Empire of Man seems to be not wanted at a friendly game.

Hi guys, im returning to the hobby, and i have some questions/story of my exsperiance in the last few months. Is it normal? Or is there something else going on? Only bin back for 4 months sinds 2013.

Recently I found a group of players based out of a tabletop game store (not GW) just generic. Some guys wanted me to join on Whats app. So i did. I only play Old World, so i only sign up for the Old World WhatsApp group. Not 40K, not AOS. This was my first mistake of stoking devision somehow?? My personality is just that i know exactly what i want and when. So no, only joining this 1 group. To busy life anyway.

Things where quiet for a few weeks, and then someone had the best idea in a while Lets play a freindly game with about 4 guys. Sounds good, so i sign up as wel. Never accually met these dudes Grand Melee + Combined Armes 1000 points max. I play Empire of Man. So no steamtank. 250 max for rare, steamtank is 265. Volleygun it is. Made a list: general on griffon 15 helbards, 20 greatswords 20 handschields, 9 handgunners and a volleygun with engineer. Nothing fancy. But well below 1000 points. I submitted the list. I was emidiatly rejected for fielding a volley gun cause it was going to be to OP for a friendly game. Is this really a thing? Then the Griffon was not right with my army. Stript all of that and now besides from my greatswords i had no punch in my army anymore. The guys called me on this, and i said, yes thats what the volleygun was for!!. No still cant field it, mutch to OP. Griffon is back, but now i have to lend a greatcanon instead because i dont have one. (Remember, no longer then 4 months ive bin doing this hobby, and i also play pillage) Is this normal in any way, or are my chains being janked?

Cheers guys!