4-5 years ago I was the only milsurp shooter at my club. Lots of guys looked down their noses at my old military junk. Once I started out shooting their 1000+ buck rifles they started to take notice. Now, there is always a few milsurps at the range. When I was a kid, in the 50s, my dad forbid me to buy a Springfield or Enfield at the army/navy stores where they had 55 gallon barrels of them for 15 bucks apiece. It took me 50 years and 400 bucks to get one from the CMP. I have never looked back.....chris3
Set in their ways
- Thread starter Dimis
- Start date
- Status
Hardtarget
Member
After reading several posts I remembered a hunting trip of several years ago. Out for rabbit. The guys were pulling out their slick semi auto guns. A 12 ga. this...a 20 ga. something...all new and pretty! When they spotted my Savage .22/410 ...well, the looks told it all. One was "vocal" and snickered pretty good.
I've taken more rabbit with that gun than I could load on my F-150 so I just let it roll off my back. Wish I could say I was the only one to limit but it was a lousey day. We saw one rabbit! The good part? I got the only shot.
Problem was he got in a ground hog hole...so he got away!
All that to say...DON'T let the snobs bother you! Enjoy yourself and your guns! Shoot what YOU want and like and keep grining!
Mark
I've taken more rabbit with that gun than I could load on my F-150 so I just let it roll off my back. Wish I could say I was the only one to limit but it was a lousey day. We saw one rabbit! The good part? I got the only shot.
Problem was he got in a ground hog hole...so he got away!
All that to say...DON'T let the snobs bother you! Enjoy yourself and your guns! Shoot what YOU want and like and keep grining!
Mark
Ignition Override
Member
Dimis:
Many of us in this area belong to a private club.
The guys there are always polite, and most would never bring a MN or SKS etc, but I've seen a bit of everything there, though most of my shooting is at a river.
The limited times that such rifle types were taken attracted no attention at all.
People who have character are not bothered by things which do not interest them, whether they look like accurate guns, or not.
They are the same way at my brother's club range just outside Evansville, IN.
People who only offer dirty looks for normal behavior, must have very delicate egos, and are only there to impress people.
Many of us in this area belong to a private club.
The guys there are always polite, and most would never bring a MN or SKS etc, but I've seen a bit of everything there, though most of my shooting is at a river.
The limited times that such rifle types were taken attracted no attention at all.
People who have character are not bothered by things which do not interest them, whether they look like accurate guns, or not.
They are the same way at my brother's club range just outside Evansville, IN.
People who only offer dirty looks for normal behavior, must have very delicate egos, and are only there to impress people.
Old krow
Member
I don't give that thought much food. It can starve for all I care.
12131
Member
Exactly!
I find it helps to shoot a variety of guns at a range session. I shoot at two ranges, one of them north of Evansville in a wildlife area, and some dude was touting how awesome his 357 was and how I should put down the nines I was shooting and get one.
So I finished with the 9s and pulled out the 44 mag. Yeah, he shut up.
So I finished with the 9s and pulled out the 44 mag. Yeah, he shut up.
Onward Allusion
Member
You have snobs and ninjas from all walks of life at the range. On this forum alone, we have some of our most heated "discussions" whenever the subject of Hi-Point, Taurus, or Glock comes up. Personally, I could care less how much a gun costs as long as it is functional and reliable. I'm more in the middle and enjoy my guns first and then go toward the training/practice spectrum.
N003k
Member
My last trip to the range included everything from a M44 Carbine, to an MSAR STG-556. I didn't much care what people thought of anything I was shooting.
In fact, the only time I've really cared at all what other people thought of what I was shooting, was last time I had my CETME out at a busy public range, and then only because I know for a fact the muzzle blast seems to make people uncomfortable shooting next to it...probably due to the CT legal muzzle break as opposed to the standard flash hider.
In fact, the only time I've really cared at all what other people thought of what I was shooting, was last time I had my CETME out at a busy public range, and then only because I know for a fact the muzzle blast seems to make people uncomfortable shooting next to it...probably due to the CT legal muzzle break as opposed to the standard flash hider.
RimfireChris
Member
I get odd looks all the time. For all the trash talking about the Judge, every time I bring it some place to shoot it, everybody wants a turn. To heck with the critics.
CapnMac
Member
This.
Met them in boating, ballooning, re-enacting, cooking, about every avocation imaginable. Just have to nod and smile and store away the well-earned retorts until you get home and can share them with us <G>
kentucky bucky
Member
You should see the looks I get when I take one of my flintlock longrifles to a range. You would think I'm shooting a zip gun made out of plumbing supplies the way some look at me. There is always a few that appreciate the beauty of a well built muzzleloader with a curly maple stock, but most act like I MUST be jealous of their black rifle or their .338 uber-ultra mag war eagle 3000.
medalguy
Member
If it's not readily recognized , small caliber,lots of wood, blue steel, and single action or double barreled, it can look cheap or repulsive to this crowd.
Great, less competition for the stuff I happen to like.
I remember way back (in the olden days my kids remind me) when I went deer hunting and I was about 19 or 20. I was invited by a friend, and I didn't have much money and certainly not a fine hunting rifle, so I took what I had, an M1 Garand. Well first evening after arrival I was pretty well derided about my choice in rifles, and everyone pretty much doubted I could take a deer at the west Texas distances they shot at.
Long story short version, only one deer was taken the next day which was opening day, a nice 8 point buck at about 180 yards, yep, my Garand. So don't worry about what others think. As long as you're comfortable with them, have fun. Life is too short to worry about inconsequential things.
Oh one other thought, do you think those other guys at the range can outshoot you with your "junk" guns? Nothing better than to show them up. That's the best kind of satisfaction.
Great, less competition for the stuff I happen to like.
I remember way back (in the olden days my kids remind me) when I went deer hunting and I was about 19 or 20. I was invited by a friend, and I didn't have much money and certainly not a fine hunting rifle, so I took what I had, an M1 Garand. Well first evening after arrival I was pretty well derided about my choice in rifles, and everyone pretty much doubted I could take a deer at the west Texas distances they shot at.
Long story short version, only one deer was taken the next day which was opening day, a nice 8 point buck at about 180 yards, yep, my Garand. So don't worry about what others think. As long as you're comfortable with them, have fun. Life is too short to worry about inconsequential things.
Oh one other thought, do you think those other guys at the range can outshoot you with your "junk" guns? Nothing better than to show them up. That's the best kind of satisfaction.
TCU
Member
So yes i can kind of agree, however i think affordability is the main deciding factor. If i can afford a certain brand then i will absolutly buy that firearm. However when i am at the range i will never knock on a dude for shooting a cheaper firearm unless he initiates the conversation for self confidence as most younger guys seem to do. So thinking about the tactical weapons, those are my favorite, almost my whole collection is from a tactical standpoint. However i am in the USMC and that is just what i am in to. But i agree with you guys about how the games like call of duty influence their minds. The perception is that if you own one, people will hold you to a higher level, IMO. Usually they are the ones acting like idiots anyway.
TCU
thank you for your service.
definitely not knocking tactical arms in any way I own a bunch of those as well
like i said earlier I love all kinds of guns tactical cowboy blackpowder mil-surp hunting long range precision mil-spec non mil-spec cheap expensive small large caliber millimeter gauge bore cylinders slides actions wood bluing stainless steel chrome polymer custom stock home smithed GUNS!!!! Grrrr-oh-oh-oh... (sorry went a little tim allen there)
Im just glad that im not the only one lol
thank you for your service.
definitely not knocking tactical arms in any way I own a bunch of those as well
like i said earlier I love all kinds of guns tactical cowboy blackpowder mil-surp hunting long range precision mil-spec non mil-spec cheap expensive small large caliber millimeter gauge bore cylinders slides actions wood bluing stainless steel chrome polymer custom stock home smithed GUNS!!!! Grrrr-oh-oh-oh... (sorry went a little tim allen there)
Im just glad that im not the only one lol
As a fellow serviceman (Army), I too am in to tactical arms. I also have a couple of 50 year old .22s that, and a couple sporterized "milsurp" arms. It's funny how the "call of duty" crowd seems to base their ideas of the capability of various fire arms on their effectiveness in the video game. LOL! I like shooting, and firearms. Period. I've never looked down on anyone for what they're shooting. I've taken issue with unsafe shooters, however!
I always try to follow the golden rule when meeting others at the range or gun show, whatever firearm they happen to have. I know in many cases they have what they can afford. I can still remember when people offered encouraging words and advice on the firearms and ammo I started out with. It costs nothing. I try to pass along the same treatment to those starting out. If what they have is junk, they will know it first, and they will not need it rubbed in. To be exclusive, someone has to be excluded. That shouldn't be, we should not throw away those who want to join us.
- Status