Negative experience at SGL 242 Rossville 10/10

[T Durdin]

Wow. So yesterday I went to SGL 242 to do some target shooting. I was in the area for a few 'cause I was at my mom's cleaning out the shed and doing some work around the house there. So in the afternoon I decided the heat of the day was subsiding and maybe a good time for a little outing. So I got up there and there were few people milling about and the pistol range was open. I wanted to get some target time in with my 22 revolver. I was like cool, range open -awesome.

I had gone to 242 to for years while living in Dover until some guy ND'd beside my with a 357 snubby one day. And For a while I been going to private clubs to avoid just such events as what occured. -

Bear in mind I'm a large man and wearing a cannbal corpse T-shirt. It's a hair band from the 90's.

At this range on the pistol range there are two long benches. One side- say N side has longer backstops. About 25 yds and again at maybe 40 yds out. The other bench we'll say is on the S side, has two back stops one at 25 yds and one close up at maybe 15 yds.

So I was laying out my gear and set up some targets on the N side. Some people came up. It was an middle aged couple who seemed as though they might be experienced shooters. Turns out they sure didn't act like it. They hung up targets at the S side bench. As I was walking to the back stop I here the slide of an automatic, some one working the action of a pistol. As I got back behind the benches the lady raises what looked like an xd in 9 or 40 and shoots.

So I look the man in the eye and said 'hey was that loaded while I was down range? If it was that's so not cool. It's not cool to load a firarm while someone is down range." He says no it wasn't and agrees. The point was made and that should have been the end of it.

The woman finishes taking a couple shots and angrilly states several times "he just loaded when you came back!" I said that I wasn't arguing the point or complaining, just stating the danger of handling a gun while folks are down range. She again reiterates "He did not load it til you were back." almost getting loud with me. I mean this lady was visibly angry and aggitated in the possesion of her piece.

I was gonna tell her to chillax, but I didn't know how they'd take any further interaction.

Then two dudes showed up. The men were shooting on the S side with "mom and pop." Between every volley I informally act as range officer and ask "ready to fire" or "everyone clear". After saying these the couple never would respond verbally only "pop" would nod. Everyone goes about shoosting for a few. At one point the lady clears her weapon and says "Clear" kinda loudly. I'm like ok, do you think I'm stupid and am gonna walk down range. No, i don't think so, I was watching everybody like a hawk. I was pretty much on red alert and even thinking about leaving after incident no. 1.

They stayed and shot for maybe 45 min. and then left in a huff.

I was kind of skiddish and nervous and it basically ruined the rest of my shoot. I still did ok though. I shot both the 25 and 40 yds on the N side.

[P-11 shooter]

That's an uneventful day compared to alot of SGL ranges.

I've seen some incredible things. That's not bad at all.

[imperialism2024]

Originally Posted by P-11 shooter

That's an uneventful day compared to alot of SGL ranges.

I've seen some incredible things. That's not bad at all.

Agreed. That qualifies as a good day.

At my nearest SGL, where there are mostly 100-yard targets, and two 50-yard targets at the one end. I once had a guy start walking downrange at the 50-yard targets, while there were several of us still shooting at the 100-yard targets. He gave no indication, and I happened to see him out of the corner of my eye and I yelled for everyone to cease firing. And the guy didn't seem to think what he did was a problem.

Not to mention all the times I've been swept by muzzles of guns that *were* in fact loaded... and from what I hear, my stores also aren't that bad.

[T Durdin]

Originally Posted by imperialism2024

Not to mention all the times I've been swept by muzzles of guns that *were* in fact loaded... and from what I hear, my stores also aren't that bad.

Whoa is all I can say to that. I don't mind helping newbies and offer advice to people at the range when asked. But some people out there....... definatley need to drill on safety a little more.

[Scubastevie00]

Me and my buddy were there while you and an older guy were there. He was shooting a few hunting rifles and you had a lever gun also right? I saw them walking back to their car looking pretty mad.. I was the younger guy w/ the AR and my buddy with his .22 rifle..

Were you there when the two guys with the shotgun started shooting the tshirt as a target or when my buddy was looking through his scope with his finger on the trigger about to take another shot when they started walking down range? Ahhh good times out there...

I loved the one guys muzzle loader there... I need one of em..

[jahwarrior72]

i call BS on this:

Originally Posted by T Durdin

Bear in mind I'm a large man and wearing a cannbal corpse T-shirt. It's a hair band from the 90's.

cannibal corpse? hair band? i direct your attention to exhibit 'A':




seriously, though, this is why i hate public ranges. sometimes, i'llmeet really interesting people, normally seniors, but there's always a drain bamaged idiot there. if i could afford to, i'd join a club or something.

[nijwnfi]

I was there around 10:30, I stopped to do a little paperwork, and check out the range. There was a decent crowd, no craziness. I was in a yellow tanker truck.

[Wynder]

As an RSO, I'm the last one down, last one up -- I don't like anyone uprange near their booth when someone's down range. You're either posting or retrieving targets or back at least 6 feet from the line.

I'd probably had left were I in your situation.

[CPratt]

This is why i shoot on a private range. I feel sorry for those who don't have a choice.

[Rosco the Iroc]

I've had issues like that at other state ranges. Yea if no one else speaks up I take on RSO. If I hear actions being worked when I'm down range I'd say something also. So let them be mad. Too bad. I guess they needed to know better.