Attacked by a "range lizard" today. EEEK!

[Peter M. Eick]

I was minding my own business today at the public range just trying to get my double action trigger finger working again. It has been 2 months overseas since I shot a gun so I am out of practice.

So, working away at the 15 yrd range with a 1950 K22 Masterpiece and up walks a "range lizard". First I know he is telling me that I should use the joint of my finger and not the pad. Next he tells me I need to use something bigger than just a 22. And then he tells me I should get something more modern if I want to get good.

At this point I put my gun down and tell him that I remember him. 2 years ago he tried to tell me that a Colt Trooper was better than my Registered Magnum and that my sig 210's were not as well built as a Glock. I said at that point I figured you were an idiot but now you have confirmed it. He seemed surprised that I remembered his stupid statement so I added, that I do remember it because it had to be one of the dumbest things I have ever heard someone say about shooting.

So next I said, since you are so willing to critique my targets lets look at yours. He was on the 10 yrd range and shooting about a 6" pattern with 12 shots. He only shoots about 6 shots then finds a victim to talk to. I normally shoot 50 shots per target at 15 or 25 yrds and while today was not my best, I was keeping them within 3" and the bulk in a inch. At this point I said, if you talked less, concentrated more and spent more time behind the gun instead of telling others how they could do it, you might actually become a decent shot. At that point I went back and reloaded and kept shooting. He on the other hand just stood there while I racked my 6 and reloaded. After a few moments he moved on and found another victim.

I don't like being rude but the guy goes around and gives some of the crappiest advice I have ever heard and says some just plain stupid things. He has been on our range for years and I just try and avoid him. Normally I have a 357 Maximum or a 357 Magnum that I can cut loose some full power loads and that would drive him away, but today I was easing into shooting again.

So have you all ever been attacked by a "range lizard" and how do you get rid of him?

 

[bassoneer]

I can't recall ever being attacked by a range lizard, but if I am, I will probably use similar words. I think you handled him appropriately. Glock better than Sig? And Colt Trooper better than Registered Magnum? He doesn't know his guns...just keep avoiding him and shoot - it will be good practice to be able to drown out non-sense while you shoot. B

 

[Fredo Batali]

I don't go to ranges for that reason, among many others. No range, No"range Lizards"

De Oppresso Liber

 

[S&WIowegan]

We have one at our Izaak Walton range but he is in the pitiful category. He comes out with some beat up old gun which has often been "improved" by him on the kitchen table. He doesn't criticize anyone's shooting. He wants to talk about all his medical problems......if it's all true he's a walking miracle to be alive. None of us want to be rude but he's like glue and you can't get any shooting in.

I salute they way you handled your lizard.

 

[Harrison]

You just try to be nice to them and agree with everything they say. Range lizards are on the endangered specis list. You don't want to get the EPA, Dept. of Interior and Fish & Wildlife down on you. It helps to come up with some far out, unbelievable theories on ballistics, reloading, shooting tips to expound on to the lizard. Things like heavy gravity spots affecting the bullets flight, ballistic demons, the effect of the earths magnetic poles on accuracy at 15 yards, compressed powdered polymer bullets etc etc. They will think you are crazy and soon go away.

 

[Sprefix]

Boy, Do I know what you mean.

I've even seen them "hosting a class" telling a novice, petite woman how to shoot his .44 mag (Surely this .44 is impressing her) as her first shooting experience. Some peoples kids........ I swear, you just want to tell them to go back home and work on their professional video game playing skills and get off the range. Please remind these people that there are usually self-help and tactful human-relations classes or courses at most libraries.

 

[GKC]

I haven't had it happen at a range, but I have had it happen to me in gun shops (obviously I wasn't firing!) I have been looking at a particular model, and I have had people ask me why I want it (scornfully...if they were asking for information, I would be glad to explain); I have had people tell me I shouldn't buy a certain caliber (I was once looking at a SIG in 9mm, and I had a uniformed police officer come up to me and tell me that I should only buy a SIG in .357!) There have been other incidents...and usually the gun shop employees just look at me with an embarrassed shrug, as if to say "they can't really insult a customer." I did see the owner of one shop tell a person to leave his shop and not come back, for that sort of thing...he wasn't bothering me, but approaching female customers offering "advice."

I have a personal quirk in that I like to be left alone...if I need advice or help, I'll ask for it. Now, if someone saw me about to make a fatal mistake, I'd hope they would approach me, but otherwise, unless I indicate I need some help, I just want to be left alone.

I don't like people on my lawn, either...

 

[617X10]

It's easy to tell someone to buy a .357 Sig when you get your ammo for free.

 

[Gasman1972]

Honest, the only times any one has ever said anything to me at the range went like this:

"Was that your gun?" Said to me after my Lorcin 380 blew apart and the slide, barrel, and recoil spring flew out into the range. This was many years ago and the day I learned to buy quality firearms.

"Great shooting man" Same range, different guy. Shooting at 10 yards with a Dan Wesson .357 firing .38's. I put six rounds in the bullseye ring. Only time I ever did it, normally I'm not a very good shot, but it couldn't have happened to me at a better time. I didn't even take a chance of messing it up, I just packed up and left.

 

[HERMAN.40]

I think you handled the situation rather well. You asked to see his targets, which showed his ability was lacking compared to yours. And then went about your business, ignoring his. You did the right thing, in my opinion.

 

[Meeko]

You called it fine. He sounds like the self professed expert type that would post a video of him shooting himself in the leg trying to "instruct" everyone else with his awsomeness.

 

[LVSteve]

Out here we sometimes have proper range lizards with teeth. Some just look on with indifference.

 

[JSR III]

Eat plenty of garlic the night before or morning of a range visit. Works on vampires too.

 

[DCWilson]

I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting a range lizard, though I have seen them approach other guys on the line. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I don't radiate sociability when I am shooting, and nobody wants to approach an old guy with a scowl and a warbag full of blued revolvers that nobody recognizes.

Or maybe it's because nobody wants to get near a guy that looks a little like Dick Cheney while he has a gun in his hand.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Dont have run-ins with range lizards since I do pretty much all of my shooting in the back forty.

But I have had run-ins with gunshop lizards. I love the ones who brag about how they reload their rifle ammo a couple grains heavier that recommended and how because of their superior reloading prowess cut their trajectory drop by half at 600 yards.

Also are the ones who think the caliber they hunt deer with is THE BEST EVER and if you happen to like/use something else you are a fool....

I say unless you are going to give me a rifle in the caliber you love sooooo much, leave me alone. Know-it-alls are cute, arent they??

 

[pineappleshooter]

I usually pull out the 22 revolver (an Arminius) I learned to shoot with 30 years ago and proceed to put all 8 rounds, off hand into an area the size of a playing card at 10 yards as fast as I can pull the trigger. Muscle memory is a great thing.

 

[kscardsfan]

I'm lucky. My range is mostly occupied by old men who just want to talk about guns and trade trigger time with their guns for yours vice versa. The gun store I shop at has a great old retired SGM for an owner who will run people out of the store for, among other reasons, being annoying, being a know it all, tampering/disassembling the guns, trying to buy high cap magazines while wearing an Obama t-shirt (my personal favorite), or just otherwise grating on his nerves. I hang out there for that reason a lone.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Out here we sometimes have proper range lizards with teeth. Some just look on with indifference.

Now those are proper range lizards! Nice pics. How did you mount your camera on your gun?

 

[LennyLames]

I usually go in the middle of the day, on Wednesday. There tends to be fewer shooters at that time, and that reduces the probability of being accosted by such "range lizards."

I try to keep a low profile and usually, no one bothers me. However, when I shoot my 460 XVR (long barrel), it's impossible to keep a low profile, and that's when such range lizards come over.

 

[handejector]

I said at that point I figured you were an idiot but now you have confirmed it.

Was that YOU?!?!?!
I wanna tell ya- you really hurt my feelings!