Inconsiderate folks at the range.

[thefitzvh]

I was at the range today, and I took two relatively new shooters with me. (One of which is my girlfriend, whom i posted about earlier, I'm getting her a P22, or maybe a ruger P4, she likes both)

Anyways, my friend larry was shooting, and he's getting a lot better, but still not wonderful. So, to save money and targets, I'm having him shoot at the different sections of the silhouette. Right arm, then left arm, etc. Thus, there were shots ALL over the paper.

Anyways, as we're shooting, the two marines next to us say "Who's that"
then I hear
"They're shooting like sh**
then
"It's cuz he's in the air force" (I had my shirt on)

I was so hopping mad, I had to set my weapon down and leave the firing line for a few minutes. I mean, I don't care if someone says I suck, because I can probably show most of em up if I want to. But A.) he said it around newbies, and that probably hurt their feelings, and B.) he made the air force comment.

So, taking the high road, I went back on the range. I put up a target (one of the 100 yard rifle zero targets) and sent it to 10 yards.

Then I went over, took a look at his HK rental, and said "lets see you shoot, devil dog"

He did. He sucked.
I immediately loaded the XD, faced my target, and fired off two magazines as quickly as I could while still reseting my sights on the target. Took me maybe 5 seconds per mag, plus a few seconds of reloading.

This was the result. By no means wonderful, but considering the speed, distance, and size of each bullseye (4 inches or so) he was immediately impressed.

I said "And I am in the AIR FORCE, TOO" and left.


So, has anyone else dealt with jerks like this? I mean, i like most marines I've met, but these hollywood-fresh-out-of-boot cherries really irked me.


What would you all have done in the same situation?

And finally, thanks for letting me rant :-D

James

 

[forquidder]

Poor reaction

Please, not another "poor me" victim thread.
I wasn't aware that high schoolers were allowed to handle and shoot pistols without adult supervision.
Why care what others think and say?
Did they make you look small in front of your girl?
YOU were in the wrong for not ignoring the Marines!
YOU were in the wrong for escalating the situation!
YOU need to look at your own thin skinned reaction!
You are part of the reason why ANTI gunners see everyone with a gun as a hothead!
YOU turned out looking smaller than those hollywood fresh-out-of-boot cherries.
Guns and egos do not mix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[thefitzvh]

read my post again, I have no concern if someone says I suck

NEW SHOOTERS are easily scared away from the sport. This we don't need

it showed complete ignorance on their part.


James

 

[Preacherman]

I'm with you, thefitzvh (BTW, what on earth does that username stand for??? ). It's very bad form indeed to play the mocker at the shooting range, and as you say, newbies can be "put off" (sometimes for life), or even converted to anti's, by stupid comments made by idiot gun-owners. Glad you set them straight in a practical way!

 

[thefitzvh]

thanks preacher... a little more background info.

they weren't owners... they were the typical crowd at the range I shoot at. 18 year old guys who go to the range and rent the biggest guns they have, to show off to their buddies. The ones that rented a .454 casall (spelling) and proceeded to not hit anything.

In terms of my hot head temper, since when does getting angry make you have a temper. I was mad, and a temper would be if I lost it and started screaming at them, pulling rank and other such dumb crap. I left, cooled off, and showed them their place in the scheme of things.

Anyways, my biggest point was that new shooters are scared sometimes, and that service generalizing is dumb. I'm sorry I added the pic of the silhouette because I guess now that seems like my ego was hurt. It wasn't. I am not a great shooter, but I take my craft seriously, and I don't think it proves anything to have a huge revolver kick your butt.

Sorry i'm venting, but if I didn't vent online, I would be a much harder person to get along with.


James

 

[Telperion]

How was the situation "escalated"? How did he act like a "hothead"? I wasn't there, but from thefitzvh's description, there was no shouting or namecalling or violation of the four rules.

Seems like he disabused those guys while doing it in a safe manner. Good shooting too.

 

[DualBerettas]

I agree, i went to take my fiane (now wife) to a range nearby after I bought her a Walther P22.

I put up the target the wrong way and the guy yells at me for it!!! All the guns were down...and everyone was putting up target. He's says to me'first time huh'? then calmed down. MY fiance was turned off...she hadn't really ever shot seriously before and this made her uncomfortable.

Not only do most gun owners not join pro gun groups and get active by writing their congress people...they can be asses too...how are we going to introduce people to our way of life if these bozos can't have a little tact and grow up!

Imagine you've FINALLY convinced an anti-gun leaning person to the range...then they get this crap...or attitude...or he sux...chuckle chuckle...
irks me soooo much. just like when people come over and tell me that my Berettas suck,...or as some ding dong said...'why are you wasting your time shooting a revolver'. ummm...cause it's still sort of a FREE COUNTRY!!!! I don't usually use them for defense but I like to shoot them. Trigger principles still apply...the fact was it was my dad's and I took it to Houston for my uncle, friend, and grandfather to try out. It was an old gun my dad got from his older brother...he had bought it for my aunt who was getting threats as a Houston public school teacher...and eventually they gave my dad the .38 and bought a Winchester chrome Defender. But that's beside the point.

What possible good or point is there to doing such crap...when he said that i looked around and some others were kind of chuckling after looking at their autos/revolvers...

I asked him why they sucked. He said b/c he was in the army blah blah blah...I was invited to shoot the M9/M10 with the 62nd Airforce police at San Antonio, they don't seem to treat their guns as we would!

Besides, I told him they haven't failed my yet and neither did the one I used to have...including 9 cheap USA mags...all flawless...I turned around and kept shooting...and I could see through periphial sp? that he was watching me, so I put my duals through the paces, no hiccups...Then I went to his booth and saw that his precious Glock 22 was jamming on him.

Hmmm I said and walked off. But what is the point of this meaningless bs? can't feel good about yourself unless you put someone down...

I don't do that crap to others...Saw one guy shooting a SW 3919 'gangsta' style and getting better groups at 10 yards than a guy shooting a Wilson Combat custom auto at 7 yards...not my preferred method of shooting but it apparently worked for him.

Seems like we should all be helping each other and fighting the good fight...for our freedoms and our rights...not bickering among other pointless, stupid, and insensitive issues that we criticize the 'sheep' for doing...

DB out

 

[Daedalus]

I restrict my range trips to late thursday afternoons and early evenings so I do not have very much interaction with others at the range. Usually it is just myself and whoever I brought out there. Seems like I am not missing much by keeping to myself.

 

[forquidder]

Lessons unlearned

Hey, didn't your Mom or Dad ever teach you "Don't stoop to their level"?
Take another decade or so and mull it over.
I'm not saying that at times something needs to be done or said but in this case you could have taught a better lesson by just going about your business.

 

[marvl]

forquidder, please, not another "poor you" thread reply.

 

[CZPreB]

There's (a very small amount of) merit on both sides of this impending argument (regarding the conduct of the past almost-argument).

The boys 'escalated' the situation by saying anything at all. thefitzvh 'escalated' the situation by being drawn into a confrontation -- although the methods you chose did not necessarily impair anyone's safety.

This is all armchair theorizing, and I'm usually the one who three hours later goes "That's what I shoulda told him!" but perhaps the most appropriate way to address the situation might've been along the lines of "I have students at the range. If you notice any of my party doing something unsafe with a firearm, please inform me and a range officer immediately."

Personally, I never say anything (unless it's a compliment) to anyone until the range bags are locked up, no matter how unsociable their behavior. If there are a couple knuckleheads hitting the target hangars with every other round and waving their hardware all over the place, I'll call it a day or 'go have a look in the store for a while.' (With a little mention of why I'm not still shooting to the guy at the counter.) I also scan the ticket board when I check in and request a lane next to one of the walls if it's available, so Mr. Concrete has at least one side covered.

Good luck -- hope your newbies weren't as soured as you by the 'incident' -- let's all play nice out there, kids!

 

[P95Carry]

Leaving aside any ''inter-branch'' military rivalry .. the few times I am at a public range like that one .... if i notice anyone who seems like a newbie for some reason, the LAST thing I wish to do is try in any way to demean them .. but then I am an ole fart and perhaps not so aggressive!!

Instead I will, hopefully without seeming to butt in ... offer any help I can . but more than likely I will remain quietly in the wings.

It is totally counter-productive to throw the ''big I-am'' at new shooters ... and totally unnecessary. Not to mention the fact that these sneaky comments most usually come from a$$holes who have much to learn themselves!

 

[rayjay]

I travel alot with the job I have. I sometimes, time permitting, venture to a local range and log alittle trigger time. I found myself in Memphis a short time ago and had some down time so I cruz to the range that was closest.
Turns out they are having an IDPA match that night and the range is closed. I asked if I could shoot the match and the lady behind the counter says sure and asks me if I'm familiar with IDPA matches. I show her my IDPA classification card and she gives me a score sheet and tells me to get suited up before going in(safe area). I suit up with my ears and eyes on and head in. There's about 20 or so shooters all standing around waiting their turn. When I get the chance I hand my sheet to the RO. He asks me if I'm new to IDPA and I tell him I've shot them a couple of times. He tells me that since I'm new I'll shoot next. He steps forward and starts yelling NEW SHOOTER, NEW SHOOTER! All attention is now on me! He quickly goes over the course and asks me if I'm ready. I nod and up to the line we go. As we are walking up there I hear a few guys snickering(how rude). As I step up to the line I think to myself "ok, wise-guys, I'm gonna show you what I got". There were 6 stages, a couple close and the rest about 10 yards or so. I did, short of bragging, pretty darn good. My points and time were low and I was a happy man. When I was finished the RO says "you've gone this a few times before huh? I gave him a sly smile and walk off. I approach the snickering group and ask them "How'd I do guys?" They said nothing as I walked away smiling. I stuck around to see how I did. I wanted to see if I beat the snickering guys.......Yes, yes I did.
I didn't take 1st place in SSP but I just wanted to beat them. It was a good night.

 

[P95Carry]

Kudos rayjay ...... kudos. Nice result. Wish I had been a fly on the wall.!

 

[semf]

The qickest way to ID the guy who knows nothing is to find the guy passing out insolicited advice,
The quickest way to pick out the worst shooter is to find the guy making fun of others skills

Personnally I think Fitz de-escalated the situation by putting those guys in their place in a non threatening, safe manner, If you insult someone in public they should have the right to defend themselves in the same forum.

 

[spacemanspiff]

i make it a point to never say anything disparaging about a fellow shooter, simply because more people are using electronic muffs and could hear everything i say.

 

[TarpleyG]

Sometimes Jarheads are an embarrassment. I was a Marine. I am well educated and can honestly say that comments like that would have never left my lips (unless I knew you and was jabbing you). I see them doing interviews on the news occasionally. The reporters seem to flock to the stupid ones, the ones that make Marines look even more like Neanderthals that most already believe. Trust me, they aren't all that way. Just a few. Sounds like you ran into a couple. Sorry for that. I would have probably done the same as you but you should have made a point in telling them that you had newbies and how this would make them feel.

GT

 

[Ed Brunner]

I would have just ignored them. No sense in trying to ride a dead horse.

 

[YodaVader]

Personnally I think Fitz de-escalated the situation by putting those guys in their place in a non threatening, safe manner, If you insult someone in public they should have the right to defend themselves in the same forum.

I agree as well. I used to live near Camp Lejune , NC where one of the largest Marine bases are located and the range I shot at was usually attended by over 90% Marines. Glad to say that these guys were nothing like the morons that were encountered in the first post. I was able to shoot a lot of different guns during my time at that range - great how fellow gun owners are always willing to let you try out thier hardware!

 

[Tierhog]

Sometimes the best way to shut up a braggert is to be better at what ever they are bragging about. There is nothing more cocky than a young man out of boot camp. I am inclined to overlook some of the more ignorant youthful comments as I know they will someday grow up.

 

[Bill Hook]

What happened to "every Marine a rifleman"? You should've reported them so they would be given remedial marksmanship training and lots of punitive calisthenics.

 

[thefitzvh]

i guess that, while every marine is a rifleman, not every marine is a pistolman.



I've met a whole lot of really outstanding marines. Thankfully, these ones seem to be the minority. Ta heck with em. Some NCO will eventually learn em :-D

James

 

[striker3]

Stupid boots...

Ya, I've had to chew out more than one boot because they thought that being a Marine automatically made them better than everyone else at everything.

Glad you showed them up in such a spectacular manner, they sometimes need to have their bubbles burst. I hope that they learned their lesson and have learned a little bit of humility.

BTW, what range was this? Ironsights?

Maybe we should get together sometime and you could show me up. From the looks of your target, you are probally better than me, but who knows, I might suprise myself

 

[Zundfolge]

I must be extremely lucky because I've NEVER run into rude shooters. At worse, I have no interaction with other people at the range, but at best I end up talking to friendly, helpful people (and maybe get to shoot a gun I've never shot before).

As such I've always had the opinion that shooters is good people.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Interbranch rivalry will exist long after we're dust.

Had some folks laughing at my buddy and me. We were hitting the dirt at 25 yards. What they couldn't see were the 3" greenish-brown toy soldiers we were shooting at. Of course we're hitting the dirt and darn pretty close to those soldiers. We'd hit them too and if there wasn't dismemberment, it would go sailing across the berm. This was before Toy Story came out. Now I feel guilty.