What do you like about guns and shooting?

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Going long range is a different story from going close range! I like guns, not only they are an awesome man-made invention, they are interesting subjects of study as well!
 
At my range somebody dropped off some excavator teeth. I find they make excellent targets and I LOVE hearing that *TING* as a direct hit is scored at 80 yards.

A well fitting rifle in a manageable caliber with inexpensive ammo makes for one heck of an afternoon.

Did I mention Tannerite?
 
i love to shoot them and abuse them. I really enjoy taking the time to take them apart, clean them and oil. I wont eat, shower or sleep unless they are spic and span.

it just makes me happy to shoot down the range and hit paper.
 
It's interesting how many people agree that it's relaxing and peaceful. I thought it was kinda funny that I always leave the range relaxed. You'd think that going somewhere and setting off a few dozen explosions would be anything but relaxing--but it is.

Plus they smell good, look good and feel good. And self-defense is a good thing. And hunting is cool.
 
I enjoy the visceral thrill of discharging a deadly weapon, the flash, the blast, the recoil. I take delight in putting 20 rounds into a 3 inch circle. Shooting is a definite stress reliever, its just plain fun. I also enjoy cleaning my guns, its a very relaxing activity for me.
 
People collect all types of things, many of which I do not understand but, if whatever it is cranks their tractor is OK by me. I like the blending of fine woods and blue steel into a functional package. (little plastic now and then is also OK) Many collectible items end up in a cabinet or display case and that's it. Firearms are not only collectible but functional for a variety of sporting and recreational purposes. With a little care they will function for centuries. The shooting sports can start at a very young age and continue into very advanced age even when your body starts stepping into various stages of geriatric degeneration. Always some competition involved either with others or against yourself. Steps you into another hobby, reloading.
 
don't really know how to explain it. started as a little kid with a bb gun. just the ability to reach out and touch a tin can using a little skill was...just fun.
 
  1. I like the zen issue. Like riding a motorcycle at above 95% of it's capabilities through some twisties, you give it your full attention because you HAVE TO. It helps to clear the mind of distractions and nagging worries. Although you can feel emotions when you're that focused, it's pretty difficult to have exernal thoughts like: "Did I leave the oven on?" At that moment, all you really pay attention to is you, the gun, and the target. I like things that have such a singular focus.
  2. I like making new friends at the range. Armed people are always more polite. :D
  3. I like the smell of burnt powder and the AF taught meto like the smell of breakfree too.
  4. To be honest, I like that some people don't find my hobby acceptable. It's not that I want to be a rebel, probably it's more ego. I know that what I'm doing isn't wrong no matter what the MSM might say. I know it's pointless to argue with many of them, so I'll continue quietly doing my own thing in the corner, all the while knowing I'm more enlightened.
  5. I like introducing newbies. That lightbulb moment when you can see in their face that despite whatever they've been told, freedom isn't evil.
  6. I like the self sufficient aspect. Whether it be keeping a supply of food, (remember that feeling you had the very first time you brought home groceries) or simply self-defense. I plan to take care of me and mine, and if you wanna stop me, you better want it REAL BAD.
  7. I like the viscereal feeling. I like relaxing as I pull the trigger and feeling the slide or the bolt carrier assembly violently getting thrown back towards me then bouncing and returning home at a slower speed. I like the slight "abuse" my shoulder takes during firing in much the same way that a runner likes to feel the solid ground beneath each step. I enjoy feeling the spread of recoil through my wrist and spreading out to my elbow. The muzzle blast that makes it back to me reminds me that I just did something. Whatever the outcome, good or bad, on target or not, that I did something that made a difference, a change in the world.
  8. I like the finality. Guns are straightforward and black/white: after you've pulled the trigger, there's no "Did I squeeze hard enough? Did it fire already?Could I be more accurate?" and hopefully no "Where did it go?" because the answers to those kinda questions are pretty self-evident.
 
I love the noise, I love the smell of burnt gun powder, and I love the safe and comforting feeling of having a gun in my hand. No matter what trivial things have been going on in your live you know that the gun will always be there if you are ever in need or in trouble.
 
The guns themselves; I like the variety in mechanical designs and aesthetics. It's just like collecting watches; all watches tell time. But its the intricate mechanics and movements that make each one different and special in its own right.

As far as shooting, part of it is relaxation, even though all I do is punch holes in paper. The other part is the disclipline required to consistently stay on target. It's a good mental excersise.
 
Being in the outdoors really. It's relaxing, and a good stress reliever. I dont consider it my zen, because fishing has that spot well taken care of, but fishing is something I dont get to do often. So shooting is the next best thing. The smell of the powder, BANG...etc.
 
To add to what everyone else said, I discovered that I like things with lots and lots of variables: shooting, sailing, computers, photography, engines, politics.

I don't like things that always stay the same and don't change much.

Hard to explain. But with shooting and guns, I can tinker with different calibers. Within calibers, I can change the loads (powder, bullets, I guess primers too). Then with the rifle (or pistol or shotgun), I can change the barrel, stock, action, etc. I can change my stance, position, breathing.

I can keep experimenting until I can hit my target with consistency. Then, when i can do that, I move the target back and do it all over again.
 
+1 on the "cheaper than therapy". I used to shoot a lot when I was younger...job stress, money worries, relationship problems...all that seem to get in the way and shooting kinda went away for years.

During and following my divorce, I had been seeing a therapist for over a year (didn't seem to be helping) when he suggested investing more time in "hobbies". I started shooting again and quickly realized that it was doing much more for my frame of mind than paying him $250/hour.

I started to make and keep weekly "appointments" at either the pistol range or the sporting clays course. Before long I dropped the therapist all together.

My boss, who does not shoot, has *sent* me to the range a couple of times over the last year. He says I'm more focused and productive afterwards... maybe we can get a range in the basement of the parking garage?

I find target shooting to be an unbelievable stress reliever. I come away both relaxed and refreshed. I've never analyzed why it's relaxing or what I get out of it, but I am sure its not a power or control thing. I can agree that to a certain extent, it does not make a lot of sense that so many of us find it relaxing. Its violent, noisy, requires extreme concentration, and not exactly socially acceptable.

Regardless, I still find it the second best means of attitude adjustment there is.
 
Reloading/shooting/hunting are a passion, as is fly-fishing/fly-tying. Two activity categories in stark contrast with one another in some regards, very close in others, but with the same result . . . they provide focus, relaxation, and contentment . . .
 
For me it's a lot of things.

It's the male, risk, danger harnessed by me thing (same with power tools).
It's the process of lining up the shot and seeing the previous hole get a little bigger.
It's the stress reduction with the bang and muzzle flash.
It's the look and feel of the gun.
It's the smell in the air when they go off.
It's the action of a semi-auto chambering the next round.
It's slipping the rounds into the cyliner of a revolver.
It's knowing that if anyone breaks into my house, I have another option.
 
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