Went to LGS to do a bit of holster shopping...got some FUD instead

[SwissArmyDad]

I wanted something for carry on my property, and to carry while at home. Up walks the resident macho, overbearing, overweight, fannypack wearing gun store clerk to help me out.

Him: "Can I help you with somthing?"
Me: "Hi, I'm looking for a holster that will allow me carry an XD9 5" comfortably.
Him: Okay, to do what with? You're going to wear it around?
Me: Yep, it's my go-to gun and what I wear around my house and my land but right now I just tuck it in my waistband.
Him:Well, that is NOT the gun you want to be toting around, too big.
Me: (I kind of chuckle, wondering if he's a NAA revolver kind of guy, but I digress)Never been a problem for me
Him: Oh, and that gun has problems. You're not going to be able to do clearance drills like Tap, Rack and Bang, because of the grip safety...

At that point I thanked him, said I'd think about what he said, and simply left with no intention of buying anything.

I was dumbfounded. I've seen Clint Smith, himself, do that clearance drill with glocks, XD's, 1911s, beretta's, and Sig's. I tried to break it down for myself to see if my logic was flawed:

Stove pipe clearance
1. Tap = You're gripping the gun, the safety is depressed and bypassed.
2. Rack = You're gripping the gun, the grip safety is depressed and bypassed.
3. Bang = You're gripping the gun, the grip safety is depressed and bypassed.

Double-feed Clearance
1. Tap, rack, bang doesn't work
2. drop mag, still gripping gun, work slide, safety is depressed and bypassed.
3. Clear double feed, (still gripping gun - safety disabled)
4. Reload gun by inserting mag and racking slide
5. fire (gripping gun - safety disabled)

One handed operation (tap,rack, bang)
1. Bang mag plate on firm surface (safety not involved)
2. gripping gun, rack slide on belt, shoe sole, etc via rear sight (safety depressed and bypassed)
3. Fire (safety depressed and bypassed)


That's what I know and practice...Am I missing something here?

IMO, my XD is an excellent pistol, and has been 100% reliable for me.

Never needed breaking in AT ALL (how it should be, again IMO). I don't think I've EVER had a stoppage, actually.

Also, please note that I know some prefer not to have a grip safety for a handful of reasons, and that's fine. Not arguing that preference at all.

Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[nonamehavei]

Naw, that ole XD is a piece of junk! Let me PM you my address and I'll get rid of it for you. Seriously ignore 90% of what you hear at gun stores nd gun shows, and on the internet, bah just give up and go with what your brain tells you.

 

[Ledgehammer]

Yea, the genius at my lgs tried to tell me Springfield didn't make a compact xd .45 with 4" barrel. I said I promise you they do brother because I own one and bought it from the guy standing next to you. I then proceeded to pull out my phone and show him a picture of it.

 

[SwissArmyDad]

Naw, that ole XD is a piece of junk! Let me PM you my address and I'll get rid of it for you. Seriously ignore 90% of what you hear at gun stores nd gun shows, and on the internet, bah just give up and go with what your brain tells you.

Haha...Sounds good! Thanks in advance for the "waste removal"

Seriously, though, thanks for the confirmation. I'm big enough to admit that sometimes I don't know what I don't know.

 

[Al Thompson]

Having been on both sides of the counter, there is a certain kind of person who automatically thinks they are SOF/SEAL/HRT members when they get hired on.

Suspect you ran into someone with just enough knowledge to hurt them selves.

On the flip side, certain customers also think they are way cooler than they actually are. I've met every SEAL/Delta guy in a five state radius (and some both) working the counter.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

To do stoppage clearances, you will have the gun in your hand, in a normal shooting grip - which deactivates the grip safety - anyway. (Which makes me wonder what is even the point of them.) Whatever one's objections to a grip safety, that one is invalid.

 

[NOLAEMT]

Yep... I work part time for an FFL, and personally can't stand when coworkers insist on giving unsolicited and unwanted advice.

Yes, many times someone comes in looking for advice on a holster, or other gear, and I'm all for helping out someone who needs and wants it. But when someone comes in and asks for something specific, most of the time they don't want to be told why their choice in equipment is not good. I may ask "have you tried this product instead?" and if they are not interested, I leave it at that. It has been my experience that no one wants to be told what they think or want.

But it is never good business practice to criticize customers, for whatever reason.

 

[Strykervet]

Yeah, the unwanted advice.

I carry a Glock myself, but that is just me. I know a lot folks that prefer the XD and the M&P. No problems.

Look at Milt Sparks and Mitch Rosen. You gotta wait, and they aren't cheap, especially some of Rosen's gear, but it is top notch and you won't be let down. I have a Milt Sparks VM2 for a G27... Liked it so much I got one for a G29 too. Great conceal carry rig for those or any kind of pistol. IWB. You'll need a good gun belt no matter what holster you get, so keep that in mind. A real gun belt, not a WalMart belt.

Otherwise, you can't conceal well, and it won't be all that comfortable and your pants will constantly sag. Becomes a real drag. A good holster and belt go a long way towards preventing all this trouble. Good luck.

 

[Oceanbob]

2 weeks ago that Gun Store Clerk was saying..."You want frys with that?"

 

[JEB]

dont blame you for walking out. i once had a feller behind the counter tell me that the sp101 was just too heavy for ccw and that it would just drag my pants down. all this while i was carrying a glock 22 with a reload, ruger lcp, asp mace, and a 3.5" folding knife. i just smiled and nodded, looked around for a while and went on my way.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

Me: "Hi, I'm looking for a holster that will allow me carry an XD9 5" comfortably.
Him: Okay, to do what with? You're going to wear it around?

Clearly you were dealing with the smart one. I'm surprised he didnt try to sell you a fanny pack. They ARE comfy, and oh so stylish!

I can relate. I went to the LGS and asked for a couple 16rd mags for my XD9. The guy simply stated, "You should get a Glock." (This place LOVES their glocks!)

I'm kind of a jerk sometimes and asked, "Will that fit in my XD?" (Completely straight faced, waiting for a serious answer.)

He looked confused. So I told him not to worry, I'd find them online. *exit store*

 

[SwissArmyDad]

I'm kind of a jerk sometimes and asked, "Will that fit in my XD?" (Completely straight faced, waiting for a serious answer.)

He looked confused. So I told him not to worry, I'd find them online. *exit store*

hahah...THAT's funny.

I always tend to think of funny things to say after the fact.

 

[2wheels]

I can relate. I went to the LGS and asked for a couple 16rd mags for my XD9. The guy simply stated, "You should get a Glock." (This place LOVES their glocks!)

Glock fanboys drive me batty, they're just as bad as the Harley fanboys (half of whom don't even ride, or only ride one day a week IF the weather is nice) who tell me to sell my Kawi/Ducati to buy a "real" motorcycle... :banghead:

 

[kludge]

Translation: "I don't have the holster you're looking for; here, let me sell you a gun for which I do have a holster for."

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Him: Oh, and that gun has problems. You're not going to be able to do clearance drills like Tap, Rack and Bang, because of the grip safety...

Never a problem for me either.

Originally Posted by MyGreenGuns
I can relate. I went to the LGS and asked for a couple 16rd mags for my XD9. The guy simply stated, "You should get a Glock." (This place LOVES their glocks!)

The people I can't stand the most are Mall Ninjas and then right behind them are Glock Fanboi's. Someone will ask for a external hammer all metal gun and usually someone feels the need to recommend a Glock. I once made a thread and stated I don't like Glocks and a few people chimed in recommending Glocks. Nothing against the gun except personal reasons such as ergonomics.

 

[HOOfan_1]

All you have to do is say "well you've convinced me, I guess I really don't need to buy anything at your store today. Thanks for keeping me from giving your store any of my money"

If the manager or owner are around they'll probably run out and give you some honest help finding something you can spend money on.

 

[Dr_2_B]

I'm trying to envision the guy at the grocery store saying, "Oh, no you don't want any of them damn oranges. Take it from me, what you need is some of these pomegranates over here."

 

[Skribs]

Fivetwoseven, you need a Glock.

I can relate. I went to the LGS and asked for a couple 16rd mags for my XD9. The guy simply stated, "You should get a Glock."

This is bad salesmanship. The OPs issue seemed to be a combination of bad salesmanship and bad information, but leaning more toward the later.

I do my research before I go to the store. When I get to the store, all I need to know is how the gun feels to make sure it's a good fit. Before that, I'll have all the information I need to make a decision. If I go in and say "I need a handgun, what would you recommend?" and he says "Glock!" that's cool.

If I say "I'm looking for an XD" and he says "have you tried Glock?" and then explains the difference...that's okay, too. After all, I do have brand loyalty, and believe that if someone came in looking for a Glock I would try to steer him towards the XD. That said, I wouldn't just say "you need an XD, instead." I would say "have you considered the XD? It has a grip safety, which some love and some hate - but more importantly, the XDM does not require a trigger pull for breakdown." Give him a reason to try the XD instead of just stating "you need this."

If I'm looking for parts for my current gun and I'm told to just buy another, that is bad. It would be like "I need to buy a new battery for my car." "Oh, well you might as well just buy a new car."

ETA, saw this after my post:

If you really want to have fun with mentally impaired minimum wage retail sales people just go into any Wal Mart or Advanced Auto parts store and ask for "Blinker Fluid" because your blinkers are running slow!

I work IT, and we've told the new guys who are out troubleshooting networking issues "check your link light blinker fluid".

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Fivetwoseven, you need a Glock.

I don't like Glocks, I've shot them, I even thought they were the best and wanted one badly when I was 15. I specifically wanted a Glock 23. Then I shot one and realized that it was both uncomfortable in my hand and was unpleasant to shoot. I'll pass as I am quite happy with my XD-40.

The first gun I recommend to new gun owners is a Glock 19 by the way.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

Translation: "I don't have the holster you're looking for; here, let me sell you a gun for which I do have a holster for."

You probably hit the nail right on the head. My fave LGS has a stack of catalogues on the counter. More than once I've heard him say, "No, I dont have that, but I can get it for you."

... Advanced Auto parts store and ask for "Blinker Fluid" ...

We used to send people in for "Muffler Bearings". Joke was on us one day, apparently Mercedes actually HAS "Muffler Bearings".

 

[Jolly Rogers]

How about a 710 cap...
link
Joe

 

[Powderman]

Having been on both sides of the counter, there is a certain kind of person who automatically thinks they are SOF/SEAL/HRT members when they get hired on.

And, what's wrong with that?!

I'll have you know, that my experience (classified) as a RangerNavySEAL, attached to the Air Force Academy made me a much sought after Operator!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment at the Mall of America. Seems that they need a security director.....

 

[orionengnr]

I would have made it a point to talk to the owner/manager, and tell him exactly why I would be taking my money elsewhere...and not returning.

Since you have already left, you could write a letter or an email to the owner if you can find him. Oer stop back in one day and have a word with him.

I make it a habit to reinforce positive behaviors, and to discourage negative ones. Moreover, if the owner/manager does not know what his employees are doing wrong, he loses he opportunity to correct the behavior. I find it best to give him the benefit of the doubt, and that opportunity.

 

[451 Detonics]

I have to point out, after owning a shop for over 20 years, that there are a large number of morons on the customer side of the counter as well. I can't count the number of times one of these armchair commando had to open his mouth and tell a potential customer his always wrong opinion of a gun I was showing. nothing like having a big sale ruined by one of these jerks.

It is sad that some of these morons end up on the selling side...when I run into them I just ignore them and look to see if they have what I need and buy it despite the clerk's erroneous advise.

 

[wditto]

451 Detonics , you said it all.......