What's Your Call On This?

[R D Henry]

I think I know how some might handle this person, but we'll see....

Here's the scenario....Year end match at my home club. First day, second stage, round count 10/10/4.

I shoot both pistols (clean) and holster, pick up rifle and engage (clean)...uh-oh, rifle won't lever open after last shot (thank you Lord!)  As I attempt to hand off rifle to RO, another person on the posse reaches between the two of us, grabs rifle and heads to unload table. While I'm picking up the shotgun to finish the stage, I tell this guy, "don't mess with it, I have Break Free in my cart". What's he do? You guessed it...takes screw driver and proceeds to smack the top of the brass block on my Henry to force the block down and open!     OK, so 777 gums up the works once in a while!

I clear the pistols, and grab the Break Free from the cart, give it a hosing, and she's good as new....except for the nice dents and scratches that have found a new home on my otherwise pristine rifle!!!    

Our RO is appologizing all over the place for not being fast enough to grab the rifle, no problem, not his fault. I go to match director and let him know there's about to be a real ugly situation between me and this idiot, we talk it over, I calm down, and let the club deal with him.

As far as I'm concerned, this clown owes me about $35 to replace the block...VTI parts price.

I will not mention any names, some Arizona shooters here will know immediately who this was. He has so offended people at other matches in the past, that shooters have packed up and left, rather than cause a bad scene.

Thanks for letting me vent...time to get back to cleaning!

[Micheal Fortune]

It's always good to vent and get it out of your system.  It's a story where most of us can relate to.

Now I don't care (or haven't had a problem yet) who shoots my guns but hey, if you got a screwdriver and that glimmer in your eye then just stay the heck away from my babies!

Hopefully the offender has learned his lesson about messing with others property.

Thanks for the post.

[PWDFR POSSE]

Git' a rope! 

[DarkBlack]

I can't imagine!

Everybody knows you mess with a man's women afore ya mess with his GUNS!!!

Everybody also know that either is a hangin' offense, I think Mr. Walker might have a decent fix on the situation.

Keep us posted.

Take Care,
--DB

[Mogorilla]

I am with Badlands, I will go look for a tall tree!   
I am VERY protective of my Henry, Personally, the guy should have offered up the $ right away!

[Valsmere]

Howdy All,

Please be kind my first post here! I was brought up to never touch any one else's property. Its just not right. I know that from doing some civil war reenacting in the past you especially don't touch another man, or womans firearm!!

[Big John Denny]

A man with a screwdriver and small brain is a dangerous thing around any firearm.

[tarheel mac]

My guns are not "top of the line" and ain't all that expensive...but....they're MYguns..so keep your mitts off unless I tell you it's okay...

I have to go along with Badlands on this one...a tall tree and a short rope...

[R D Henry]

I kinda figured the general concensus would be "git a rope"!     My initial response would have been to use the Henry like a Louisville Slugger and swing for the fences!     But...that just ain't cool, soooo....with a shoot coming up this Saturday, we'll see if the dummy shows up for this one, and if he's man enough to accept responsibility. I have my doubts.

What I missed in my original post was the fact that as I was going for the shotgun, to finish the stage, I told him 3 times to put it down...I have Break Free in the cart. To be honest, I didn't even see the scratches on the block at the time. I was just intent on clearing the jam, and bringing the rifle up to speed. I put it back in my cart, and started using my Winchester for the other stages.

I'll let everybody know what the outcome is, after I hook up with the individual this weekend. I still maintain that names are not important at this point, just trying to hold on to the "Cowboy Way".   

[Presidio]

How about it, R. D.?  Did yer "gunsmith" show up and do the right thing ?

[dangerranger]

If hes offended that many in the past its unlikley he will get it, You did right involving the club posse. now it should be the club as a whole that should inform him that he needs to make this right.  one upset person wont mean much but when the whole group steps up its hard to ignore.good luck. DR.

[R D Henry]

There isn't much to update on this thing yet. I got in late Friday with the "large car", and didn't really feel like dragging my old butt outta bed to go shoot. So me and the missus used the day to finish our shopping for the grandkids!

The Match Director was told of the incident, and I've been in touch with the club Prez. I'm inclined to let them handle this jerk, replace the block, and move on.

With all the complaints, folks just packing their toys and leaving during a monthly match, etc. all because of this guy, I can't imagine either one them being able to ignore this incident. He's been warned before about his smart-ass attitude, and smart mouth, but it just doesn't seem to sink in.

They need to tell this guy to just move on, shoot somewhere else, etc. We're a small club, and can ill-afford to have one person run off both long time members and potential new ones.