dazed and confused...

Travis Colford · Nov 22, 2014

This is a letter that today I wrote to a local club president that holds my local 3 gun match. I was sadly not in the right state of mind to shoot the match after being told by the match director if I mess up he will ban me from the range.

I recently attended a Multi gun match being directed by (local guy), great director comes up with some great stages. I was attending two months ago, September, and the bays were really wet after a rain storm the day before as I was running the last stage of the match I had a slip and fall as I was returning my rifle to the drop table. I was able to get up and continue the match as the RO said it landed on the table and keep going your not DQ'd. I finished the stage and went back to the overhang talked to the RO and score keeper and they said hey next time don't try to toss it on the table keep it with you this way you don't have the chance of it falling. I then went to the director of the match during break down to talk about the incident and he at the time said as long as it is safe your fine. I went home didn't make it out to the next months match in October. I ended being able to get to the match this month 11/22/14, I arrived early as I normally do to help set up I said hey to the match director. Upon another guy arriving and starting to set up the match director turns to me and said "you had a rough fall a few months ago we aren't going to have that again right?" I answered "yes" and then he said "cause you almost shot my RO and if it happens again I will ban you from the range." I was shocked and a little bit and asked "how did I almost shot a RO?" The response was "your gun when you fell flipped off the table and the RO caught it." I replied "it didn't flip off the table it landed on it and was safe before I slide under said table."

The Director said "no I have a photo graphic memory I remember if it happens again I will ban you from the range."

One I am confused as to if the gun had done what the director said had happen how was I able to continue my run and not receive a DQ?
Secondly with it being so muddy and another bay being open and being available to use why would they not of simple used the none mud filled bay?
Thirdly why would the director wait to talk to me about this two months later instead of right after the incident ?

I would just like some clarification on this matter and to understand what I can do going forward to prevent such things from happening.

Just wanted some opinions on this incident as well as I know a lot of you are trained to be ROs and such what would you have done?

Link to the thread I posted after the match http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/topic/16655-proper-foot-ware/

45recoil · Nov 22, 2014

If it was me Id let it slide. Noone was hurt during the match in which the slip occured, and youre still able to shoot matches there. Brush it off, let him think hes right, chuckle under your breath at him and load up your guns.

jtischauser · Nov 22, 2014

Chris Andersen falls down every match. As long as your gun is safe when biting the dust you're good to go.

Sometimes MD's, RO's and RM's can be range nazi's. Often times they can be less than tactful with how they handle instances such as yours. Take it with a grain of salt and go out and win the next one to show them who's boss.

runawaygun762 · Nov 22, 2014

**** 'em if they can't take a joke. This is obviously an incident of menopause affecting the MD on that particular day. Yes him to death and do what you're going to do. I say next match, slide into a shooting box like you're stealing home, shoot props, targets, target frames, and the RO, then unload, show clear, and throw a round a la Keith Garcia, who happens to be my personal hero.

jcameron996 · Nov 22, 2014

My first thought on reading this was to tell him to F off, but I had an unexpected late night/early morning so I'm probably in a bad mood. In reality if your situation is like mine, I would probably just let it go and let him think what he wants. Match opportunities are limited in my area and I can't afford to be burning any bridges.

runawaygun762 · Nov 22, 2014

jcameron996 said:
My first thought on reading this was to tell him to F off, but I had an unexpected late night/early morning so I'm probably in a bad mood. In reality if your situation is like mine, I would probably just let it go and let him think what he wants. Match opportunities are limited in my area and I can't afford to be burning any bridges.

I spent 8 years in Ft Riley and there wasn't a whole lot then either. I used to drive all the way north to Seneca to shoot at a range up there.

Travis Colford · Nov 22, 2014

After cooling off a little I agree it is better to just say **** it and go out and have some fun.

As far as limited availability of matches in south florida it is either this or a 2 hour drive north or south so eh Ill just go out and have fun **** them.

jcameron996 · Nov 22, 2014

The closest to home is Mill Creek in Desoto. That's about an hour away, but they seem to generally schedule on weekends I have to work. Other than that its 2.5-3 hours one way. It is what it is. You do what you have to do to feed the addiction.