[natedog]

Some people at the range a couple of weeks ago were really getting on my nerves. I was shooting a Colt Officers Model .38 Special, and was plinking on metal gong targets at about 15 yards. Then, some guys about 20ish came up with tricked sig's and 1911's. They immediatly give me arched eyebrows, quiet chuckles between themselves, and shoaking there head in disapproval. Then, they proceed to rapidly empty their guns into the targets, fastfastfastfast. I took up there challenge and started to fire as fast and as accurate as possible, even though it was stupid and immature. we were hitting the same number of targets, but they were firing more shots and had faster reloads. after finishing a box, i decided to shoot the mini 14 and as i walk past them, i heard a hushed remark to the effect of "now thats outdated" and "maybe if he go new hardware, he would be able to run with the big boys".

Disclaimer: I am not, in anyway, calling all auto owners snobs

[Hal]

nate,
hehe, don't let em bother ya. I get the same treatment only worse w/my Model 17 .22 cal. @least you were using a "grown up" caliber, not a "kiddie kaliber" like a .22. That's the usual comment I get. Like in "Yeah, but I bet ya can't do that with a REAL gun".

Fortunatly,,,for me anyhow,,, I keep either a Stoger 12 ga SXS coach gun broken down, or the old S&W 4" model 29 in the range bag. A few rapid fire chambers of full house .44mags out of the 4" tube,,,,or a few rounds of S&B 00Buck out of the coach gun,,,ring their ears bad enough that they quiet down.:evil: :evil:

[caz223]

I don't let the fashion police on the range bother me.
They have their agenda, I have mine.
Ten misses isn't firepower, no matter who says it is.
I've also noticed that the people who shut up long enough to shoot, usually shoot better.
And people who shoot well, usually don't bother 'old-timers', because they were trained by them.

[El Tejon]

Fashion Police? LOL.:D

[Arub]

As far as I know, we don't have that kind of individual at our club. There may be one or two, but I haven't run across them yet. We may run the plates with autochuckers or revolvers, but we don't make snide remarks about the choices other shooters make.

When I first joined, I was real self concious. The first IDPA match I went to everyone else had Glocks ($5-600) or Sigs ($$$). I carried a lowly Ruger P95 ($300). No comments or snide remarks.


We enjoy each other's company, share experiences and knowledge and provide encouragement to each other. Occaisionally we will run across a range hog, but for the most part we cooperate with each other and modify our shooting to include whoever shows up.

[Erich]

I've seen the type. I own fancy guns, but I own a lot of not fancy guns, too. Not only that, it turns out that I've handled more guns than most folks and I'm a pretty good shot. Still, there's a simple answer to their loudmouthing:

Outshooting them while using your non-froufy gun is the best revenge. :D

[HSMITH]

I am snobby, but in the reverse. When Mr Tactical shows up in his BDU pants and a unit that he was never in T-shirt with a hi-cap something black in 9mm and an AR with lights and lazers and a scope and crap hanging off of it everywhere and a Benelli with a light and a heat shield and a mag extension and a side saddle and a sling ammo carrier and a butt cuff and a who knows what else I usually laugh out loud. It is really pretty funny when the guy can't hit himself in the arse with an unfolded road map, his "superior" gear obviously does not make him a shooter.

He will rattle off 300 rounds in a couple of "drills", and feel totally satisfied even though he got nearly ZERO effective practice. Most of them do handle gun safely so I leave them alone.

One noticed my upturned eyebrow at some of his "tactics" and challenged me to shoot better. There was a discussion, and I finally agreed to shoot and show him that I was not guessing when I advised him. I asked if we were to shoot his gear or mine, he thought his gear would put me at a disadvantage, but a 92FS, a fairly stock Bushy AR and an 870 are easy to shoot. I am guessing that this guy is a budding Mr Tactical from the simplicity of his gear. We shot rifle first at 100 yards, 5 rounds offhand 5 rounds kneeling 5 rounds prone and 5 rounds any way we wanted in the head of the target. My groups were less than 1/4 the size of his, it was a nice rifle and had a great trigger. He looked at my wheel gun, the only one I had out at the time and figured the pistol would be where he could gain on me. Well, at 25 yards we were WELL past the effective range of this guy. He packed his stuff without a word and left, I have not seen him since. Too bad his attitude is so poor, with his energy he could have gotten worlds better with some focused practice instead of blasting off ammo.

[Tamara]

Boy, between paying attention to all the "guys with outdated equipment", "tactical posers", "range snobs" and whatnot, how do y'all get any shooting done? :p ;)


(natedog, anybody who "makes fun" of a revolver is ignernt and should be simply ignored. Heck anybody who makes fun of other shooters or their gear has some issues in my book... :uhoh: )

(Unless the person's decked out like a total mall ninja. That is kinda funny. :D )

[El Tejon]

nate, just remember that it is the person, not the pistol, that matters. The Iwannacoolgun virus is horrific as it makes people believe that their magic sword does their shooting for them.

Learning to deal with these people is part of growing up. As Tamara mentions those with maturity/education rarely, if ever, comment on another's weapon and usually only if asked. As Erich and others have said, shooting well is the best revenge.:D

[280PLUS]

ive come to the conclusion that guitars and guns have a lot in common.

fr'instance a good guitar player can take any piece o' junk guitar and make it sound good, while you can put a really good guitar in a lousy guitarist's hand and it will sound, well, lousy.

the same holds true for guns i think...

its not what you shoot, its how well you shoot it.

far as i'm concerned anyway...

;)

besides, friggin ammo costs too much to be all wasting it like that:rolleyes:

[critter]

I've sent a few home from the range myself!!!! Not saying a word to do it! One was a guy with a new Browning BAR in .300 mag with a $8-900 scope who just knew it was the most super accurate death ray ever invented. I outshot him with a home made 'custom' gun on an old 98 mauser action in 25-06 that cost about HALF WHAT HIS SCOPE cost and looked like crap. BURNED him UP! Hehe.

Same deal-not a word. Guy had a slick new 30-30 he could shoot 5-gallon bucket groups at 100 yds. Drug out my TC contender super 14 in 30-30 and shot him a 1.5" group. He left.

High dollar equipment is nice but if they can't use it, it is a wallhanger!

Life is good!

[firestar]

I have only had this happen to me once. I was shooting next to a guy who had several high dollar 1911s and I was shooting my SIG 220. He made some comments about how I should get a "real" .45 and proceeded to show me everyone of his decked out and custom 1911s, I listened politly but I was bored, I am not that big of a fan of 1911s, one is pretty much the same as the next to me. Anyway, he wanted to show me how to shoot so he put on a "clinic". He put a 6" target out about 10-12 yards and got about a 6" group.:rolleyes: He splattered them all over the target in not particular pattern, he did this with several of his guns and his handloads.

I don't show off because I am not good enough to impress anyone worth impressing and there is no point in making someone that is not as good as you feel bad but this guy had a big mouth and I didn't think he would ever shut up so I shot my target with my SIG at the same distance and had a nice ragged hole to show him. I made sure I laid the target on the side of the bench facing him so he would have to look at it the rest of the time he was there. SIGs are good guns and they are known for being accurate, I guess this guy didn't know that.

That attitude is somewhat common amoung the 1911 crowd I have seen (this does not include the target shooters who use 1911s, just the range monkeys and tactical posers). They think they can buy skill. They really don't know much about guns so they choose based on price, gun yuppies.:rolleyes: The sad thing is, they often have really nice guns but the quality and accuracy is wasted on them.:rolleyes:

[caz223]

That reminds me of a time I outshot a bunch of kids that didn't think I should be on the rifle range.
I did a quick warm up at 25 yards with my red dotted 4 5/8" blackhawk 41 mag, and since I was shooting good at pistol ranges, I went to the combined 50/100 yard rifle range.
There were a few younger guys hanging around playing with their scoped 30/30 on a rest.
I called for an all-clear, and put up some paper plates (They had good targets), and left my well-worn (Ok, ratty looking) blackhawk on the table.
They kinda started talking amongst themselves like that short-barreled ratty looking piece of junk could hit anything.
I shot a quick warm-up group, and we went to check our targets.
I missed the plate once, but had a respectable 4 inch 5 shot group. (About what they did with a scoped rifle FROM A REST!!)
Over the next half hour they took turns trying to beat me.
I even got them to shoot offhand instead of using a rest. (You gonna drag that rest out in the woods?)
My groups started getting tighter, and none of them were used to holding that rifle offhand. Their groups slowly got worse.
They were saying something like "It must be the scope".
That's when I thought to myself why would you scope a 30/30 anyway, if you have good eyes.
I didn't say anything.

[Okiecruffler]

Just the other day at the range I overheard a guy remark to his buddy that my snubby .357 was okay as long as you didn't have to hit anything with it or needed more than 5 shots. After I put about 20 rds into a 4 inch circle at 15 yrds, his bubby wandered over to take a look, even ran a few rounds thru it himself. Turns out he was really wanting a snubby, but his friend was pushing him to buy a Glock. Still, just happy to have them in the fold. As long as their safe and responsible, my attitude toward other gun owners is, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend"

[Standing Wolf]

I've noticed lots of snobs seem to have lots of doubts about themselves. It's fine with me if they do, but I'd prefer they keep such things to themselves.

[Peetmoss]

I like autoloaders but I would never look at anyone funny or give an attitude to anyone shooting something diffrent. I usually ask about the persons firearms, and hope they give me a chance to shoot them. I intern offer them the chance to shoot any of my firearms. I have found that everyone involved ends up enjoying trying something new to them. I love talking to the black pouder guys about there rifles and they really like shooting my Glock and my AR15.:D

[Blueduck]

My exprience most like Peetmoss I suppose,

When I brought my Glock 17 with hi-caps the 30-30 or revolver guys liked shooting it, maybe thought I was "Tactical" but were nice.

When I had my model 19's out shooting them I ran into a couple of guys one with a Beretta 92FS the other with a Sig 226, both liked the 19's and but thought I was bit "cowboy":)

I've never had a "challendge match" at the range. Most of the guys just shoot the targets (and bull) talk of skill is normally self depricating. Good crowd I guess:D

[WonderNine]

I catch myself making snide remarks about peoples choice of firearms alot, such as the jamamatic 9mm Hi-Point pistol I encountered and fixed for some guy the other night at the range, but I try not to make a "fashion statement" just constructive criticism. :cool:

[coonan357]

Nate , I had someone litterally say the same thing , they said they could reload faster than me ( unknowing to them my 686 has full moon clips :D ) if you practice reloads and aiming who cares what people have to say the only person you have to impress is yourself .

[355sigfan]

I enjoy shooting all kinds of guns. There is a time to bring out the antiques and shoot them. I love shooting my Colt Cowboy and eagerly await the arrival of a 8 inch blue Python I ordered. For serious business however I strap on an auto. I don't feel bad about letting a small 38 Centenial keep my Kimber 1911 company however.
PAT

[Tamara]

There is a time to bring out the antiques and shoot them. ... For serious business however I strap on an auto.

I think some of these guys have been shooting at the same range as you before. :scrutiny:

;)

[355sigfan]

One of the few perks about being a cop is I don't have to share the range with just anyone. Not that we have much of a range where I am at. its more of a 100 yard hole in the ground. One of the more recent times I was at a civilian range I was changing targets after calling a clear and rounds started going off. Made me glad I brought my pistol down range with me. That was an unsupervised range. I don't care for the supervised civiliams ranges either because its difficult to shoot qualification courses and do things like shooting on the move.

PAT

[Tamara]

I've spent some time at the po-po lanes with pals. There's no lack of gun stupidity there, either. Must be nicer up your way.

Mostly I prefer my back yard, but ORSA out in Oak Ridge is pretty nice. Haven't seen anything dumb happen in the few times I've been out there.

[355sigfan]

I work in a small enough place that I am usually the only one at the range when I am there unless I brought someone with me. Yes your right we have out share of stupid people in the leo world.
PAT

[sm]

Its the shooter not the platform.

I have some friends that can out-shoot/out-reload with revolver, me with a semi. These fellows have a lot of time, experience, and rds downrange over the years. I admire and respect them.

[jolly roger]

My best fun at the range was when I outshot a guy with a Rem.700 Police 308 with a Springfield Armory top of the line scope. I was shooting a Browning 1885 High Wall single shot in 45-70 with buckhorn sights. That thing is SCARY accurate. Ain't no way it is getting a scope though.

[mohican]

I ran into this when I carried a handgun and the rest of the group carried shotguns for deer season.

Just keepin your mouth shut, and succeeding when most of them didn't, was good revenge.

You see this in a lot of endeavors, fords vs chevy's, John Deer vs IH, etc.

It's even part of the fun, as long as the people don't turn into cannibals.

[kalibear45]

I'd like to see the same people try and shoot a .44 magnum revolver standing up at a target distance of 25yds and see if they hit paper :D

[Poohgyrr]

Some folks do have an attitude in life. Hopefully they learn and change before anything serious happens. Otherwise, they will make their bed, and have to lay in it. The best revenge is to shoot well and smile.

[MoNsTeR]

Show up to the range with a 22yr old face, a Black Sabbath t-shirt and a flannel, and the tactical types raise an eyebrow.

Pull out a S&W 686 and a couple of boxes of handloads, and the other eyebrow comes up.

Print 2" groups at 15yds and they pack up and leave ;)

Sometimes there are some friendly types (usually wheelgunners) who make smalltalk. The best times though, are when I get the chance to help someone who's "patterning" at 7yds, especially when they're twice my age :D

[Frohickey]

I would have just gotten a few of my friends with muzzleloaders, and fired upwind of them. :D :D :D

[Dr.Rob]

Sorry if the yahoos got you down.

I for one have noticed that many "old timers" shooting SW model 10's with no finish left on them shoot the ten ring out of their targets with alarming regularity.

I've never had anyone make fun of my gear (unless you count my .25 Colt Vest Pocket Mous-er), though I've had a LOT say.. man what is THAT? Can I see it? Can I shoot it?

Yeah.. why not? Good way to make a friend at the range.

[Detachment Charlie]

Arriving at the county outdoor range just in time for it to go cold for target replacement, I stapled-up a target on the 15 yd. line and sat back waiting for the line to go "hot." Noticing the guy next to me had a super nice, super custom, super melt-down, super big-buck 1911 on the bench, I commented, "Nice piece."

The line went hot. I stepped up, took out my 2" S&W Mod. 10 with a Tyler grip, holster wear and grips worn smooth from years of carry and use and dumped six in the 10 ring.
When the line went cold again, Mr. Custom 1911, looked over at me and commented, "Serious piece."
:D

[JPM70535]

I never cease to be amazed at the number of Shooters who think if they don't have at least 15 shots available, they are under gunned. Several times I have been shooting my Smith 357 J frame and had them remark how with five rounds I was seriously under gunned. A few five shot strings into a paper plate at 15 yards rapid fire usually stops the comments.

Five hits are much better than 15 misses any day and I venture a guess that 5 WW Silvertips will take the wind out of any BGs sails.

[Old Fuff]

I once watched a friend outshoot a loudmouth sitting at a bench with a 30-30, while using an old Colt Single Action .45 at a marked 100 yards. Take your .38 and learn to shoot well at 50 yards and further. Most of the shellshucker crowd can't hit a barn door at ranges over 20 yards. Of course they're exceptions, but most of the good shooters aren't wiseguys.

[caz223]

There is almost no greater satisfaction than beating somebody running his mouth with a rifle in an accuracy contest with a old fashioned revolver.

[Stainz]

My wife and I had to drive 35 miles to an outdoor state-managed range on a 2.4 mile dirt road. As hunting season approaches, the range becomes more dangerous due to lack of supervision and neophyte annual shooters. I bought a membership at an indoor range - they went bust with over six months of my membership left. I joined the FOP Range in Pleasant Grove, AL... shotting mecca. Eight ranges; rifle, pistol, falling plates, rebounding plates, IDPA. An A/C store with fat pills, sodas, ammo, and even reloading supplies - and indoor bathroom! A rangemaster to keep order... paved road, even. Sadly, still 33 miles from here. I spent so much time there, they hired me to help on the public line during pre-hunting season madness.

Many 'annual hunters' will go buy a new currently-in-vogue big buck (neat phrase) rifle - and expensive scope - for that once a year hunt. The little white-tails are impressed by those Weatherby's, etc... but more of them drop annually to a .30-30 than anything else. They bring it out to a range - and expend many $ in ammo trying to 'zero' a poorly mounted scope, often not knowing the basics of shooting/trigger control. We had a 10" steel plate at 110 yd for 'testing' after zeroing on paper. Many would never 'ring' it. I would hand them my 336W .30-30, $269 at a discount store with an $8.99 box of Remington ammo and with a Williams FP peep sight and four out of five would hit the plate on the first round, the holdout usually on the second shot. I would then pick up my 4" 625 (.45ACP) and hit the plate3-4 times out of 6 (Practice helps...), proof that you can hit the plate with anything if you learn to shoot.

I think the best medecine - or lesson - is by our example. Show them what you can do with a proper revolver. Don't worry about high capacity and fast reloads, shoot well. If five rounds in a revolver won't get you out of trouble, you probably needed a crew-served weapon.

Stainz (a reformed/previous bottom-feeder fan)

[243_shooter]

If five rounds in a revolver won't get you out of trouble, you probably needed a crew-served weapon.

That's a classic line, I love it!

I'll have to remember that when my friends give me more grief about my auto that *only* holds 10 rds :uhoh:

Leo