Disliked gun related terms, expressions.

[NMachine]

What does that mean? In the area where I grew up, there were millions of toads around. And right or wrong, we shot them for sport and target practice. So if some kid said, “I shot a toad,” it literally meant they “shot a toad.” I guess it means something else nowadays, huh?
Thanks.

Toad usually refers to a very large mule deer out west. It is quite stupid.

 

[.308 Norma]

Toad usually refers to a very large mule deer out west. It is quite stupid.

Hmm, I'd never heard that, and I've been shooting mule deer "out west" in Idaho for well over a half century. Thanks for the reply though, and I agree - referring to a large mule deer as a "toad" is quite stupid.
BTW, deer season opened here yesterday, and the wife and I are getting ready to drive over to one of our favorite spots to sit and watch for a mule deer to wander by. I hope one of us shoots a "toad" this evening. I love chicken-fried venison steak with biscuits and gravy.

 

[Old Dog]

The longer this thread goes on (and I'm probably one of the few who actually reads every post rather than skimming through or skipping entire pages) I am realizing that every single term and phrase regarding firearms and shooting that have been in common use for about the last century and a half or so ... offends someone. Some of you would have your heads explode if you spent any time at my family's deer camp back in the U.P.

My takeaway here: I think we have a few members who take some things way, way too seriously. When a guy objects to the term "ammo" we are getting wrapped too tightly around the axle ... Lighten the hell up, guys.

 

[George P]

Toad usually refers to a very large mule deer out west. It is quite stupid.

Never heard that before and I lived out West for 25 years.....a large Mulie we simply called either a monster or a trophy buck........

 

[Bfh_auto]

I dislike the term "black rifle", "assault rifle", "automatic rifle". I prefer to say "firearm", "pistol", "rifle", or "gun" instead of "weapon". IMHO, a weapon can be almost anything from a rock to a tree branch to someone's fists or feet.

Then there are reloaders who insist on calling bullets "pills". Bullets are not pills. Bullets are bullets. Doctors do not prescribe bullets for patients nor does CVS or Walgreens sell bullets.

The pill one is near the top of my list.
Mixing up caliber, cartridge, shell, mag, clip, etc. Don't bother me as much because I'm around a lot of new shooters.
Calling bullets pills or bullet heads is purposefully using incorrect terminology.

 

[Scott.M]

I haven't read all, but I have a strong dislike for bullets from people that mean ammunition. Bullets are NOT ammunition.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am annoyed by references to .32 S&W as ".32 short." Also 38 S&W as ".38 short".

But I rather fondly remember a trend in a past generation to call .38 S&W the ".38 regular" as distinct from .38 Special.
And .32 S&W Long was sometimes known as ".32 special." Which kind of makes sense if you look at a picture with nothing to identify or show scale.

Let's don't forget the $89 SKS and a case of ammo for about the same.
To be accessorized with a Tapco "30 shot 'nanner clip". Really.
The buyers of those were likely to go hunting with a Remington 7 4 2 B D L (sounded out like that) with "three times nine Redfield in a look-under bracket."
And loaded it with a Colyer Clip.
They know what a clip is.

 

[Pivot Dr]

"AMMO"...Every time I see or hear that term I feel I will be looking at some sort of under educated "camo" wearing dude who wants to rule the people around him. The proper word for completely assembled rounds is "AMMUNITION".

What’s a cartridge?

 

[mnrivrat]

Deleted

 

[MistWolf]

Not firearms related, but I'm finding the over use of "literally" quite annoying. Not important in the grand scheme of things, but I feel much better for having thrown it on the pile.

 

[Pivot Dr]

The term the media uses to sensationalize a situation that makes me cringe is: “High Caliber”. What the heck is that?
Another thing that kind of annoys me is referring to what a firearm is chambered in as what caliber it is. 30-06 is a chambering, not a caliber. It’s a 30 caliber, so is a 300 Win mag, 308 win, 300 Savage, 30-40 Krag, obviously I could go on and on. Firearm manufacturers stamp their products with the chambering, not the caliber.

 

[.308 Norma]

30-06 is a chambering, not a caliber. It’s a 30 caliber, so is a 300 Win mag, 308 win, 300 Savage, 30-40 Krag, obviously I could go on and on.

You left off my beloved 308 Norma Magnum. That hurt my feelings.
I couldn't click "Double Like" for your post though, or I would have.

 

[film495]

I often make the mistake of saying caliber, when I'm trying to discuss a specific cartridge say - .38 Special, and for that I appologise.
People who know little/nothing - who say bullet to mean cartridge or ammunition, used to bug me, but it is so common I've come to accept it.

 

[V-fib]

"assault rifle" "weapons of war" "Gun violence" "gun crime"

 

[jonnyc]

"Boolits".

 

[230RN]

Post removed by poster

 

[CDW4ME]

“ use a handgun to get to your rifle “
Yeah, most of us drive around with loaded rifles in our cars ...

That would be banned.
Even if it is in the car...
Shopping in a business, eating in a restaurant, whatever away from car, the threat(s) will likely be resolved or not with what is being carried.
Faulty gun related logic deserves a whole new thread. (However, there would quickly be butt hurt and thread likely get locked)

 

[P5 Guy]

Misusing the term "Point Blank Range"
That does not mean near muzzle contact which is the way most MSM talkingheads use the term.

 

[George P]

What’s a cartridge?

Ammunition

 

[Jim Watson]

Calling bullets pills or bullet heads is purposefully using incorrect terminology.

Agree on pills but if you chanced on an Englishman who reloaded (are there any left?) you might find that he considered "bullet head" to be perfectly acceptable.

 

[Rubone]

Not necessarily gun related but the term "old school" really gets me going!!

 

[GEM]

'Good shoot'

If you have to shoot someone, that is never good. Next, it it is used to imply that your action is so obvious that you won't be tried and arriving officers will put you on their shoulders and shout HIP, HIP, HURRAY.

"Shall not be infringed" - always thrown into a discussion of gun laws as a virtue signaling magic spell that is supposed to end the debate and ignores the real complexity of how we fight for gun rights, interpret the BOR, etc. Adds nothing.

Same with "God give rights" - as if some divine force is going to intervene in a complex political debate. Yes, there is a discussion of natural law, etc. but if we are in court or discussing the RKBA, there's more to it.

 

[Howland937]

The term the media uses to sensationalize a situation that makes me cringe is: “High Caliber”. What the heck is that

I did read an article where an individual was caught with an "a high caliber assault-style rifle, several hundred rounds of ammunition and 5 high powered magazines"
It nearly scared me... Then I realized that magazine springs aren't inherently deadly.

 

[Jim Watson]

"A gun is dangerous without lock, stock, or barrel. He can whip you with the ramrod."

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

After reading the past 7 pages, boy, have I been schooled in proper terminations........
Hope it sticks!