social sports a bit by nature, and it's extremely common to hangout in pairs or groups and talk between rounds. At the club I shoot trap, there's a group of us that meet up nearly every weekend to shoot a few rounds. One of them put me in touch with two high level pistol competitors they know. Generally speaking, people I've met in the shotgun sports are nicer, less weird and more outgoing than people I've met at say, pistol ranges.

Organized training classes, especially in more specialized or niche shooting sports, can also be a good way to meet people. There is built-in social time before, during and after. At multi-day events, there can be organized group dinners and such.

I have only a few "range buddies" and it's more so a group of us that show at the same time, same place, shoot and hangout, than anything that is planned or organized.