Most important thing you've learned on THR

D.B. Cooper said:

a majority of Americans have little to no understanding of how our government works, or at least is supposed to work.

Click to expand...

True, and a direct result of schools no longer teaching civics and government at the junior and senior high levels. I used to work with a large number of extremely intelligent techies, most with master's and many with doctorates. They were abysmally ignorant of government processes. A lawyer in our crowd would routinely teach classes in the basics and start with the famous Schoolhouse Rock video I'm Just a Bill. I sat in on several sessions and most of the class was amazed. And this was in the DC suburbs where we were surrounded by THE GUMMINT!

Most important.... I’d have to go with the realization that many gun enthusiasts (much less gun owners) will support some gun control, they just don’t view it that way.

Craig_VA said:

...a direct result of schools no longer teaching civics and government at the junior and senior high levels...

Click to expand...

That is, of course, a state-level decision (10th Amendment, powers reserved to the states), however, in mine and a few other states I know, US Government is a required course for graduation. It is most commonly taught in the 12th grade year, although, I have seen it taught in the 9th grade year. The Constitution and Bill or Rights are also taught in the first half of the 11th grade year as part of US History. Also, in my state, "Civics" is taught as part of Social Studies in the 8th grade year. Forty years ago, when I was in high school, they were not even offered, let alone required; it was all just part of US History.

Texas10mm said:

Many of the members here have little to no understanding of guns laws.

Click to expand...

FIFY

D.B. Cooper said:

What others do you belong to? I feel like the moderators keep a pretty tight lid (too tight IMHO) on things around here.

ETA: Let me be clear, too tight of a lid is better than too loose; it's a challenge to find the right balance.

Click to expand...

Not complaining about the Mods.

My complaint is w/ all the self-proclaimed 'experts" who love to argue and talk down to others. The members of the other forums I belong to are more respectful and more restrained. The Mods on the other forums (E.g 1911Forum, 1911Addicts, Castboolits, et al) seldom have to step-in.

Most important thing you've learned on THR?

Stay on track or the Mods will shut the thread down in a heartbeat....

But Seriously...
I have learned that THR is a wonderful forum with lots of great members who are helpful and resourceful.
Corny?
Yes...but true.

This

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Or all your primers in a glass jar!

Click to expand...

Came here to say this quote above!

I've learned there's a wealth of info here. But, look at it from a "zoomed out" view. If you read too deep into something you'll end up being a nervous wreck sorting information vs misinformation about whatever you're looking into. To the point of maybe not trying something because of it.

Lot of old timers that figured this stuff out before the internet and before people started preaching the gospel of "correct" ways to do things. Not promoting negligence at all.

This quote from RC says a bit about his character, he was lighthearted in most cases but could also diplomatically tell you if your idea was idiotic! Something you could tell comes with an abundance of experience.

I've learned that there is no "Best" of anything.

What's the best 9mm pistol?
What's the best target .22 pistol?
What's the best self defense bullet?
What's the best gun in case I run into a Tyrannosaurus Rex?

There is no best!

There is just many varied opinions on what "they" like best.

Aarond

.

Although I have not been as active on this forum as I would like I will say that this forum helped me with many issues through the years. From dissuading popular misconceptions, practical shooting to reloading. All served invaluable. THR actually helped me become a much better at Bullseye Pistol shooter and Standing Unsupported Rifleman.
THR is all those things and much more.

I've learned that I fit in here at THR better than I do at other forums.

That the internet really is available to everyone.

Borsalino said:

Don't say everything you know and when you do speak, Speak wisely.

Click to expand...

That's a good one. Oftentimes, I respond to someone here, then look back at my post, and delete it. It's a challenge to always be positive and uplifting, and I often have to look at my words and ask myself "What does this add?" "Is this post really necessary?" etc.

Kevin Rohrer said:

Not complaining about the Mods.

My complaint is w/ all the self-proclaimed 'experts" who love to argue and talk down to others. The members of the other forums I belong to are more respectful and more restrained. The Mods on the other forums (E.g 1911Forum, 1911Addicts, Castboolits, et al) seldom have to step-in.

Click to expand...

Don't want to get into the 'best' gun forum but I left The Firing Line because of the above...Hi Spats!!

I'll admit I came here with a chip on my shoulder due to some truly horrific comments and personal attacks on another firearms site I had watched denigrate over the last 20 years.

The lack of non-firearms topics is both a blessing and a curse. So much historic changes and events are taking place in society at this very moment that it seems ridiculous to not discuss them among friends.

But at the same time, I recognize that those discussions, especially in this current climate, can cause extreme emotions and arguments can get out of hand quickly.

I think the lack of those discussions is what keeps this place civil. If I want to talk about guns, I come here. If I want to discuss the rest of my life, I can go to any number of other forums.

I think the hard part about the vast knowledge here is realizing that even though I've owned and carried weapons for over 30 years, I never really cared to know much about them other than if they worked and were reliable. My knowledge on various systems and the technical aspects of firearms has really grown since I came here and paid more attention to firearms than arguing about life.

I have learned that ethics, especially those used in hunting, are as varied as Usernames.

Through my interaction over the years on this forum, I have discovered just how ignorant (brainwashed?) most people in the US are of the current gun control laws already on the books! I wish I knew how many times I have heard how imperative it is that we have to close the gun show loophole!

Attempting to explain to the average person there is no such thing as a gun show loophole can be an exercise in frustration bordering on the extreme.

aarondhgraham said:

I've learned that there is no "Best" of anything.

What's the best 9mm pistol?
What's the best target .22 pistol?
What's the best self defense bullet?
What's the best gun in case I run into a Tyrannosaurus Rex?

There is no best!

There is just many varied opinions on what "they" like best.

Aarond






.

Click to expand...

You are so on target. I don't want to sound arrogant but throwing out a question such as what's the best firearm/ammo for CC, OC, SD, HD, bear country, deep concealment (what exactly is deep concealment), backpacking, etc. is open to so many variables. But I guess if you don't know well you just don't know. Not everyone was blessed with being tutored by some of the best instructors the United States Army had to offer 50 years ago or the many law enforcement instructors I had since then.

It's all good though as the person posing the question will, for sure, receive numerous responses to ponder.

How to spot an internet troll in the wild and avoid being sucked into its trap.

That I need a BP vest when going to an indoor range. Smh

We are not alone.

I learned that most times it is better to be a good witness and to avoid being a participant.

Your best/first self defense weapon is between your ears. Your second self defense weapon is your cell phone. From there it is all unscripted.

That a self defense incident won't be how I (or anyone else) envisioned it would be. That avoiding an incident is almost always the most prudent course of action.

"You can't miss fast enough to stop the bad guy."

old lady new shooter said:

"You can't miss fast enough to stop the bad guy."

Click to expand...

There are problems with that. Above a certain volume, suppressive fire is extremely effective, whether it misses or not. You may not stop him permanently, but you can sure stop him for a couple seconds.

This one was written by someone who has never been shot at.

Jammersix said:

There are problems with that. Above a certain volume, suppressive fire is extremely effective, whether it misses or not. You may not stop him permanently, but you can sure stop him for a couple seconds.

This one was written by someone who has never been shot at.

Click to expand...

Thankfully I have never been shot at. But I learned from folks with extensive military and LE experience. I was told, first be able to make a ragged hole at 5 yards before you start moving the target back and/or trying to shoot faster. "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." Worked for me. YMMV.