Gun Range Officer - Total Jerk

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MrAnteater

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What a terrible experience at the Island Lake range in Brighton MI.

I've never seen an a-hole guy like this:

- Before we even walk in he starts ranting and raving about a guy who had just left.
- Screams at another guy for "sweeping" him when the barrel end was still pointed at the ground.
- Complained when I would adjust a sand bag around between shots to get a more comfortable position.
- Complained we were firing a semi-auto rifle too fast when we clearly were shooing very slow, less than 1 shot per second or two.

To top it off, this dude got off on bossing men around. Its one thing to have a bad day but this guy was totally unprofessional and he had a chip on his shoulder the whole time. I will never go back to that place.
 
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The not the State Range is it? If thats the area you live in I'm sorry try North of Flint or come down to Down River and theres a few. I'm trying to go the the State Range this summer(I think its in Kensington).
 
I'd wonder if this is a place you'd been to before, and if so, is this new behavior, or a new employee? Also, do they have range rules that specifically prohibit adjustment of a sandbag with a loaded weapon on top, or mandate that there must be 3 seconds in between shots? If so, I'd suggest politely that you're breaking their stated rules. If not, I'd suggest equally politely that this RO is a little off, and should be reported to his supervisor(s), with the expectation that you won't be hassled in the same unprofessional manner the next time you visit.
 
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Abbreviations for bad language are still bad language, know what I mean?

It's annoying to not have a good time at the range. Sorry it wasn't your cup of tea.

You know, when a RO tells me something, I just do it. No arguing. Even if I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the RO is wrong. But at the cease fire, or after packing up my firearms, when there aren't loaded weapons in the mix, is the right time to bring it up. "Say, I might be mixed up about the rules... did they change, or did I misunderstand them? Here's why I'm asking... I wanted to adjust the sand bags while I was shooting..."

Edited to add: The original poster didn't give any indication that he did anything other than what I do :) Just saying...
 
I'm sorry you had such a bad range experience. I'm usually glad that my range doesn't have a range officer. For the most part everyone is responsible. There was one time I wish we had a safety officer, but I left and I haven't seen the offending person since then.
 
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Ok Ok, I fixed my post. Sorry PC police.

I've been shooting for 30 years and had never had an experience like this. This guy was a moron and had no business working with the public.
 
Well, my gay gun friends are all VERY concerned about safety... Then again, so are my straight gun friends.

I'm guessing that the original poster might have just been summarily thrown off of a lot of ranges...
 
Thanks. You are a gentleman! Could ya, would ya, fix the other part, if you don't mind? Off-color language, even misspelled, is still off-color language. Minors read the site. And, tell ya the truth, I kind of like how clean the language is here myself.
 
That sucks. Range I just joined is awesome! I qualified on the indoor rimfire range when I was getting my orientation another range member gave me a box of better ammunition than I had. it was great. had a chat about different guns and whatnot, it was great fun.
 
Range officers are 99% of the time jerks. Why? They don't want to accidentily get shot the one time they forget to yell at someone for breaking a rule...

I don't like it either (only shoot in my backyard or NFS now) but, I'd rather deal with a Jerk then not be able to shoot at all (as has been the case in other living situations).
 
You can always buy some land and shoot on your own property if you don't like the rules...

It does sound like he might have been over the top with the rules...but that's why I don't go to public/private ranges. I don't want someone telling me that 1 shot per second is rapid fire.

I'd probably get kicked off most ranges as well, as I try and use my time to practice drills and techniques that might actually do me some good one day. I hate shooting from a bench at a stationary target...what's the point? You'll never have that scenario outside of the range.
 
I'd probably get kicked off most ranges as well, as I try and use my time to practice drills and techniques that might actually do me some good one day. I hate shooting from a bench at a stationary target...what's the point? You'll never have that scenario outside of the range.
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I couldn't agree more. I tend to patronize ranges that allow such activity. Though, I take into consideration how busy a range is, and how many people are in my immediate vicinity before doing drills and such.
 
I love how politically correct our big group of conservative guys is.
Seriously guys..... every time anything is even mildly off color... "THAT'S NOT HIGH ROAD....RAWR". It's not a cult guys, and I'm with the group that says there are a lot of high and mighty types in here. Chill out.
And even though I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle, and I see it as compensation for something that happened earlier on in an individuals like..... it's not my job to judge, and it's not my job to be cruel. Sexism, Racism, and even gay bashing should not be part of any of our lifestyles. you can hate whatever you want, but you do not have the right to be a jerk about it.
So to everyone in here.... step back and chill out. Stop flexing your "cyber balls" and just shake hands and call it a day.
Calm down.

Also, we have no way of knowing if this guy was a jerk, or if out poster was a jerk at the range. I have a feeling it was a mix of both. We weren't there though. All we can suggest is that if he had a bad visit, that he not go back. If we hear more stories like this, we know he's full of it and he's a trouble maker.

Just not worth the time it takes to correct everyone's grammar, give them politically correct lectures, and all of that. Callllllm down.
 
I recently had one RO who felt the need to yell "fire in the hole" whenever someone cycled their bolt and got ready to fire. It got to be like nails on a chalkboard after the first 20 minutes.
 
Give the OP a break

Good greif here folks some of you have the wolf pack mentality of complaints about anything or any one.
Not High Road. Suggest you edit.
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why whats wrong with that?
Funny, everyone I know calls that rapid fire.
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not in my book
Abbreviations for bad language are still bad language, know what I mean?
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what is this fcc regs here? Where are all of you for the numerous "SHTF" threads?

Range Officers are jerks are such because of various reasons but the one that makes them that way the most is they were given an ounce of authority often times absolute authority and thay take that ounce as though it were a ton. I got kicked off a range because a Ro told me I could not shoot in a particular lane for no other reason than "because I said so"

So stop down playing the op cant he blow off some steam plenty of others do and I dont see any of you picking on their threads!
 
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Yeah, with the nightmare stories you guys tell of little men given a little bit of power, it makes me glad my range doesn't have any such creatures prowling the line. Some of the rules I've heard are plain crazy.
 
I shoot alone or accompanied only by close friends as often as I can in order to avoid jerks of any type...ROs or shooters.
 
I frequently RSO at our clubs range when it is open to the public. Yes we have some socially challenged RSO's too but some of us do our best to see that shooters have a safe and good time. My #1 priority is keeping things safe though. The guy you dealt with sounds like he was one of the socially challenged types.

A few tips that might improve the experience next time

-All ranges are different and have their rules that were made for their specific situation.

-Being a range master can be scary. It doesn't take long to realize the it is better to be cautious first and nice later.

-Sweeps happen, don't excuse it by saying "its not loaded." Acknowledge and correct the mistake, even apologize if it might soothe things a bit and pay more attention. At our range UP and downrange are the only safe directions for firearms. We have a bullet hole in the range master's podium from an "unloaded" gun that was being put back into its case... Always be aware of the muzzle.

-Don't treat the range like a gravel pit. We are constantly fighting to keep the doors open. A shot that leaves the range can get us shut down.

-If you get a new gun, even if it is 'bore sighted" don't take it to the 300, 200 or even 100 yard line for the first shots. Start at 25, confirm zero and then work up the line. Every hunter sight in we have at least a half dozen guys a day that waste a box of ammo at the 100 yard line without hitting the paper. At today's ammo prices it just makes sense and most range masters appreciate not having to worry where the shots that didn't hit the paper went. You'd be amazed how many guys think they are snipers because they have a scope on their rifle.

-Forgive me for stereo typing or profiling but as a group the AK / SKS guys are among the most difficult to deal with. AK/SKS shooters aren't as concerned with accuracy, few can even hit paper beyond 50 yards and convincing them that ripping a mags worth as fast as they can at our range is not a good idea. There are of course exceptions but I am more attentive on the commy gun guys until they prove me wrong.

-When working the slide turn your body if necessary to keep the muzzle pointing down range rather than down the line.

-If you aren't 100% sure it is OK to do something, ask.

Most of us are shooting enthusiasts and enjoy sharing the experience with others. I'd rather deal with someone who knows nothing and is willing to learn than someone who knows it all before they've even read our rules.
 
-Forgive me for stereo typing or profiling but as a group the AK / SKS guys are among the most difficult to deal with. AK/SKS shooters aren't as concerned with accuracy, few can even hit paper beyond 50 yards and convincing them that ripping a mags worth as fast as they can at our range is not a good idea. There are of course exceptions but I am more attentive on the commy gun guys until they prove me wrong.
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Wow! I thought I was the only one that noticed this. Although this is a whole new thread have you thought of why this is? My thoughts.....culture, IMO the majority of folks that but these are with out means. Because of that they are lesser educated all they know is it must me good there is a bunch of them around. They are also predisposed to like commy rifles becaust the American government keeps them down. This does not apply to all but for the owners I know or have seen the majority fall into this group.
 
I'd say most RO's are firm, but fair. When I first started shooting, the range I learned at had pistol on one side, rifle on the other. It was late fall so the hunters were sighting in their sticks.

After a while someone would ask for a target change, and the RO would verify "Range Cold". No one could step in front of the white line, no fondling of the guns.

One guy didn't heed the rule and with people downrange proceeded to work the bolt on his rifle. Holy cow, that nice gentlemanly RO turned into a snarling tiger and had it out with the belligerent hunter dude. Words were traded, a threat of arrest from the police was presented, the guy backed down.

And that was my first taste of firearms ownership!
 
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