Baltimore_900
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2015
- Messages
- 45
While reviewing the High Road Forum Rules and Regs, I came upon this statement. "Share what you know, learn what you don't."
How many of us stick by this in the Forum atmosphere or at the range? Do we have a teachable mentality or one that puts pride first which usually prevents us from moving forward?
Are we willing to share our knowledge at the range or are we afraid of losing our position on the "Local Shooter Food Chain?" More than once I have seen shooters turn away new shooters at the range or come off condescending in forums and other weapons discussions online.
Recently, at a local range, I witnessed a shooter with what appeared to be a serious 'big bucks' air rifle. It was a Feinwerkbau. .177 Caliber. He was putting one round after another in a single hole at 25'. The father and son next to him were shooting the son's brand new Daisy 880 he had gotten for Christmas. The father appeared to be a relative new shooter himself and was unfamiliar with position shooting and some of the basics of weapon handling although both were strictly adhering to all safety measures and were very careful. They had the Daisy 880 model which included a scope. They were having problems.
Instead of lending a hand, Mr. Big Bucks took to ridiculing both father and son on their 'obvious' lack of knowledge and 'poor choice' of air rifles. The youngster was around 12-13 and was so upset he just put his new Christmas present back in the cardboard box it came in. The father began reeling the target in while Mr. Big Bucks laughed and went back to shooting.
So much for being an ambassador for the shooting sports.
My partner and I have been Life Members of the NRA for more years than we can remember. Clearly, air rifles are a tremendous gateway into the shooting community for many and it has become a discipline unto itself.
As far as we were concerned, Mr. Big Bucks had just successfully alienated two new shooters. We both donned our ear and eye protection and then entered the shooter's section of the indoor range. Ear and eye protection are neither required or necessary for the observation windows.
Cut to the chase? We spoke with the father and son. They took the Daisy back out of the box and between my shooting partner and I, we got both father and son squared away. They learned how to zero their scope. We went over basic weapons handling and of course safety concerns. The youngster went from having tears in his eyes two days after Christmas to keeping his shots in the black portion of the bullseye at 25'. This amounts to an approximate 3" diameter circle which encompassed the 9/10/X Ring. So, what did the "Elitest" attitude do for Mr. Big Bucks? Did it fortify his fragile ego when he ridiculed two new shooters trying out a new Christmas present?
It would have been very satisfying to shut down Mr. Big Bucks in public, but since discretion is the better part of valor, we spent the time getting to know our new shooters. They will both soon be joining the NRA and have a renewed happiness.
Thanks to certain ones plus my own motivation, I personally have learned quite a bit regarding air rifles though I had been shooting competitive High Power since age 11. We all start from the beginning. The last thing the shooting community needs is to alienate beginners.
We will be keeping in touch. They have more than enough space in their backyard for plinking and enough space in their basement to set up a safe and effective BB/Pellet Trap.
So, why not share what you know with those in the learning stages? The ones you help today will be those who will one day coach and reassure others. What will you learn in the process?
How many of us stick by this in the Forum atmosphere or at the range? Do we have a teachable mentality or one that puts pride first which usually prevents us from moving forward?
Are we willing to share our knowledge at the range or are we afraid of losing our position on the "Local Shooter Food Chain?" More than once I have seen shooters turn away new shooters at the range or come off condescending in forums and other weapons discussions online.
Recently, at a local range, I witnessed a shooter with what appeared to be a serious 'big bucks' air rifle. It was a Feinwerkbau. .177 Caliber. He was putting one round after another in a single hole at 25'. The father and son next to him were shooting the son's brand new Daisy 880 he had gotten for Christmas. The father appeared to be a relative new shooter himself and was unfamiliar with position shooting and some of the basics of weapon handling although both were strictly adhering to all safety measures and were very careful. They had the Daisy 880 model which included a scope. They were having problems.
Instead of lending a hand, Mr. Big Bucks took to ridiculing both father and son on their 'obvious' lack of knowledge and 'poor choice' of air rifles. The youngster was around 12-13 and was so upset he just put his new Christmas present back in the cardboard box it came in. The father began reeling the target in while Mr. Big Bucks laughed and went back to shooting.
So much for being an ambassador for the shooting sports.
My partner and I have been Life Members of the NRA for more years than we can remember. Clearly, air rifles are a tremendous gateway into the shooting community for many and it has become a discipline unto itself.
As far as we were concerned, Mr. Big Bucks had just successfully alienated two new shooters. We both donned our ear and eye protection and then entered the shooter's section of the indoor range. Ear and eye protection are neither required or necessary for the observation windows.
Cut to the chase? We spoke with the father and son. They took the Daisy back out of the box and between my shooting partner and I, we got both father and son squared away. They learned how to zero their scope. We went over basic weapons handling and of course safety concerns. The youngster went from having tears in his eyes two days after Christmas to keeping his shots in the black portion of the bullseye at 25'. This amounts to an approximate 3" diameter circle which encompassed the 9/10/X Ring. So, what did the "Elitest" attitude do for Mr. Big Bucks? Did it fortify his fragile ego when he ridiculed two new shooters trying out a new Christmas present?
It would have been very satisfying to shut down Mr. Big Bucks in public, but since discretion is the better part of valor, we spent the time getting to know our new shooters. They will both soon be joining the NRA and have a renewed happiness.
Thanks to certain ones plus my own motivation, I personally have learned quite a bit regarding air rifles though I had been shooting competitive High Power since age 11. We all start from the beginning. The last thing the shooting community needs is to alienate beginners.
We will be keeping in touch. They have more than enough space in their backyard for plinking and enough space in their basement to set up a safe and effective BB/Pellet Trap.
So, why not share what you know with those in the learning stages? The ones you help today will be those who will one day coach and reassure others. What will you learn in the process?
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