Why dont most gun site people shoot more?

[Timanator]

Howdy everyone, I dont post here much, although I do really like the site and the info shared.

My dilema has todo with the amount of guys that comes out on local Houston forums(on AR15.com). While we get alot of local guys to come out for the drink and food events every tuesday, a regular shooting crowd is almost zero. For example:

1. First precision shooting event we tried to organize, there was very few response to it from the locals. And out of the 40-50 guys that hangout in the group, only 4 from AR15.com showed up(me and the organizer included). The rest of the participants are the Fclass guys that dont even like to goto the local forums on AR15.com.

2. Every time we schedule any shooting events, the response is poor, and the people that showsup are even fewer. And this is almost every week, and to date we have had eyet had more than 5 people show up at one shooting event.


So why is it that people that loves their guns so much are not willing to take the time to learn how to use them and get better with the skill? Is there something you guys do locally that net better results?

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

I can only speak for myself but I try to shoot at least 200 rounds six times a month.

 

[trickyasafox]

not sure, i like to shoot either by myself or in a very small group though. maybe people think you'll have a high turnout and avoid the group outting fearing things may be to busy?

 

[WayneConrad]

I dunno, but I wonder why you want to stick yer finger in their eye here. Wouldn't the ar15.com forum be the appropriate place?

 

[Timanator]

Here is the link to the proposed rules(The actural match took place the following week due to weather forecasting), There were 10 people talking about the rules, out of those 3 showed up.(My self, WalkerTexasRanger and murderman)


http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=8&f=8&t=226604&page=3

 

[Timanator]

I dunno, but I wonder why you want to stick yer finger in their eye here. Wouldn't the ar15.com forum be the appropriate place?

Sticking it in who's eye? I am wondering how do you guys get better shooter tunouts in your areas. This isnt to put a negative spin on the Htown guys, just to see how you guys promot local shooters to participate in events where they use the guns instead of a beer mug and forks.

 

[HighVelocity]

I shoot 1-2 times a week and I look forward to any organized shoots within driving distance that don't clash with my schedule. I believe I've made it to most of the local group shoots.

There have been a few times when some folks said they would meet me at the range and I ended up having the whole thing to myself so I know how you feel.

 

[cz75bdneos22]

i'll bite...
first is lack of free (recreation) time..in Houston, you gotta drive long distances to get anywhere..i've got a 60 mile commute to work to put up with.
second, any free time i get is first for familia, then for myself and third for friends..shooting firearms is but the last thing on my mind and i like 'em...
lastly, after the first two take most of your time, energy and emotions, then by that time i'm so low on energy and broke to make things worse...that you see why it's so hard to get anybody to do anything worthwhile here in Houston..Shees! there's been occasions where me and a close friend have had beer, food, entretainment etc, and could get nobody ( friends) to come partake of the evening with us..and everything was free!!! Oh, well!! sometimes despite one's best efforts, you come up empty..that's the truth!!
P.S. as for being embarrased...in my 20+ yrs. of shooting handguns, i've mostly shot from the 7yd gallery...i know what i can do...i shoot alone and at that distance it is not a pissing contest anyhow...however, for those that like a challenge, there are numerous clubs, ranges etc, where you can rung what you brung against worthy afficionados of the competive shooting scene. USPA, IDPA, Target, SAS, silouette, etc..i go to the range for a reason, it is my own. YMMV...

 

[waterhouse]

Tons of advanced warning is helpful, as well as frequent reminders. A member here put together a gathering at one of the local ranges. It was discussed which weekend worked for the most people, a date was set, a lot of work went into getting the range's permission, and then everyone who had shown any interest received Private Messages every time there was an update to the event.

It turned out to be a nice little gathering, but a lot of work went into making it so.

As for myself, I typically shoot mid week as my weekends are usually very booked. It's just easier to shoot on my schedule. I have to admit it is a lot more fun to shoot with other people, especially if they are safe and let you play with their toys, but the scheduling doesn't always work out.

 

[ball3006]

I usually shoot every Sunday morning.....

when I am not at my camp getting it ready to retire. When I retire, I will shoot more......chris3

 

[Timanator]

So you guys dont find it odd that these guys all talk and sleep guns, and drives along ways to a Tuesday night meeting with a location arrange either monday or saturday prior, yet cant make the shooting events?


Think maybe we should focus our attention for shooters elsewhere?

 

[realmswalker]

Nobody shows up because they're sitting at home, reading the highroad forums and becoming better shooters through osmosis. I know for a fact that I have moved up to master class shooting just by reading 47,893 posts.

 

[pax]

Timanator ~

For some, it's probably because it would be embarrassing. Too much ego invested in being the online guru, too much risk of other people watching them shoot and figuring out that maybe they've done more online bragging than real-life shooting.

pax

 

[HighVelocity]

Pax makes a very good point. Don't count out the experts that aren't old enough to buy a gun yet either.

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Tim,

The folks here at THR are the good guys, and from now on we should include a posting with the get togethers on this site as well!!

I would also agree 100% with Pax. There is a significanlty higher precentage of arm chair folks at that board than most.

I had asked over at 6MMBR about some type of message board where get togethers and informal shoots etc. could be posted, just a thought for THR as well...

(damn, I just noticed I have been a member here as long as the Mod, as have several others...)

Mark

 

[220_Swift]

For some, it's probably because it would be embarrassing. Too much ego invested in being the online guru, too much risk of other people watching them shoot and figuring out that maybe they've done more online bragging than real-life shooting.

pax

I think Pax nailed this one on the head. People like to talk big, when they can't be held accountable. So if they decide to meet, they know they will look poorly because their words can't even come close to their actions.


I used to be a member of another board that was for shooters in the midwest. We organized a shoot, and actually had a good turn out. It was set up as a friendly competition. The guy who jacked his jaws the most just made a fool of himself. He was actually asked to leave the range for unsafe gun handling. And this was a guy who claimed to have won many many many competitions.

 

[KriegHund]

I'm too poor to buy much ammo.

After im done buying my red dot sight, digital camera, and a few other things, then i can buy ammo to shoot often.

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

Maybe this isn't that case with your group but a lot of guys like the idea of owning an evil black rifle but don't have the wherewithal to invest time in learning to hit with them. It's sort of the "golly gee whiz, look at my cool gun" attitude. Many people are interested in being rifle owners but won't allow themselves to suffer the embarrassment often associated with developing rifleman skills. I suspect this is the same reason why Kalashnikovs are so popular with many new shooters.

 

[WayneConrad]

Sticking it in who's eye? I am wondering how do you guys get better shooter tunouts in your areas.

Timinator, Fair 'nuff. Sorry. I misread your post.

For me, it's what Pax said. I can't imagine why I'd let anyone other than close family see just how bad a shot I am. Keep the shame in the family, so to speak. And I mostly shoot to turn loaded cartridges into empty cartridges that I can reload. I'd just spend all of my time asking everyone if I could have their brass.

 

[mnblaster]

Most of the people in my "hometown" are bumpfire-mudshooters, I got that out of my system a long time ago.

I suggest joining a local range and getting to know some of the people who come down there to shoot. The people there have a vested interest in the range and shooting in general.

 

[JohnBT]

"Why dont most gun site people shoot more?"

Last Friday I went to the range. I left home at 8 a.m., drove 105 miles to my parents' house, ate a sandwich, looked at the new Toyota Avalon (and got the NAV system dialed in, along with the 12-speaker 360 watt stereo my dad bought), rode with my folks 26 miles to the range, shot for 3 hours, rode into Lexington for dinner, rode 30 miles back to the house, ate dessert, drove 105 miles home, got there by 9 p.m. and still had to unload and clean the guns.

Why don't I go to the range more? Too dang much trouble!!!!

John

 

[Black Majik]

I shoot at least twice a week, sometimes more.

Even in our commie state of California, our SGVGC thread at the Rally Point is usually top of the forum. We get good responses and have a monthly shoot with usually good results. We represent

 

[El Barto]

Hmmm, hard to say why certain folks may not go an event. Time, distance, funds, etc. all play into reasons why someone might not be ABLE to show up. I also think a big reason for someone not WANTING to show relates to what Pax said, and there may be the fear of gun snobs.

I for one may feel intimidated if I show up at a shoot and everyone has a decked out mobile home complete with reloading station for their showguns while I pull up in my Intrepid carrying milsurps in a $50 case.

I guess the real test is how we treat each other. If folks are friendly and I have a good time, I will show up for more get togethers.

 

[Pafrmu]

Cost

 

[Timanator]

You guys make some valid points about ego's and internet warriors. So the question I have for you guys is(Since this board seem to have a high percentage of practicing shooters):



How/ what did you guys do to improve the local turnouts for small informal matches and such?