I've been shooting since I was about 8. I like shooting everything, but I particularly like to shoot my M4 and my Glock pistols. And my plain jane stainless w/green laminated stock 10/22, along with its long gone predecessor base model 10/22, which has gone with me to every range I have been to since I was 8...
I agree, you sir, delve into an area of taste. So many gun nuts argue about what is "right" and it seems only the one talking is right. It makes it so I really don't like to discuss firearms in gun stores, ranges and such, which is a shame because that is where you should enjoy discussing it the most.
I enjoy plinking. But the ranges I go to only allow paper targets, even the military one (where you would expect plates). That one allows double taps, but not holster draws, etc. No real tactical training or real world training. So I make the best of it, and I use formal ranges for target shooting, chrnographing handloads, zeroing, etc.
When I go to the mountains, miles up in Cascades where it is quiet and you don't see people at all, I like to plink cans. I love shooting cans, I always have. But I was plinking them with a 10mm Glock 29. Was I wrong, maybe half wrong? I was having fun, but was what I was doing wrong? I also plinked cans with my M4 testing some new 75gr. loads, and that was fun too, but maybe I was wrong again.
My wife, she likes shooting her .22 Smith 317 snub nose. A true pocket plinker if there ever was one. She doesn't like shooting high power firearms, particularly ones with lots of recoil. Is she right? She does want an AWC Amphibian though, the integrally suppressed Ruger MkII CIA and Special Forces assassination tool... So she could be wrong on the inside...
You know, in the army I was an SDM instructor, so of course I shot expert with the issue weapon. Which happened to be an M4 (a real M4). The base model came with a KAC rail system, an Aimpoint M68, a pistol grip, an IR laser, a Surefire light, and a KAC flip up sight. In addition to that, my kit had a better barrel on another upper, free floated handguard, full stock, bipod, and ACOG. So when I got out, I kept the upper I built for use in the army, turned in all their stuff, and built up my own M4. Just like old timers who have Garands, others with M14's, and others still that have plain AR's and just don't understand the tacticool doodads, I too like to have handy my old service rifle. Mine is just black with a flashlight and a pistol grip and a reflex sight.
The tools changed dude. Not the sport or the fun we have shooting. You should try out that guy's HK if he asks you again. You might like it. Likewise, he might like your shooting stick. Lighten up. Realize instead of actually having fun, you are criticizing others for having fun... How absurd!