kingdomassassin
Member
A USMC recruit at Parris Island once decided that he's had enough, turned completely around, and began snapping-in on one of his Drill Instructors.
Dumbest thing you've seen at the range?
- Thread starter greenr18
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During my last visit to our closest county range they allowed some Thompson Contender/SW folks to shoot some video of their "gunner" using a new product. Four of the eight stations were reserved for them. Not a good situation, given the elaborate setup and preparation that caused a lot of down time. It made for possibility of murphy's law to come into play, but worked out without incident.
pittspilot
Member
IDPA match in an indoor range. Of course, cold range.
Bunch of shooters downrange conducting the match. I am a little uprange when this fellow catches my attention. He is at the benches about 15 yards away. He an a buddy are standing on each side of the bench while they load mags.
Suddenly, I see the guy draw his Beretta, slap in a mag, and rack the slide. As he lowers the gun he goes to decock and "bang." Bullet hits the floor about a foot from his buddies foot. I quickly walk over to the guy. Didn't want to yell at him because he may turn toward me. I get up next to him and put my hand on the gun, and guide it away from people. He looks at me and says "it just went off." I told him to give it to me, take it, walk a lane or two down and unload.
Meanwhile, everyone else has noticed that there has been the sound of a shot from where no one wants to hear a shot when they are downrange; namely behind them. They are pissed.
Guy was a jerk about it. Alternated between blaming the gun and laughing it off. He has not been back.
Bunch of shooters downrange conducting the match. I am a little uprange when this fellow catches my attention. He is at the benches about 15 yards away. He an a buddy are standing on each side of the bench while they load mags.
Suddenly, I see the guy draw his Beretta, slap in a mag, and rack the slide. As he lowers the gun he goes to decock and "bang." Bullet hits the floor about a foot from his buddies foot. I quickly walk over to the guy. Didn't want to yell at him because he may turn toward me. I get up next to him and put my hand on the gun, and guide it away from people. He looks at me and says "it just went off." I told him to give it to me, take it, walk a lane or two down and unload.
Meanwhile, everyone else has noticed that there has been the sound of a shot from where no one wants to hear a shot when they are downrange; namely behind them. They are pissed.
Guy was a jerk about it. Alternated between blaming the gun and laughing it off. He has not been back.
bwsmith2850
Member
Let's see, it has to be the guy dancing around with a still loaded gun in hand pointing at everyone because a casing slipped down his collar. I know it's hot. I promise you won't burn to death in the second it takes to put the gun down or into the holster.
I wasn't there for the one who left the finger in the triggerguard while holstering...
I wasn't there for the one who left the finger in the triggerguard while holstering...
About a year ago I was at the range when the RO called cease fire. I had already shot up my target and was sitting in a chair about 7 feet behind the line. I was watching the two guys shooting in the lane next to me and one of them was having trouble ejecting a chambered round to clear the gun. Next thing I know, I've got a gun with a 9mm round in the chamber pointed directly at my chest while the guy tried to work the slide. It only lasted about 5 seconds and I was pretty new back then so I didn't speak up right away. I did mention it to him later and he apologized. If that happened to me today I would be chewing someone out right away though.
This wasn't all that dumb I guess but there was a guy shooting a black powder gun out there once and his target was smoking after he shot. The wind was blowing and while several of us stood there and watched it went from a little smoke to a visible flame to the plywood backstop being on fire.
I was at Bass Pro one time and put a bunch of rounds through my CZ 75B with the crappy 20 pound pull trigger. I picked up my Ruger MKIII with the really light aftermarket trigger and managed to squeeze off a round of 22LR into the ceiling down the firing line as I was lowering the gun onto the target. I'm not sure that anyone else there even noticed but I felt pretty stupid.
I was at the range on Black Friday and was coming back from putting the handguns in my truck. Some guy came walking across the bridge with blood pouring from his hand. I never heard what happened for sure but I assume he was bitten by a slide.
-Chris
This wasn't all that dumb I guess but there was a guy shooting a black powder gun out there once and his target was smoking after he shot. The wind was blowing and while several of us stood there and watched it went from a little smoke to a visible flame to the plywood backstop being on fire.
I was at Bass Pro one time and put a bunch of rounds through my CZ 75B with the crappy 20 pound pull trigger. I picked up my Ruger MKIII with the really light aftermarket trigger and managed to squeeze off a round of 22LR into the ceiling down the firing line as I was lowering the gun onto the target. I'm not sure that anyone else there even noticed but I felt pretty stupid.
I was at the range on Black Friday and was coming back from putting the handguns in my truck. Some guy came walking across the bridge with blood pouring from his hand. I never heard what happened for sure but I assume he was bitten by a slide.
-Chris
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i had someone try to shoot clays in the air with a Mauser
same idiot walked in front of my wife as she was shooting litteraly as she was in the middle of a 10 round magazine in the 10/22 he was PROMPTLY asked to leave and never return
same idiot walked in front of my wife as she was shooting litteraly as she was in the middle of a 10 round magazine in the 10/22 he was PROMPTLY asked to leave and never return
bellyup039
Member
Dumbest thing I have seen at the range.
This was years ago.
Range is 25 yd pistol range. Rapid fire permitted. (a very safe range IMHO)
No benches, and we are permitted to drive a vehilce up to the fireing line.
OPEN range type. But very safe. Membership in the club is required NO GUEST's allowed. Small club not many members.
On this one day, Myself and my shooting partner were at the range shooting our 9mm's at approved targets that we set up on free standing wood target holders.
When 3 "guys" show up. (we dont know if they were members or not)
One takes out his fully loaded 9mm from a concealed holster in his right hip, never said a word to anyone. And begins to shoot at OUR target. (we were shooting at that point so it was safe to fire)
THEN comes his first shot, BANG! He now has a fully loaded 9mm with the hammer back finger in the trigger and he turns first to his right. (WHERE HIS other TWO buddies were standing) to see their reaction. THEN TO HIS LEFT TOWARDS US.
At this point he still had his finger in the trigger and both of us DROPPED to the GROUND and NOW HE WAS LOOKING AT Two 9mm's. AS we were yelling at him GET THAT GUN DOWN RANGE!
Once he did. We calmly explained to him "IT's time to leave."
they did.
We filed a complaint with the gun club, but to my knowledge they must not have been members. Just 3 guys who entered our club to shoot like goof balls.
Quite scary let me tell you.
This was years ago.
Range is 25 yd pistol range. Rapid fire permitted. (a very safe range IMHO)
No benches, and we are permitted to drive a vehilce up to the fireing line.
OPEN range type. But very safe. Membership in the club is required NO GUEST's allowed. Small club not many members.
On this one day, Myself and my shooting partner were at the range shooting our 9mm's at approved targets that we set up on free standing wood target holders.
When 3 "guys" show up. (we dont know if they were members or not)
One takes out his fully loaded 9mm from a concealed holster in his right hip, never said a word to anyone. And begins to shoot at OUR target. (we were shooting at that point so it was safe to fire)
THEN comes his first shot, BANG! He now has a fully loaded 9mm with the hammer back finger in the trigger and he turns first to his right. (WHERE HIS other TWO buddies were standing) to see their reaction. THEN TO HIS LEFT TOWARDS US.
At this point he still had his finger in the trigger and both of us DROPPED to the GROUND and NOW HE WAS LOOKING AT Two 9mm's. AS we were yelling at him GET THAT GUN DOWN RANGE!
Once he did. We calmly explained to him "IT's time to leave."
they did.
We filed a complaint with the gun club, but to my knowledge they must not have been members. Just 3 guys who entered our club to shoot like goof balls.
Quite scary let me tell you.
Not the dumbest ever, but the most recent dumb.
A woman who appeared to be a novice was shooting one of the range's rental pistols in the lane next to mine. When she finished she packed up and took off, leaving the gun on the bench in her lane.
On my way out I asked the counter guy if he's missing a rental gun and he hustles inside to retrieve the gun. The woman is still on the premises checking out guns in the display cases. The employee politely but firmly briefed her on range protocol which includes not ditching a $500 pistol assuming someone will turn it in.
A woman who appeared to be a novice was shooting one of the range's rental pistols in the lane next to mine. When she finished she packed up and took off, leaving the gun on the bench in her lane.
On my way out I asked the counter guy if he's missing a rental gun and he hustles inside to retrieve the gun. The woman is still on the premises checking out guns in the display cases. The employee politely but firmly briefed her on range protocol which includes not ditching a $500 pistol assuming someone will turn it in.
Last Saturday my son, my good buddy ChuckB and I went to an indoor range we frequent. We were first in line when the range opened and took 3 lanes. My thought was to put my son in the middle as it was a teaching session for him and the usual weekend at the range for ChuckB and myself. I went to put my range bag on the third lane when I see this average looking middle-aged guy setting up on my lane. I assumed he had simply not noticed the numbering and politely explained to him that he was on my lane. He started to argue and pulled out a receipt showing me that he had purchased several targets. He kept going on about how he was going to shoot on that lane. I firmly but politely asked him to leave the range and sign in at the counter. Apparently he simply bypassed the check in counter and just walked back to the range. He did leave at that point, taking his bag, gun and targets with him. He did not return.
Not the dumbest I have seen, but a reminder to always be aware of your surrounding area, especially at the range.
Atroxus
Member
When I bought my Sigma SW40VE, the first time I took it shooting I did a no-brainer. I had one of the Sigmas with a 12+lb trigger pull. After firing a few magazines through it gripped 2 handed I decided to try firing one handed. I did that exactly once as the one round I fired went into the target carrier, causing my target to bounce all over the place and everyone nearby to look at me funny. 
Luckily the target carriers there are pretty sturdy and I was firing frangible rounds so I din't have to buy a new target carrier, but it was still embarassing as heck.
Luckily the target carriers there are pretty sturdy and I was firing frangible rounds so I din't have to buy a new target carrier, but it was still embarassing as heck.
manithree
Member
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I was at an outdoor range on Thanksgiving day. The berm covers the back and both sides to separate pistol range from rifle range.
I had reserved the range and I knew the people in the pistol range next door were there illegally because I had seen them hiking in from the locked gate. If you pay your money, you get the key.
My son was shooting my Taurus .22 revolver and I was helping him with his technique. I was just about to put some rounds through my P229 when a 8-9 year-old boy comes over the berm to my left just a few feet in front of the firing line. He was collecting brass and paint balls.
I still don't know why I didn't go over and give the adult in charge a piece of my mind. If that ever happens again I definitely will.
I had reserved the range and I knew the people in the pistol range next door were there illegally because I had seen them hiking in from the locked gate. If you pay your money, you get the key.
My son was shooting my Taurus .22 revolver and I was helping him with his technique. I was just about to put some rounds through my P229 when a 8-9 year-old boy comes over the berm to my left just a few feet in front of the firing line. He was collecting brass and paint balls.
I still don't know why I didn't go over and give the adult in charge a piece of my mind. If that ever happens again I definitely will.
Maverick223
Member
The dumbest that I have seen in a while was a couple of weeks ago at "my range", and a few friends were over and they had brought a few of their friends as well. As usual I had several long guns out and several ask to shoot one or a more. I let one of the friends of friends shoot my Browning 1885 High Wall...which was probably my first mistake. Knowing it to be a somewhat unusual gun I informed him about the recoil (my loads are pretty stout), and the basic mechanics of the rifle (falling block, no safety, hammer is cocked by action), handed him the rifle and a round of ammunition. I told him that the trigger was pretty good, so keep your finger off until you are ready to shoot. He then proceeded to drop the lever, chamber the round, and then began to close the action...BANG 
(with the muzzle pointed at about a 35° angle). Luckily there aren't any houses within a couple miles in the direction of travel...but nevertheless a utterly stupid move.
He swears that he didn't have his finger on the trigger and it just "went off" upon closing.
On a bolt gun that would have been possible...I can't fathom how that is remotely possible with a modern falling block action as the hammer locks back when the action is opened and will not release until the action is completely closed and trigger is pulled.
KIDS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!
(with the muzzle pointed at about a 35° angle). Luckily there aren't any houses within a couple miles in the direction of travel...but nevertheless a utterly stupid move.He swears that he didn't have his finger on the trigger and it just "went off" upon closing.
On a bolt gun that would have been possible...I can't fathom how that is remotely possible with a modern falling block action as the hammer locks back when the action is opened and will not release until the action is completely closed and trigger is pulled.KIDS KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!
1) Years ago I saw a shooter spinning a .357 revolver around on his finger like he was Doc Holliday. It was unloaded but still looked stupid as hell.
2) I saw a shooter firing an extremely unreliable .45 cal Parker at the range. It jammed often and the shooter would point it sideways (across the width of the firing line) when clearing jams.
3) I recently saw a friend load several .40 cal rnds into my 9mm Kimber magazine. It was his 3rd or 4th trip to the range (average range trip is 2 1/2 hrs and hundreds of rnds). I thought he knew enough to be left alone for a bit. My mistake.
2) I saw a shooter firing an extremely unreliable .45 cal Parker at the range. It jammed often and the shooter would point it sideways (across the width of the firing line) when clearing jams.
3) I recently saw a friend load several .40 cal rnds into my 9mm Kimber magazine. It was his 3rd or 4th trip to the range (average range trip is 2 1/2 hrs and hundreds of rnds). I thought he knew enough to be left alone for a bit. My mistake.
eldiabloe1
Member
- Joined
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- 54
A couple of years back a unit in 1st Cav was running a Bradley Gunnery night qualification course. The Apache helicopter range is right next to the tank range. A moron TC allowed his turret to traverse out of the range fans and engaged Apaches sitting on their pads after a test flight. If my memory is correct two Longbows were totaled and the third barely repaired. Now there is a nice dirt berm around those landing pads. For those of you that know Ft. Hood this is the two ranges on Clear Creek just before the cattle guards on North Ft. Hood.
pikid89
Member
dumbest thing i saw was an idiot using live 9mm rounds as earplugs
U.S.SFC_RET
Member
1. Firearms laid down and facing to the rear of the firing line.
2. Sweeping firearms while loaded way too frequently while nothing being said.
3. Loading and handling firearms loaded on the firing line while people are checking targets.
4. Nothing registering when any corrections have taken place.
If a person has no respect for either the firearm or people in close proximity then they have no business handling firearms.
2. Sweeping firearms while loaded way too frequently while nothing being said.
3. Loading and handling firearms loaded on the firing line while people are checking targets.
4. Nothing registering when any corrections have taken place.
If a person has no respect for either the firearm or people in close proximity then they have no business handling firearms.
SalchaketJoe
Member
On a public range, middle of the week, early afternoon. Van with government plates pulls up. Five or six soldiers, in uniform get out. Men and women. Begin shooting what were clearly one of their personal weapons. Shotguns, Scoped bolt actions. Pistols of all types. Laughing it up. Walking in front of the firing line. Flagging each other and everyone else. I thought of saying something, but with guns already involved, just left instead. I was younger then, now I would have gotten the plate number, called the base operator and gotten a line to the garrison Sgt. Maj. This was outside Ft. Wainwright.
Knockdownpower
Member
I once saw a young man at our local range practicing drawing and fireing from his hoslter. About ten minutes into his practice session he drew his fullsize Glock and lost control of it. It flew out of his hand and landed a yard or two in front of him. So he decides to jog down range to retrive his weapon. There where probably 10 or 12 people fireing at the time including myself, and we all stoped fireing instantly. Several of the other shooters informed him of how stupid he was and he left shortly there after. The worst part is that as I was packing up to leave, one of the other shooters at the range said that the young man told him that he had just been hired at the local Police Dept. Scary thought!!!
Took my sisters' husband to the range to shoot a few of my guns. Everything is going well..he's being safe....then all of a sudden while shooting my Colt pistol a piece of hot brass goes down the back of his shirt. He starts yelling and turns his body to the right sweeping a young boy there with his father. At this point the weapon is loaded and cocked and he has a finger on the trigger. I quickly grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm all the way backwards so the weapon was pointed down range and then held his hand there yelling at him to release the gun.
That could have been very very bad. We left after that. He won't be shooting with me again.
That could have been very very bad. We left after that. He won't be shooting with me again.
ccsniper
member
I was shooting with my brother out at my own private range (friends land) when someone else (I guess they knew the guy as well) went flying by me and my brother in 4 wheelers. The idiots drove a circle around me and my brother then went down range to drive around our targets. I have never wanted to shoot someone so bad. The idiots then spent the rest of their time trying to get into our way, as we kept moving all over the land to shoot somewhere else. Finally ended up going home because they were bent on pissing me off.
wade rigsby
Member
drunk anyone can be dangerous.......
Maverick223
Member
Some people don't need to be drunk...just naturally stupid.
Texpatriate
Member
A few years back when I lived in Baton Rouge, I was at an unattended range outside town. This "older gentleman" shows up at the range with 2-3 elementary school aged kids in tow (the grandkids I'm guessing). He had a .243 of some flavor or another and was going to teach the kids how to shoot. Apparently he forgot to bring the ammo. He then started to get huffy at THE KIDS for forgetting the ammo. So then he starts shouting down the line wanting to know if anybody has some .243 rounds he can buy. I had some, so I sold him a box of 20 rounds for like $15. He gives me attitude for "overcharging" him. Silly me, I thought I was doing him a favor.... During the all clear he starts loading up the gun. Yep... :banghead: THEN he goes down and puts up some kind of target like a paper plate or something at the 25 yard mark.
The all clear ends and everybody starts shooting again. It wasn't until then that I realized that Grandpa had absolutely no ear or eye protection for him or any of the kids. It was in the fall, about a week or two before rifle season started up, so every bubba with anything from a .243 to a .300 win mag is poppin' off centerfire rifle rounds left and right to check if their scope is still zeroed from the last time they shot it at the end of last deer season.
These kids were terrified. They're sticking their fingers in their ears, etc. I think one of them even started crying. I would be shocked if any of them wants to ever go shooting with grandpa again, or ever even go near a firearm for the rest of their lives.
The all clear ends and everybody starts shooting again. It wasn't until then that I realized that Grandpa had absolutely no ear or eye protection for him or any of the kids. It was in the fall, about a week or two before rifle season started up, so every bubba with anything from a .243 to a .300 win mag is poppin' off centerfire rifle rounds left and right to check if their scope is still zeroed from the last time they shot it at the end of last deer season.
These kids were terrified. They're sticking their fingers in their ears, etc. I think one of them even started crying. I would be shocked if any of them wants to ever go shooting with grandpa again, or ever even go near a firearm for the rest of their lives.
I took my my ex-fiance to the range. She had never been before so I was showing her how to properly, and safely, work my M&P. So she is firing away & apparently has a question for me. What does she do? Turns to me to ask while pointing my LOADED & CHAMBERED M&P at me. I quickly turned her ass around. That was the last time she went to the range.
Atroxus
Member
Every time I see a story like this involving a new shooter I ask myself. "Is it the fault of the student, or the teacher?" I firmly believe that the majority of these new shooter incidents could be avoided with better instruction, and/or more attentive teachers. Granted some people are just not teachable, and that may have been the case with some or all of these stories. I don't know if I am just lucky, but I been shooting with at least 8 new shooters and none were so bad that I would not shoot with them again.
When I take a new shooter to the range before they get anywhere near the firing line(usually before we leave the house) we have the safety talk, and go over the 4 rules, repeatedly if neccesary until I am comfortable that the talk has "sunk in". If the student is not willing to pay attention or take the safety talk seriously the trip ends there. Once on the firing line I stay close enough that if it looks like the shooter is turning away from the target with the firearm I can gently but firmly stop them *before* they sweep anyone. The first shot is just that. A single round loaded then fired to guage grip/stance/flinch/trigger discipline. I then correct any errors, and if needed we leave the firing line to go over parts of the safety talk again. If the person seems really afraid of the gun, they continue loading/firing one round at a time, until I feel they can safely handle more rounds. I usually start with .22 caliber and work up from there if the shooter is comfortable trying larger caliber. I honestly think patience and attentiveness when teaching could prevent the majority of bad first time shooter stories, but thats just my 2 cents.
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