fallout mike
Member
Mama says stupid is as stupid does.
public range stupidity
- Thread starter Pacsd
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InkEd
Member
Does anyone else want to tell an actual story?
The OP could have handled the situation differently. Point taken. Back on subject.....
The most recent thing I overheard, at the range, was two younger guys in the next lane talking to one another. They were using a pre-lock S&W revolver and having a good time. Then they ran out of ammo for it. The 1st guy said he didn't have anymore money for ammo. The 2nd guy says he'd buy a box OR they could just shoot his gun for awhile. (So far nothing unusual or anything.)
The 1st guy says 'Yeah, let's just shoot yours because it shoots better than my brother's
gun. (Referencing the S&W revolver.)" At this point , I look over to see what gun this 2nd guy owns that's better than .357 S&W stainless. The second guy pulls out (you know it's coming...) a Hi-Point 9mm pistol! The 2nd guy says something about 'being a broke college student or he'd have bought a Glock instead.'
And now for the finale...... The 1st guy says 'I don't know, 9mm is real powerful round. It might kick alot or crack the plastic. It's alot stronger than a .357'
I just had to shake my head.
The OP could have handled the situation differently. Point taken. Back on subject.....
The most recent thing I overheard, at the range, was two younger guys in the next lane talking to one another. They were using a pre-lock S&W revolver and having a good time. Then they ran out of ammo for it. The 1st guy said he didn't have anymore money for ammo. The 2nd guy says he'd buy a box OR they could just shoot his gun for awhile. (So far nothing unusual or anything.)
The 1st guy says 'Yeah, let's just shoot yours because it shoots better than my brother's
gun. (Referencing the S&W revolver.)" At this point , I look over to see what gun this 2nd guy owns that's better than .357 S&W stainless. The second guy pulls out (you know it's coming...) a Hi-Point 9mm pistol! The 2nd guy says something about 'being a broke college student or he'd have bought a Glock instead.'
And now for the finale...... The 1st guy says 'I don't know, 9mm is real powerful round. It might kick alot or crack the plastic. It's alot stronger than a .357'
I just had to shake my head.
InkEd
Member
FWIW under normal circumstances I would have politely corrected them BUT my new Redhawk need to be fired for the first time.
Being a USAF veteran, I can't help but get the frling that the real issue with Pacsd is not about range etiquete so much as it is about these individuals being military. I've been through it myself. I heard the derogatory remarks evry time I went into town - base ape, wingnut, Air force retard, POS, etc.
I'm not sure what people expect of military personel. Calling the base and "tattling" will do little or no good. You can't expect the base commander to hand out a LOC or worse to an Airman because of a townie calling with nothing more than hearsay.
I'm not sure what people expect of military personel. Calling the base and "tattling" will do little or no good. You can't expect the base commander to hand out a LOC or worse to an Airman because of a townie calling with nothing more than hearsay.
InkEd,
The purpose of this post was not to share stories; rather to share an observation and a reaction. Your post is unwarranted and, quite frankly, completely useless.
Be that as it may, the OP would have been better off approaching the purported offender in a sincere and open manner with his concerns. I've occasionally approached range goers who have poor muzzle discipline and finger <> their triggers and politely state that, while they might not know this, they pose an actual threat to others. My comments have always been well received and I have made "buddies" this way.
As a former Marine, the OP's "snitch" techniques really rankle me. Instead of surreptitiously jotting down license plate numbers and ratting them out, perhaps being a bit more upfront, manly and direct would have served the purpose better. Chances are the person on the AF base you spoke of deep sixed your complaint and laughed at you for being a thin-skinned complainer and the alleged dangerous shooter learned nothing about his transgressions.
Be a man. Speak directly to someone instead of ratting them out.
The purpose of this post was not to share stories; rather to share an observation and a reaction. Your post is unwarranted and, quite frankly, completely useless.
Be that as it may, the OP would have been better off approaching the purported offender in a sincere and open manner with his concerns. I've occasionally approached range goers who have poor muzzle discipline and finger <> their triggers and politely state that, while they might not know this, they pose an actual threat to others. My comments have always been well received and I have made "buddies" this way.
As a former Marine, the OP's "snitch" techniques really rankle me. Instead of surreptitiously jotting down license plate numbers and ratting them out, perhaps being a bit more upfront, manly and direct would have served the purpose better. Chances are the person on the AF base you spoke of deep sixed your complaint and laughed at you for being a thin-skinned complainer and the alleged dangerous shooter learned nothing about his transgressions.
Be a man. Speak directly to someone instead of ratting them out.
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Shadow 7D
Member
RICK O Shays
Best to avoid it, most don't like them, and some are super ANAL about only putting lead into the soft dirt berm...
But, it didn't sound that unsafe (In the story, I though they were skipping bullets at the 200 mark with someone at a 200m firing line (a range design I would never shoot at) but on second reading that doesn't seem to be the case.
Best to avoid it, most don't like them, and some are super ANAL about only putting lead into the soft dirt berm...
But, it didn't sound that unsafe (In the story, I though they were skipping bullets at the 200 mark with someone at a 200m firing line (a range design I would never shoot at) but on second reading that doesn't seem to be the case.
gdcpony
Member
Well, I don't know about the USAF, but should I get a call about one of my Marines even if it is about an off base item, I take it seriously. Never was I called about a range thing. Usually it was drinking and/or driving issues or financial. Many times it ended with a guy one rank lower or losing his clearance.
At the same time, this kind of call would have gotten me to brief my platoon on range safety, advise them I got a call about "someone," and not much else.
The dumbest things I have seen at a public range?
1. A guy was shooting some surplus arms at a local 100yd range. Mostly an SKS and AK. I broke out my rifles and set up my bench while waiting on him to be done. Once he was done he came over and was asking about my choice and it was mostly polite, but something seemed "off" about him. Maybe it was the lack of knowledge, the SHTF talk or the surplus cammies he had on, but he seemed very ignorant yet paramilitary. I wrote it off as just me and him being a new shooter or something.
We went downrange and I was setting up my target when all of a sudden he pulled his handgun and started shooting from about 25yds back! As soon as he was done emptying his mag and was attempting (rather pathetically) to do speed reload, I tore into him verbally. By that time, I had sprinted back up to behind him yelling for him to stop and had been ignored. He left shortly after, and I never saw him again, but hope he learned better.
2. 1000yd range laid out much like I imagine the OP's is. I was at the 500yd line and was the only one at the range. I was done with a string and was about to check my targets when I heard a report from my right rear. Sure enough some guy had set up targets at the 800yd line and was shooting from the 1000yds line. I was sure since I was proned out for mine he must have missed me (despite my car being right behind him and my range gear being on the same bench his turned out to be on. So I started waving my hands and got a wave back then another shot rang out!
This guy was a piece of work. He assured me he was a sniper from the local base (there were none stationed there) and I was perfectly safe where I was. It was way too long of a walk to set targets on the target line so he was going to shoot where he was and I should just continue on. I just told him to hold off while I gathered my stuff up and left. I let him know that one more shot while I was downrange would result in me yanking his ID and returning it to his unit (turned out he was a mechanic). I gathered my stuff and left. Him I saw a few more times at that range area (Yuma, AZ), but never had another problem with him.
There my two worst idiots.
At the same time, this kind of call would have gotten me to brief my platoon on range safety, advise them I got a call about "someone," and not much else.
The dumbest things I have seen at a public range?
1. A guy was shooting some surplus arms at a local 100yd range. Mostly an SKS and AK. I broke out my rifles and set up my bench while waiting on him to be done. Once he was done he came over and was asking about my choice and it was mostly polite, but something seemed "off" about him. Maybe it was the lack of knowledge, the SHTF talk or the surplus cammies he had on, but he seemed very ignorant yet paramilitary. I wrote it off as just me and him being a new shooter or something.
We went downrange and I was setting up my target when all of a sudden he pulled his handgun and started shooting from about 25yds back! As soon as he was done emptying his mag and was attempting (rather pathetically) to do speed reload, I tore into him verbally. By that time, I had sprinted back up to behind him yelling for him to stop and had been ignored. He left shortly after, and I never saw him again, but hope he learned better.
2. 1000yd range laid out much like I imagine the OP's is. I was at the 500yd line and was the only one at the range. I was done with a string and was about to check my targets when I heard a report from my right rear. Sure enough some guy had set up targets at the 800yd line and was shooting from the 1000yds line. I was sure since I was proned out for mine he must have missed me (despite my car being right behind him and my range gear being on the same bench his turned out to be on. So I started waving my hands and got a wave back then another shot rang out!
This guy was a piece of work. He assured me he was a sniper from the local base (there were none stationed there) and I was perfectly safe where I was. It was way too long of a walk to set targets on the target line so he was going to shoot where he was and I should just continue on. I just told him to hold off while I gathered my stuff up and left. I let him know that one more shot while I was downrange would result in me yanking his ID and returning it to his unit (turned out he was a mechanic). I gathered my stuff and left. Him I saw a few more times at that range area (Yuma, AZ), but never had another problem with him.
There my two worst idiots.
buck460XVR
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- Feb 6, 2007
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I too see nuttin' unsafe as described by the OP. Most outdoor ranges are set up to accommodate the occasional ricochet from a low shot hitting the ground or a high shot over the berm. Kids milling around BEHIND the shooters and out of the line of fire, is not a safety issue unless they are actively distracting the shooter. No where in the OPs post did I read of any other safety issues, real or not. Seems to me the OP was irritated he had to wait and has a dislike for people wearing uniforms.
This is the kind of camaraderie and attitude I always hope to see at my local public gun range. Not the take their license plate # and tattle on them for no legitimate reason just because I have to wait attitude. Focus on negativity long enough and you can generally perceive any thing you want.
This is the kind of camaraderie and attitude I always hope to see at my local public gun range. Not the take their license plate # and tattle on them for no legitimate reason just because I have to wait attitude. Focus on negativity long enough and you can generally perceive any thing you want.
orionengnr
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- Jan 3, 2005
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Rodney King was a Civil Rights leader? In which parallel universe? In mine, he's a two-bit thug, repeat offender who had 15 minutes of fame.
Mainsail
Member
So if I'm reading this right, the AF guy noticed you waiting and tried to accommodate you, and you thanked him by being a jerk?Pacsd said:
Well I guess we can let this one go since it seems the OP has yet to come back and address some of the questions raised.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
The OP's certainly got a lot to think about here, and it doesn't seem like he's coming back to clear up any misconceptions, so let's let this go. Lessons learned.
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