Gun Snobs lighten up!

[rhubarb]

I am not a snob nor well-to-do. You don't have to be either to carry a Glock. If you say your Hi-Point is a poor man's Glock, you're just wrong on a level that you probably don't understand due to inexperience.

I have a couple of teenagers. It is a struggle to teach them anything even though the lessons I want to share with them come with sincere love and are often borne of my own mistakes in life. I want to give them a leg up; an opportunity to advance in life more rapidly than I did.

If I say, "Don't buy a cheapo gun," it's not because I am a snob. It's because I have bought cheapo guns that were unreliable or inaccurate and I want you to avoid that mistake.

 

[crossrhodes]

Crude & rude

You want to really get insulted, made to feel substandard, treated like you came from the wrong side of the tracks and your an uneducated moron who is going to die for using a non caviar rifle. Mention to some of these people that you own a Bushmaster, Colt or DPMS AR platform or Rock Island 1911.

 

[ElToro]

i think comparing a casual weekend skeeet shooter to a national champion level shooter is like comparing a high school player to a major leaguer the skill set is vastly differnt. although they may both wear Nike spikes and a batting helmet. besides just like in the majors they didnt buy their own stuff and were probly givin it by the manufacturer. the top level factory shooters get free guns and ammo its called sponsorship. then when they win, the guy that can afford it goes out and buys a high dollar krieghoff or perazzi thinking he will shoot that good. just like nascar win on sunday sell on monday

we have a few differnt themes rolling in this thread. low price and low quality are 2 differnt things. if that pot metal Lorcin doenst work at o' dark thirty, what good is it even having it?

just because a guy can afford a hi dollar item doenst make him any better with it. i have shot in the 20s with a 18 inch pistol gripped speedfeed stocked 870 with heat shield ! also with my 22 inch 20 ga youth that i like cuz it swings so well and teh short stock lets me pull it up fast that i use for upland birds. thats not gonna win me any tournament and i know it.same with my 26 inch A5 and 1100 but its good enough for a fun time and keeps my pheasant and dove skills sharp. and my HD skills as well cuz if i can hit clays with my HD gun at 20 yards hopefully i can roll a burglar at 5 yards in my hall way. and if a guy shooting a perazzi on the line next to me hits 25 or only 5 im not gonna rag on him but he better not be talking S about me. good enough for a hi percentage of hits but not 100 out of 100. i could afford a much higher dollar shotgun but i shoot shotguns so rareley its not worth it to me.

but the guns i have are quality. i did lots of reasearch before spending my money and i am convinced my kids and grandkids will be using these shotguns and handguns. just like im using a A5 that my grandpa bought 50 years ago. it probly was a mid range priced gun, knowing him, at the time. he probly could have gotten more and definitely less but it served him well on many hunts and now its serving me and as long as its not trashed it will serve this family for many many years

we also have a theme of class. if a guy can afford a high dollar gun, boat, car, house whatever. im not gonna be jealous. its all about choices. but he has a moral obligation not to ridicule a guy shooting a lorcin. but maybe try to encourage him to upgrade when he can. just remember most of these guys driving in a hi dollar car or house are 1 layoff away from ruin the story of the grandfather, father and son rings true as the grandfather and likely father had to bust themselves all their life for their success and son was just handed it. guys like the son are just jerks and tehy will get their commuppance some day

i have many clients who achieved significant financial success late in life and they are mostly very gracious and know what its like to have earned their success.

 

[oneounceload]

Actually, ElToro, in Kim's situation, her dad bought her the gun........most serious comp shooters who are NOT professional, buy their own guns - they just prefer to buy quality. I know several folks who are just "weekend shooters", who still use P and K guns because they like the quality of the gun.........What's wrong with that? Just because someone has the ability to purchase something better, he should be despised because he manages his finances better than others and decides to spend it on a fine gun?

 

[ElToro]

i have no problem with anybody buying a gun they can afford. dont denigrade me for showing up with my 870, and consequently i wont denigrade anybody for showing up with their 75$ long tom top break, i will even offer what shooting tips i can. same goes on the pistol range. im sure if i was shooting hundreds or thousands of rounds of skeet a week id want a gun that could make me shoot better too. Her father may have bought her a perazzi but please dont tell me that major league shooters arent getting free stuff and then having it tuned by the best smiths available.

i could afford a bottom end guereni or perazzi myself, but i cant justify it as i dont shoot ebough. mainly becuase my skeet guns are also my HD and hunting guns
my points is this. if im good enough to shoot in the hi teens or 20s with a stock 870 or 1100, without the practice and time dedication and possibly factory support of multi thousands of rounds a year will i ever get to shooting 25 with boring consistency? probly not. will having a 10k shotgun get me there... a 100k shotun? no. they are beutiful guns im not debating that. i have held them at gun shows

the OP was about snobbery. its the people that have the 10k gun and proceed to talk smack to the guy like me with an 870 or less. even though i can shoot just as good as him. i have no problem with people being proud of their guns im proud of mine. and if you want to talk guns with me thats fine im more than happy to.

 

[dogdollar]

I have quite a few expensive guns, and I feel blessed to have had the resources during my life to be able to afford them. I have NEVER looked "down" at anyone, at any time, for what they bring to the range. If they are in the lane next to mine, then we are sharing our love of the sport...shooting.....and what you bring to the range really doesn't matter to me as long as it's safe.
One of my favorite rifles is a Remington 341 .22lr that my Dad got for me when I was a kid. He traded a saddle for it, if I recall correctly, and the original stock was missing and had been replaced with a homemade version that was somewhat less than elegant !!! It had some ejection problems.....to get it to eject a spent shell you really had to "snap" the bolt rearwards, and sometimes even then it wouldn't turn loose, and you would have to pry the empty out with your finger. The front sight had a bad habit of falling off, too, but I never lost it. I just wish I had a dollar for every time I put it back on!!
Through the years, I added a decal from my high school to the stock, and a Hodgdon Powder sticker someone gave me.
That rifle and I just clicked....I could hit anything with it that I could see. I used to shoot pennies and dimes with it...I would lean them up against a stump and back up until I could just barely see them anymore, then nail them right in the center. I would bring the punched-out coins to school to show everyone what a great shot I was.
Then, there was the time.....I might have been ten or eleven...that my father, my great uncle, and I were walking a pasture on my great Uncle's farm. We were on high ground on a rolling hill and looking down at his stock pond. Great Uncle says,"Looka there.....damned snake", and was pointing down towards the pond. You had to squint to see it, but sure enough there was a snake of some sort swimming across the pond. I asked if I could shoot it, and I saw my great uncle wink at my Dad when he told me to go ahead. I took aim...waited...waited...led him a little bit...waited.......held my breath, led him just a tad more......then POP!!! I saw the splash at the head and the snake rolled over, motionless, exposing his white underbelly. I remember how proud I was...my Dad and great uncle were staring at each other....speechless.
What great memories I have of that old rifle, but to see it today, you'd turn your head and laugh.
That's why I don't judge. Maybe there is a story behind that gun, or maybe the guy shooting that wonky pistol saved up for three years, working two jobs and raising four kids, to buy it, just for love of the sport.
Who am I to turn my nose up at anybody?
DD

 

[jcwit]

Crude & rude

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You want to really get insulted, made to feel substandard, treated like you came from the wrong side of the tracks and your an uneducated moron who is going to die for using a non caviar rifle. Mention to some of these people that you own a Bushmaster, Colt or DPMS AR platform or Rock Island 1911.

Add to that list a Llama Max-1 45 acp.

 

[Maverick223]

I enjoy hearing tales such as yours, dogdollar. I have a couple of guns like yours as well, and I wouldn't trade one for the most beautiful rifle made.

 

[oneounceload]

the OP was about snobbery. its the people that have the 10k gun and proceed to talk smack to the guy like me with an 870 or less. even though i can shoot just as good as him. i have no problem with people being proud of their guns im proud of mine. and if you want to talk guns with me thats fine im more than happy to.

Sorry - on THIS forum, it is the other way around....it is the folks who can't afford more than some $100 pawn shop gun that put others down for affording something nicer......

 

[CraigC]

What I tend to see on the forum and elsewhere isn't gun snobbery by rich folks, but reverse snobbery/jealousy by folks who can't afford a nice shotgun and feel the need to slam someone who can. Of course, many of those folks also couldn't appreciate what went into making something like a Fabbri, let alone the engraving by someone like Fracassi or Pedersoli.......

Sorry - on THIS forum, it is the other way around....it is the folks who can't afford more than some $100 pawn shop gun that put others down for affording something nicer......

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rebel2345]

I see a lot more of the opposite. Like a few people telling others that they are stupid for buying "junk" rifles like DPMS or Bushmaster AR's. And a few years ago when I was looking at 1911's, RIA was the center of a lot of the same behavior.

I can appreciate a high end firearm, but I don't appreciate people telling me not to "waste" money on perfectly good firearms just because they are capable of putting down more money than I am.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The definition of a "snob" I use is someone who is extremely insecure and can only only build themselves up by looking down on and denigrating others.
And I have never met a well mannered snob.
As others have noted, most gun snobs can't hit the broad side of a barn from the inside. Also they are are showoffs-"Look at me, I have all the latest, the newest, the most expensive, the hardest to find whatever......" Snobs crave an audience. Best way to deal with them is not give them one.

 

[EddieNFL]

I own several inexpensive guns. Used to own some cheap ones, but I learned my lesson.

The most expensive is not necessarily the best; the "cheapest" is seldom the least expensive.

As others have mentioned, snobbery runs in both directions and I've witnessed numerous examples of both.

 

[CraigC]

Like a few people telling others that they are stupid for buying "junk" rifles like DPMS or Bushmaster AR's.

I think posts like that just stand out more because folks are looking for them. I see posts by folks that oneounceload described all over the place, on nearly every forum. Just a lot of people with weird ideas about money, affordability (the difference between can't and won't) and about those with differing circumstances. They like to use terms like "pretty" in a condescending manner. I would venture to guess that while most of what people traditionally think of as a "snob" know they're being arrogant, most who are snobbish about things they can't (or won't) afford (we need a word for this) have no idea they're doing it. They ALWAYS show up in discussions about cheap guns and usually can't have an objective conversation about them.

 

[radar721]

I have run into one gun snob while at the firing range and his "Sig" I think jammed twice and my Star PD 45 fired flawlesly. When He saw that my weapon fired fine he did appologize for what he had said. The rest of the time there we actually became friends. I don't own cheap guns just inexpensive ones. Two High Points, a C9 and a 40 cal. A Charter arms 38 special undercover, a Phoenix hp22a and my favorite, the Star PD 45. I'm glad that High Point is out there 1. It's affordable, 2. It's reliable 3. If it's not reliable there is a lifetime guarantee and 4. IT'S MADE IN AMERICA!!!!!

 

[mustang_steve]

Yep, although I admit it's hard for me to look at anything that's railed up to high heavens seriously, I respect the arms choices that every shooter makes. Provided if it's something that may be outright dangerous, I'll suggest they take it to a gunsmith to have it looked at first (like if someone who just bought a used Jennings is going to the range for their first firing session, or firing a blackpowder-cartridge era firearm for the first time since they bought it). That's not out of snobbery, it's out of concern for their safety, and my tone of voice will reflect that.

 

[Dookie]

Most BP shooters I know are really cool, but there is a serious cliche that looks down on everyone. I am not a BP shooter at all, it's fun, just not for me. I was at a range with a friend who is shooting them. He had a Winchester 250 or something. All he uses it for is cheap fun and deer. There was some people at the range who were shooting some nice BP's, when they saw his they laughed. They mentioned that his gun was worse than the TC black powders cuz it had a synthetic stock and was camo. These guys could shoot and had some extremely nice guns. Even an inexperienced person like me could tell the custom work that had gone in to them. Some one in the group even mention that hunting with a modern rifle was cheating and should be illegal.

When it was over one of the guys was chatting with us and he said he had the same Winchester and used it for hunting, and to ignore his idiot friends. He showed us his rifle and was showing all the work he had done on it and then let us shoot it.

Those guys had no problem hitting the 800 yard buffalo, I couldn't even hit the 400 yard gong, even though I was hitting it with my 10/22 earlier.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

this thread is beating a dead horse at this point lol

 

[writerinmo]

Well, this is my first post as a new member, and I would like to say that I am a gun snob... I like guns! Eh, I don't really care what you paid for it, they all pretty much interest me. I just got my C&R ffl03 and will be adding to my "money-pit'' with some milsurps simply because the history behind them intrigues me. I love shooting, whether it be one of my two Hi Points (C9 Comp and JCP .40) or a Mosin, a .22 Marlin 60, a Ruger P95, a 1911... you bring it up and I will be more than happy to send some lead downrange with it. I'm a member of some other online gun forums, and sometimes where you least expect it a gun snob will chime in, and other times when you are SURE someone will have something to say, everyone is pleasant and respectful of what the other guys shooting. Those with experience with them will post their opinions as to how they feel about the particular firearm for what it's worth.

If you are shooting as a hobby, then by all means buy whatever you want. Personal protection and home defense, it still comes down to personal preference. I see differing opinions all over, shotgun vs handgun, FMJ vs JHP's, this brand over this one. IMHO it boils down to one simple fact... that NO ONE likes to get shot with ANY caliber or shot, regardless of what firearm it came out of.

 

[duns]

There is NO excuse for anyone to put anyone else down on the basis that their gun is too cheap (the OP's point) or too expensive (the reverse snobbery mentioned by some). Simple as that.

Time for this thread to be closed IMO.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

You want to really get insulted, made to feel substandard, treated like you came from the wrong side of the tracks and your an uneducated moron who is going to die for using a non caviar rifle. Mention to some of these people that you own a Bushmaster, Colt or DPMS AR platform or Rock Island 1911.

Colt certainly doesn't belong, insert Hesse, and Olympic and you have a winner!

 

[oneounceload]

There is NO excuse for anyone to put anyone else down on the basis that their gun is too cheap (the OP's point) or too expensive (the reverse snobbery mentioned by some). Simple as that.

Exactly................

 

[The Don]

I am a 19 year old, already active Life Member of the NRA and a proud owner of many weapons one being a Hi Point! Also other weapons that are “Cheap” and I Have found that some of the cheaper weapons are better then the big name $1K weapons. I have taken many a tongue lashing for owning a Hi Point in particular. I know how it feels and maintain the notion that ANYONE that picks on someone that owns a cheap (I prefer the word inexpensive) weapon because that’s all they can afford. Is but a mere bully with a low self-esteem and most likely an inferiority complex! Also to address the rumor that Hi Points will explode if loaded with +P ammo my friend did a series of tests. All Hi Point Haters and Lovers should watch both videos in full.
Movie 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbvvurXmAmg

Movie 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmt5QB814Tw

I feel better now that thats off my chest!

 

[oneounceload]

TheDon

There is a big difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive"

Buying quality once doesn't have to cost a house payment; but buying cheap may just end up having you do so

 

[A.H. Fox]

I keep two $100 guns, one on each side of the bed. Wife and me. If I have to put down a BG in the middle of the night the cops can take and keep the cheap-azz, used, ugly gun for their evidence locker. My good guns stay locked up in the safe. Goes for my 12GA 1400 Mk II too, a $100 semi loaded with 00 buck to ensure the BG's that high-tail it outta my house pass the word around about my house.

Letting some LEO take your $1500 Kimber for 'X' amount of time as evidence is unacceptable to me. Cheap-azz, used, ugly guns are almost, literally, a dime a dozen and can put a BG down just as well as a $1500 Kimber.