Pet Peeve: "Read Owner's Manual Before Use" printed on gun.

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Orion8472

Orion8472

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One thing that angers me [particularly about the 'bleeding heart liberal', uber safety concerned intrusions] is picking up a gun and seeing the [entirely ridiculous] "billboard message" that instructs you to read the owners manual before using the gun. As I see it, it detracts from the looks of the gun . . . AND is one of the most useless things I have ever seen. They would save money by just putting a card in the box that says the same thing.

Scenario: You take a new shooter out to the range. He excited about shooting it. He picks up the gun, sees the message. Does he immediately give the gun back to the adult and seek out the owner's manual? Only an idiot would say, "why, yes he does".

What is the purpose of this message? Can someone give me a scenario where it WOULD be advantageous? Am I missing something? :scrutiny:
 
Actually, I'm waiting for them to start roll marking pistol slides with "Do not commit crimes with this gun."
That might actually solve a lot of problems. Do it for the children!
 
I don't want to debate the billboard but I have seen a lot of questions asked on forums that posters would have known the answer to had they taken the time to read the manual. I believe it is really there because firearms manufacturers are trying to avoid litigation.
 
It needs to be there, because John Q Public is an IDIOT, and I will be the first to say I am against Firearms Regulations................BUT !
 
The only thing I want to see billboarded on a gun is "Smile, Wait For Flash".
 
So, . . . it MAY be less about "uber safety liberals" and MORE about a litigation happy public looking for ways to make an easy buck, thus the result of a "self protection" [for manufacturers] need.
 
I saw a gun at my LGS with the second amendment and a bunch of other stuff engrave over the entire slide. I think the brand was FMK....it was one of the uggliest guns I have ever seen. Without the engraving it would have looked like a striker fired HK USP
 
The obvious reason is to protect manufacturers from lawsuits, and given the way things go in some courts today I can hardly blame them.

On stainless steel handguns you can often remove such markings with a little elbow grease. Blued guns will likely require refinishing.

The final solution is to buy an older pre-stamped gun, or a later one that for whatever reason isn't so marked.

It would seem that we live in sad times. :banghead:
 
Considering the amount of questions that come up on this board that could easily be answered with the owners manual, I wish they would quiz you before leaving the store to make sure you aren't an idiot.

My favorite has always been the permanently installed warning on wood stoves. "Hot When In Use"
Click to expand...

Yup, I'm ones of those guys. Up at my wife's family camp they have a wood stove. It is vented through the ceiling, through the 2nd floor then out the roof. We had tied on a couple of drinks for my brother-in-laws birthday and I woke up in the middle of the night to use the facilities. As I was walking by the vent pipe, my slipper felloff. I put my hand on it to stable myself and HOLY HELL...that thing was hot! That was 7 years ago and its still brought up everytime we're up there. I wish they had a warning sign on it for idiots like me...lol
 
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I don't like it either but we've brought it on ourselves. In the past few years I've had people approach me at the range and ask me if I could show them how to load, or disassemble, or shoot their gun.
 
My favorite has always been the permanently installed warning on wood stoves.
"Hot When In Use"
Click to expand...

The Preparation H tube says, "for external use only." Know why they did that?

Years ago a guy wrote and said he had hemorrhoids and he ate a whole tube of Preparation H. He said he still has hemorrhoids, but he sure can whistle!
 
I wouldn't mind if they just put "RTFM" on the slide. Same message, just doesn't look as ridiculous ;)
 
Guns have been made for hundreds of years without the warnings (annnnnd you can still buy them.)
 
Considering the amount of questions that come up on this board that could easily be answered with the owners manual, I wish they would quiz you before leaving the store to make sure you aren't an idiot.
Click to expand...
The staff at your LGS might not have read the manual for each model they sell.

Back in 2006, having done my research, decided that an H&K P2000sk was what I was going to buy. Went to the store, found it available in several different trigger variants, including the LEM trigger variant which I wanted anyway. Salesman asked if I wanted to hold the weapon, and gave me a real puzzled look when I replied "Not yet, can I read the manual first?"

I had read the manual cover to cover, handled the weapon, filled out the form 4473 and selected a retention holster. Then my salesman recommended "this +P ammunition". I said "sk means sub-compact, using a shorter slide and recoil spring than a standard p2000. Never fire +P ammo in a sk model P2000 or damage may occur that would not be covered under warranty".

Salesman gave me another puzzled look, and I asked to be directed to the .40S&W standard pressure ammo. Wasn't trying to be a jerk, but he tried to sell me a weapon and ammo together that could be compared to mixing piss and vinegar. Nowadays when I do purchase, it is always at a particular smaller store with knowledgeable employees.

Moral of the story is: This tool can change your life, read the manual, if you don't cover your own butt... no one else is going to do it for you.
 
I hate warning labels on guns... to the point that I don't buy a gun with one on it. I think they are completely unnecessary and ruin the look the gun.
 
I'd rather have the warning, as opposed to the other option being companies doubling prices to cover liability insurance. We all know about McDonald's getting their pants sued off for hot coffee. That happens in a modern society with a protective legal system. Besides, I like having a legal system where I can sue for damages if I have to. I never have had to do so, but it's better than the other option.

I know, we're all manly men here who never have to read a manual, ask for directions, etc. :) If you don't like it, buy something older or hire a decent engraver to cover it up with pretty flowers or something.
 
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