Posted: 9/10/2007 7:07:22 AM EDT
| went shooting at the rock sunday,and was disappointed. the range officers are over the top. barking out orders and threating to throw out shooters. i was talking to one range officer who was proud of the fact that he threw out a policeman.is there a good place to shot in the joliet-braidwood area????? |
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What were you doing when the range officer was pissy? I have never heard anyone at buffalo rock threaten to throw someone out, or even yell/bark at anyone. I have shot there probably a half dozen times and the range officers have always been nice to me. I've only seen two different range officers on the rifle line, and both were very polite (I typically have visited on Sundays). They normally will come around and comment on our rifles or ask questions about them, etc. They let me use the binoculars when I have come without any. The plinking range guy has never said anything to me, I have never seen a range officer on the pistol range, and I have never shot on the shotgun range. Maybe there is a crazy range officer that I've never seen, or maybe there were a lot of people doing stupid stuff on the day you went. At any rate, I don't think that your experience is the norm. at buffalo rock. I don't know of any place over that way where you can go shoot rifles. If you're up for a long drive, visit the Indiana DNR ranges. I have been going to the Jasper Pulaski DNR range and enjoy it. It's cleaner than B-R, has a 225 yard range and is free. |
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you have to be kidding??? been shooting at the rock for over 24 years, back in the daywhen they rented machine gns. never had a problem with a ro there ever. in fact ron will go out of his way to help anyone. sounds more like some asshole was not listening to the rules and gave an ro some attitude. guns are not dangerous but some tard with a gun can be a very dangerous and life threatening combo. ro's are there for a reason, listen to them or find somewhere else to shoot |
Too. |
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I was there yesterday and one of the ROs told me and my buddy to stop shooting across the line....(We were shooting at our 1 O'clock) because the clay is hard and we could get some ricochets....Fast forward 1 hour....I catch dust-ups to my left and look to see if a new shooter had setup shop to my left.(I was the last shooter at the south end of the line)....No new shooters, just some ass as at the other end of the line shooting almost parallel to the line. The RO who warned me an hour earlier, was sitting in his cart behind the guy just hanging out.....Do I care that he was bored and asked me not to shoot at my 1 o'clock?...Nope. I just wish there was a little consistency. I do recall them yelling at one group...Something about "No Airsoft"...... 
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I'd rather have a RO paying attention and having to hear him bark at people who are being unsafe, than not have anybody paying attention to what the guys beside/behind me are doing. When I'm shooting, I sure as hell ain't watching them. That's what RO's are for. I think I've met every RO they've got there. I've got faith in all of them. |
Nucstl, I was there yesterday. I assume you are talking about the Pit. What time did this happen? If it was around 5:30 PM, I was the guy on the other end of the line.  Since there was only a few people left -- and nobody to my left, my arc was pretty much 90 degrees.Anyway, the only static I heard from the RO's yesterday was on the rifle range. One of the RO's told a couple of guys one of whom was shooting a Hi-point carbine what I gathered was to slow his fire down. It seemed like he had warned the guy already because he said "If you do that one more time you are gone." I've never had a problem with rapid fire at the rifle range (and I sure don't wait very long between shots), so maybe the RO felt these guys had an extra dose of attitude. To their credit, about a half-hour later, I saw two RO's with binoculars on the rifle range helping two separate guys sight in scoped shotguns, for about an hour.  I've only time I had a dressing down by a RO there was when I drove a bit too fast from the rifle range to the Pit because I didn't realize we only had a half hour left til closing. He was right, and I don't "burn rubber" any more. Suffice it to say, I have no problem with the RO's at Buffalo and will continue to go there. |
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I was there until about 2:30. I did not mind the RO asking us not to shoot across the line, but I expect the the other shooters are being held to the same standard... I've never had problem at Buffalo, ad I didn't have a problem on Sunday. I was just there enjoying a Sunday afternoon. |
They don't want you cross shooting especially if you're crossing to the right. #1 the ground on the right half of the pit is a little higher and flatter, more prone to having a cross-fired round skip and maybe go over the berm. Shooting from right to left is a little safer as the berm seems to be a little more substantial. They did some renovations to the berms this year from what I heard, and I was out at the range once this year but wasn't able to get to the pit to see it. |
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went there today( monday ) and did'nt have any problems with the ro.... they were as nice as they usually are and very helpful .... even helped me with a couple of FTE's on the pit...... they've always been nice and very attentive to what's happening on the range..... maybe u just had one of those " bad days " ....... sorry to hear that.......
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WOW. I am bringing all kinds of junk this weekend! I never asked to walk down there because it appeared as if there was no obvious trail that could be followed. I'd never seen anyone go in the pit, so I always 'assumed' you just tossed your crap into the hole and thats about all you could do. Thats what I get for assuming. 
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| I always wondered how the pit worked. Been to Buffalo three times, shooting at the pistol and rifle ranges, but never the pit. Next time I shoot there for sure. hat |
Sight in on the rifle range... plink in the pit. As for targets... trap pigeons, pop cans, used CD/DVD's... cheapie cans of pop, plastic laundry detergent bottles, bowling pins. Something that is reactive cause you're not going to see if you put a hole in something unless it moves. ETA - i forgot to mention... no glass, no metal. Trap pigeons are probably best since they will break down over time and are relatively cheap. You can dump out a whole bunch of them in short period of time. MOST people that shoot there are good about not shooting all your targets until you've hit them at least once, although you better shoot quick. 
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Apples are fun to shoot, and so are those funky green heavy things that fall from certain trees. They are a bit bigger than apples, a lot heavier and a lot uglier.. but free if you find a local tree.. and nobody likes the ugly SOB's so they are typically free (as many as you can carry). I was once told that they are called *Some name* oranges, but I forget what the guy said. As a kid we called em' monkey brains, and thats still what I know them as. You can chuck them out there without going into the pit (added bonus). I'm waiting for halloween to try and pick up on cheap or free pumpkins. I'm sure that'll be fun shootin. |
I think they're called Osage Oranges. We always called them hedge apples. I've been told that the trees they come from are what Indians used to make their bows. Osage orange is apparently a very stiff, strong wood (at least, that's what I was told by a friend who was part Sioux) |
Its hard as hell to saw through, I hate those trees. |
Thats a good lookiing moron right there. 
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Hi Guys It seems like my RO's were on the job this weekend according to this thread. I was out of town for the weekend. After reading this thread I talked to all the guys and they cannot remember any glaring incidents on Sunday other than some guys wanting to shoot long guns on the Handgun range. If anyone had a bad time with an RO at the Range then they must have done something to get the RO's attention. Pretty much the guys are doing a great job from my perspective in keeping the Range safe for ALL shooters. Do we have room for improvement ? Heck yes! Do we see everything? Unfortunatly no we cannot, but we try real hard. I can't say enough about the guys that work with me, they believe in the Range and in Safety and want everyone who shoots there to have a good safe experience while at the Range. Remember, we shoot there also, and we want the place to stay open forever as I'm sure that all the people here do. All we ask of the shooters is to follow the rules and be safe, if you have problems let us know right away. Thanks to all you guys who have participated in this thread, it means a lot to me and to the guys when we know that the Range has good backup and when we are appreciated! Rebel49 |
| i was at the pistol range, when the same R.O. i mentioned in my eairler thread, came riding up to a guy shooting with his two kids, corrected him for rapid fire, ok, then accused him of standing in front of the table. which he denied. myself and the guys i was with told the R.O. he was not in front of the table but at the side, which he was. we were told to mind are business. if your going to wrongly accuse somebody and talk to him like sh*t in front of his family, sorry, it's my business now. the guy was so humiliated and embarrassed he left. it could have been handled with a little more class. |
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" came riding up to a guy shooting with his two kids, corrected him for rapid fire, ok, then accused him of standing in front of the table. which he denied. myself and the guys i was with told the R.O. he was not in front of the table but at the side, which he was" are you serious????? ) rapid fire shooting with kids- sounds bad  )not on the side or in front of, nor underneath the table , BUT BEHIND THE TABLE!!- basic SAFETY rule  )and then questioning his judgment??? i was not there, you were, those are your words-am i missing something?? I go to the Rock many times----the R.O's do a fine job!! Safety-Safety-SAfety always 1st-------NO Exceptions This IS private land don't you know?? Come over to my house act like an idiot i'll rip you a new one in front of the kids, the wife , mom , dad, and the grandparents!! |
I am still here. I had to give up working at the range. Work and building a new house was to much last summer. I have stopped out a couple of times to see Ron and the guys. I will have to stop out and see you guys during the next Blast fest. Subject #2 Ron has assembled a good core group of range officers. I just can't imagine any of them harassing a customer. You get good at the job and learn to keep an eye on a group or individual just by there actions the minute they get out the car. If I had a dollar for every time I heard "I didn't do anything" I would be rich. As far as the tables go they are watched closely. Years ago there was an incident when someone went around to the front of a table and it wasn't good. I still lurk on here and hope you guys are all well. Wayne |
Who are you? You seem familiar, but I just can't quite remember you. Good to see your still alive and well Wayne. Hope to see you around. 
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This has gone on far enough! Moe15, if you had a bad experience at the range this weekend I apologize. BUT, it seems as though you had a bad time due to other peoples problems. I have spoken with my Ro's in depth about this situation, and I believe that they were doing their jobs as they are trained to do them. The RO in question I personally have known for over 27 years, and his representation of the event is far different from yours. Funny, I think I will believe him instead of someone who has posted twice about the event. Also I have worked in close contact with all the guys for to long to take your side over theirs. We are there at the Range for one purpose and that is the SAFE operation of the Range and the Safety of the shooters. If you have an issue with this then please address it with me on your next session at the Range, I am there every weekend. You started this thread by asking if there was another Range near Joilet/Braidwood, maybe you should continue your quest. Because, if you do not value Safety above all else in the shooting sports I personnally do not want you near me with a firearm or at the Range for that matter. At this point I would like to ask the Moderator to lock this thread before it gets any further. I thank all who have supported the Range and the RO's through this thread, we appreciate it. Rebel49 |
Hey good to see you are still kicking! |
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Ron, I'm not going to lock this thread, as I don't see how it violates the COC or the site rules. I will add however, that while it might seem some of the RO's have an attitude, you have to realize some people just come off that way if you don't know them. Even I have had a bad taste from one or two RO's out there, but I know that Ron wouldn't now, nor would Wayne in the past hire anyone that they didn't trust to do the job. I also know that if an RO does step out of line, that Ron or Evelyn thru Ron will make sure that it is either corrected or the RO is outta there. Buffalo range is the only public range of it's sort in IL, it has to deal with alot of people, whether they know guns, or just own guns. So yes they (the RO's) may seem rude, but I would rather be rude and have to tell someone something once, than be extra cuddley nice and have to explain to the Deputies how the individual managed to walk in to the firing line. 
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Since the thread isn't getting locked, I'll add in my own positive comments about the ROs at Buffalo. I found they did a fantastic job keeping things safe and orderly. I was also thrilled that they treated me with dignity, which is important since I'm usually one of the younger guys at the range (21 years old). Having been eyeballed and hassled at gunshops before because of my age, being treated like any other shooter at Buffalo was a refreshing experience. When I first brought my Garand there to shoot it for the first time, I was having trouble with it feeding the ammo off the clips. An RO took a look at it, and called over another RO who had a lot of experience with Garands. He showed me the proper places to grease and oil the gun and gave me a quick rundown on how to maintain it. By the time he was done it was functioning like a dream. That positive experience alone has made me a lifetime customer at Buffalo. |
hear , hear, i'm with you ... this has gone long enough and every one has a right to go where they think they will be happy shooting.... it's all the principle of the thing... with me, i'm very happy with buffalo and its staff and would not trade safety for anything else and the staff of buffalo range do a GREAT job with safety and the enjoyment of shooters overall......
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I don't ever recall any RO's shutting people down simply for rapid firing. Perhaps for doing it unsafely, or at least appearing unsafe... I don't know how many rounds I've bumped down into the pit. But I think at today's ammo prices, I could pay a mortgage payment or two. |
Wow!! That looks great. I hardly recogize the place. Of course it has been almost a year since I was out there..... Crikey, that is too long!! I prefer to go during the week. The crowds on the weekends make RO at the pit a job I could not like to have. All the ROs I have encountered have been nice and did a good job. Esp. on the weekends when the pit is just shoulder to shoulder. |
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In the few years I've been going to Buffalo Range I've never had anything but a great experience. Ron and the guys do a fantastic job of running a professional operation. I appreciate the fact that there are RO's keeping an eye open for unsafe behavior. On a side note, is rapid fire no longer allowed at the pit? (Hi Wayne !!) |
| My Son and I are proud patrons of Buffalo and always will be. I have always found the staff to be way beyond hospitible. Our very own Rebel49 has given hundreds of rounds of .22 LR to my Son when the kid ran out of ammo. The Buffalo staff is the best there is and I am grateful for what they do. |
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Ok, Fine I will comment also... I was only ONCE approached by staff at the pit. That was for my own safety. I was trying to learn how to bump fire NEXT to the table and wondered slightly past the front edge. Very dangerous place to be and well noted by the RO! (Brass-hog) All that was said to me was..."please stop back a step or two so you are in line or behind the table". I said Thank You and went on with the rest of the day. |