bannockburn
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EIB0879
Sorry 'bout that...it was meant for milemaker13 and post #15.
Sorry 'bout that...it was meant for milemaker13 and post #15.
Gun Ownership Rules?
- Thread starter Picher
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EIB0879
Member
No worries. I was just wondering if I was missing something.
Definitely my definition of accuracy. The only rifle that I own that is close to a 2 MOA rifle (at 100 yards) is my CZ 455 .22WMR. Its not the rifle, but the ammo that's the limitation. WMR ammo is apparently not made for target shooting. I've tried about every brand/type and the best groups fired are close to 1 MOA at 100 yards, but there are those pesky flyers that often spoil a group.Wouldn't that still be "your" definition of accuracy? It is however, similar to mine.
However, as a pest eliminator, it's killed lots of small-medium-sized critters around the house and doesn't scare the horses or other animals living nearby. In the past year, it's taken porcupines, an Eastern coyote, 4 or 5 woodchucks, and a few bird-feeder robbing squirrels. At 50 yards, it's about a 1 MOA rifle and that's better than what's needed around the house. What makes it better than a .22LR is the trajectory difference. It's closer to point of aim than the .22LR beyond 50 yards and packs a decent punch to about 125. It sits in the entry closet with a full magazine, not far from my .223 Rem 700 Stainless Light Varmint. With those two, I'm covered out to the 200+ yards available behind the house. Ain't country livin' great?
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As you can tell by my lack of current Python production, they haven't been on my radar screen for quite some time. At one point, I owned two, a 6" and a 4", used as service revolvers, but the triggers, especially DA aren't as good as S&Ws, so opted to switch brands and still have a couple of S&W 19s, used for home security.
stchman
Member
My first rule is: Never buy a gun safe that costs more than the guns you intend to protect.
Second Rule: Only accurate rifles are interesting. If it don't shoot straight, get it outtah my sight!
Third rule: Never own a gun that you're not gonna shoot. Guns were made to be shot! It's like marrying a beautiful woman and never sleeping with her.
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Those are my somewhat "tongue in cheek" rules about owning guns. Yours may vary and I'll still respect you.
The first rule is easy.
What is defined as "accurate"?
I tend to agree with rule #3, although I have an unissued, unfired SKS.
Hokkmike
Member
My first rule is: Never buy a gun safe that costs more than the guns you intend to protect.
A gun safe is also an investment to house and protect future gun purchases.
Second Rule: Only accurate rifles are interesting. If it don't shoot straight, get it outtah my sight!
For rule #2 and #3. Some guns are interesting for their historical, sentimental, or rareness value.
Third rule: Never own a gun that you're not gonna shoot. Guns were made to be shot! It's like marrying a beautiful woman and never sleeping with her.
To each his own rules. It is all good.
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Those are my somewhat "tongue in cheek" rules about owning guns. Yours may vary and I'll still respect you.
Accuracy is one of those subjective terms. It depends on how a gun meets it's expected ability. The results of firing at least one shot at a target at a certain distance is compared with results obtained by others or by the shooter himself with other guns and/or distances. If a person has never fired a gun before and shoots at a target, hitting dead center; then that person may never be satisfied with any other result. However, if like most people the person hits way off center, they have a greater appreciation for the shot that's only a couple of inches from center.
Accuracy is in the eye of the bull-shooter. I may have shot enough bull at this point.
Accuracy is in the eye of the bull-shooter. I may have shot enough bull at this point.
Accuracy is as needed for the gun's role...what its primary purpose will be. A target/benchrest rifle needs to be super accurate and very competitive in the matches, scoped with high magnification piece. A varmint rifle needs to be as accurate as possible within the locations and role it's to fill. It may be a heavyweight or a good rifle to carry for miles, but still hit whatever it's aimed at within it's venue and be tough enough to endure handling. A rat rifle is at the lowest accuracy level, but must withstand some barn or barnyard handling/storage situations and be ready at a moment's notice. Quick shooting is a must, probably with iron sights, including a wide aperture rear.
I'm pretty fussy about my rifles and try to get all of them to shoot one MOA or better, but have owned some real small game rifles that shot about 3 MOA that killed a lot of squirrels and other pests. However, that was before I became a target shooter and gun tinkerer. My accuracy standards have become a bit high in the past 30 years, or so.
doubleh
Member
I've found that rules are made to be broken. Where guns are concerned if I find one I like I'll buy it and if it proves out to be something I come to dislike I'll sell or trade it. I have four guns I don't shoot. They are all antiques. I bought them to look at and admire and that's exactly what I do. I couldn't replace any of them and a couple would be seriously dangerous to shoot.
Hangingrock
Member
Never be the Beta-Tester for a new product design. Let the design concept mature in the market place. I waited till Gen 3 of the Glock before acquiring. The 40S&W came and went never saw the need. If you haven't used/employed a firearm on a regular basis then rid yourself of it.
I think back to my early shooting days, when at 15, I bought my Savage/Stevens semi-auto rifle for $35 (new). I shot it with the irons for a while, then bought a 3/4" Weaver scope for it and hunted with it, killng all kinds of small game/varmints, probably mostly about 25-50 yards in the woods and on woods roads, dumps, etc.. Although I shot at targets sometimes, I didn't shoot for groups, but to make sure it was hitting where I wanted it to.
Several years later, after I'd refinished the stock, I became more accuracy-conscious and shot it from the bench at about 50 yards. As I remember, it shot about a 3" group and despite having killed lots of small game and never found it lacking in killing ability, I was suddenly dismayed at its lack of grouping ability. I traded it in on some other rifle, perhaps a Remington pump, then traded a bunch of other times until getting a Marlin 39A Mountie, which was a real shooter! Half-inch groups at about 50 yards, using a 5-dollar receiver sight were common. Thought I'd died and gone to accuracy heaven!
JP
Several years later, after I'd refinished the stock, I became more accuracy-conscious and shot it from the bench at about 50 yards. As I remember, it shot about a 3" group and despite having killed lots of small game and never found it lacking in killing ability, I was suddenly dismayed at its lack of grouping ability. I traded it in on some other rifle, perhaps a Remington pump, then traded a bunch of other times until getting a Marlin 39A Mountie, which was a real shooter! Half-inch groups at about 50 yards, using a 5-dollar receiver sight were common. Thought I'd died and gone to accuracy heaven!
JP
I'm currently storing guns that belong to our extended family members who have kids at home and not enough "safe" storage. There are some interesting guns that I could take to the range at any time, but haven't. One is a commercial M-1 carbine that is in good shape, but I had the use of a brand-new one that had been stolen from an armory during the late '40s, but the thief died in the service. I can't bring myself to shoot the "Commercial junk-piece".
Another rifle I'm storing is a very old Winchester, long-barreled, take-down 94, 30-30 with a relatively low-digit serial number. I could shoot it, but having shot several when doing part-time gun repairs, there's no big thrill in doing so. It belongs to my grandson in the military...passed-down from his grandfather, so I don't feel comfortable shooting it before he does anyway. If he makes it home for hunting season, I'm going to make it a point to go out and shoot it with him.
Other guns include a 12 gauge Mossberg pump shotgun, an old "side-by-each" full-choked 12 gauge, and bolt-action shotgun. No interest in firing any of those either.
Another rifle I'm storing is a very old Winchester, long-barreled, take-down 94, 30-30 with a relatively low-digit serial number. I could shoot it, but having shot several when doing part-time gun repairs, there's no big thrill in doing so. It belongs to my grandson in the military...passed-down from his grandfather, so I don't feel comfortable shooting it before he does anyway. If he makes it home for hunting season, I'm going to make it a point to go out and shoot it with him.
Other guns include a 12 gauge Mossberg pump shotgun, an old "side-by-each" full-choked 12 gauge, and bolt-action shotgun. No interest in firing any of those either.
Old Dog
Member
One of my rules is: if you're gonna shoot my guns, and my ammo -- please return the favor. (unless you're family or just got out of the military, I'll make exceptions)
As far as Jack B's comment about be a fad or impulse buyer, I've gotta say that I've bought a number of guns on impulse that turned out great. I bought a Ruger 10/22 take-down on impulse, last thing I needed was another .22 rifle; now it's my favorite plinker.
I thought the SIG Legions were a fad, didn't know I needed one (ended up with two) until I bought the first one. Fads? I call it trend-setting ... I was one of the first guys I knew with a Glock pistol, and they turned out and sold a few guns before they went out of style ...
As far as Jack B's comment about be a fad or impulse buyer, I've gotta say that I've bought a number of guns on impulse that turned out great. I bought a Ruger 10/22 take-down on impulse, last thing I needed was another .22 rifle; now it's my favorite plinker.
I thought the SIG Legions were a fad, didn't know I needed one (ended up with two) until I bought the first one. Fads? I call it trend-setting ... I was one of the first guys I knew with a Glock pistol, and they turned out and sold a few guns before they went out of style ...
My first rule is... Have guns.
Second... Have at least two combat pistols
Third... Have at last two combat rifles
Fourth.... Have at least two shotguns
Fifth... Have at least two compact pistols
Sixth... Keep a lot of ammo for all of them on hand
Seventh.... Have plenty of other guns that are not needed but just like to have to play with.
Second... Have at least two combat pistols
Third... Have at last two combat rifles
Fourth.... Have at least two shotguns
Fifth... Have at least two compact pistols
Sixth... Keep a lot of ammo for all of them on hand
Seventh.... Have plenty of other guns that are not needed but just like to have to play with.
Sistema1927
Member
Not a rule per se, but I have found it to be true that if I have a partial box of ammo in a caliber for which I own no firearm there is no resting until this lack of balance is rectified.
MedWheeler
Member
hdwhit writes:
Which then calls for an entirely new discussion defining "genuine need."
Which then calls for an entirely new discussion defining "genuine need."
.308 Norma
Member
I've always been able to imagine a "genuine need" for a gun I wanted. Consequently, I've bought, and later sold a lot of guns in my life. And I usually sell a gun because I imagine a "genuine need" for a different one.
Somebody help me PLEASE! I'm 70 years old, and I've been caught in this cycle for over 50 years!
EIB0879
Member
I always substitute "need" with "want".
George P
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- Jan 10, 2018
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My first rule is: Never buy a gun safe that costs more than the guns you intend to protect.
Second Rule: Only accurate rifles are interesting. If it don't shoot straight, get it outtah my sight!
Third rule: Never own a gun that you're not gonna shoot. Guns were made to be shot! It's like marrying a beautiful woman and never sleeping with her.
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Those are my somewhat "tongue in cheek" rules about owning guns. Yours may vary and I'll still respect you.
Your first rule is incorrect - your safe should cost as much as your most expensive gun.......if that is a $500 Mossberg or a $35,000 Perazzi. you go accordingly
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