Gun terms you HATE

Status
Not open for further replies.
Have been following this thread since yesterday. Made me think of a couple of scenes from the movie "Full Metal Jacket"

"This is my rifle, this is my gun.........." (Go to you tube to see the video of this scene if you never saw the movie)

Beware of anyone who names their rifle "Charlene".

Have a great day!
 
Last edited:
Some seem to be a little upset at some who are a little upset by terminology.
It was just a question that was posed and now getting talked about.
Sometimes terminology IS important, especially when it comes to politicians and the media.
Between all of us? I think we know what we're talking about. It's just semantics and we're poking fun at it.
 
Some seem to be a little upset at some who are a little upset by terminology.
It was just a question that was posed and now getting talked about.
Sometimes terminology IS important, especially when it comes to politicians and the media.
Between all of us? I think we know what we're talking about. It's just semantics and we're poking fun at it.

I wonder if those getting upset are the ones that don't know the correct terminology - and are embarrassed by that little shortcoming? :D
 
They're just words. If you can effectively convey the intended meaning, what difference does it make what words you use?
I swear, it seems like some people just look for things to be offended by and others are scared to death that they might accidentally offend someone. :rolleyes:
If I offend somebody, either accidentally or on purpose, It just makes my day. :D
 
Yes, they are pistols. But they are not revolvers.

Depending upon which dictionary you use, "revolver" may or may not be a subset of handguns. I see it this way - Handguns can fit into a sub-category (i.e. revolver, pistol, etc.). Sub-categories of pistol (a handgun which has one chamber integral with the barrel) could be: semi-auto; single-shot; multiple barrel; etc. Rifles? They can be split into sub-categories, too: revolver; semi-auto; lever action; slide action; single shot; etc.

Using the correct terminology can reduce confusion, but only if the listener also knows the correct terminology. Then again, "depending upon which dictionary you use...", so ... never mind.
We were posting about this a coupla weeks ago. I noted that Sam Colt in his patent application refers to the gizmo he is patenting as a "pistol."

(On the other hand, I have always admired Humpty Dumpty's moxie: "'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.'":))
 
To illustrate the silliness of this thread, on a Glock, the slide "lock" is the bar that traverses the frame, held up by the slide lock lock spring, that serves to keep the slide attached to the frame. It's the part you pull down after after pressing the trigger and pulling the slide back a bit in order to remove the slide from the frame.

The slide "stop," on the other hand, is a lever activated manually by either the user or the magazine follower which causes the slide to lock back after the last round is fired. It is not designed to be used to manually move the slide forward, but many people do (including the FBI).

Call 'em what you want. Doesn't make you smarter or dumber. Just means you probably haven't been to armorer's school. Or if you have been, you just don't care that much about it.

Thanks for clearing that up. Curious about what the manufacturers have to say, I dragged out the owner's manuals for my semi-autos (when all else fails...) to see how they label this device. S&W and FNH are in agreement with Muss -- it's a slide stop. SIG Sauer, however, calls it a slide catch. If other manufacturers use still different terms, write in and let us know. Who knows, we might all be right. ;)
 
Hate when the media calls a semi auto a full auto or machine gun. Not done as much now but people actually believed them, my late uncle did.

When someone sells a S&W revolver and says timing and LOCKUP is tight. Colt revolvers lock up, S&W don't. Hold the trigger back on a Colt and the cylinder is locked. Do the same on a S&W and the cylinder moves back & forth. Larry
 
A slide release is used to release the slide from the locked-open position. If the pistol has a slide release, it is not intended to be slingshotted back into battery.

A slide stop is used to lock the slide open manually. In which case the slide should be pulled back and released in order to chamber a round.

In other words, if you look in that little book that comes with a pistol and see that they call that part a "slide stop", then you know that it's intended to be slingshotted back into battery. You don't actually have to read all them words after it.

I know of individual pistols, both rimfire and centerfire, and both release- and stop-equipped, which positively refuse to function when operated incorrectly in that manner.

As somebody who ALWAYS sling-shots his semi-autos, there are all slide locks to me regardless of any levers or do-hickeys on the gun.
 
Yes, they are pistols. But they are not revolvers.

Depending upon which dictionary you use, "revolver" may or may not be a subset of handguns. I see it this way - Handguns can fit into a sub-category (i.e. revolver, pistol, etc.). Sub-categories of pistol (a handgun which has one chamber integral with the barrel) could be: semi-auto; single-shot; multiple barrel; etc. Rifles? They can be split into sub-categories, too: revolver; semi-auto; lever action; slide action; single shot; etc.

Using the correct terminology can reduce confusion, but only if the listener also knows the correct terminology. Then again, "depending upon which dictionary you use...", so ... never mind.

All revolvers are pistols. Not all pistols are revolvers.

But call them whatever you want. Call them "Mary" or "Jane." Oh, wait...we're not supposed to give names to guns. Oops. ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top