Okay, not concealed but in my opinion, a Self-Defense question... so here goes...

Just got hired to work at a gun store/shooting range combo. Yay me! 99% of the employees carry openly while in the store. Fine with me and not unusual.

However, during my hiring interview, my new boss/the owner was pretty adamant mentioning that he thinks my choice of weapon, an SD9VE, is "garbage, trash and whatever other perjoratives you can think of" - yes, that is pretty much a direct quote. I'm 90% happy with the handgun myself. But, I have to work with him/these guys who carry a variety of handguns - none of which is an SD9/SD40 or the VE models.

So, the question is, should I be looking at another handgun? I initially bought it solely for SD, it's stated purpose, and I can shoot it now fairly accurately out to abut 10 yards. The store has inside dimensions of about 15 yards corner to corner and cash register to front door (it's not quite a square). If I were to buy another handgun, it would probably be an S&W 9mm Pro with a 5 inch barrel - not a particularly great EDC weapon due to the barrel length in my estimation (but I'm a fairly new guy to this area/consideration and have limited draw-from-holster experience as it is).

Thoughts?

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USPSA A_97882

1. The owner is allowed to set his own policies regarding what you carry, and whatever training/competency testing he chooses. If he states you 'can't' carry your SD9, you need to either decline the job or go gun shopping.

2. If he treats his paying customers the same way regarding his opinions about their guns, it would behoove you to look for another job anyhow.

Good luck in your decision(s).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I wouldn't work for such an arrogant individual.

I guess I wasn't clear. he didn't say I couldn't carry it while working nor that I had to carry any gun while working. He was expressing his opinion of the handgun. Period.

However, being that his opinion is so adamant, the question arises wheter or not that would ultimately affect his opinion of and interaction with me...

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USPSA A_97882

Not knowing the availability of employment opportunities, or your need to be earning a wage, I wouldn't cavalierly dismiss the opportunity.
Perhaps it's a blessing in disguise, and you can use the owners opinion of the SD to negotiate a larger than usual employee discount on a gun you'd have bought eventually, if the price were right.

Lemonade from lemons. Good luck.

The pay's not great, but it's adequate... I am retired and don't NEED the job to survive financially. But mentally, I needed something to do with my time.

As far as negotiating discounts, anything in the store is available at cost for all employees.

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USPSA A_97882

Zip is on the money - ask for a BIG discount to get a nicer gun!

I don't know much about the modern S&W autos, but I did have the opportunity to fire a Sigma on the LE range a few years back and I was less than impressed with that S&W.

Maybe he will let you test drive some of the guns that he feels are 'suitable'? and you can choose what you like best (shoot best) from the lot?

Good luck with the new job (and be sure to ignore any gun snobbery that may rear its ugly head in a gun shop )

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On the Oak Savannah

Perhaps he has a "policy" that you should carry a high dollar example of a gun HE SELLS; I know one large gun store that does (unofficially). He also may not want to make it an official policy for obvious reasons.
The markup on an SD is small.

I declined a low pay retirement job because it was clear I would be expected to sell people what would make the highest profit, not what met their needs economically. You decide for yourself.

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Science plus Art

Address the issue like a savvy gun guy who also wants to learn more and fit in.

On the savvy side, tell him your gun meets the four requirements for a duty pistol.

1. totally reliable
2. sights you can see
3. trigger you can control
4. totally reliable (again)

This list is an approximate quote of someone famous, possibly Jeff Cooper. If this list is not true for your gun, then you actually should replace it. But assuming all of these are true, then the pistol is a sufficient duty gun and does not "need" to be replaced. If you describe the gun with these four factors, then any real gun guy should accept that you know your stuff. And it is four factors because reliable really does count twice.

Of course all the above should be discussed politely, but also matter of factly. Then you can kiss up to the boss a little. Say that even though your SD9 has proved reliable, that you know it is not a top tier gun and you would like to hear more about the guns he recommends. Tell him you are interested in guns that you should try firing before you make your next purchase. Hopefully that will get him to talk and you may learn some interesting stuff.

Just so you know, I am not a fan of the SD9 guns either, but I know that for many people the SD9 is entirely sufficient for its intended purpose. And I also know that not everyone needs to choose something that I like. Anyone in the firearms business should be prepared to accept these principles.

Good luck.

Two options occurred to me:

1. Carry it concealed
2. If your pistol works for you, out-shoot him with it. That will close his trap.

I must say, I do like the suggestion of negotiating a new pistol out of the deal!

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Because of the metric system?

In that case it's just his opinion. He probably meant well but came off wrong......or maybe not.

It's just a gun!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Shoot every trade in gun the store gets. Use owners bullets and time to do so.Thus you can stand by your ability to reassure a buyer " yep it works". Find a gat you really like. Purchase at cost.
Eeek, my problem would be limiting myself to one...or three.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

I'm sure he'd rather his employees advocate for buying the most expensive handgun there is. If you have a $1,000 gun on your hip it makes it easier to try and convince a buyer they also need a $1,000 handgun. If you have a $300 handgun on your hip you're reinforcing the notion that a $300 can work for self defense.

There are countless ways to handle the situation. You can just wear your gun and see if it anyone really cares. You can always say you're waiting to find something that shoots better and plan on buying something else down the road.

Well, (tongue in cheek mode on) the SD9VE must be incredibly good, since my local shop Shooters of Jax has one in the used case for new price.
Geoff
Who has a SW9VE with the 14lb trigger.

This is an opportunity. Ask him what he recommends. Then ask him about your discount.

Carry one of these instead:

If you're comfortable with it, by all means take the job and carry it. Nothing wrong with the SD9VE.

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USN Submarine Service '66-'71

He sounds extremely opinionated to me. If it were me and I didn't need the job, I'd work just long enough to get a juicy discount on another gun and then give a 2 week's notice. Unless you end up loving the job and the boss of course.

If it were me and it was only a hobby, I would do what I want. If they gave me a big hassle, I would put up with it until I got out of them what I wanted. After that I would quit. Ride the storm out as they say. Everyone els may be nice to work with and feel the same about him. Get what you need. If things don't get better, move on.

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Two Handguns every day

nothing you can't get past.tell him you would like to learn all you can about different handguns and if he could explain why and how some are better than others you would be thankful.it will foster your relationship and you will learn something;maybe about firearms or maybe just about him

I also concur with those that say use it as an opportunity.

"What would you prefer me to carry and can you help me obtain it?" will go farther towards fostering a pleasant working relationship with your new boss than being resistant.

If I had the chance to get a frat pin from a gun store, I would do nothing to jeopardize that.

As Arik said, "it's only a gun".

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess the owner is a, (gasp) Glock fanboy?! I'm not a huge fan of the Sigma, but know a bunch of people who own and love them. I think an IWB option would be path of least resistance. If its the gun you trust, and shoot well, I don't care if its an old Grendel or Tec-9... CARRY IT! I would also agree that a DEEP discount on a less offensive gun is in order. LGS I work at, demands carry. concealed only unless you happen to be a mgr. or shift supervisor.

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why? why not?

Just buy what he was carrying that will shut him up.

That would be kissing butt.

I worked part time weekends at a gun shop. Since I was the oldest the owner put me in charge.

When a new person was hired the first thing I did was take them out to the range with their choice of gun and demonstrate their proficiency with it. I didn't care what they carried as long as it was sensible.

That's what your prospective employer should have done.

I would buy a new gun and see what happens.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Just finished my first day. Asked my fellow workers about the owner's comment... all were surprised by it as they carry all manner and makes in-store. So does he - changes almost daily.

So, on the basis of their comments, I'm gonna stick with what I have unless and until I'm directly told it's inappropriate for in-store carry.

FWIW, the employee discount is fantastic - his cost plus 1% on anything in the store. I just don't need a different pistol in my opinion, and right now, I don't actually want one.

Thanks for your comments and advice.

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USPSA A_97882

While I had my sd9 it was very reliable thru 500+ rounds but I couldn't shoot it worth a dang I had a couple other people shot it a little better but not great plus I was looking for a better cc pistol so I traded it. It was a great gun but If I couldn't hit with it I don't care how great it was but to each their own I would keep carrying it.

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MP SHIELD 9

I'd say that, too, but a job is a job and there's never a point in aggravating the boss. Maybe he'll lend you something else until you're ready to buy something he approves of?

Since you don't really need the money to live on, use your earnings to buy a new gun. All of us can always use another gun.

Spend some time with other employees discussing what they like best.

Use the situation as a learning opportunity.

You have a range right there to try out lots of different guns and pick the best.

Sounds like you have what might be called a high quality problem.

His cost + 1% is great! Man I would be stocking up on everything...LOL

You may want to suggest to your boss that you are perfectly willing to purchase a Sig Sauer P229, as long as it only costs what your Sigma cost. Quite simply your choice was all about the value for the money offered by the Sigma and a Sig Sauer just doesn't fit your budget at present.

Good luck on the new job!
When in Rome, do as the Romans...well to a point!
Display what the "Boss" wants you to display on your hip for now then work him in slowly to the SDVE. It would make better sense for your Boss to show a value priced firearm to the customers for the people that cannot or won't shell out $500 plus for a weapon...just sayin'

None of these posters get it from the Boss' view. He obviously could care less about any SAFE gun you own and carry, he wanted to see how you would react to an insult from a stranger. Because some idiot will see your choice and make a negative comment about the gun, you or both! You got hired, so you passed!

Now on to one of the more important points. What do you mean, you are not in the market for a new gun? Unless you meant you are in the market for a nice Older Smith and Wesson! An unhealthy attitude about buying a new gun may indicate a severe medical or mental condition, I'm glad we found in time for easy treatment. My prescription is buy two revolvers, and call me in the morning.

Dr. Ivan
.

OK - so you need a duty weapon and a duty holster.

He should have a suggestion/standard or issue a weapon & ammo for duty - just like PD's do all across the country. And, if that is the case there should be annual qualification and the like.

May the force be with you.

I'd have to quit. That job would cost me more money than it made me . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Tell him you will be happy to carry what ever gun he buy's for you

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JR

Soooo true....... and you'll get first crack at every used gun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds to me like the boss has watched US Marshals too many times, and he is a wannabe Tommy Lee Jones. He didn't call it a "nickel plated sissy pistol" and instruct you to buy a Glock, did he?

^^^ This.

Gee... I've never seen anyone on this forum with strong opinions about a gun.
I reckon a gun store operator is entitled to voice an opinion in his store about a gun, ya'll think?

Unless someone is running their mouth about yer dog or pickup truck... yawn.

Not being there, he could have been funning you, or testing your reactions.

If he's serious, tell him he's free to issue you any of his stock for you to advertise while working.

Plan B ; for 1% over cost, you could probably resell and come out ahead.

Turns out, according to the shop gunsmith, the owner is a "glock guy"....over and above much more expensive weapons. Sigh. It is what it is.

Anyway, not everyone in the shop carries Gocks.. so I chose to stick with what I have and deal with any future remarks as they happen. Since I'm also getting 50 free rounds a week and will be shooting them thru my SD9Ve at the range, in addition to the 50-100 I would normally shoot thru the SD9VE there in a week, I figure that no real "Glock guy" will be impressed no matter what happens/how accurate I may become with it... So, I'll keep it carry it and shoot it.

Potential drama ended...

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USPSA A_97882

Accuracy wise they'll be about the same. They were designed with the same idea and purpose in mind.

Expensive weapons don't necessarily mean better or better at other things.

But anyway, if everyone else carries what they like it seems that youre in the clear


Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Get a Glock 17. 4.25-inch barrel, and 18-20 shots. Weighs only 34 ounces loaded. Mine will put five shots into two inches at 50 feet.

Tell the boss you will be glad to carry whatever handgun he issues to you.
The one you have is the only one you have and you can't afford another right now.
Ask him what he would recommend , listen to everything, agree completely ( he's the boss so suck up here) thank him and tell him as soon as finances improve you will get one...can he get you a discount. etc. etc. etc. Then just carry whatever gun you want.
It is a gun shop maybe he can get you a discount and lay away plan.
Thing is...don't pi$$ off the boss.
I'm a boss and know what I'm talking about....don't pi$$ me off or your days will be numbered , just pretend you like me and act like your going to follow orders.
Gary

Best laugh of the week!!! Thanks for that!!

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USPSA A_97882

You've missed the point entirely. I don't WANT a Glock. I don't NEED a Glock. I OWN my SD9VE already for less than the shop sells used Glocks. The boss, it turns out (according to other employees), is a Glock fanboy. Shrug... I really don't have time for that. I got hired despite it., anyway.

Also, a better shot than I matched your results with my pistol, so it'll do what I want and need it to do when I get better.

As I said, I've decided that I'll stick with what I have unless it comes down to "carry something else in the store or don't work here".

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USPSA A_97882

Good for you. Stick to your guns (pun intended). Good luck with your new job.

As I said, I've decided that I'll stick with what I have unless it comes down to "carry something else in the store or don't work here".[/QUOTE]

" Ok boss I'll carry your (whatever) I'll need at least 500 rounds to get comfortable with it..."

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This problem will be resolved with time. You work in a gun shop; which is like an alcoholic working in a liquor store. Between employees discounts and pro form discounts from manufacturers you will have another gun or five before you know it.

BTW both Smith & Wesson and Glock both have great pro discount programs.

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Bill Bates

Found one.............

Always a fanboi in the woodworks.