Range Snobs

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OKfine. I just meant don't knock it if you haven't tried it, e.g., in all likelihood, I prolly won't get around to gaining much proficiency at long range marksmanship with the .50 BMG, and I appreciate that people naturally gravitate to what they like best (and we're all limited in some way by time and/or $$), but I'd never turn down a chance to shoot something new. How're you going to know if you don't try?

Just a vote for informed choice:cool:
 
I gotcha.

I bought a .22 Rifle a while ago and did not enjoy it. It was not overly reliable (Rem 597 HB) and my eyesight/glasses do not help wither (my glasses do not square to the scope and it distorts too much).

Anyway - I realized that I enjoyed shooting my handguns and I also realized that I was a pretty horrible shot. (note: man admitting he is not a very good shot with a gun)

Anyway - I wanted to get a shotgun and all kinds of stuff, but I wanted to stick to my pistols until I was decent with them.

Now that I am decent, even good, I want to become excellent. The general level of pistol marksmanship is horrible if range targets tell anything. This tells me I may have better odds than many think if I get in a gun fight :what:
 
At my old range, there were more blowhards and snobs than you could shake a stick at. A buddy and I both went in on getting HK's, a USC for him and an SL8 for me. I know these aren't cheap guns (believe me, I KNOW), but whenever we went to the range, we would try to use our time as a learning experience. i.e. shoot as many different guns as possible, talk to everyone on the line who would listen and answer questions, and do as much shooting as we could afford.

For the most part, the people were nice but always there were the blowhards that because we didn’t have their brand of gun, or they didn’t like HK for whatever reason, or we weren't trying to train like military snipers, or whatever reason they could come up with for not liking us, would make fun of our stuff.
"It can only hold 10 rounds?! What good is that?!" <funny, I don’t remember the last time my house was stormed by 11 intruders>

Or they'd try to pick on my shooting style
"No! your thumb/arm/shoulder/elbow should be up/down/left/right/cut off/whatever."

Or even my reasons for shooting
"You don't buy a gun like that just to shoot paper every week"
I go because shooting is fun, not because I am training for war or keeping the king of England out of my face.

Also, there was a clique of AR fans who would hang out on the far left of the range (and since ARs spit brass out to the right, they rained hot metal on everyone).

They would snicker and call everyone who had a .223 rifle (Mini, HK, even bolt actions) that wasn’t an AR an idiot. :cuss:

It's because of people like that that we left that range and started using one that was a little further away but has the nicest people. (Including one who let me use his HK Mk. 23 SOCOM... DROOOOL)

Feels good to vent.

/Arcli9ht

BTW - I don't want to piss off the AR people, I want to get the little bushie M4 like you wouldn’t believe. $$$ is always the issue.
 
I probably have more poo flung at me by range snobs than any of you guys. I know why it is, too. First of all, I'm 22 and have been shooting as often as possible for about 4 years. Even now, I get looks from ppl like "hey, look at the KID over there." Second, when I go to the range I wear some black BDU pants that I bought specifically for wearing when I'm gonna get dirty. My normal pants are khakis and not cheap, so I don't wanna ruin them. No denim in my closet either, just don't like it. It has nothing to do with being "tactical." I just wanted a pair of pants that could take a beating without me worrying about it. Half the time I'm wearing sandals with 'em too, that gets a few odd looks. When I break out the FAL and the AK the looks get even worse. Nobody has actually said anything to me though, probably because after I squeeze off a few rounds and hit what I'm aiming at, they can't complain about my age and all that. When I break out the Kimber from my carry holster...hehe, that always raises a few eyebrows.

You guys should have seen the looks I got in my CWP class (6 months after I turned 21). Classic. Then I shot better than all but 2 of the other guys and the looks changed.

I used to have a horrible time in gun shops. Now all the employees know me in all the shops in town. They also know that I have good taste. Thankfully I don't have to fight for service anymore. Unfortunately it doesn't matter since I don't have money anymore!

The only time I really remember people vocalizing what their faces were already saying was when I went to SLED to get my fingerprints for my CWP application. The lady said, "you're kinda young to have this aren't you?" "The state legislature doesn't seem to think so." She was quiet after that.

I never look down on people at the range because of how they look or what they're shooting. One time I did vocalize my disdain for some idiot shooting a black powder rifle, though. This guy came up, set up a target. We shot while he prepped his rifle, then called for cease fire (which everyone acknowledged) and went down to check targets and such. Mr. Black Powder decides that no warning is necessary before he shoots. Oh, BTW, someone was still on the other side of the firing line, coming back from changing targets. None of us had our hearing protection on, so we were a little pissed. Then we're all shootin, having a good time and this moron just starts walkin downrange! I see him and yell cease fire so he doesn't get shot (I almost regret that sometimes, he's bound to get someone killed some day). He looks at his target, leaves it up on the POST where he had put it (you know, the post that holds the ribbon up to put targets on), grabs his gun and walks to his car, then drives away. Idiot.

Wow this was longer than expected, sorry guys :)

- LT
 
LiquidTension, Ryan, is that you buddy (its me, Weaver, the guy with the Glcok 10mm's and Carbon Fiber AR). That had to be at Indian Creek Rifle range. I was there that day..or another day when something very similar happened.
 
my local range allows cameras and videos to be taken in the shooting area,makes for an interesting way to showcase your talent.and putting some of these bozos on america's funniest videos's or america's dumbest criminals does wonders to fix the snobbish type:)
havent run into any of these types at my range praise the lord!:what:
 
Typically, I think most often I have encountered snobbery with the shotgun sports. I have shot a lot of trap and skeet through the years. I enjoy the shotgun sports in spite of the snobs. Sometimes, I have found that some people who come off as snobs at the skeet range, actually are really nice guys and are willing to give out a lot of free good advice to new shooters. I think that some of them are actually realizing that if they don't continue to get new blood into the sport, they could very well see the end of skeet and trap shooting. I respect someone who can run 25 straight, regardless of what gun they are shooting. There are those who won't bother with you if you are not toting a Perazzi, or a Kreighoff, but most of them aren't that way, at least where I shoot. When I was younger, I thoroughly enjoyed out shooting the guys with the fancy guns. I've seen spoiled rich kids throw Perazzi shotguns in a snowdrift because they couldn't break targets at 16 yd trap. I just ignore the snobs when I encounter them. I have found that people at pistol and rifle ranges on average are much nicer and more down to earth than the people at the trap and skeet ranges. Trap and skeet are a lot like golf in that the equipment you bring is almost as important as how well you can use it. Not to offend anyone on this board who is a golfer, but you know what I mean. Personally I still adhere to the idea that it isn't nearly as important what I use to break clays with as long as I can break them. I would rather run 25 straight with a Mossberg 500 than break 10 with a "B" gun.
 
Well if you resent me or consider me a snob because I scrimped and saved for years to buy a quality target shotgun that's your problem not mine. If it makes you feel warm all over if you happen to beat me with your Mossberg, your Stevens or your even your slingshot for that matter then have a nice day. I'm not at the range to prove anything, apparently however you are.

I frequently read on the websites about the crushing humiliation inflicted upon elitist, snobbish shotgunners by salt of the earth country boy with a worn old pump gun and a glint in his eye.:rolleyes: Truth is I don't see it happening in real life very often. Not to say it doesn't happen, it just seems to happen far more often on the web than at the range.

Paul
 
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PJR

I have no idea if you are a snob or not. I don't know you. I certainly don't resent you. You may very well be the nicest person on earth. I don't care what kind of target shotgun you own. You had to earn the money to buy it, not me. The fact does remain though that there is a certain amount of snobbery involved with the clay target sports. Moreso than other shooting that I have been involved in. As I said in my earlier post, some of the nicest people I have met at the skeet ranges are the ones who take the sport seriously enough to invest in higher end shotguns. When I shoot skeet or trap I could not care less if the rest of the group breaks 1 target or all 25. I am competing against myself. If you were offended by anything I posted, forgive me, I meant no personal affront toward you or anyone else on this board. I was speaking in generalities.
 
seldomseen:

No need to apologize. I wasn't responding as much to your post as to the general assumption running through the thread that anyone with an expensive gun be it a handgun, rifle or shotgun is somehow looked down on. This is familiar terrain on The Firing Line.

I've seen the snobbish attitude in clay target sports and one of my favorite episodes was the evening when some of the IDPA shooters dropped by to shoot some targets. Some of the shooters cringed when they saw the short barreled pump guns and semis but the rangemaster, a crusty fellow at best, ended the griping when he said, "They paid for their rounds, their guns are legal, they are handling them safely, they are welcome at our club any time." Case closed.

I frequently trot out my HD pump gun for an evening of skeet. I don't shoot it as well as my regular target gun but I have fun just the same.

Paul
 
It's been a while since I've encountered a range snob. Most folks I shoot with are pretty social and like to talk about and showcase their guns. Many times I've had the opportunity presented to try a particular weapon or I've offered someone who has interest in mine to try a few shots.

But then I shoot at a club range. More often than not I have the range to myself.

Good SHooting
RED
 
I've got to admit that I really haven't had to put with that many range snobs. The only time in recent memory was at the local Rod and Gun range where I'm a member. The club has an organized 5 stand event every Sunday. I never was much into busting clays, but I figured I'd show up and get a little practice in before bird season.

As soon as I walked up, I knew I was a bit out of place. All around me were folks toting over/unders and semis. Not a pump to be seen. That, and where I was the new guy, I was drawing some interest to see what I had brought with me. Then I pulled my bird gun out of my case. 17 year old Remington 870 Express 12 Gauge with a 26" barrel. This has always been my field gun, and it looks it. I could see the sneers and slack jaws. Had one guy come over and talk to me. Asked if I had shot 5 stand before. Told him that I really had not shot at clays much at all. He immediately started going on about how my Remington would be fine to start out with, but that if I decided to get serious I'd want something a little better. He then proceeded to go on about how great his Beretta was for about the next 10 minutes. He ended up by telling me that I probably wouldn't do too well, but not to get too put out and give things a chance. Told him "We'll see."

My 1st round I shot an 18/25. Beat some of the folks that were regulars. I could hear the comments about beginners luck, and I again replied with "Probably, but we'll see." 2nd round I was used to things and I shot a 23/25. Only one person beat me, and it wasn't the guy I had chatted with earlier. There was a lot of grumbling, and I heard one guy mumble "Ringer". Figured I'd pack it in, and headed over to the rifle range. Told the first guy I spoke too that I thought I'd keep the Remington, and I'd certainly be back again. He was slightly put out by the whole turn of events.
 
I was on the outdoor pistol range with a friend a year or so ago. There were two sheriff's deputies on the next bench; one was shooting a brand new S&W 19, using boxes of comercial ammunition. Firing single action, they both sprayed the targets at 25 yards. I just watched without saying anything, though I'm sure they detected my smirk.
"You want to give it a try, old timer?" one deputy asked?
I loaded his revolver with his commercial ammunition and fired six quick shots double action, ejected the empties and set the gun down on the bench.
Quiet settled over the range as they retreived the target. I had put six in the X ring. They put the target down on the bench without a word then packed and left.
My shooting buddy walked over to where I was standing and said, laughing: "I really hate it when you show off."
During the many years I spent as a LE Firearms Instructor, I learned that if you want to teach, you have to be able to pick up any gun on the range and shoot it well. I also learned that most LEO's don't practice if they can avoid it.
 
I like it when they say "You can't hit nothing with a 2in 357 snub nose" and then out shoot them . :neener:

I have guns worth $150 to $1500 and if you shoot well to start with you can shoot all guns well
 
Generally, you see good folks at the range I go to. Or, at least they don't say anything. That said...

I had a guy make fun of me out of the blue (total stranger in the next lane) for shooting a CZ-75B in 9mm. He was shooting a Glock 22, I think, barely hitting the paper at 7 yards.

So what do I do? Being a wiseass, I pull out my Smith & Wesson 610 Classic 6.5" and test fire some Cor-Bon hunting ammo I dug out of the bottom of my range bag.

BOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM

1 hole at 15 yards. That's nothing special, of course, but that day it was enough. If the group didn't shut him up the noise did. :D
 
You can't hit nothing with a 2in 357 snub nose
Click to expand...
I always get the" You can't hit nothing with a 2in Scandium 357 snub nose". Its SO funny when you attack the plate machine with that 11 ounce wrist-breaker and hit 5-for-5 w/ full-power .357's...then turn and hand it to them:uhoh: . I've only had one taker..he handed the weapon back with 3 live rounds left and all of the plates still standing
 
You know, a lot of these posts really demonstrate the entire notion of range snobs.

:neener:

pax

Many people love in themselves what they hate in others. -- Benzel Sternan
 
Yeah, pax, I can't deny I am a reverse range snob. I love shooting trap with this ancient, dented, 1897. It has not a scrap of blue left on it and a big stripe of epoxy holds the forestock together. Half the shooters on the range look at me like I let one go in church. Till we start shooting, anyway.
 
range snob??

I have never met one of these. Why would anyone want to copp a attidude with a man or women with a gun?
 
Heh heh...gotta agree PAX...after reading most of the replies, you'd think the post subject was "How many THR members carry chips on their shoulders?"
 
LOL!

It's kind of funny. There is an obvious undercurrent of what amounts to expensive gun hating by several people around here. As if the only people who spend money on guns are people who can't hit with a Glock (or CZ or whatever) and want to "buy skill."

There are probably a few people that fit that stereotype. But alot of people with expensive guns bought them because they are good enough shots to tell the difference between the accuracy of $400 guns and $2,000 guns. Personally, though, I just dig expensive guns. :D
 
I recall once at Gibson's Outpost in Mesquite, Tx, shooting my Browning B78 (high wall replica) in .25-06. Glossy stock, octagon barrel, sorta funny looking but oh my does it shoot.

I set up on the 200 yard range, next to three guys who are shooting M1A's - they are good shots, shooting maybe 6 inch groups at 200 yards, with the iron sights. I can see them out the corner of my eye, pointing, whispering, and smirking at my single shot. I shoot a few, walk down, get my target, bring it back and set it down on the bench. They all stop talking and stare, 'cuse I have a 3/4" group at 200 yards. The silence was golden:neener:
 
why i dont go to ranges anymore.too many fools,noise restrictions,know-it-alls and higher than mighty types.better to go shoot fer free in the country and enjoy it totally than pay for half an hour of glares,stares and bickering.
 
Don't forget that in addition to the equipment snob there is also the exact opposite: those who are jealous of other people's guns. These sort of people will scoff at people who are shooting 18s in trap with their Krieghoff. That annoys me just as much as the people that look down on you for what they percieve as inferior equipment.

Nightcrawler- You're completely correct. If you bring an attractive woman to the range people act like its the second coming of Christ or something. Anytime I go shooting with an attractive young lady, I simply wait until there is a day with no one around or I shoot on private property. In my experience, nearly all of the attractive young ladies are creeped out by the other guys at the range. And normally, rightfully so.
 
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