Are we 'new shooter friendly'?

**Corné** · 25-07-2008, 14:08

Here we have a new bloke that arrives on the range to come and see what is going on. He is interested but does not know what is going on and what to expect. What do we do and how do we handle this?

The tendency is that there are groupings that form at a club and the perception to the outside is that this is the 'in' crowd and these okes are not interested in a newbie.

I had a PM communication with a member of this forum and he has been put off from a IDPA club because of an 'well I am better than you' attitude that he received. He is now looking at IPSC. Nothing wrong with either IDPA or IPSC and I reckon if he pitched up at another IPSC club first, he might have experienced the same and felt fine with some other IDPA club.

Are our attitude as shooters in these clubs not maybe detrimental to the growth of the sport of shooting?

**SSP** · 25-07-2008, 14:15

Originally Posted by Corné

I had a PM communication with a member of this forum and he has been put off from a IDPA club because of an 'well I am better than you' attitude that he received. He is now looking at IPSC. Nothing wrong with either IDPA or IPSC and I reckon if he pitched up at another IPSC club first, he might have experienced the same and felt fine with some other IDPA club.

I've had this experience when shooting IPSC. At a steel challenge our detail, mainly IDPA, shooters were pushed aside so that IPSC shooters could shoot the stage, notwithstanding the fact that we had been waiting for twenty minutes.

The biggest problem we have with new shooters at IDPA is that they expect the sport to teach them safe gunhandling and marksmanship.

Unfortunately some of the new guys we get are dangerous and I do not hesitate to tell them that. They, of course, don't like that.

**BigT** · 25-07-2008, 14:31

If a new shooter is safe I will attempt to help them to the best of my abilities. But if you come on to the range with a know it all attitude and cannot handle a firearm safely I am not going to sugar coat things. Unfortunately when it involves firearm safety my hide is more important than your ego. I also dont understand people who came and ask your advice or opinion on something and them argue the point. I am not averse to debate but dont ask an opinion if you dont want it. RANT OFF

Mark Gogos · 25-07-2008, 14:39

Fortunately at our club we don't have the 'in' thing. As far as we are concerned, we are all 'in' because we share a common passion for guns and shooting sports, whether it be IPSC, hunting, IDPA, Blackpowder or anything else that goes BANG!

A system we are waiting to implement is a "introductory" course to the sport. It will be a manual that the new shooter will have to read and be tested on before being able to take part in competitions. But most of it comes down to how good the PR is at the club. Someone in the club must be the nominated PR guy who will approach the new guy and help him along in his "orientation process". We always try to encourage new guys to join, especially juniors and most of our guys would help in any way they can to make sure that the new guy is taken care of and treated like anybody else in the club.

But it does vary from club to club, which is very unfortunate for the sport.

**SSP** · 25-07-2008, 14:47

And another thing: If you come to IDPA at least make an effort and read the rules! I suppose the same applies to IPSC.

**christo** · 25-07-2008, 14:53

Im in the process of joining a IPSC club in Gauteng. Their Rules are that you come for 3 guest shoots and then the committe will debate and conduct and interview with you before you can become a member.
On my second Guest shoot Our RO gave me pointers on where and when to do the mag change and explained to me in stern but helpfull words that if I dont take my trigger finger out of the trigger gaurd when moving or on mag change he will DQ me.
I appreciate the help and pointers that I get from him, Althought it was the first time i met him.

**Count Bla** · 25-07-2008, 14:55

Sure there are groups of people sticking together, its called friends. Like everywhere in life, you will find people that you like and people that you don't like. I choose to hang out with people on the range that I don't like, builds up my immunity towards @ssholes!! He he, just kidding.

I've never seen anyone, new or not so new, being treated poorly at any of the IDPA clubs. This does not mean that you must hold hands and take windy walks with all new shooters, but I cant imagine anyone not wanting to join because of the people there.

When I started with IDPA, I also found some people a tad abrasive, but if you cant handle that, what the hell are you doing training yourself to shoot people?!?

**SSP** · 25-07-2008, 15:03

Originally Posted by Count Bla

Sure there are groups of people sticking together, its called friends. Like everywhere in life, you will find people that you like and people that you don't like. I choose to hang out with people on the range that I don't like, builds up my immunity towards @ssholes!! He he, just kidding.

I've never seen anyone, new or not so new, being treated poorly at any of the IDPA clubs. This does not mean that you must hold hands and take windy walks with all new shooters, but I cant imagine anyone not wanting to join because of the people there.

When I started with IDPA, I also found some people a tad abrasive, but if you cant handle that, what the hell are you doing training yourself to shoot people?!?

HAHAHAHAHAHA

That was a good one!

**christo** · 25-07-2008, 15:05

Originally Posted by Count Bla

Sure there are groups of people sticking together, its called friends. Like everywhere in life, you will find people that you like and people that you don't like. I choose to hang out with people on the range that I don't like, builds up my immunity towards @ssholes!! He he, just kidding.

I've never seen anyone, new or not so new, being treated poorly at any of the IDPA clubs. This does not mean that you must hold hands and take windy walks with all new shooters, but I cant imagine anyone not wanting to join because of the people there.

When I started with IDPA, I also found some people a tad abrasive, but if you cant handle that, what the hell are you doing training yourself to shoot people?!?

Well when you get the attitude of "O, he doesnt shoot a Glock, we are better than him attitude..",
Or they use customized Holsters at IDPA,
Or Somebody gets to Re-shoot the stage because his Mag dropped Fom His Highly customized .40, then I dont like it.
Rules are there and Nobody is above it.

Anyway - thats my 1 zim dollar worth.

**Count Bla** · 25-07-2008, 16:15

I've never seen anybody taking flak for shooting any gun. In fact, I've always encouraged people to shoot whatever they've got, even if it is a 5 shot snub. At least they are trying to better themselves even though they are at one hell of a disadvantage.

Besided, Glocks are kak.