Are you a Range Rat?
- Thread starter Redlg155
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You go to enough matches you won't get to stand around talking, they'll give you a timer or a clipboard. 
SharpsDressedMan
member
I snagged 428 9mm, 2 .45's, and 3 .40's the other day. Thanks to whoever you were! And I didn't have to talk to anyone. It was raining, and no one was there.
CountryUgly
Member
I always keep to myself except this one time. A guy 2 benches over pulled a Barrett .50bmg out of the back of his truck and then well everybody stopped what they were doing and had to ask to see. The guy was awesome about it and after a few minutes of show and tell offered to let whoever wanted to shoot it to have a go at it. I was like wow me first! He then very politely explained how expensive it was to operate and asked if I had a problem paying for the rounds I shot. I had zero problem with it. So for $10 bucks a round he let everyone have a turn. That guy made a killing. My hat is off to him for sharing his toy and again for being such a smart business man.
Captaingyro
Member
Wish I had the time to be a range rat...
ol' scratch
Member
You fire at an average rate of one round per hour.--No
You know exactly what everyone has in their collection.--No
You squirrel away every piece of brass you find, no matter how obscure the caliber.---OH YEAH.
They went ahead and just gave you your own key.---Yes
You are the only one there during the superbowl.---Absolutely because the SUPERBOWL AND WATCHING FOOTBALL SUCKS!!!
You know EVERYTHING, including a history breif (Brief I before E....) for the unsuspecting that may look like a newbie.---I do know some "stuff" but keep it to myself unless asked.
You know exactly what everyone has in their collection.--No
You squirrel away every piece of brass you find, no matter how obscure the caliber.---OH YEAH.
They went ahead and just gave you your own key.---Yes
You are the only one there during the superbowl.---Absolutely because the SUPERBOWL AND WATCHING FOOTBALL SUCKS!!!
You know EVERYTHING, including a history breif (Brief I before E....) for the unsuspecting that may look like a newbie.---I do know some "stuff" but keep it to myself unless asked.
ol' scratch
Member
LeonCarr
Member
Usually I am at the range to work on a particular skillset, sight in a firearm, or test handloads. I try to get my shooting "work" done before the fun shooting.
Not much time to talk.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Not much time to talk.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
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RCArms.com
Member
I shoot on my own acreage and police my own brass, so I guess that makes me a Range Rat of sorts.
Lex Luthier
Member
Rule #1: EVERYTHING in moderation, especially when it is a new potentially expensive (and dangerous) hobby.
Rule #2: Research: Read books, watch videos, hang around and ask questions, but avoid the loud guys who act like they know everything and seek out the humble experienced men who are clearly letting the loud guys waste their breath.
Rule #3: Once you have a sure grip on this new hobby, be smart, keep learning, graciously help others who are behind you on the learning curve, and especially don't be a stereotypical idiot. Realize and observe the difference between healthy interest and obsession.
Good luck.
Rule #2: Research: Read books, watch videos, hang around and ask questions, but avoid the loud guys who act like they know everything and seek out the humble experienced men who are clearly letting the loud guys waste their breath.
Rule #3: Once you have a sure grip on this new hobby, be smart, keep learning, graciously help others who are behind you on the learning curve, and especially don't be a stereotypical idiot. Realize and observe the difference between healthy interest and obsession.
Good luck.
kcshooter
Member
I absolutely do this. You'd be surprised at the small baggies with one and two pieces of brass I have.
I DEFINITELY do this, and am proud of it.
Don't care about watching sports on TV at all. OK, I still watch the XGames for a week in the summer, but other than that, I'm out.
Ever had the entire range to yourself? I have.
parsimonious_instead
Member
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I'm not a sports guy at all, but I do enjoy the Super Bowl, mostly as an excuse to have friends over and eat a lot of snacks and drink a lot of soda.
I have yet to have to wait for a lane at my local range, and I've gone there at just about every conceivable time. Luckily(?) for me, shooting is only now on an upswing in the area, so I don't expect to have to wait. I'm also self-employed, and my usual routes literally take me past the front gate at least 2-3 times a week.
I am a bit of a "range rat" - on slow business days, I often end up there just to chew the fat with the guys. I don't collect brass or anything else, in fact the one guy who seems to scoop up everything classifiable as a "metal" on the periodic table is on the cusp of getting on everyone's nerves - not because he's scooped up their brass, but the manner in which he collects it is... a bit gauche.
Admittedly, I sometimes do a bit of a "slow walk" past people to see what they're shooting. During firing breaks, I'll say hello and fairly often end up letting them try my stuff, or vice-versa (I always offer up my own ammo when I try their gun, and refuse theirs if they try mine). I'm never obnoxious about it, and if the person looks hyper-focused or just plain not friendly, I won't even extend more than a friendly nod.
kcshooter
Member
Yeah, but I mean, the entire RANGE to yourself.
When I cease firing, it's a cease fire! How cool is that?
(OK to be honest, that's also happened to me when it was 101 degrees out, but it wasn't nearly as satisfying)
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I just go to the range to hang out. I rarely ever shoot my weapons. I talk to every shooter down the line. I constantly critique their shooting stance, grip, and trigger manipulation because there are so many novice shooters(and many experienced shooters out there) that really don't know what they are doing. I get to shoot a lot of guns this way. Most people don't use the correct ammunition or bullet weights for the gun/caliber they are shooting and need to learn about ballistics and bullet drop. I freely share my knowledge with others. Sometimes they aren't that receptive, but I know that I'm getting through. I just don't understand why so many people shoot 1911s and ARs, they are out-dated and I often suggest better options for them. Of course this post was a joke.
parsimonious_instead
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Oh, that's the part I forgot to mention. Since I often pop in on a weekday between client appointments, about 1/3 of the time I'm the only one there!
TenDriver
Member
I was one to an extent. The college I started out at was near the range. I had an 0800 class, but I'd get up extra early to be at the range when the sun came up. First time I did this there were 5 to 8 guys ranging from my dad's age to my grandfather's age out there with a camp stove making coffee, bacon, eggs, etc. I grabbed my 22, picked a bench and began firing my single shot.
The next day, same thing, except after 2 or 3 rounds, one of the guys came over and informed me there would be no shooting. I was welcome to join them for coffee and breakfast, but they were having their morning "meeting", which was coffee, breakfast, and cleaning up the range. I guess after seeing me two mornings in a row they decided I wasn't going to get in their way again. Now, this is a state owned public range. They can't exactly stop me from shooting, but I wasn't about to argue with guys doing a good deed.
Within a few years, the range had some serious improvements done to it with State money. I remain convinced that guys like this are the reason the improvements were done. Free help to keep the range nice means more finds available for improvements.
I made it a habit to continue going out there early and picking up the trash with those guys. I'd go back after my 2 hour class and they were all still there, shooting this time. I only had my single shot 22, but at the time ammo was cheap and you had the chance to shoot nearly everyone's gun out there. I still practice that even though it costs a lot more. Sometimes you can really put a smile on a kid's face letting him shoot your 44 Mag or a vet fire your Garand.
The next day, same thing, except after 2 or 3 rounds, one of the guys came over and informed me there would be no shooting. I was welcome to join them for coffee and breakfast, but they were having their morning "meeting", which was coffee, breakfast, and cleaning up the range. I guess after seeing me two mornings in a row they decided I wasn't going to get in their way again. Now, this is a state owned public range. They can't exactly stop me from shooting, but I wasn't about to argue with guys doing a good deed.
Within a few years, the range had some serious improvements done to it with State money. I remain convinced that guys like this are the reason the improvements were done. Free help to keep the range nice means more finds available for improvements.
I made it a habit to continue going out there early and picking up the trash with those guys. I'd go back after my 2 hour class and they were all still there, shooting this time. I only had my single shot 22, but at the time ammo was cheap and you had the chance to shoot nearly everyone's gun out there. I still practice that even though it costs a lot more. Sometimes you can really put a smile on a kid's face letting him shoot your 44 Mag or a vet fire your Garand.
Cluster Bomb
Member
I have my own range, wife picks up my brass, god bless her
jrkirby
Member
Range Rat? I might not fit all your requirements for the title, but I do like to grab a bit of brass if it's available. If someone has an interesting gun I'll usually approach them during a cease fire and chat a bit. If someone seems to be safety conscious and interested I'll off to let them try my guns if they like. I work at a local gun shop so usually people will ask me a few questions about new guns and sales if they recognize me, but that's about it.
I would have told him where to stick that camp stove.
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