View Full Version : HELP! Have you ever met up with a Glocktalker you didn't know?
Have any of you met up with one of the GT guys alone when you didn't know them? If you weren't CC, would you feel safe? (I'm not CCL yet...)
I'm meeting up with a GT'r next week at gunrange I have been to before. I only know the guy on Glocktalk, but he seems reliable.
I'm planning to park directly in front and ask the owner to watch me get in my car when I'm done.
I'm a little jumpy, should I go with my gut and cancel? I really do need new friends to shoot with.
PettyOfficer
08-22-2012, 20:53
Not yet, but basic safety and situational awareness is something you should always be thinking of.
Get there early, maybe find an excuse to leave after them (use the restroom, 'forget' your earplugs or shooting glasses, etc... Then identify what car they're driving) and then keep an eye out for anybody following you. Know where the nearest police station is and fastest route to get there.
If you think you're being followed, stay on well lit roads and do not drive home. Take lots of turns and change lanes often while looking for any followers. After a few turns, the odds of randomness drops significantly and if you see the vehicle they left in, you know to call 911 and stay on the line as you drive to the police station.
I don't know what state you live in, but perhaps don't shoot everything at the range, keep a mag full of rounds and keep your gun in the car on your drive home.
A little paranoia can be healthy, but don't let it get in the way of building a friendship... A good shooting buddy is a great thing to have.
yellowlabsrule
08-22-2012, 22:52
Stay home and turn out the lights. They know your IP address.
Lone_Wolfe
08-22-2012, 22:58
If your gut's telling you something's wrong, it's probably right. I think I'd cancel, or at least postpone until you know the guy better. That said, I've met several GT'ers and never had a bad experience. One of them is one of the best friends I'll ever know.
Have seen a lot of pix of GT'ers here over the years. Safely 88% I wouldn't want to be seen any place with. Be careful out there.
Travclem
08-23-2012, 08:45
I met a guy from GT in a Walmart parking lot to sell a G19. Everything went well. Caveat: I'm 6'2, 265 and was carrying a G22.
If you meet in a public area and there are people who know you and know what is going on, that would help. Can you bring another friend with you? Preferably male.
mad.gunsmith
08-23-2012, 17:26
I haven we had nice diner
Travclem
08-23-2012, 17:30
I'm sure it will be pretty awkward for whoever it is after reading this thread.
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Breadman03
08-23-2012, 17:49
I would arrive early and let the range workers know you are meeting someone. Perhaps introduce the GT'er to the range workers so that there is a good witness/ID. Afterwards, don't go straight home. Go for a short drive to make sure you aren't being followed. If you are followed, don't do anything crazy. Just call 911 and keep on driving.
But I'm a guy.
Davegrave
08-23-2012, 18:00
I'm sure it will be pretty awkward for whoever it is after reading this thread.
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Exactly what I was thinking! If he seems to like you, I'm sure he checks your posts from time to time. No way he doesn't see this and probly feel like King Creepo.
I'm gonna go with, "you're being a little paranoid". I'm sure he's a great guy and excited to meet you. I'd say you have way less chance of ending up with a whacko meeting some loser in a bar. Most of us on GT that last more than a few months seem to be pretty decent people. It's a public place, go, have fun.
That is, if he doesn't' hang himself due to the shame of this thread. :tongueout:
Travclem
08-23-2012, 18:26
Exactly what I was thinking! If he seems to like you, I'm sure he checks your posts from time to time. No way he doesn't see this and probly feel like King Creepo.
I'm gonna go with, "you're being a little paranoid". I'm sure he's a great guy and excited to meet you. I'd say you have way less chance of ending up with a whacko meeting some loser in a bar. Most of us on GT that last more than a few months seem to be pretty decent people. It's a public place, go, have fun.
That is, if he doesn't' hang himself due to the shame of this thread. :tongueout:
I probably wouldn't go after seeing this thread, if it were me.
michael e
08-23-2012, 18:28
I have to buy a gun. But I am a big guy and I always carry.
I'm sure it will be pretty awkward for whoever it is after reading this thread.
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No one will ever know who he was. Really. I go to the grave with this secret.
And if he really has my best interests at heart, I'm sure he'll applaud my caution in an unknown situation.
(As if anyone had the time and energy to read all my babble.... :tongueout:)
PettyOfficer
08-23-2012, 23:50
Good luck, have fun, I hope you make a new friend and give us a range report when you get back.
And let us know if he was a gentleman or jerk.
rahulanand1130
08-24-2012, 00:07
Not to derail but has anyone tried to put together local gt meets for drinks, dinner or shooting. I wouldn't mind meeting up with more local like minded people despite my usual antisocial tendencies.
youngdocglock
08-24-2012, 00:10
Not to derail but has anyone tried to put together local gt meets for drinks, dinner or shooting. I wouldn't mind meeting up with more local like minded people despite my usual antisocial tendencies.
Ditto....but there aint many GtERS in Maine......soooo im screwed on new friends haha
I have made this post on my phone. If I spell like a two year old. Blame Android. Not me :)
Ditto....but there aint many GtERS in Maine......soooo im screwed on new friends haha
I have made this post on my phone. If I spell like a two year old. Blame Android. Not me :)
There are a few Mainiacs here :wavey:
I'm about 20 minutes north of Portland. You?
GlockColektr
08-24-2012, 20:17
There are a few Mainiacs here :wavey:
I'm about 20 minutes north of Portland. You?
I'm about 20 minutes north of Portland, too.
Davegrave
08-24-2012, 20:40
Not to derail but has anyone tried to put together local gt meets for drinks, dinner or shooting. I wouldn't mind meeting up with more local like minded people despite my usual antisocial tendencies.
Do some Googling and see if you can find a Maine-specific gun forum. I'm a member of an Indiana forum and while I still prefer GT for general gun matters and recreational banter-for state specific gun info/laws/etc, INGO can't be beat. Plus my area in NWI has a pretty great group and we get together and shoot and cook out once a month except the deep winter months. It's great and I've met some great people and tried some awesome guns I never would have had a chance to shoot otherwise. It also cost me a ton since I had to buy an AR to fit in. :supergrin:
I'm dying to hear an update in this thread about how the date went.
Um, you are going to a gun range, and you are worried? You miss your targets all the time, or something?
You do realize you can walk away, leave early, etc. if the guy is not exactly friendly, and move on.... Of course, if I was the guy you were to meet, and I read this thread, I would find an excuse to cancel....
Oh, my bad, did not realize you may not be a guy, makes all the sense in the world, now.
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Never met a GT'er (too much of a nub!) but I have met plenty of other people through car forums. Never a problem there.
Now, my girl sells a lot of stuff on Craigslist. I'm afraid of people from Craigslist so it's always nice to know I'm armed when we meet them.
Almost all of them I didn't know until I met them.
PettyOfficer
09-01-2012, 23:39
BB, did you end up meeting up with them? Range report please.
Did a meetup with a Calgunner, not the original person I asked about. Had a great time, plinked a bunch of ammunition. The Calgunner was really nice, we'll do it again some time.
The range was a well known, busy sort of place, so I felt ok just meeting up there. Still went home by a roundabout way, just to be on the safe side.
Tried shooting left-hand-left-eye, left-hand-right eye, etc. Got some really different groupings than my original right-hand-right-eye, but still good.
A fun day all around. And thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. Some said "just go for it", which is obviously foolish for a woman shooter. Most people gave some good advice, that should be useful to anyone. Thanks again.
PettyOfficer
09-02-2012, 18:59
Good to know things eventually worked out... And now you have a new range buddy.
Merlin40
09-06-2012, 14:15
I'm old school, and used to go to CB meets. Met A LOT of folks who shoulda stayed on the CB only....LOL That being said, I always go with my gut instinct. If it feels wrong, I don't go. Of course, I weigh 280, and carry two guns at all times, so it may be a little different for me. As a GTr, if you were uncomfortable on meeting me, I'd get that completly. If ya just gotta meet, make it a well-lighted open place with lots of people. I'd either bring a friend, or let someone know where I'd be at a given time. Have a friend call you at a pre-arranged time, if you don't answer, they know somethings wrong. Set up a code word to use, to let them know you're ok, or to call for help. Just little stuff I've come up with for meeting anyone from online. (I'd do it if you asked ME to meet, and I'm a guy.) LOL. Of course my wife would be with me, and SHE carries, too.
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