Ever have someone make fun of your guns at the range?

[Rumble]

Yep. Well, not exactly my guns, but my choice of caliber. There's a range here where I work (it's a university, with a ROTC program, and they do rifle qualification and stuff). The range is not generally a public range, but there are weekly shoots and stuff. I was interested in participating, and called the guy who coordinated the whole thing.

So, on the phone with me, he starts off by chiding me for not immediately volunteering information about my age, employment, and so forth. Annoying, but I figure, hey, free range time. Then he asks what caliber I shoot, and I say, "Nine." (At this point, I own one gun--a CZ P-01--and am just getting into shooting). His response?

"I'm sorry." And he sure didn't mean, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."

I was a bit surprised, and sorta paused for a long beat, and then said, "Thank you for your time. Goodbye." That was it. Never got to try out the range. Some things aren't worth the irritation.

 

[lawboy]

One sad thing about our sport, is that it attracts a lot of loner types, with sad lives and little achievement or other substance in life to supply them with focus and purpose. Their "toys" become a means of obtaining a position of credibility and importance for them. You see them a lot, guys at the range with a ton of expensive guns, most of which they don't even shoot that day and none of which they shoot well. They glom onto some poor unsuspecting person who is actually there to shoot, sometimes with a friend or loved one. Then they hold the person hostage talking about their guns, and their philosophy, and their experience, and about gunlore that the person already knows, and most of which the person knows is garbage. It is hard to break away from them politely and the waste a lot of other people's time. These are the same fools who will dis someone elses equipment to make themselves look knowledgeable and sage. I hate them, one and all.

 

[Legionnaire]

Ridicule tells you more about the speaker than about what he or she is speaking about. Forget them. If the range is convenient, I'd give it another try. I'd bet not everyone there is a jerk.

And nothing wrong with your Ruger or Taurus. Both are great guns for the money. And as has already been stated, the best revenge is showing what you can do with them.

Shoot straight!

 

[Big Calhoun]

Did you at least shoot better than them? If so, no worries.

But I have never encountered that. Quite frankly, could care less. If someone doesn't like the gun I'm shooting, perhaps they'll fancy one of the other four. But in the end, it's for my personal enjoyment, not eye candy.

Vote with your wallet, don't take your business back there!

 

[p35]

I've never minded a "what IS that thing?" at the range- usually just honest curiosity and I don't mind letting someone else try a couple shots with whatever it is. I once went to a league night with a Ram-Line .22 pistol- weird looking thing, I still have it- and got a lot of that. No put-downs, though. Decent people at a decent club. Besides, I put a few in the x-ring that night.

 

[timn]

"I went to a local outdoor range that was having a bowling pin shoot. The range is at a gun shop I was at to buy some powder, bullets and primers. The owner invited me to shoot with them last sunday.
By the time I left I felt humiliated because of the rude remarks that were made about my Ruger Gp100 and my friends Taurus. We probably will never go back."

Figure up what you spend on your re-loading supplies, ammo, accessories, and range time per year. Send the owner of the range a polite letter informing him of your complaint and that he will be getting 0% of that money.
Rudeness from a business should be punished where it hurts them the most.

 

[Porky6331]

My wife & I purchased to S&W 619 357's. A couple of weeks ago we went to a range to get into a shooting match. We were told by a couple of people that most of the people use semi's. I watched the match and told two of the people you jamed tonight and my revlover has never jamed, and left the range.

 

[jad0110]

I've never had anyone make fun of my equipment at the two ranges I visit frequently. Then again, people are usually pretty laid back and polite around here. People usually don't even notice me, especially when I'm shooting my everygun XD. When I have my wheelies out though, the comments I get are always positive; it's kinda fun getting looks of envy from those shooting the ubiquitous bottom feeder. I always enjoy letting a shooter experience their first .357 Magnum.

I guess I have a hard time understanding why people can be so rude as to lash out at a stranger's equipment, other than maybe they are trying to build themselves up in the process. Losers. If I ever say something to another shooter, it is to compliment what they are shooting: a mint condition S&W 66 4", a very nice hand built 1911, or most recently, a sweet S&W M19-2 2.5", pinned and recessed.

I'm a gun guy, so there aren't too many guns I don't like (if any), which explains why I have Smiths with locks (I did purchase them under their current, American ownership, and I'd like to add some wart-free ones in the future though, so please forgive me ).

 

[Geno]

+1 for Big Calhoun

"Did you at least shoot better than them? If so, no worries."

My friend, you are so right! One of my all-time favorite calibers to shoot is the lowly .22LR, especially in a Contender pistol. Who cares that it lacks "social testosterone". It's a gem of a caliber. Besides, the paper target isn't anymore dead by a .22LR than it is by a .50 BMG.

This is a great thread. Thanks for the laughs all. I've really enjoyed this.

Doc2005

 

[Socrates]

I do have a sort of quiet way of commenting on people's caliber selection. I HATE snub nose .357's at the range, even though I now own, and carry a 360 PD, S&W,.

Compared to my 45's, Super in 1911, and, my Seville 454 level John Linebaugh, they just make a lot of noise, over a VERY small bullet. I can easily push a 325 grain bullet, or 360 grain, for that matter, faster then most .357 loads, and, all the snubbies. Plus, my guns flat out shoot. The fun comes in when I get sick of the muzzle blast, and, pull out the 325's, at 1550 or so. I also used to use 230 grain hardball, over a full case of H110. The blast and noise is just awesome, and, makes the .357 feel just like what it is: a lil bullet, at decent velocity.

I've since upped the ante, and, full house 475 Linebaugh loads, and, the real trump card, my 500 MAX with heavy loads usually clear the area around me.

S

 

[S&W620]

Who cares what some group of morons think.

I have a Smith and would LOVE to add a Ruger to my "collection". Ruger makes very fine revolvers and you should be PROUD to own one. I know I would be.

 

[22-rimfire]

Can't say that anyone ever made fun of my firearm choices at the range or otherwise. I don't really care if someone prefers a 9mm to a 40 to a 45. Just have fun and shoot! Most people love my choices!

 

[EddieCoyle]

The guys at my range do, but in a nice way. Let me explain. I belong to a club that is about 95% hunters. Very few "shooters". These guys hunt every game animal, in every season, in about 4 states. This time of year is the only time of year that the rifle/shotgun range at my club is busy (we have separate ranges for pistol and rifle/shotgun). For the most part, the guys own hunting guns only, and use only factory ammo.

Your friend EddieCoyle on the other hand is a handgunner. I love handguns and own dozens. I don't hunt, but I shoot at least 1000 rounds per week, outdoors, in New England, all year long. I reload too, for almost all the calibers I shoot. I think I'm the only guy at my club that's ever used, let alone owns, a chronograph.

I'm at the range so much more than everybody else, that when they needed a nominee for Range Chairman at a club meeting last year, the whole club looked at me. I accepted.

Aside from a Mossberg 500 with a bunch of barrels that I picked up for $100, I don't think I own even one gun suitable (or at least designed for) hunting. Since I'm at the range so often, whenever another member is around, they always stop by to see what I've brought with me. The question I get (almost always) is,
"What the hell do you hunt with that?"

Whether it's a Saiga with a laser sight, AK47, Mauser Broomhandle with a shoulder stock, CETME, or some handgun, they always ask that question and then walk away shaking their heads when I tell them,
"Nothing. I just like to shoot."

The locals will crack wise or make a joke at my expense, and I'll call them a bunch of Elmer Fudds. I always offer to let them shoot whatever I have because they're good guys. They usually take me up on the offer and have a good time.

The guys at my club are classic yankees that can't fathom why anyone would own an expensive gun that you're not going to use to put food on the table.

I use the term "yankee" in the good way - In other words, a dyed in the wool New Englander that keeps his mouth shut, is self sufficient, works hard, saves his money, and helps his neighbors.

We have a different name for the loud-mouthed, self-centered, lying, back-stabbing, metro-sexual miscreants that you Southerners mistakenly call Yankees - we call them "Yankee fans".

 

[Erik]

"Ever have someone make fun of your guns at the range?"

Yes, until I obliterated the X ring. Then there was silence.

 

[Dr.Who]

I would no go back either....

Now I do confess that I did make fun of a Shooter that came to the line with one of those see through plastic clear hoslters. It was not the gun, that was in it. In fact when I asked him to load and make ready, he reached for his Gun and it was not there. I asked him if it was invisable like his holster.....

He left it in his shooting bag.... He gets ribbed everytime I see him now...

Now I would have a tough time not ribbing a guy that show up to the line with a pink gun..... I do not care what brand it is.....

You know if these Guys want a Smith and Wesson shoot, then they should of been up front and called it a Smith and Wesson Bowling pin match....

Find another group, don't give them the satisfaction of why you did not come back....

 

[Colt46]

Grandfathers Remington 81 autoloader

Ugly as all get out with a lyman side mounted scope. Always have a few guys walk by and stop to ask me what the hell I'm doing with such an ugly rifle.

 

[squekie]

sicario103 , 3 pages and 67 people tell you THEY are in the WRONG !!!
That should tell you something about this place. Vote with your Dollar DON'T GO Back. We are with you and I am probably right that there were LESS that 67 in that place anyway.

 

[revolverman357]

Interesting Update

I have had a great time reading through this thread. As I am the original poster, I thought an update would be in order. Yesterday, my brother-in-law stopped by this same range/gunshop. He bought some bullets and brass, as I am teaching him to reload. As he was talking with the owner the subject turned to tumbling brass. My brother-in-law told him how I tumble (deprime, tumble, then load). The guy told him that I was a dumba** and that the ammo should be tumbled after it is loaded and to do otherwise is stupid.
I explained to my in-law that different people have different ways of doing things, buy my way is not to criticize others for their tumbling practices.
To each their own. This has sealed the deal, neither of us will go back and I will not recommend this guy to anyone.
Sorry moderator if this is a little off subject.

 

[mojo II]

how to answer rude arrogance

when I am faced with obviously demeaning comments or questions such as have been discussed in this thread, I like to string the offender along a little.

Ask "what would suggest I use/shoot?"
"why is it better?"
"are they available locally?"

And then set the hook on your "sucker"
I tell him "go ahead & buy me one & I'll give it a try."
after the refusal to buy anything, explain he is the materialistic one that thought I should have better. If he would have just kept his big mouth shut in the first place, I would'nt feel bad & never would have known my choices were wrong.

Above all else do not use profanity. The English language is diverse enough that "you incompetent jerk" stings worse than "$#@&&%".

 

[Legionnaire]

Well, I withdraw my earlier encouragement to go back and try again. Any establishment owner who insults a would-be patron over a difference of opinion doesn't deserve your business. I've had a number of gun shop owners talk down something I wanted to buy, mostly because they had something else they wanted to sell. Usually, I ignore such comments and buy what I want anyway. But you're describing a real attitude problem. Sounds like the guy (and his establishment) isn't worth your while.

Thanks for the update. Always nice to "close the loop" on one of these threads.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Get razzed a lot at some of the Cowboy Action Shooting matches for having a brace of Taurus Gauchos. I just smile and shrug and don't play that game.

 

[Jody Johnson]

Had the experience...

Sometimes, I shoot Sporting Clays with friends. I usually use a 1946 Ithaca M37 pump, solid rib, with Cutts Compensator. A few times when the gun in on the rack, I've heard younger, more "sophisticated" shooters chuckle about "that antique" with "something" on the end. However, that "antique" always gives a quite credible accounting...

My friends kid...naturally...but they...as I...respect the old gal' for what she was, and is now....

The old Ithaca 37 is arguably one of the finest handling SG's ever...and, at least to me, the solid rib is pure class...but most "youngsters" have never seen one..much less a Cutts...

 

[progunner1957]

Revolverman, I'm sorry you ran into these punks.

Only a festering anal fissure makes fun of someone else's guns. I let other people shoot mine, seeing how they are brother shooters. Wer'e all in this sport together, and we should all act like it.

 

[squekie]

revolverman357 ,
I am sorry , I addressed this to"sicario103" as the original posted , he was the first poster on the second page of this thread. So people get my Blood Pressure Up

 

[Nitrogen]

Back when I was coming out of my "anti-gun" shell, I went to a range to try out some guns. I had shot previously with a friend of mine's 9mm GLOCK and enjoyed it, and wanted to try some other 9mm guns.
I was told specifically that "Only pussies and faggots shoot 9mm. It's got no stopping power. If you can't handle a .45 don't bother."

That was almost enough to get my skittish little butt back into the camps of the antis. Luckelly, I asked some other friends of mine about that, and was quickly counciled back to reality.