Do you know what you shoot?

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oldman45

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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?
 
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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.
 
BarbC said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
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." :rolleyes:

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
 
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.
 
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. :p
 
Wheelgunner840 said:
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." :rolleyes:

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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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...
 
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. :(
 
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.......:D
 
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!
 
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!
 
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.
 
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.
 
I learned this afternoon that there is a smart sheriff in Caddo Parish, LA. He announced today they would be offering the training needed for a state concealed weapons permit for $100 per person. The course includes the required firearms training, firing range requirements, fingerprint cards, photographs and the assistance in filling out the forms.

Since he has the deputies anyway and has the range and classrooms, just think about the added income to his budget. Say just 1,000 people take advantage of this over a five year period, his Parish just took in an added $100,000 for free since it will not cost the Parish any additional money and he has 1,000 more people armed and safely instructed on the use of firearms.

More sheriffs should take advantage of such opportunities.
 
If I'm in a store that has ammo hidden away where I can't even see it, I may ask what they have in whatever caliber I'm looking for instead of asking for a particular brand / weight etc. Luckily most of the places I go to have the ammo out or in full view so I can see what they have and ask for exactly what I want.

I have a buddy in a shop who gives customers bullets when they ask for bullets... that confuses a lot of them.
 
I am a gear head and have been one from birth . A firearm is basically a machine and i have yet had one that i have not taken apart ,so like any machine i understand what to use in it to make it work ammunition, oil , cleaning fluids . Some owners are just that owners, some shooters are just shooters.I remember talking to a young person whose father owned the company i worked for ,telling him how to repair something in his house .He said he didn't need to know how because he would hire someone to repair it .I tried to explain that he needed to know ,so that he would not get ripped off.Not a worry he didn't see the point .Some gun owners just want to own a gun to be safe ,they think that's enough .Most every one on this forum wants knowledge about their firearm's.Amazing what youcan learn by listening.
 
I remember stories about the guys that swore they used the 30-30 in their military rifles. Not old enough to have heard any of them, but I remember hearing about them.

Love reading newspaper stories about the .9mm handguns used for various reasons too. Dang, that's tiny. Of course they are probably backed up with a .12 gauge full-auto pump shotgun.

I did overhear two fellows talking at a Hunting License Course discuss why in the world the book mentioned a 28 gauge shotgun...everyone knows they dont make anything like that! Just 10's, 12's, 20's, and 410's!

I do NOT want to fire a 410 gauge shotgun!
 
I stopped at a local hardware that rebuilt a new store a year ago. They have a firearms area. I just wanted to take a look since I hadn't been in there since the move. Ahead of me was a 130 pound soaking wet gentleman dressed like a gang banger with the pants to the thighs, big oversized droopy shirt, Timberland boots and a bandana. With him was his 200 pound+ girl....sister....I don't know. They were looking at the handguns and asking.......
"Why do the 25 look bigger than the 22?"
"I like a 9. How many do this one hold?"
"Ooooooh....that one kind of purty...."

I know they have to respond to all customers but if either one of those two had a permit to purchase God help us all. I turned and walked away. Didn't want to know if a purchase were made.

On a side note, last night someone was walking or driving around about a six square block area here and firing off 10-15 rounds every 20 minutes or so. Police couldn't find them. Perhaps my friends from the gun shop made a purchase and were testing it out.
 
Yer' askin' way too much.

The Constitution doesn't demand a test to exercise a right.

Many gun owners don't care. Its OK. If they want help, sometimes I try to gently offer it. And sometimes the clerk resents it. They're behind the counter and they know it all.

Often we manage to purchase a gun that is still new in its box. And it was owned by grandpa, who passed on. And Dad kept it in his dresser or closet for the last 50 years, too. They still have ammo, the stuff grandpa bought in the 1930s.

The kind and delicate thing to do is suggest they bring the gun, or any ammo or empties along with them and come back. It prevents some confusion.

My FILs handguns vanished when he died. We know where they went, along with his cases (plural) of 22 target ammo. Cases, not bricks or boxes. At least the screwed up nephew has the right ammo, lots of it.

Anti gun groups for years have been trying to figure out how to make ammo deteriorate and become non-functional. I'm thinking their goals may be parallel to some of our esteemed posters here. If you have a gun that might be 50 or 80 years old and hasn't fired all of its first and only box of ammo, I see nothing wrong with the current owner just depending on what they have. American made commercial ammo lasts nearly forever. And I think that part is good.
 
rburg said:
Yer' askin' way too much.

Often we manage to purchase a gun that is still new in its box. And it was owned by grandpa, who passed on. And Dad kept it in his dresser or closet for the last 50 years, too. They still have ammo, the stuff grandpa bought in the 1930s.
.
Click to expand...

Ironically, a good friend 's father passed away. The man was in his 90's and a WWII vet, having fought in two major battles. At some point in time, we do not know when, he bought a .25 semi and two boxes of shells for $12. His son found them as he was clearing the man's estate up and gave it all to me. The gun was never fired and still had the grease covering it that guns used to come packed in. I cleaned it, which took time since the grease was almost like glue, and then I fired it, using the shells that was bought with it. I still have that little gun in the box it came in.
 
I am sure every person that doesnt know as much about guns as I do, has knowledge in areas that I have no knowledge or intrest in.
 
rburg said:
Yer' askin' way too much.

The Constitution doesn't demand a test to exercise a right.
Click to expand...

Yup, My father has a .38 S&W revolver that he bought for Korea.
Does he even know it's a K frame? No. Does he care how many scews it has? No. Does he care what brand of ammo he buys? No. He does know it's a .38 Special S&W Revolver and it saved his life when the chips were down and the Chinese were comming over the hill. That gun has been in his nightstand since before I was born.

He does not go shooting very often anymore, he is spending his retirment on the golf course. The last time we went to the range about ten years ago he and his old beat up S&W put all his shots in the black and that's good enough for for him.
 
How about the one who buys a .45 because it's the biggest they can handle, and end up not liking it because of the recoil. Or the ones who buy a Glock and can't figure out how to field strip it if their life depended on it.

I know what I buy- I know what I want. But my interests are probably alot different than the ones who don't know what they're talking about.

I like 'dem 'dere holler points. Winchester PDX1 if I can find it in my caliber, otherwise it's Gold Dots in medium weight.
 
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