Any stories of bad advice you received regards guns?

[Mars5l]

Might be bad advice or good advice. But I was advised by co-workers that I need to stop buying $100-$200 knives and just get a gun. Well here I am this year a closet over flowing with rifles and stacks of handguns. Could have bought a new car instead

 

[bullseye308]

You can’t conceal a glock 17 in shorts and a tshirt.
Really, I carried a glock 17L with a tlr-1hl iwb for a few years.

A 1911 only works in 45ACP.
I have 2 Springfields 9mm 1911’s that run like tops.

Get that girl a 38 revolver, she will be fine.
Nope, take her out and let her handle everything she can till she finds what fits her and feels right. My wife likes my 38, but she loves her Ruger SR9C she picked out.

 

[Riomouse911]

Buy a USP .45, they’re the best duty guns you can find...

When they came out they were selling for MSRP and up...Counting the Safariland duty holster, mag pouch and extra mags I bought, this was the priciest gun buying mistake I’ve ever made. It went bye bye not too long after I bought it.

Stay safe.

 

[Rembrandt]

I was advised that 1911's with "United States Property" markings were stolen from the military and if you had one....expect a visit from Uncle Sam. So I passed on a $400 Singer rather than go to jail.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

A buddy and I used to go to Bass Pro a lot of Friday nights (might have been why we were single) and one of the old guys behind the gun counter always told us that "You boys need a semi-auto shotgun. Those pumps are bad news, because sometimes you forget to pump."

We used to laugh at him, we both exclusively shot pumps and never imagined we'd ever forget to pump the action after firing. But then just last week I was shooting clays with my brother, who only owns an 870, and he kept missing doubles because, you guessed it, he kept forgetting to pump. Even worse was we went on a pheasant hunt on Friday, and he never got off any follow-up shots because he wasn't moving that action!

So maybe that old timer's advice wasn't actually that bad.

In other news, I've learned to ignore the "I carry a .45 because they don't make a .46" guys. In the grand scheme of things, the difference between a 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP is negligible when you're talking hollow points.

I used to be one of those 45 guys. Still carry one from time to time, but also have a 40 and a 9mm, and ya know what? I don't feel under gunned with any of them.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I can vouch for that, both the multiple time.... on this site, and its complete failure. Steel rod worked great.

I use brass so as not to damage the bore. Wood, not so much.

 

[vintovka]

"That there little pocket .380 is the best thing since sliced bread. You'll *love* it". (referring to an original LCP)

Tiny grip, lousy trigger, sights that may as well not be there.... yeah, it's most practical for a belly gun, along with most other "micro" type guns I've ever dealt with, and most snub .38's.

Tried one, hated it. Picked up a RM380 (with finger grip mag), immediately liked it. Does all i ask of it and was dirt cheap.

 

[bsparker]

My cousin (not my favorite one) learned that I got a concealed carry (several years ago now). He pulled out the .380 he carries. Waved it around...loaded. When I tried to get him to control the muzzle, he said it’s ok. It’s a double action with a safety. Then pulls on the trigger.

His advise, practice “a lot”. He bragged about having his pistol for 20 years and boasted of putting 500 rounds through it. He recommended putting a box of ammo through it each year. His idea of safety and practice are a bit different than mine.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

My cousin (not my favorite one) learned that I got a concealed carry (several years ago now). He pulled out the .380 he carries. Waved it around...loaded. When I tried to get him to control the muzzle, he said it’s ok. It’s a double action with a safety. Then pulls on the trigger.

His advise, practice “a lot”. He bragged about having his pistol for 20 years and boasted of putting 500 rounds through it. He recommended putting a box of ammo through it each year. His idea of safety and practice are a bit different than mine.

Well, that oughta last him a dozen lifetimes at that rate of usage.

 

[Archie]

"Don't get a handgun; they will turn you into a psychopath!"
"Sights on hand guns are worthless" usually accompanied by "No handgun can hit anything further than ten (maybe fifteen) feet." Perhaps there's a connection in those two claims.
"45's (referring to Government Models) are dangerous (to the carrier or shooter)!"
"Don't ever carry a gun in your waist band, you'll shoot your (doo-dad) off!"
"Reloading ammunition is dangerous! Only well qualified people should attempt it." But there is no way to get well qualified, it seems. Hmmm.
"Practical pistol competition is the same as self-defense shooting."
"Revolvers are fit for self defense." (Government Models) aren't fit for self defense." "Hand guns aren't fit for self defense."

Probably more. I suppressed some of the memories.

 

[Typetwelve]

I work in a really pro 2A office...and there's all kinds of firearm "experts" around that will gladly give horrible advice. I've heard some real dingers over the years.

 

[Wimbo]

That's the advice I got from an old timer 30 years ago.

I was taught recently, that if the threat is stopped, you stop shooting. Otherwise it's murder.

I believe you're right, but I feel your shot placement should be to kill and to stop the threat. If you're in a situation where you have pulled your gun in self defense, the other person has already written off their life.

 

[entropy]

I believe you're right, but I feel your shot placement should be to kill and to stop the threat. If you're in a situation where you have pulled your gun in self defense, the other person has already written off their life.

The courts don't see it that way. And now you've stated intent, bumping you up from manslaughter to at least 3rd degree, maybe first.

Why We Do Not Shoot to Kill

Some points to ponder.

 

[Wimbo]

The courts don't see it that way. And now you've stated intent, bumping you up from manslaughter to at least 3rd degree, maybe first.



Some points to ponder.

I am not talking about a sort of execution style shooting, but rather someone has pulled a knife or gun on me. If that situation has risen, I have assumed they do not value their life or don't asses risk in their actions and next that I am going to react and place shots that will end the threat the fastest, center mass or the head. Those are shots that end the threat, but most of the time will kill, I would never recommend that someone aim to wound or go out of their way to avoid killing someone if you've already decided you feel threatened enough to draw a gun and shoot at them. The courts go off precedent largely and there is a strong precedent for those who are acting in self defense. If the threat is no more and you continue to shoot or end up killing someone, you will be in serious hot water. I live in a stand your ground state and we also have the castle doctrine, both of which I feel are great.

 

[Wimbo]

Might be bad advice or good advice. But I was advised by co-workers that I need to stop buying $100-$200 knives and just get a gun. Well here I am this year a closet over flowing with rifles and stacks of handguns. Could have bought a new car instead

Excellent advice if you're asking me!! Cars depreciate greatly, guns don't

 

[Wimbo]

Excuse me please for responding too fast, I see your article that was posted and read over it, which is basically what I was getting at. I didn't speak clearly on my initial comment.

 

[Kleanbore]

I am not talking about a sort of execution style shooting, but rather someone has pulled a knife or gun on me.

"Has pulled" is not necessary to justify drawing, and, perhaps, shooting.

If that situation has risen, I have assumed they do not value their life or don't asses risk in their actions

Don't waste energy on meaningless assumptions.

I am going to react and place shots that will end the threat the fastest,

Good plan, unless you can protect yourself some other way.

Those are shots that end the threat, but most of the time will kill,

No. what gave you that idea?

 

[Bcwitt]

Putting a Glock in a belly band holster. Very bad idea.

 

[LaneP]

Nothing glaringly bad as far as advice goes that I can recall over 45+ years of gun ownership and shooting. I believe a lot has to do with how you are perceived by the person offering the advice. If they perceive you as one with little experience, you're probably going to hear all sorts of off the wall stuff. I can't tell you how many insane comments I've heard over the decades, including one not too long ago who insisted it is not uncommon for people to reload .22 rimfire ammo.

 

[md7]

Joe Biden gave some gun advice re: shotguns once. It was televised. It was bad.

Don’t take that advice.

 

[md7]

Beyond Biden’s shotgun instruction, yes, I’ve heard plenty of bad advice. In no order, and listed below they are:

Shotguns don’t require aiming
Pumping a shotgun is enough to scare intruders
A .22 pistol is deadlier than (insert choice of service caliber here) because it bounces around in the body

There’s countless other bad info I’m sure.

 

[entropy]

I am not talking about a sort of execution style shooting, but rather someone has pulled a knife or gun on me. If that situation has risen, I have assumed they do not value their life or don't asses risk in their actions and next that I am going to react and place shots that will end the threat the fastest, center mass or the head. Those are shots that end the threat, but most of the time will kill, I would never recommend that someone aim to wound or go out of their way to avoid killing someone if you've already decided you feel threatened enough to draw a gun and shoot at them. The courts go off precedent largely and there is a strong precedent for those who are acting in self defense. If the threat is no more and you continue to shoot or end up killing someone, you will be in serious hot water. I live in a stand your ground state and we also have the castle doctrine, both of which I feel are great.

"I am not talking about a sort of execution style shooting" does not matter. You might as well have , actually. Your post #62 is prima facie evidence to premeditated intent. Whether you believe an attacker has 'written off ' their life or not, the court will not see it that way, unless you've time traveled back to Doge City in 1878 or so. The prosecuting attorney (if they're worth a deuce) will subpoena all of your social media, including every post here, and go through them with a fine-toothed comb, and present them to the judge and jury in the most damning light possible. It's what they do. What you believe about self-defense as it relates to your situation does not matter. It's what twelve people who couldn't figure out a way to get out of jury duty think about it. You lawyer's voir dire strikes won't get all the jurors you'd rather not have out of the pool.

Good Lord, I'm starting to sound like Frank.

 

[trekker73]

Nothing glaringly bad as far as advice goes that I can recall over 45+ years of gun ownership and shooting. I believe a lot has to do with how you are perceived by the person offering the advice. If they perceive you as one with little experience, you're probably going to hear all sorts of off the wall stuff. I can't tell you how many insane comments I've heard over the decades, including one not too long ago who insisted it is not uncommon for people to reload .22 rimfire ammo.

Good point LaneP and I notice it runs a little like this on forums too, especially as they cant see the age or demeanour of the fella asking advice. You could have 30 years shooting experience, but ask your first questions on a new forum, some will assume you are 18 yrs of age.The early software it was different, questions were judged at face value because post counts werent recorded. Post counts I always found a strange idea, like going to a gunshow where everyone is wearing a badge to denote how many conversations they have had.

 

[old lady new shooter]

At my first private lesson (shooting a 4" 686) the instructor told me to grip the gun as hard as I could.

Trashed the tendon that runs from the base of the thumb up the inside of the forearm. Took several weeks to recover.

When I reported this here, someone said your hands should just cradle the gun, do not grab so hard. After my arm recovered I tried that, and had meanwhile figured out that on the principle that if there is a bigger muscle that can do the job use that, I should use my chest muscles to hold the gun steady. Voilà! Still shoot my revolvers that way and thankfully get excellent accuracy with them.

 

[old lady new shooter]

You and I are similar. I can't shoot *any* full size double stack worth bothering with. I'm better off dropping the mag and having two things to throw at you, instead of just throwing the gun w/ mag inserted.

What's your carry gun?