What's with the 3x9x40 notation?

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MrSpiffy

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I see this a lot. And maybe it's just me, but it bugs me that people don't use the correct terminology for certain things. In particular, scopes. When I see someone type 3x9x40 for a scope, that just seems wrong. You wouldn't say "three by nine by fourty millimeter" or "three x nine x fourty millimeter". You'd say "three to nine X, fourty millimeter" or "three to nine by fourty millimeter". Since it's a variable scope, it should be 3x-9x (or 3-9x) for the power and then the bell size (40mm). Hence, 3-9x 40mm. Aside from laziness, there's no reason to type it any other way. Particularly when scope manufacturers write it the same way I believe it's written. Where did this other method of writing variable power scopes come from?

I'm not sure why, but that's just a pet peeve of mine. I'll end my rant here. Feel free to chime in, if you'd like, on either side of the coin.
 
Because people think 3x to 9x by 40. I use 3-9X40 as a designation.

Slightly off topic, but here in the East, a deer's points are totaled, ie 10 pointer has 10 points total. In the West, that means 10 points on one antler. They might call it a 5x5 or 6x4, etc. Or just take the side with the most points.
 
If people know what you mean. What the big deal. II say a lot of time when talking I use a 3x9 on my rifle I never say 40 what ever. To me thats like saying I have a 45 auto. I don't say I have a 45ACP or a 45 Colt Automatic Pistol.
 
I tend to be fairly critical of errors like that in a professional or business setting. If it were an online vendor making the mistake, it would give me a poor impression of their professionalism and attention to detail

Since we're not in that context here, it doesn't really bother me. The only posts I can control are my own. I figure that if the point gets across, then all is well.
 
Clip vs. Magazine I guess. Not really crucial to many conversations, but it still rubs some people (me) the wrong way.
 
Be thankful, if that is all you have to worry about. Doesn't bother me in the least, in fact I probably wouldn't even have noticed.
 
Picky, but is often what a pet peeve involves. You understand the reference but it is still a bit annoying.

One of mine:

A MB (megabyte) is 1048576 bytes and all hard drive manufacturers insist of using the term MB to refer to 1000000 bytes ...

... so most purchasers end-up with smaller volume HDDs than they expect.
 
MrSpiffy said:
I see this a lot. And maybe it's just me, but it bugs me that people don't use the correct terminology for certain things. In particular, scopes. When I see someone type 3x9x40 for a scope, that just seems wrong. You wouldn't say "three by nine by fourty millimeter" or "three x nine x fourty millimeter". You'd say "three to nine X, fourty millimeter" or "three to nine by fourty millimeter". Since it's a variable scope, it should be 3x-9x (or 3-9x) for the power and then the bell size (40mm). Hence, 3-9x 40mm. Aside from laziness, there's no reason to type it any other way. Particularly when scope manufacturers write it the same way I believe it's written. Where did this other method of writing variable power scopes come from?

I'm not sure why, but that's just a pet peeve of mine. I'll end my rant here. Feel free to chime in, if you'd like, on either side of the coin.
Click to expand...
In your example, the bell size is not 40mm. The objective lens is 40mm. The bell size is larger than 40mm and refers to the size of cover you would put on the scope to protect the objective lens.

People should get this right!
 
You wouldn't say "three by nine by fourty millimeter" or "three x nine x fourty millimeter". You'd say "three to nine X, fourty millimeter" or "three to nine by fourty millimeter". Since it's a variable scope, it should be 3x-9x (or 3-9x) for the power and then the bell size (40mm). Hence, 3-9x 40mm.
Click to expand...

And I wouldn't say any of that, because "40" is spelled forty. (It drops the "u" when moving up to the tens column.)

(From Wiki: " The reason is that etymologically (also in accents without the horse–hoarse merger), the words have different vowels, "forty" containing a contraction in the same way that "fifty" contains a contraction of "five".")

See? Everyone has strange little quirks of terminology, convention, and grammar they didn't know.

I like precision in language. Strive to write as clearly and precisely as you are able, and perhaps others will follow suit. But try not to be pedantic about it, and if you feel the need to correct someone, do it gently -- perhaps "back-channel" via PM.
 
.........a pet peeve of mine is when someone makes a rant post about spelling/punctuation/word usage and then their post is full of spelling/punctuation/word usage mistakes.


Kinda one of those "don't do as I do, do as I say" kinda things.

EDIT....I wonder if the edit button will be used.
 
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Some people have no idea what those numbers mean, ya know. They just assume bigger is better. Can't expect people to say or write it right if they don't know what it means.
 
Michael T said:
If people know what you mean. What the big deal. II say a lot of time when talking I use a 3x9 on my rifle I never say 40 what ever. To me thats like saying I have a 45 auto. I don't say I have a 45ACP or a 45 Colt Automatic Pistol.
Click to expand...

My issue there is that there are multiple .45 caliber pistols out there. Like .45 GAP. I wonder how many people with a .45 GAP Glock have purchased .45 ACP ammo by mistake? In certain cases, it makes quite a difference how you annotate something.

SharkHat said:
Since we're not in that context here, it doesn't really bother me.
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Yep. And it's not like I get really upset about it. But it's just weird that people don't use the notation used by the manufacturers.

Gun Geezer said:
In your example, the bell size is not 40mm. The objective lens is 40mm. The bell size is larger than 40mm and refers to the size of cover you would put on the scope to protect the objective lens.

People should get this right!
Click to expand...

Point taken. :) I should've said objective lens, instead.

Sam1911 said:
And I wouldn't say any of that, because "40" is spelled forty. (It drops the "u" when moving up to the tens column.)
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Nice. I actually didn't even realize that it's spelled forty. I'm sure we learned that. I'll try to remember. :)

Sam1911 said:
But try not to be pedantic about it, and if you feel the need to correct someone, do it gently -- perhaps "back-channel" via PM.
Click to expand...

I'm not trying to talk down to anyone with my post. I'm trying to understand if there's a reason that people use that notation over what's typically written by the manufacturer. It's kind of like some areas have different dialects or words to represent something. Here in Wisconsin, we say "bubbler" to represent a drinking fountain. Anywhere else in the country people look at you like, "What the heck is a bubbler..??"

buck460XVR said:
.........a pet peeve of mine is when someone makes a rant post about spelling/punctuation/word usage and then their post is full of spelling/punctuation/word usage mistakes.

Kinda one of those "don't do as I do, do as I say" kinda things.

EDIT....I wonder if the edit button will be used.
Click to expand...

Nope. Not touching the edit button. I guess I deserve a light flaming for my own mistakes in my original post. Don't dish it out if you can't take it, right? :)

Like I said, I'm trying to figure out where that notation came from. Not trying to put anyone down for it. So, my apologies if I came across as condescending. It is a pet peeve of mine, but I should maybe word my OP a little differently next time. Like Sam1911 said, I'm trying to be clear when I write things. In plain text, there's no voice inflection or body language to help express certain emotions. So, the clearer I can be, the easier it is for someone to understand what I'm trying to say. Communication seems to be a bit of a lost art in today's culture. Just trying to do my part. :)
 
I just think a lot of people don't care that much, if the idea comes across it's good enough.
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Certainly there does seem to be a degree of laziness about it at times. I'll admit that I sometimes catch myself and go back and write something more clearly or more correctly. It would be easier just to run whatever ends up on the screen the first try...but I'm a bad speller so that's not a good idea.

But most of the time it is just basic ignorance of what the conventions mean. (Like reporters who write about .9mm pistols. Or 45mm ones! :))

When i see it here, I tend to make certain assumptions about the writer. How precisely someone identifies something is often quite a good cue as to their mastery of the subject. (Same goes for heavily inflected, colloqialized speech, use of excess slang/profanity, and poor spelling and grammar.) Writing in an educated and professional manner is an important step toward being seen as an educated, professional person.
 
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It can cause confusion. I once responded to a thread where a guy was asking advice about a 5X20 scope. I was pretty sure he was talking about a 5-20X variable power scope. But that is actually the correct way to describe a fixed 5X scope with a 20mm objective.

I'm of the opinion that there is a reason why things are done the way they are. If you are going to become involved in a hobby, sport, or profession, then I believe it is important to know and understand correct terminology. I find it hard to take someone seriously who doesn't understand basic principles.
 
Sam1911 said:
When i see it here, I tend to make certain assumptions about the writer. How precisely someone identifies something is often quite a good cue as to their mastery of the subject. (Same goes for heavily inflected, colloqialized speech, use of excess slang/profanity, and poor spelling and grammar.) Writing in an educated and professional manner is an important step toward being seen as an educated, professional person.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I try to use proper grammer, spell correctly, etc. I'm not trying to say I'm better than others. I'm trying to make myself clear on what I want to express. Plus using proper English tends to steer toward a better, more intelligent conversation about a certain topic. When I post something, I generally want a sound, honest, or correct answer from the masses. Posing a question using slang, lack of punctuation, or improper notation seems to imply a more casual or informal attitude toward the topic.

jrm40 said:
It can cause confusion. I once responded to a thread where a guy was asking advice about a 5X20 scope. I was pretty sure he was talking about a 5-20X variable power scope. But that is actually the correct way to describe a fixed 5X scope with a 20mm objective.

I'm of the opinion that there is a reason why things are done the way they are. If you are going to become involved in a hobby, sport, or profession, then I believe it is important to know and understand correct terminology. I find it hard to take someone seriously who doesn't understand basic principles.
Click to expand...

That's a great example of the confusion that incorrect terminology can cause during conversation.

Interestingly enough, I tend to really dive into subjects that interest me. So I seek out details, terminology, and strive to learn as much as I can about those things. (I did the same for saltwater aquariums, coffee/espresso, wine and beer, as well as firearms.) If I'm genuinely interested in something, I tend to make sure I use the correct lingo. So, perhaps it's really more that people using the incorrect annotation tend to be more casual about the topic of firearms. (i.e. "They're fun, but I don't really get into the details... I just like to shoot.") On the other hand, there are those who, when corrected, will still use an incorrect term time and time again. "Old habits die hard" really does ring true for many out there.
 
One of my many terminology peeves: Screw threads. For example, "8-32" is NOT, I repeat, NOT "eight thirty secondths"!!!!!!
 
Anyway, I think we're pretty good here. Mods, if you want to close it, feel free. :)
 
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