Gun Snobs lighten up!

[RimfireChris]

The Don-thanks for the video link that's awesome! What a piece of engineering.

 

[therewolf]

When you go to the range, and you see a new shooter with a lower quality firearm, you can do one of two things.

1) You can ridicule their gun, and make them feel bad or defensive, and unwelcome.

2) You can encourage them to shoot more accurately, and develop basics which
they'll take with them when they get better equipment

Mentor VS Tormentor

I know which approach I'm going to take...

 

[Rogue6]

My .02 cents

When you're out shooting with friends or family what are people looking at through their binos or spotting scopes? They're looking at the target - not the gun. Because that's what's important.

Collecting is a different thing. You may shoot your collection, but you don't necessarily collect it because of how it shoots.

 

[RimfireChris]

Mentor VS Tormentor

Now that's an awesome way of looking at things. We all had to start somewhere.

 

[SwampWolf]

After wading through this thread, I'm more than a little surprised at the number of posters who claim that they witnessed another shooter dissing someone else's firearm by a "snob". Honestly, in over fifty years of competing in countless matches, frequenting hundreds of gun shows and patronizing way too many gun shops, I cannot recall a single instance when a fellow shooter denigrated another person's firearm-of course, I have lost a bit of my hearing in the interim so maybe I missed a slanderous remark or two . This isn't to say that a bit of good-natured ragging about another person's choice of firearms hasn't gone on while in front of a fireplace or a campfire while sipping fine bourbon (oops-I like a cold Pabst as well as anybody ) in the company of friends.

And there is such a thing as "reverse snobbyism" as evidenced by some of the comments in this thread. I've had a passion for firearms, shooting and hunting since well before the time I received my first gun (a Winchester Model 67, single-shot .22), in 1957 as a Christmas gift at the age of fourteen. I like just about all kinds of firearms (yes, even the lowly Hi-Point for what it is) and I would never think less (or more) of someone based on the kind of gun he or she favors. Nobody in this thread has claimed that the gun is more important than the shooter when it comes to shooting skills. But to argue that, all other things being equal, a better (yes, that usually means higher priced) gun in terms of trigger pull, reliability, workmanship, material, etc. doesn't present a shooter with a better opportunity to rise to a higher level of proficiency is just a distortion of reality.

For those who believe that a kid who knows how to fish but is limited to a bent safety pin and a bamboo pole in terms of fishing equipment will catch just as many (or, it seems from some posters' opinions, more) fish as a bass tournament fishing pro would, I ask: who would you bet on? If you knew nothing more than what gun a shooter is competing with, if at a trap range, one competitor was using a Mossberg pump gun and another was using a Perazzi, who would you bet on? Likewise, if at a Bullseye match at Camp Perry, one shooter was armed with his trusty Hi-Point and the other was shooting a Colt Gold Cup, who would you place your bet on? I know which competitor I'd trust with my hard-earned money with-not because the gun makes the shooter but because the shooter's choice of a better gun probably reflects a higher level of shooting proficiency. And I'd wager a lot in support of that supposition.

 

[Cemetery21]

IMHO, It is not about what you have, but it's about your attitude. If you have to cut down the other guy to make you feel better about yourself, then you have a problem (and I'm married to one.) And, you probably don't even realize it.

I have been on both ends of the spectrum. When I didn't have 5 cents for a pack of BBs, I did without and learned to work and save. From about 50 years of age on, I can buy whatever I want.

I have my opinions and experiences about things, but I only give them if asked for, then as respectfully as possible. I may think it is a piece of junk, or that it is made for people with more money than brains, but that's not what I'm going to say. You don't have to be brutally honest all the time, do you?

 

[brotus2]

This is a great thread. I just finished the whole thing and I don't think there is anybody on here that would diss another man's or woman's gun that was "inexpensive."

I guess I have to own up to being one of those "reverse snobs" when shooting skeet with my 'ol 97. A snob is a snob, either way. I apologize for that.

 

[oneounceload]

There's a BIG difference between "inexpensive" and "cheap".

Unfortunately, some folks are limited in their price selection, yet they buy something only to have it break quickly instead of saving a little more for something of quality or buying a quality gun used versus some cheap junk new at about the same price.

Folks need to differentiate between price and cost as well - there is a difference there as well

 

[merlinfire]

I don't look down my nose at people with guns less expensive than mine, and I don't get upset that other people have guns more expensive than mine. Why bother, I say. We do it for fun, not to show other people we're better than they are.

 

[KevininPa]

I do not put down.......

......inexpensive firearms. I've owned more than a few. The Hi-Point C9 I've owned shot as well as the CZ Compact I've owned later. As I've said before, I wish I kept it. Perfect car/truck gun. Right now there is a Taurus 605 on my side that I sent on two Miami vacations for service. Swore that I was going to get rid of it when it was finally fixed. After running over three hundred rounds of various .38s and .357s through it, I deem it worthy. It's a great snub for leaving in the vehicle when you can't carry in a certain building. And my wife's blued 605 was great from day one. Both have a trigger that rivals ( well, almost ) my S&W 686 and my Speed Six. Do I wish I could buy better? Heck yeah! But I work construction, I don't have to tell you about our economy and construction! People need to buy what they can afford. As long as it works and they are proficient with it And HAVING A GOOD TIME AT THE RANGE! And hopefully introducing more people to join them! We need more shooters, rich or poor. High end or low end.

 

[ironhead7544]

Please dont try to discourage anyone from shooting. The High Point is perfectly good for what it is. Dont hear many complaints about them. I bought one of the first matte finished bolt actions with a plastic stock from a major maker. It was the Steyr Professional Rifle in 30-06. I took no end of razzing at the range. However, they all wanted to buy it when it averaged 3/4 inch at 100.

 

[EddieNFL]

When you go to the range, and you see a new shooter with a lower quality firearm, you can do one of two things.

1) You can ridicule their gun, and make them feel bad or defensive, and unwelcome.

2) You can encourage them to shoot more accurately, and develop basics which
they'll take with them when they get better equipment

Mentor VS Tormentor

I know which approach I'm going to take...

The person, not the firearm determines if I will assist.

 

[Dean1818]

I stood by a guy when we had to range qualify for my CCW

He had a Jennings that he was using

The pistol jammed every 3rd shot. (No fabrication)

I COULD have said nothing but I did tell him to get it checked out
and that for CCW a reliable pistol is urgently needed
I think HE established that his pistol was junk.

In regards to hipoints, they are not a gun that I would get, but my friend loves his.

My experience when I shot his:

Pros: Accurate, Cheap, No FTF, FTE

It has been 100% reliable

Cons

Horrible trigger, Ugly, Heavy

If you need a gun and dont have a bunch of cash, i would go used for other brands then Hipoint

 

[salmonriverjohn]

Sitting here reading all these posts lightens my heart.
I have over the years collected many rifles, but have never sold one.
Rather than that, I have given them to youngsters as gifts for their first hunts.
Not one of them turned their nose up at the offers. With the parents permission first,
they are given as Christmas or birthday presents, with the understanding that they first pass a hunters safety course before hunting. The look in their eyes when they get handed that first rifle is priceless! Do they care if its an older Savage lever .308 or a Ruger 77 .06,,, nope.

Anyone that would take away that special moment when a youngster steps up at the range for that first time should probably reevaluate their perception of themselves. We don't need division or discouragement among our ranks when encouragement and mentoring are whats required.

 

[duns]

For sporting purposes, there is no reason to disparage anyone's gun. If it's no good, they won't do well in their sport. If we are talking about self defense, then we can feel free to express the personal opinion that some guns are just not reliable enough.

 

[ChCx2744]

When I go to the range, I am focused on "doing me." I brought my own guns, targets and ammo for a reason. If someone else is curious and starts looking into my lane or asks questions, I am glad to answer them and share my knowledge. However, I do not go into other people's lanes or get nosy. No need to make fun of or talk bad about other people's stuff.

 

[goon]

I've actually had issues with most of the guns I currently own straight out of the box. I've worked through them with the makers and am pretty happy with the ones I have now, but from what I near, Hi-points work more often than not and have good customer service. There was a guy on the PAFOA forum that bought one and used it as his carry gun just to make a point. I don't think I'd want one in 9mm, but I'd maybe try one in a less powerful blowback appropriate round.

 

[Black Butte]

+1 on the original post. Hi-Point owners deserve our sympathy, not our ridicule.

 

[JohnBT]

I don't put down anyone for what they're shooting, I grew up shooting low-end guns for the most part.

Otoh, I laugh out loud when somebody says a really cheap gun is absolutely the same and just as good as a really nice expensive gun. There are differences.

 

[oneounceload]

No need to make fun of or talk bad about other people's stuff.

The only folks I see doing that are the ones with the cheap guns who seem to be jealous of folks who can afford something nicer - it's that "reverse snobbery" previously mentioned

 

[rbernie]

After months of wrangling and almost two hundred and fifty posts - y'all simply need to let go of this.