Gave a lecture to a 9mm bigot today: Interesting type

[hso]

My question is, did I overstep my boundaries?

No, you did very well and provided a service to the clerk and to everyone that he'll talk to from here on out.

What he may have done was not only loose a sale, but put that novice gun buyer off of purchasing a gun altogether. What a disservice to her!

 

[Macpherson]

I agree with the other sentiments here, I can't imagine why any salesperson in their right mind would talk a customer OUT of making a purchase in their shop, especially because of a 9mm vs .40 or .45 preference. I could have understood if she was looking to get a .22 or a .32 acp, but a 9mm? Make the sale already and then maybe she'll come back and buy a 45 later! I commend you for making the effort to correct this salesperson; I've heard this kind of talk in gun shops as well, and am really amazed at how those places stay in business. (Then again, maybe their low volume is why their prices are always sky-high)

 

[kludge]

I am in Florida, so the student count is not very impressive.

Perhaps not, but I just got my credentials, and I doubt I would teach 1,000 in my lifetime.

 

[jrhines]

"I'll take one good hit with a 9mm over multiple misses with the caliber of your choice" - my mantra every time I am asked about "stopping power"!

 

[Deavis]

When I took my buddy's smallish girlfriend out shooting some of my pistols, I was suprised to find she prefered the full size .45 over some of my smaller (.380 PPK and Star BM 9mm).

My wife, then my girlfriend, went shooting found that she liked my USP 40 better than any smaller caliber I gave her to try including a P22. Even though the gun is big, she was very comfortable with it in her hands. Comfort is key to shot placement and shot placement is key to ending conflict. Some people are so manly they can shoot anything, especially their 500 S&W 8" CCW piece, but not everyone is so blessed

 

[McCall911]

Obviously if you take large chains out of the equation like Gander Mountain, Cabellas, etc, most gunshops are family run and obviously nepotism trumps qualifications. You often don't have the most qualified people working at gunshops, so its a good idea to give them a litmus test, I am not saying to give them a written quiz, but there is a subtle way to probe and see if you are dealing with a firearms professional vs. a mall ninja.

Hey, you just described the situation at my local gunshop to a T!

In fact, at least one of the employees would have to improve a great deal to qualify as a mall ninja, much less a firearms professional.

 

[MarshallDodge]

You did good. I have stepped in and offered advice to prevent a customer from making a mistake.

One instance was a large chain store. A husband and wife were looking at guns and they guy behind the counter(let's call him Bill) just kept pulling out guns to let her "try them on". When he pulled out a Kahr P40 she liked the look and feel but Bill never said anything about the recoil. I asked Bill if he had ever shot a P40 and he said no. I then made the recommendation based on my experience with the P40 that she may want to get the P9 instead. Bill thanked me for my advice and so did the couple.

I have seen women buy the S&W .357 Airweight for themselves and I wonder what will go through her mind the first time she shoots it with full .357 loads.
Hopefully it won't happen when she is under duress.

BTW, my wife's favorite gun to shoot is her Colt Detective .38 or a full-size 1911.

 

[Aries-]

i might have pointed out that he likely lost a sale with that woman because he confused the hell out of her, if he had accepted her request for the 9mm he would have been what $600 richer than he was before she came in. but thats just me.

never good to confuse a customer, you will likely never see them again, and possably drive them away from the sport/hobby they are looking at.

its also not a good idea to sell something far to much for what someone is looking for. i wouldent want to send a smaller woman home with a bigger caliber than she could handle reliably. a 9mm doesent kick as much as the .40S&W, id be worried it might hurt her (if she was confused id take that as she hadent shot much), not sexist id do the same thing with a smaller guy, or a guy that seemed inexperianced. no one likes being surprised by the kick on a rifle. (i know i dont)