Most important thing you've learned on THR

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Howland937

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It's been said that this is the best gun forum on the web, and I believe it. Haven't been a member that long comparitively but had browsed old threads for info several times over the years. Seems like the mods here do a good job of keeping things gun related and civil, which I admire (no swelled heads please). I've had posts deleted for straying off topic...and I've been called out when I've been misinformed or a post meant to be kinda tongue-in-cheek was taken literally. That's what makes this forum what it is. But I've learned a lot from members here in the process of trying to gather info for a 9mm to 38 Super conversion. I'm reminded why people at every level in this community are important to preserving it. So, what are some of the most important things, or most memorable things you've learned on this forum?
 
I agree - this is a great firearms forum, and it is safe to say it is probably my favorite at this point.

Learned a lot of things, so it is difficult to point to any one thing as most important. But I will say that I am eternally grateful for the safety-related info I have gained from here. Things like headspace issues and over-pressure signs, what to do if you have a squib, and so on.


If I had to point to one single such piece of information, I would probably go with danger of SKS slamfires. This is vital info for any SKS owner/user.
 
I've learned a lot, but one thing that sticks out in my mind is "front sight focus". The day someone said to do that on THR in some thread, it hammered home my target shooting to get better, however before that my shooting wasn't bad so I might have been doing it before without thinking but now I really focus on it when shooting iron sights.

Target blurry, rear sight blurry, front sight clear and focused.
 
I guess I didn't actually list my most important lesson, but I think it would be that everyone is here because of interest in firearms, be it enthusiast, collector, professional or all of the above. Not everyone is like me nor is everyone unlike me. And in the process of trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my handgun endeavor, seeing how passionate some of the 38 super fans are reintroduced me to an old love. Handloading. Still got a ways to go though.
 
Sorry, I can't figure out THE most important thing I have learned here. I have learned SO much from the members here. I was a little worried to join, after (briefly) being a member of a certain black - rifle forum. I found a different group here, that don't belittle you for not knowing, or for having a different opinion. I found a group that has an immeasurable combined wealth of knowledge. I found a group that encourages you to grow, but not push you into something you can't handle. I found a group that expresses comraderie, even when they disagree. I found a group that can accept my quirks, and welcome me. The staff and moderators do a GREAT job of keeping this place running, but it is also the everyday members that work together to keep it growing. So, if there really is ONE thing I have learned, it is a place one can call "home".
 
I like being able to ask questions, no matter how dumb you think it is, and not get a bunch of ass****s telling you how stupid you are.
This... Almost all of the mods and most of the members are a lot more mature and civil. I've been a member of AR15.com, AKFiles, DefensiveCarry, etc, and the the mods and members can be a bunch of trolling smart donkeys as well as very childish. This is where I come to talk with adults.
 
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket, or all your primers in a glass jar."
I learned that the fellow who coined that advice lived close by and was able to spend some times on his porch with him before he left us. I miss ya RC.
There are some fine folks here with a vast wealth of knowledge to share. It's a good place to hang out. :thumbup:
 
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket, or all your primers in a glass jar."
I learned that the fellow who coined that advice lived close by and was able to spend some times on his porch with him before he left us. I miss ya RC.
There are some fine folks here with a vast wealth of knowledge to share. It's a good place to hang out.

I remember that signature line as well. My first priming tool was a plastic tray with a handle (Lee Prime XR) and I was wondering for years before why to not put primers in a glass jar or tube.
 
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There are two things that stuck in my mind. First is how to shape a rimfire firing pin. Second is not all factory ammo is loaded to saami specs.
There is a lot of things that are in reloading manuals and shooting books that I read and saw repeated here.
 
It's been said that this is the best gun forum on the web, and I believe it. Haven't been a member that long comparitively but had browsed old threads for info several times over the years. Seems like the mods here do a good job of keeping things gun related and civil, which I admire (no swelled heads please). I've had posts deleted for straying off topic...and I've been called out when I've been misinformed or a post meant to be kinda tongue-in-cheek was taken literally. That's what makes this forum what it is. But I've learned a lot from members here in the process of trying to gather info for a 9mm to 38 Super conversion. I'm reminded why people at every level in this community are important to preserving it. So, what are some of the most important things, or most memorable things you've learned on this forum?
as a new owner of only a few weeks, the much needed advice and guidance of the many members here, with a no "looking down on me" like some other "experts" do on other websites.

everyone starts out handling guns, buying, shooting them, and making changes to them at what ever age they did, and for some here that was like under the age of 10( well maybe not buying them, but at least handling them)?

for me, it's above the age of 70, and i couldn't be any more satisfied with the help i have received since my join date.

and yes, the mods/admins do a great job of controlling the site.
 
I learned a lot from a discussion herein some time ago regarding reloading of 9mm. I have quite a few 9mm's and the variation in bbls and chambers created much trouble for reloading. Many bullets shapes and OAL's as well. I can't recall the folks who posted extensively about this, but it was very helpful. Oddly 9mm was tough to reload due to all these variables, but I got some very helpful pointers.

Ah yeah, and I thank the mods for keeping extraneous material out of the forum. So much of that in other places.
 
I don't have to think about it hard at all.

The most important thing I've learned from the members here, is how to reload. No it's not that complicated, but it is intricate and overwhelming in many ways. Reloading has added a lot to my shooting experience. And without having the opportunity to learn it from anyone else, if it hadn't been for the information and advice I got here on THR, I may never have started.
 
Couple of things. I learned i know less than i thought. In my immediately circle, I am who everyone comes to for gun/ammo/reloading advice. I don't believe I ever gave bad advice or information, but it was definitely one sided. I have learned that by checking this forum, you find the multiple ways, ideas, theories, that really helped me help others better.
Also, an appreciation for Glock. For some reason, unknown to me, I hated all things Glock for years. Bad trigger, ugly, plastic, just crap. I can't remember who exactly but through some reading and discussion, i tried a glock, then bought one, then built a P80 based on the Glock 17. Not a Glock Fanboy, but i now have the appreciably of what Glock is and where it fits. Thanks to those who unblocked my Glock block.
 
I mentioned above the most important thing I learned here - or I should say experienced here (Civility). In more practical terms, I've learned so many things about so many gun related areas of knowledge this forum could be a university for the study of firearms and related fields. How guns work, their history, uses, how they are made, where they are made. Reloading and how to do it safely. Shooting accurately, how to carry a gun, safe handling, legal implications, just too much to list... And the pictures people post.... so much learning from that, history, practicality, whimsy.

How many times have I looked at what people post and say to myself "I didn't know that", and "wow that's great!".

A few things, certainly not all-inclusive:

Don't get oil into a striker-fired guns striker channel - it can fail to fire - "keep your channel dry"
The less lubrication the better, generally speaking
Make sure there's no air space between black powder and projectile or you risk grenading your BP gun
lots of other things I can't think of right now :)
 
I can't begin to list all the things I've picked up here. Hell, just the archives will tell ya about anything you may want to know.

I did learn that this site is populated by some tremendously helpful people with an immense amount of knowledge.
 
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket, or all your primers in a glass jar."
I learned that the fellow who coined that advice lived close by and was able to spend some times on his porch with him before he left us. I miss ya RC.
There are some fine folks here with a vast wealth of knowledge to share. It's a good place to hang out. :thumbup:
You're a lucky person.

I've learned several things on THR.

I learned with the help of several manuals how to reload pistol ammo. The amount of knowledge collectively possessed by the forum members is amazing.

Sometimes a question is worth asking even if you have a pretty good idea what the answer is, because often you'll be surprised by different perspectives, and often other folks have the same question. Just ask.

Check your ego at the door, because the only way to learn is to acknowledge just how ignorant you are.

Youth is no guarantee of innovative thinking, nor is old age a guarantee of wisdom.

Beware hyperbole and generating any opinion based on small sample sizes. One gun or example of a product from a company is not necessarily indicative of overall quality or of durability.

Ignore jackasses who just want to pick a fight with you, and when they make silly comments, attack the argument or statement, not the person.
 
This forum showed me that it is possible to convey many lifetimes of priceless experience to those willing to learn, without disparagement or big egos. It is a rare gem in a torrent of information that is often intentionally or unintentionally inaccurate. The peer review system can be a bit uncomfortable but is essential, and the moderating hits a great balance between letting the children play and not letting them stray.
 
- the importance of RKBA
- Remington 710 is junk
- a Stevens 200 is as good as a Savage, and Savage is one of the best bang for the buck
- everything about milsurps, Swiss k-31, k98, Mosin m44, Mosin 91/30, Garand. This site really started my interest in milsurps back when they were somewhat cheap
- no matter how many guns or how much ammo I have, there are a lot of people who have much more than me
- almost every gun someone dislikes there are fan clubs for the same gun
- which caliber for bear defense has already been figured out, the biggest one you can shoot accurately
- Shot placement above all else is king
- I can always shoot better or get more range time.
- I am considered the gun guy in my family, but most of what I have learned about guns aside from personal experience came from this site here.

Thanks THR!
 
Currently learning more about different rifle/pistol set ups. Have narrowed my next purchases down to two different set ups. 1 will be a 10/22 with a 1-4x optic mainly for plinking for the wife, the other i'm now leaning toward an ar9 with red dot for the range. I'm a city dweller so no need for long range options unless it gets so bad post hurricane i'm bugging out to my sisters house in the country. She has plenty of long range option to choose from in that case as her husband is an avid hunter.
 
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