We were all new at one time.
I'll share another new gun owner story. This is with a 442, not a 642, but that's the only difference. When you read the story you're going to laugh and feel much better.
I have a very close friend, known him since we were five years old, which means it's well over 50 years.
He never had any interest in guns until a few years ago, after Obama got elected.
He decided that he wanted to get his license and buy a couple of guns. So, he asked me for advice. I set up a basic firearms class for him and a few others and got someone I knew to teach it. That part went well.
My friend received his license in due course and decided he was going to get a "357 magnum" for home defense. Mind you, the only guns he had shot to this point were .22s and 9mms. He shot OK, but not great. I suggested that he get a shot gun for home defense first. Nope, going to be a 357.
He has a friend who owns a LGS. Busy shop, sells a ton of stuff. He asked me if I would go down there with him to help him buy his first gun. No problem, he's a good friend and I'm happy to help. Once again I mentioned a shotgun, once again he insisted he was going to get a 357.
We got to the gun shop and he talked to the owner. Who immediately told him he should get a shotgun, not a handgun. I managed not to laugh. Too much.
He bought the shotgun, some ammo and a cleaning kit. I advised him to read the manual and clean and lube the shotgun before we went to the range. Which he did.
We went to the range, he shot, he missed the entire target. I managed to keep a straight face while I showed him how to shoot a shotgun. He learned, did much better.
Fast forward a year. Now he wants a handgun for home defense and occasional concealed carry outside the home. Doesn't want a semi auto because they "jam too much". He learned that from TV.
I suggested a .38 snub nose, but he was determined to get a guess what?
So, back to his friend's gun shop. He told his friend what he wanted and why. Friend said, "You need a .38 snub nose." Now, I know you can shoot 38 in a 357, but my friend is never going to do that, trust me.
So, my friend ends up with a 442, pretty much like the 642 I'm carrying in my pocket as I type. Only mine is a no lock version.
We drive back home and I remind him he needs to clean and oil that before we go to the range. He tells me he will.
A week later, we go to the range. He brings his 442, I have my 642 and a Marlin 336c I need to sight in.
We go about our business. He puts about a box through his 442, I put a box of .30-30 through my Marlin. Then I put a box of ammunition through my 642. His shooting is OK, but he needs more practice.
When we were done and packing up he asks if he should clean the gun again. I said he didn't really need to do it, but it wouldn't hurt anything.
He says he will, but he hopes he doesn't have the same problem getting the cylinder back in as he did the first time.
*BLINK*
Seems he found a Youtube video about cleaning the 442 and in it the guy making the video showed how to remove the yoke retaining screw and take the cylinder off.
I shuddered and told him that wasn't how you do it. I know he doesn't have any gun smithing screw drivers, so I don't know what the heck the side plate and screw look like now. I'm afraid to look, frankly.
I just bought a new set of gun smithing screw driver bits and was going to give him my old one. I'm rethinking that because I have this vision of him coming over to my house some day with a shoe box full of parts that used to be a 442.
I think I'll just hold on to them for a bit.
Don't get the idea that my friend is dumb, far from it. He's very smart, he just sometimes gets in over his head with mechanical things.
So, OP, don't feel bad. At least you didn't "golden screw driver" you new gun.
I'll share another new gun owner story. This is with a 442, not a 642, but that's the only difference. When you read the story you're going to laugh and feel much better.
I have a very close friend, known him since we were five years old, which means it's well over 50 years.
He never had any interest in guns until a few years ago, after Obama got elected.
He decided that he wanted to get his license and buy a couple of guns. So, he asked me for advice. I set up a basic firearms class for him and a few others and got someone I knew to teach it. That part went well.
My friend received his license in due course and decided he was going to get a "357 magnum" for home defense. Mind you, the only guns he had shot to this point were .22s and 9mms. He shot OK, but not great. I suggested that he get a shot gun for home defense first. Nope, going to be a 357.
He has a friend who owns a LGS. Busy shop, sells a ton of stuff. He asked me if I would go down there with him to help him buy his first gun. No problem, he's a good friend and I'm happy to help. Once again I mentioned a shotgun, once again he insisted he was going to get a 357.
We got to the gun shop and he talked to the owner. Who immediately told him he should get a shotgun, not a handgun. I managed not to laugh. Too much.
He bought the shotgun, some ammo and a cleaning kit. I advised him to read the manual and clean and lube the shotgun before we went to the range. Which he did.
We went to the range, he shot, he missed the entire target. I managed to keep a straight face while I showed him how to shoot a shotgun. He learned, did much better.
Fast forward a year. Now he wants a handgun for home defense and occasional concealed carry outside the home. Doesn't want a semi auto because they "jam too much". He learned that from TV.
I suggested a .38 snub nose, but he was determined to get a guess what?
So, back to his friend's gun shop. He told his friend what he wanted and why. Friend said, "You need a .38 snub nose." Now, I know you can shoot 38 in a 357, but my friend is never going to do that, trust me.
So, my friend ends up with a 442, pretty much like the 642 I'm carrying in my pocket as I type. Only mine is a no lock version.
We drive back home and I remind him he needs to clean and oil that before we go to the range. He tells me he will.
A week later, we go to the range. He brings his 442, I have my 642 and a Marlin 336c I need to sight in.
We go about our business. He puts about a box through his 442, I put a box of .30-30 through my Marlin. Then I put a box of ammunition through my 642. His shooting is OK, but he needs more practice.
When we were done and packing up he asks if he should clean the gun again. I said he didn't really need to do it, but it wouldn't hurt anything.
He says he will, but he hopes he doesn't have the same problem getting the cylinder back in as he did the first time.
*BLINK*
Seems he found a Youtube video about cleaning the 442 and in it the guy making the video showed how to remove the yoke retaining screw and take the cylinder off.
I shuddered and told him that wasn't how you do it. I know he doesn't have any gun smithing screw drivers, so I don't know what the heck the side plate and screw look like now. I'm afraid to look, frankly.
I just bought a new set of gun smithing screw driver bits and was going to give him my old one. I'm rethinking that because I have this vision of him coming over to my house some day with a shoe box full of parts that used to be a 442.
I think I'll just hold on to them for a bit.
Don't get the idea that my friend is dumb, far from it. He's very smart, he just sometimes gets in over his head with mechanical things.
So, OP, don't feel bad. At least you didn't "golden screw driver" you new gun.
Thanks for the consoling words...but geez, what a "noob-like" thing to do!
Quick, someone ask me a question about a 1911!
