Most embarrassing range moments?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Taught a friend how to use the safety on his Mosin, (he didn't even know it had one) and promptly had an ND with my own Mosin while using the safety not two minutes later. No damage done, thanks to the Four Rules, except to my pride. :eek:
 
Wow TonyB

"TrueBlue reminded me of another one...one of my 1st weekly IDPA matches..I shot the crap out of a barracade...like 6 or 7 rounds before I heard the RO yelling "STOP"....although it was a great group
Also dropped my Glock 17 while reloading at an IDPA match.Since there was only 3 of us there,we took a vote and I got to stay...but didn't shoot the rest of the night."

TonyB, if that happened where I think it di, I would not sweat it. You have 2 people in that group who are very out of control. One guy who has his finger glued to the trigger and one guy who has shot a jeep up. I think you are a very safe shooter.
 
One mine, one my Dad's-

Dad's- "OK, Pop, the Makarov does NOT have a spring on the firing pin. If you hit the slide release on a charged magazine, you run a serious risk of an inertial fire."

"Got it, son, no propblem."

Three years goes by. He's teaching a friend care and feeding of the Makarov pistol at a range in San Antonio:

"OK, so when you are releasing the slide release, make sure it is in a safe direction or" POW "that can happen."

He told me later he had no idea that it WOULD, and then retroactively belived me when I reminded him that it COULD.

Mine- Not a range moment, but embarrassing-

Fallujah, 2005-

"CLICK"
 
While at an M16 qualification range in Germany, I accidentally thumbed my selector switch to auto. I was dubbed "Auto Joe" after that one.:eek:
 
Let's see... I have enough to choose from that I wouldn't know where to start; but three come to mind easily enough:

Taking a Carbine course where we shoot over a stairstep barrier. Instructor reminds us about the height over bore differences with the AR15 and reminds us not to shoot up his nice new barrier... all the time I am thinking "Like I would make that rookie mistake". First run out, I put a hole through the barrier due to height over bore difference :eek:

Taking a different carbine course, we are working on stoppage drills so we have to get rid of all live ammo. Rather than dump out all the stuff in my chest rig, I decide to take it off and do the stoppage drills with my CCW piece (which I unload) and ditch the extra mags. After the stoppage drills, we go to live fire and while practicing transitions, I draw my (now unloaded) CCW piece instead of the loaded pistol in my chest rig and go "click click" at the target.

And for my most recent one, I was shooting up a batch of XM193PD that had proved remarkably frustrating in the number of squibs I was getting. I knew I should get rid of it before something bad happened but felt confident I could control the risk by inspecting the bore after every underpowered load. So here I am trying to do some drills and I keep getting squibs (5 in about 45 rounds). Every time, I break down the upper and check it and the bore is clear; but it is really eating up my training time and frustrating me. Once again I pull the trigger and get a "pop" and the shell does not eject... however, this time I am sure I saw an impact on the berm so rather than check the bore I rack another round into the chamber...

Luckily for me, the bullet that didn't exit the bore is sitting just forward of the throat and the next round doesn't chamber - giving me the big clue that I have done something stupid. Realizing how close I came to destroying a high-end rifle and injuring myself, I decide to stop buying tickets in the stupidity lottery and give the remaining ammo away to a reloader to break down for components.

So there you go... something for you all to think about next time you read advice from me ;)
 
Every time I shoot the target holding clip off, I am glad I have ears on so I can't hear the laughter. Although when somebody else does it I don't laugh but feel relief I'm not alone in this. Joe
 
On a particularly challegning senario for the MTU pseudo IDPA club. I double tap and put one in the head, just like the drill was supose to go. "cept I shot the hostage.
 
My Turn

I was at camp 1 year, and I was shooting at the targets there, well you see the targets were hung up on a thick steel cable by clothes pins. And as I was shooting at the target I hit the cable and the vibrations from the shot hitting the cable knocked all the other targets (like 5 others) off the clothes lines.

The range master was like "WHO EVER DID THIS HAD BETTER NOT DO IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He was mad but never found out who did it
 
It was this Sunday. I was dumping a mag full of Wolf with my AR and thinking I really need a PRI gas buster because the blow back gas was hitting me like a sand storm. As soon as I was done I looked over at one of the guys I was shooting with and he looked at me and tapped his shooting glasses. That is when I realized I had forgot to put mine on.
 
Not mine, but i was there for it. A few of my friends and i went to the local range for a day of shooting fun, after an hour or so three rather sketchy looking hispanic males show up. one has a 30-30, apparently marlin, and one had an m4 style bushey, or similar weapon. Well, the skinny guy sits down and proceeds to screw the scope onto the cary handle (it was set up for that) and takes two shots. I was watching this all happen, and couldnt help but notice that something about the scope looked...off... it wasnt untill after he fired the first round that i could figure out what it was...THE SCOPE WAS ON BACKWARDS!!!!:banghead: Yes, backwards, and this future darwin award still fired two shots like that before realizing that something was wrong and correcting the problem. My friends and i packed up and left soon after....very soon after...

some people just should stick to being sheep...
 
Steamship has to win this one, but here are some.

Go to the range no mags for the FN FAL. Lots of witnesses.

First carbine match, rifle, handgun, ammo mags, gear yep got it all, gas system for the FN FAL at the house. I am engaging targets in a retro grade movement and hand cycling the action until I get to cover and check. I felt like an idiot. Same match shooting a friends ar with an aimpoint. Only my second experience with one, shooting over a truck and of course the RA reminded us of the offset. Guess who shoots the farside truck bed engaging the swinger. We go to tape targets and I hear "hey RO James shot the truck and the target is full of frags" not my best day.

Having Pat Rogers say "partner are you good to go" me "yes Pat" Pat "are you sure" me "yes Pat". Pat "have we covered push pull?" Class "yes Pat" This is when I look and see no mag. My mag is on the deck and I get the second, well you know the name of the award, of the day.

I know there are more but I think this is my top three.

Regards,

James
 
Best I ever did was peg the RO right between the eyes with an ejected case. Danged P22 throws those things everywhere. Half of 'em hit me, half of 'em hit the walls of the booth... This one went over my shoulder a good 10 feet and went "tink" right off the RO's glasses.

Shooting skeet with the Mossberg and forgot to put the forearm forward again. I leave it back when I'm wandering around between throws just so it's clearly out of battery. You figure I'd notice my off hand wasn't where it normally was, but I guess not.

Also at the skeet range, got chewed out once for this one: Lent a friend and new shooter of mine the 590 and my other friend was throwing. Three more guys over to the left of me throwing and shooting their own. Everybody's missing and I'm bored, so I load up the 702 (it's got a pretty badass scope on it) and start swatting people's misses out of the sky just a couple of feet off deck... With a 22 carbine.

Apparently the other group doesn't appreciate that they're stinking it up with an expensive Benelli and some fancy looking over-and-under and I'm getting at least 50/50 sitting on my butt in the dirt and shooting clays with a .22.

For what it's worth, I didn't hit spit with the shotgun that day. Danged Polychoke patterns nice, but messes up my sighting.
 
I was getting some really good training for IPSC and I was practicing this stage with some running invloved. As I ran to the last box, a mag fell out of the holder and hit my knee which totaly broke my concentration. I then had to shoot some steal, which I totally messed up bad. I got majorly unerverd and instead of ejecting the mag and showing clear, I ejected the mag and pulled the trigger. Stupid mistake. It wasn't accidental it was just stupid...
 
Ruette Austria in 1989.

My now father-in-law had taken me to an Austrian Civilian-Army rifle shoot in their small village. He was introducing me to all his cronies (military and civilian) as the “American Army Officer” dating his daughter and how I was into guns and shot competition regularly.

I was then offered the chance to join their shoot and handed a Steyr AUG with which I was completely unfamiliar. Each contestant was given a mag with 15 rounds with which to make his best score on a bull’s-eye target about 200 meters distant.

By this time a small crowd of locales, complete with beer in hand had gathered to “watch the American” shoot. After an Austrian Lieutenant explained the rifle to me in German (during which I nodded a lot, and understood nothing). I proceeded to get into my best prone position, took up a good sight picture, and squeezed the trigger………. too far with what I considered good follow-through, thereby going full auto, and emptying half the mag into the target and above the target.

This resulted in a stern chastising from the Liuetenant, some of which I did understand, and a whole bunch of laughter from the peanut gallery. When every I go back and see some of those guys they still make rifle shooting gestures and laugh about it.

Chuck
 
I left my FAL mags at home one time - really annoyed my friend from out of town that really wanted to shoot it.

At the last group shoot I left my AK mags at home...nobody else had one.

I've left ammo at home. Left a gun at home once, too.

I dropped a gun for the first time while teaching a new shooter the basics. Well, it fell off the table after I put it on something that didn't support the weight. "And see, even if you drop one it won't fire." :rolleyes:

Went to run some plates...*click*...forgot to chamber a round.
Me: "Oh, very nice."
Friend: *laughter*
That one's on video.
 
My lil sis shot a shotgun, my old 20 gauge BOLT action, for the first time one winter. Dad had put out about ten-twelve cans of various sizes on the ground in front of the cob pile, and told her to aim for the middle and see how many she could knock over. The only thing she had shot before was .22.

Did I mention she happened to be standing on some ice?

BOOM, right back on her a$$. We were so shocked that we didn't even have a chance to laugh. She took it like a trooper though. Dad also found out that day that she knew the F word too.:evil:

For our FFA we planted some trees and bushes at a local cemetery for our BOAC (building our American communities) project my Jr. year. Since I was in charge, I ended up watering them all that summer and the next. One day of watering a couple of buddies drive by, and then stop to b.s. for a bit, then get out some aiguns and procede to shoot some pop cans they have just finished drinking. When they decide they are through, Larry decides to put his CO2 pistol in his pants, in the front.

With his FINGER on the TRIGGER.

POOF!:eek:

His eyes grew to about three times their normal size as he stood there frozen. "Holy s&!*!" Shauwn says, "Didja shoot your dick off?!"

Larry pulls his pistol out REALLLL SLOWWW, then removes his off hand that he used to hold his pants open with. A pellet is lodged in his thumb nail on his left hand. Right up untill he saw that, he thought that maybe he HAD shot his dick off.

That was one lesson learned that NO ONE there ever forgot.
 
I lent a 1911 ball gun to a fellow shooter (which was lent to me from someone else) and gave my own handloaded ammo for him to shoot a leg match with.

One of my reloads was a double load and it blew out the mag and the wood grip panels in half.

--

Another range story is the squib load I had which remained in the barrel. Like an idiot I proceeded to load another round after it not thinking that the squib might still be in the barrel. The next shot pushed both bullets out the barrel and bulged the barrel. Just 6 days before a big match. $250 later and a quick install of the new bushing and barrel by a gunsmith friend I was able to shoot the match and WIN it!
 
I took my newly tricked out Ruger 10/22 to the range, left the key to the cable-lock at home. I worked on the lock for about ten minutes, in the parking lot, with pliers and a hammer before driving home to get the key.

On a weekend trip to the desert to shoot muzzleloaders. I had just inherited my wife's uncle's hand-made Kentucky flintlock rifle. Packed up my Thompson-Center Hawkin and all the shooting gear I own. Got to the desert (two hour drive) and discover that the new flintlock is .45 caliber and ALL my muzzle-loading gear; bullets, balls, molds, jags, etc. are all .50 caliber.
 
Entropy said:
Taught a friend how to use the safety on his Mosin, (he didn't even know it had one) and promptly had an ND with my own Mosin while using the safety not two minutes later. No damage done, thanks to the Four Rules, except to my pride.
Click to expand...

The safety on the Mosin is a menace to society. I either open or remove the bolt to safe the weapon.

Oh, and to contribute: My brother, who is a Marine, swept me at a range with a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum. You do NOT want to look a down a barrel that big. Luckily he did not have his finger near the trigger nor was the hammer back. Needless to say I jumped out of the way pretty quick.
 
I've got a couple, one range one hunting,

The first time my Dad & I went to the range (probably 2 years ago or so) we were shooting various guns & I offered my SA XD9 for him to shoot. I didn't realize he had never shot a semi auto handgun, only revolvers (he is an old country boy) I didn't realize his grip until after he had shot, his off hand (right hand for him) was too high on the back & the slide came back & ripped some skin off the top of his hand. I wasn't embarrased for him just felt bad that i hadn't taught him better, I showed him a better grip & he finished the mag off. He prefers his revolvers still.

Last year I took my son out for his first duck hunting trips, we were pass shooting off a dike with birds flying overhead I had just shot 2 rounds (missing with both) when my son yells "Dad Dad there's another one I was 1/2 sitting off balance on my bucket as the bird flew straight overhead I brought my gun up (the bird was almost directly above me now) & pulled the trigger, I fell off my bucket right on my butt, my son always remembers this story especially at large family gatherings.
 
About two summers back, a shooting buddy from out of state came down for my son's wedding. While my buddy was in the area, we of course had to go to the free state shooting range nearby and shoot all the guns he and I had aquired since we'd last seen each other.

After blasting away with his Ruger P89 and my FIE PJK-9HP, I ask if he'd like to shoot my Glock 22. Sure! He empties the loaded mag and goes back to the 9mm.

I think I've not shot that Glock for quite awhile and head over to the bench with all of the guns and ammo and reload the mag. I take aim at the 1-liter bottle hanging from the strings that serve as target holders 50yds downrange and squeeze off a round. Dirt kicks up on the backstop berm about six feet above the target. I think I can't be THAT bad and squeeze the trigger again. Nothing. I work the slide and chamber another round and V-E-R-Y carefully squeeze off a shot. Hit the dirt about five yards in front of the target. Try again. Nothing. Work the slide manually and chamber a new round. Bang! Hits about six feet to the left and about 4 feet high. Again, it doesn't cycle the action so I do it manually.

It was about that time that I realized that the bullets in the magazine were pointed, almost conical shaped and I thought, "aren't my .40 caliber bullets truncated cones?" Sure enough, I'd loaded it with 9mm ammo. Had several beer mug-shaped empties lying on the ground. To make matters worse, the entire incident was witnessed by a competing CCW instructor to his intense amusement and my red-faced shame.
 
Breath
Relax
Aim
Scrunch
Squeeze

I am not going to argue with a Kid, that read Col. Cooper, That Roger's GuyI'm in trouble I know In S.W.A.T. and is Pretty sure that Denny guy, what his name always messing with S.W.A.T.....said that is how your are supposed to shoot well with a rifle.


Cute as a button little lady, when she shoots that single shot .22 rifle, she has this "scrunch" she does, with nose and all.

"Mindset, I am going to shoot the sucker like I mean it" -Young lady

So...I had made the comment about when one is just shooting is one thing. Having to shoot after walking, running, and all, huffing and puffing, getting settled on target is more difficult.

Never said I was smart now did I?

"Race you to the cars and back then we shoot...".

Scrunch is the correct word, trust me on this.


;)
 
I was plinking with my M1 carbine one beautiful summer day in downeast Maine. I was there with my dad, and some of his friends. One of which included the Washington County Sherrifs qualifications officer. I was "showing off", rapid fire into a target about 15 yards away, tactical reloads, etc. Yes, I said tactical and M1 carbine in the same sentance:) So they are all watching as I insert another 15 rounder in her, with one leftover in the chamber. I fire one shot, and the damn mag drops out:eek: What makes it worse, is upon hearing the click, I pulled back the operating handle and tried to fire again. Quite a chuckle, I assure you.
 
A few years back I knew I was going to the range the next day to keep current with my CCWs, so I decided to take my pet Mark IV also. I needed some high-quality ammo for this so I went upstairs to reload. 150 rounds of 185gr LSWC later I came back down in high spirits. This was one trip to the range I was really looking forward to, as I hadn't shot the Colt in years. I packed everything up the next day and headed off to the range. As I opened the case for my second CCW, the guy next to me noticed the Mark IV. "Whoa, nice piece!" he said, "Mind if I have a look?" "Sure," I said, and proudly handed it over. He asked about the add-ons, and I recited the work I had done on it and the gun's capabilities. "Could I possibly try a few shots with this when you load it up?" he asked. "But of course," I replied arrogantly, dreaming that everybody that is anybody wants to shoot this gun. After all, it's one of life's greatest pleasures, right?
Welp, the time finally comes to bring out the Colt. I start foraging through the range bag for the magazines when It suddenly occurs to me that I don't remember packing them. Panicked now, I am furiously tearing the bag apart. Yup, the ammo that I spent last night preparing was there, but no mags for the Mark. I could puke.
"You gonna shoot that compgun, now?"
"Uh, no I decided not to."
"Augh you're kiddin, why not?"
I tried to duck and cover for a couple seconds, but he had seen me going through the bag, and I thought for one terrifying moment he was going to even ask me if I needed help. I decided to bite the bullet.
"Because I didn't pack the damn magazines!"

He looked at me as if I had just farted in church.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Your most embarrassing moment at the range?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
3K
silicon wolverine
S
P
  • Locked
Police chief shoots himself in faked traffic stop
Replies
14
Views
2K
Double Naught Spy
Double Naught Spy
loose noose
  • Locked
Range Rage
2 3 4
Replies
98
Views
6K
Nanook
Nanook
B
  • Locked
YOUR biggest range goof
2 3 4
Replies
87
Views
5K
WinkingTiger
W
N
  • Locked
The Guns of Halo
Replies
16
Views
1K
mr.trooper
M
Back
Top