I've got a take on this.
Fanboys do not ruin a firearm for me. Fanboys ruin my opinion of themselves to me.
I spend a lot of my time in Rifle Country. We are fortunate that there are quite a number of very knowledgable people in there. Some of them have favorite rifles, and they have no qualms about telling you that.
However, what sets those people apart from fanboys is that they will freely tell you the LIMITATIONS of their pet firearm. A fanboy is incapable of seeing ANY limitation in their chosen platform.
Now, *I* have platforms/manufacturers that I like more than others. I have some that I don't care for at all. I feel ZERO reservations about giving my opinion if it is asked. I do my best to qualify my statements and disclaim the reasons for my choices-- which are usually based upon the uses that I have for the platform.
But I do not feel the need to temper my opinions if they are asked in fear of being called a fanboy.
For instance... I DO believe that a Saiga is one of the better AKs made, and can be had for a very good price. I also prefer that a Saiga is converted. However, I am not keen on telling a new-to-AK's guy to go out and convert one. I'm not one to tell a guy that doesn't like to tinker to build an AR or AK, either. Some folks just want it ready to go, and don't want the hassle-- especially if it meets their needs.
But I will not pretend that a WASR is on the same lines as a Saiga or Arsenal.
But if you are just burning magazines at a range, then who cares?
My first semiauto handgun was a Glock. But I was never a fanboy beyond the fact that it always worked and has held up for the last 15 years. But I never felt compelled to drag it home from work behind my jeep to illustrate how rugged it was. And I never used that as a point of why I had one.
Then I got a 1911. NOW I get it as to what the 1911 guys have always loved about them. I still have my Glock, and it does fine. Just like my 1911.
I guess what I am trying to say is that there is nothing wrong with recognizing quality and giving that opinion if it is asked. There is nothing wrong with having a platform that you particularly like. And there is nothing wrong with having a platform that you don't care for. For instance-- I don't really care for lever actions or pump rifles. But I LOVE military semi autos and practically any bolt action. But that's just me. I also like side-by-side shotguns and dislike over-and-under ones.
I've got my reasons, and will be happy to tell you if you ask me.
But HERE is where there *IS* a problem:
Having a favorite ANYTHING doesn't give ANYONE the right to be a jerk. Period. It doesn't give anyone the right to insult anyone, either.
Frankly, I consider "fanboy-ism" a BIG red-flag to being an immature amateur.
When someone comes to appreciate firearms for what they are, and for their construction, they lose the need glorify anything. They start looking at the strengths and weaknesses of any given firearm. They will give a balanced viewpoint. When a person can recognize the limitations of any firearm or caliber or whatever, they tend to lose the fanboy urge. Then they can speak of merits.
THOSE are the people that I seek advice from routinely.
If I want to know about an optic, I KNOW that Zak Smith will give me very considered point of view. There are a number of folks that have given me great advice in other areas as well.
Sorry to ramble. I think you get what I am saying. For me, Fanboy-ism is the antithesis of "expert."
-- John
Fanboys do not ruin a firearm for me. Fanboys ruin my opinion of themselves to me.
I spend a lot of my time in Rifle Country. We are fortunate that there are quite a number of very knowledgable people in there. Some of them have favorite rifles, and they have no qualms about telling you that.
However, what sets those people apart from fanboys is that they will freely tell you the LIMITATIONS of their pet firearm. A fanboy is incapable of seeing ANY limitation in their chosen platform.
Now, *I* have platforms/manufacturers that I like more than others. I have some that I don't care for at all. I feel ZERO reservations about giving my opinion if it is asked. I do my best to qualify my statements and disclaim the reasons for my choices-- which are usually based upon the uses that I have for the platform.
But I do not feel the need to temper my opinions if they are asked in fear of being called a fanboy.
For instance... I DO believe that a Saiga is one of the better AKs made, and can be had for a very good price. I also prefer that a Saiga is converted. However, I am not keen on telling a new-to-AK's guy to go out and convert one. I'm not one to tell a guy that doesn't like to tinker to build an AR or AK, either. Some folks just want it ready to go, and don't want the hassle-- especially if it meets their needs.
But I will not pretend that a WASR is on the same lines as a Saiga or Arsenal.
But if you are just burning magazines at a range, then who cares?
My first semiauto handgun was a Glock. But I was never a fanboy beyond the fact that it always worked and has held up for the last 15 years. But I never felt compelled to drag it home from work behind my jeep to illustrate how rugged it was. And I never used that as a point of why I had one.
Then I got a 1911. NOW I get it as to what the 1911 guys have always loved about them. I still have my Glock, and it does fine. Just like my 1911.
I guess what I am trying to say is that there is nothing wrong with recognizing quality and giving that opinion if it is asked. There is nothing wrong with having a platform that you particularly like. And there is nothing wrong with having a platform that you don't care for. For instance-- I don't really care for lever actions or pump rifles. But I LOVE military semi autos and practically any bolt action. But that's just me. I also like side-by-side shotguns and dislike over-and-under ones.
I've got my reasons, and will be happy to tell you if you ask me.
But HERE is where there *IS* a problem:
And when fanboyism gets so thick that people feel boorish behavior is justified, it just drives people away.
Having a favorite ANYTHING doesn't give ANYONE the right to be a jerk. Period. It doesn't give anyone the right to insult anyone, either.
Frankly, I consider "fanboy-ism" a BIG red-flag to being an immature amateur.
When someone comes to appreciate firearms for what they are, and for their construction, they lose the need glorify anything. They start looking at the strengths and weaknesses of any given firearm. They will give a balanced viewpoint. When a person can recognize the limitations of any firearm or caliber or whatever, they tend to lose the fanboy urge. Then they can speak of merits.
THOSE are the people that I seek advice from routinely.
If I want to know about an optic, I KNOW that Zak Smith will give me very considered point of view. There are a number of folks that have given me great advice in other areas as well.
Sorry to ramble. I think you get what I am saying. For me, Fanboy-ism is the antithesis of "expert."
-- John