Do you know what you shoot?

[oldman45]

I was in an actual gun store yesterday to buy some bullets. As I waited, two people were waiting in front of me also wanting to buy ammo.

The store employee (really knows his business) asked what tpe ammo the first guy wanted. The guy knew he wanted 9mm hollowpoint. That is all. No brand, no weight, nothing. Then he was asked what he would be doing with the bullets and what type gun he was shooting. The guy replied he knew it was an automatic 9mm but not sure what brand gun. He bought a couple years ago and would be shooting it when he needed it.

The next customer was about the same but he was wanting .38 spec ammo. Not caring what he was buying but just wanting something to shoot in his gun.

I was more informed and knew the brand, weight and such I wanted since i know what my carry gun likes to shoot, what works well in it and for the exact need for the ammo.

My question is do you know the brand and bullet type in your gun now or did you just buy some bullets based on some other thing like price?

 

[Engineer1911]

Yes !!

All of my guns do exceptionally well on generic ammo -- Bob's Reloads manufactured in Terri's Laundry Room.

 

[BarbC]

I asked my aunt what kind of gun she carried. She said, "A .357!" I said, "A .357 what?" She said, "A .357 revolver!" I said, "But what is it?" She said, "A Smith & Wesson!" I said, "Which model?" It was turning into a grilling so I quit. Type of ammo? She doesn't even know which gun she has.

 

[oldman45]

I asked my aunt what kind of gun she carried. She said, "A .357!" I said, "A .357 what?" She said, "A .357 revolver!" I said, "But what is it?" She said, "A Smith & Wesson!" I said, "Which model?" It was turning into a grilling so I quit. Type of ammo? She doesn't even know which gun she has.

Barb, do you feel that she is representative of the public perception of firearms? I certainly do. So many people own guns but that is all. They own guns. They do not shoot guns. They know little about the workings of guns.

I will bet many guns are sitting around gummed up so they may not even function properly.

I will bet many more do not know how to clean a gun, much less do so properly.

It would be good if WE that know guns would set up some volunteer groups around the country to work, one on one, with those that could use some basic knowledge about the workings and care for guns.

I find the lack of gun knowledge also contributes to many firearm injuries.

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

At my local dealer recently a customer returned a box of bullets he bought . He said they wouldn't fit his magazine. He had came in and bought a box of bullets for reloading.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I lost track of how many people jumped into a conversation with, "I have a gun!" When I ask, what kind?, I get, "It's a nine."

At this point, I usually start with Barbs line of questioning. It doesn't go very well most times. The scariest part is when these folks show up to the range, and have absolutely no clue about safe gun handling, how to load and unload, etc. etc. I will help anyone who asks for assistance, and at times offer it unsolicited. Helpful suggestions are very rarely refused, as most folks really want to learn more about their guns and shooting in general.


WG840

 

[JcMack]

While I approve of the "own a gun movement" over the last couple of years, it's become pretty scary the types with no gun knowledge are becoming the norm.

 

[ladder13]

I've seen new Probation Officers buying 40's for their 9mm Sigma's.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I remember hearing this conversation at the gunshop a couple of years ago:

Feller: "I need some .300 ammo"
Employee: "Ah, .300 Winchester Magnum."
Feller, *looking at them* "Nope too big."
Employee: ".300 WSM"
Feller: "No, not that."
Employee: ".300 H&H"
Feller: "No, didn't sound like that."
Employee: ".300 Weatherby?"
Feller: "Nope"
Employee: ".300 Savage"
Feller: "Oh, that's it! Got it in Winchester brand?"

I won't forget that.

 

[oldman45]

I lost track of how many people jumped into a conversation with, "I have a gun!" When I ask, what kind?, I get, "It's a nine."

At this point, I usually start with Barbs line of questioning. It doesn't go very well most times. The scariest part is when these folks show up to the range, and have absolutely no clue about safe gun handling, how to load and unload, etc. etc. I will help anyone who asks for assistance, and at times offer it unsolicited. Helpful suggestions are very rarely refused, as most folks really want to learn more about their guns and shooting in general.
WG840

It is more people like you that the pro gunners need. We all started out green and had to be shown the in and outs of gun ownership.

I have stated before, a friend of mine, a lawyer that hunts on the paid trips and shoots when he sees his intended game after the guide tells him to do so. After the hunt, the guide is paid a few dollars to clean the rifle. This same man carries a 1911 in a shoulder holster all the time and has a concealed weapons permit. Recently I asked when the gun was last cleaned and learned he has carried it for years and never shot, cleaned or even loaded it. I cleaned it for him but he refuses to load it. Why bother to carry an unloaded gun that has never been shot? I have offered to carry him to the range and he wants to do so but never seems to have time to go. This same man has asked me to give him some of the best possible bullets for his gun but he does not know the difference between hardball and JHP.

The world is full of these people. They are not stupid or uneducated but they are ignorant, which means they can learn but have not. I am well educated but ignorant in many areas of life such as opera, Shakespeare and electrical repair. We need to educate more in the use of deadly weapons.

 

[writerinmo]

I'm with oldman on this one... the first time any of us picked up a firearm, or stood watching while our dad or whoever was shooting, and started drooling over having one of our own... well, we were just like a lot of these people. We went on, and we learned, and maybe when we were ten or so, we shot a hole in the bathroom ceiling with the .22 we thought was empty, and weren't supposed to be 'fooling around with' but the thing fascinated us and we wanted to know more.

We went on, some of us learning from older brothers, or dads, or gramps, some of us getting the most of our shooting education upon entry into the Armed Forces. Some did not have the benefit of either, and learned through making mistakes or seeing others mess up. Or maybe harsh words from another shooter taught us the meaning of "sweeping"... it comes from many different directions.

I had to start teaching my new wife about guns and safety, she had been exposed somewhat throughout her life, but not in a particularly good way. She sometimes gives me "the look" when I get on her about this or that, but overall is learning well and is always eager to go shoot.

The only problem is, if I buy a gun, she wants one too...

 

[truckemup97]

It's no different in other aspects of life. I loaned my pickup to a friend once, and drove his three year old Toyota Corolla while he had mine. While putting some gas in it, I checked the oil. It was extremely thick, black, and a quart low. I stopped by the auto parts store, picked up the necessary stuff, went home and changed his oil. When I returned it to him, I asked how long it had been since he changed it. He couldn't remember ever doing it. The car had 55k on it.

 

[slowburninsteve]

A few months ago I was at an out of town Wal-Mart and decided to see what ammo selection they had. Two guys were ahead of me at the counter. They looked like they had been extras in the movie "Deliverance". One of them said he needed some bullets for his 30-30 and wanted some "holler-points". I'm still wondering if that is the type that makes the deer "holler" when you shoot it.......

 

[35Rem]

I know EXACLTY what I shoot. But I'm an anal Engineer...um, not an engineer of anuses, but...
Oh, nevermind!

 

[11B Lifer]

facilitates predatory market

Thats how the snake oil sails are made. I have had relatives, who know little about firearms, buy big ole' pocket bazookas-without knowing what it is they're getting. My advice: Learn and practice firearm safety (how can you even look at a gun without knowing how to safely handle one?) Then shoot some different types-Do research (look at reviews) on the ones that feel right-shoot right. And you have to understand ammunition performance-and exactly what type of ammo works best in your gun.
I just had a guy tell me all about shooting his 25MM Takorov-now that has to be quite a pistol! Then there's the stories about soldiers shooting their M60 caliber machine guns. Or the 4.2 milimeter mortars-wow those are itty bitty!

 

[feralmerril]

We all are gun nuts or wouldnt be at this site. However if my wife wants me to pick up mayo at the market she will specify "Best brand", (I think that was it). I would have grabbed the first generic, cheapest one I spotted cuz I aint into mayo. Now when we buy meat I would rather do the picking because I can tell good meat and she cant.
Right now it seems everything I own is needing tires, all at the same time! Two trucks and my ATV. I also need a new laptop computer. The more I read on what to buy, the more confused I get!
I can easily advise someone what gun to get after listening to their preceived use. Yet I cant make up my mind what computer to buy after asking 10 different guru geek kid salesmen! I bet a lot of non gun people feel that way that drop into these gunsites to pick our brains!

 

[JC4013]

As a rule they are not stupid or ignorant, but they do need a reality check. These are the folks who whip out their shootin' iron and wave it around when they want to impress or make a point. It is upon our shoulders that the responsibility rests to educate, politely, respectfully and knowledgably. These folks are to be pitied, not scorned. When they create a problem, we all pay for it.

 

[RufusG]

wanted some "holler-points". I'm still wondering if that is the type that makes the deer "holler" when you shoot it.......

If you are huntin' down in the holler you use holler points. If you are up on the ridge you use something else.

 

[DeadAye]

I know EXACLTY what I shoot. But I'm an anal Engineer...

Me too - But I'm a picky Engineer --
(Ret)

 

[tacreload]

Like Truckemup said it's not only guns(although that's probably the scariest).Been in the automotive parts business for almost 30 years and it still amazes me when people don't even know what year their own car is.Sadly this also applies to some people who repair vehicles for a living.It probably doesn't stop there either.My wife works for a cardiologist and she can relay some pretty unbelievable stories.I should write a book.