Your Dad's Wisdom
- Thread starter VHinch
- Start date
- Status
silverbird
Member
Only thing I learned from my dad about guns was that he had one.....found that out when I found his .22 pistol when I was looking for his porn... LOL.
Parents weren't much into guns. Mom didn't even want me to have toy guns as a kid, but she finally caved after I made toy guns out of every possible item I could find (I was 4-5 at the time).
Parents weren't much into guns. Mom didn't even want me to have toy guns as a kid, but she finally caved after I made toy guns out of every possible item I could find (I was 4-5 at the time).
Baphomet
Member
It wasn't until several years after receiving my Remington 581 bolt-action repeater for Christmas (age 12) that it occurred to me that I never got The Big Safety Talk. When I finally got around to asking why I never got this particular "big talk" I was told (paraphrasing):
"I figured if you still needed me to remind you about that, it was too early for your first rifle."
Point taken, Dad.
"I figured if you still needed me to remind you about that, it was too early for your first rifle."
Point taken, Dad.
XLMiguel
Member
My dad was big on a couple of things. Not exactly firearms-specific, but have saved my backside (among other things) on occaison -
First was, "Think it through. Chance favors the prepared mind." Aka, measure twice, cut once, or, use your sights, be sure of your target and what's beyond.
The other was, "Take your time. If you don't have time to do it right, where will you find time to do it over?" Aka, Time is a variable, Focus , make your shot count.
First was, "Think it through. Chance favors the prepared mind." Aka, measure twice, cut once, or, use your sights, be sure of your target and what's beyond.
The other was, "Take your time. If you don't have time to do it right, where will you find time to do it over?" Aka, Time is a variable, Focus , make your shot count.
TimboKhan
Member
I love my dad, and he has given me lots of advice and guns over the years. We have a deep bond principally because of guns, and I still talk and visit him several times a week to talk guns and stuff.
That said, he had a very unusual method of teaching me gun safety when I was a kid. When I was about 5 or so, he finally allowed me into his gun room. I was looking at stuff, and being 5, I wanted to touch stuff as well. My Dad sat me down, looked me in the eye and with great sincerity said "Son, guns are not toys. If I catch you playing with one, I will kill you.". Needless to say, I had never seen my silly, goofy dad so deadly serious, and I never did play with any of his guns. Perhaps a bit harsh of my Dad to say, but it worked.
Incidentally, years later when I was a Marine, I got shot in Desert Storm. The first (and wholly incorrect) information my parents got was that I had shot myself purposely. Mom and Dad had been long divorced by that time, but both said "Nope, not Tim". The next incorrect information they got was that I had accidentally shot myself. Despite being divorced and having not talked to each other for several years, they both said the same thing, word for word. "Tim was raised around guns, and there is no way he shot himself on accident." Mom and Dad were right, and more to the point, they both knew they were right.
That said, he had a very unusual method of teaching me gun safety when I was a kid. When I was about 5 or so, he finally allowed me into his gun room. I was looking at stuff, and being 5, I wanted to touch stuff as well. My Dad sat me down, looked me in the eye and with great sincerity said "Son, guns are not toys. If I catch you playing with one, I will kill you.". Needless to say, I had never seen my silly, goofy dad so deadly serious, and I never did play with any of his guns. Perhaps a bit harsh of my Dad to say, but it worked.
Incidentally, years later when I was a Marine, I got shot in Desert Storm. The first (and wholly incorrect) information my parents got was that I had shot myself purposely. Mom and Dad had been long divorced by that time, but both said "Nope, not Tim". The next incorrect information they got was that I had accidentally shot myself. Despite being divorced and having not talked to each other for several years, they both said the same thing, word for word. "Tim was raised around guns, and there is no way he shot himself on accident." Mom and Dad were right, and more to the point, they both knew they were right.
Hawken50
Member
"son, if you can't kill it with one shot it ain't supposed to die."
The only time my dad ever handled a gun, so far as I know, was basic training. I suppose he carried one as an MP after the end of the war, but that's it.
But he taught me three things:
1) Keep your eye on the ball. (He played baseball, and as his only child, he taught me like the son he didn't have).
2) Think ahead. (He still plays checkers better than anybody I've ever seen and the only time I've ever beaten him is when he let me win. Ever.)
3) Keep your moral compass. (He said, "I was in the merchant marine and the army. I never smoked, drank, or fooled around. I never liked cigarette smoke and I never liked alcohol, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I should learn just because somebody else did. And I didn't fool around because I was waiting for your mother." And he was. That man is as stubborn as a stone...or as steadfast as a rock, take your pick).
When all my children were growing up in the era of easy drugs and easy sex, I passed that on to them. It may not have blocked behavior, but I know it stuck in there somewhere, and at some point when they need that example it'll be there inside them to remember.
Springmom
But he taught me three things:
1) Keep your eye on the ball. (He played baseball, and as his only child, he taught me like the son he didn't have).
2) Think ahead. (He still plays checkers better than anybody I've ever seen and the only time I've ever beaten him is when he let me win. Ever.)
3) Keep your moral compass. (He said, "I was in the merchant marine and the army. I never smoked, drank, or fooled around. I never liked cigarette smoke and I never liked alcohol, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I should learn just because somebody else did. And I didn't fool around because I was waiting for your mother." And he was. That man is as stubborn as a stone...or as steadfast as a rock, take your pick).
When all my children were growing up in the era of easy drugs and easy sex, I passed that on to them. It may not have blocked behavior, but I know it stuck in there somewhere, and at some point when they need that example it'll be there inside them to remember.
Springmom
Cattle_Dog
Member
My father I suppose is indifferent to guns- he didn't mind my neighbor taking me to shoot when I was a kid. This is kind of OT, but maybe worth a cheap chuckle.
Several months ago I went to my parent's house and was showing my brother a new pistol I bought. Now my brother is really into the airsoft guns, so my father is used to seeing them around the house. Anyways, my father walks into the kitchen where I am showing my brother the gun and he says "oh you are into that crap too?" I grinned and said yeah. Funny how he couldn't tell it was real pistol
OK so the gun is partially Tupperware, but it is black and not clear like the airsoft. Me and my brother had a good laugh when he walked out of the kitchen.
Several months ago I went to my parent's house and was showing my brother a new pistol I bought. Now my brother is really into the airsoft guns, so my father is used to seeing them around the house. Anyways, my father walks into the kitchen where I am showing my brother the gun and he says "oh you are into that crap too?" I grinned and said yeah. Funny how he couldn't tell it was real pistol
OK so the gun is partially Tupperware, but it is black and not clear like the airsoft. Me and my brother had a good laugh when he walked out of the kitchen.My dad (as well as the whole family ) was an avid hunter . When I was growing up , it wasn't as much what he said , but more what I saw him do that made an impression on me . He never touched his guns unless he needed to clean them or was going out hunting . Whenever he handled a gun he ALWAYS had it pointed away from anyone or anything that meant something . While hunting I never saw him cock his rifle or have his finger on the trigger unless he had full view of what he was shooting at . When he gave me my first gun ( 20 gauge single) he simply told me it wasn't a toy and to respect it for the tool it was .
Later in life my dad made a few bad decisions that prohibits him from owning guns anymore , but I still see a little twinkle in his eye when I show him one of my new purchases or something I just bagged . I miss hunting with the old coot , they were some of the best days of my life.
Later in life my dad made a few bad decisions that prohibits him from owning guns anymore , but I still see a little twinkle in his eye when I show him one of my new purchases or something I just bagged . I miss hunting with the old coot , they were some of the best days of my life.
meinbruder
Member
Re---Dads Wisdom.
Dad never taught me about guns. He tried to teach me to be a homespun mechanic but modern cars are far beyond his teachings; I’m also allergic to used motor oil, raw rubber, and greases so I risk losing the skin off my hands doing simple maintenance. I’ve resorted to a variety of gloves for required chores. Come to think about it, two trucks need brakes.
We were cleaning out the garage one weekend and I opened a box from a shelf to see what was inside. I picked it up by the muzzle, much the way one should walk with a pair of scissors. “What’s this” I asked, he replied “#*!!, I forgot about that”. He made sure it was unloaded, showed me how to rack the slide, drop and insert the magazine, set and release the safety, all the usual stuff one needs to know. He laughed at my saucer-sized eyes and promised to let me shoot it, “some day”. Then I spotted the two boxes of cartridges in the open carton. He put me off until some day.
A month later, I made a trip out to the high desert and literally conned him into letting me take it. One box of cartridges and no hearing protection, did I mention I had to share it with my brother? It was love at first shot. My ears rang for three days, was it really fifty shots just that fast? I still have it, my first love. A 1911a1, the GI Carbine hidden in another closet is also still with me after thirty years.
A few months later, I bought a Marlin 336 and traded for the 1911 and carbine; that was the start of a life-long addiction. I wasn’t really interested in the Carbine at the time but that changed in short order. The loading bench followed, along with a variety of new guns. Dad’s still a little disappointed in my mechanic skills, but you should see his eyes shine when we go shooting together. He takes all the credit you see.
Mike
}>
Dad never taught me about guns. He tried to teach me to be a homespun mechanic but modern cars are far beyond his teachings; I’m also allergic to used motor oil, raw rubber, and greases so I risk losing the skin off my hands doing simple maintenance. I’ve resorted to a variety of gloves for required chores. Come to think about it, two trucks need brakes.
We were cleaning out the garage one weekend and I opened a box from a shelf to see what was inside. I picked it up by the muzzle, much the way one should walk with a pair of scissors. “What’s this” I asked, he replied “#*!!, I forgot about that”. He made sure it was unloaded, showed me how to rack the slide, drop and insert the magazine, set and release the safety, all the usual stuff one needs to know. He laughed at my saucer-sized eyes and promised to let me shoot it, “some day”. Then I spotted the two boxes of cartridges in the open carton. He put me off until some day.
A month later, I made a trip out to the high desert and literally conned him into letting me take it. One box of cartridges and no hearing protection, did I mention I had to share it with my brother? It was love at first shot. My ears rang for three days, was it really fifty shots just that fast? I still have it, my first love. A 1911a1, the GI Carbine hidden in another closet is also still with me after thirty years.
A few months later, I bought a Marlin 336 and traded for the 1911 and carbine; that was the start of a life-long addiction. I wasn’t really interested in the Carbine at the time but that changed in short order. The loading bench followed, along with a variety of new guns. Dad’s still a little disappointed in my mechanic skills, but you should see his eyes shine when we go shooting together. He takes all the credit you see.
Mike
}
>My dad's a huge anti-gunner. He finds the mere notion of owning or carrying a weapon ridiculous. He will not discuss it. If I bring it up, he yells.
If I discuss it in terms of technology or mechanics though ("Hey Dad, how is it that a revolver both revolves it's chambers and cocks the hammer with one function of the trigger?) then he will try to explain it (though it's obvious I know way more about guns than he does).
My dad's so anti-gun that he considers sharpshooting to not be a talent, and regards any person who owns a device that could conceivably used to harm something a loon.
I don't like talking about the relationship I have with my dad, but I'll say that it's not good, and it's not looking up.
If I discuss it in terms of technology or mechanics though ("Hey Dad, how is it that a revolver both revolves it's chambers and cocks the hammer with one function of the trigger?) then he will try to explain it (though it's obvious I know way more about guns than he does).
My dad's so anti-gun that he considers sharpshooting to not be a talent, and regards any person who owns a device that could conceivably used to harm something a loon.
I don't like talking about the relationship I have with my dad, but I'll say that it's not good, and it's not looking up.
kungfuhippie
Member
Dad taught me something very important
Years ago I was wondering how my parents were still together. My mom is TMW (too much work) and a total nag, living with her isn't a pleasureable expirence. Dad explained to me during a conversation that he made a choice to marry mom and though they've have problems he loves her and stays with her. He explained basically that some choices are permenant and you don't/can't take them back. He's been under her thumb in many ways. That's a big lesson on choosing a wife.
Mom hates guns, dad lives with that. He'd love to go shooting with me but it's not worth the fight when he gets home. When Grandpa died his two Japanese bring backs were given away and subsequently destroyed. Rifles grandpa kept all those years.
So I've had to learn shooting wisdom and technique from friends, aquaintances etc. But I've taken dad's wisdom to heart. When I pick up a fire arm I realize the care I should take and that most choice are permenant. If I'm careless and someone is hurt or killed I'll have to live with that.
Oh wait, mom did give me some "wisdom" when I got my first gun. She told me I couldn't kill anything with it.
I sure proved her wrong
Years ago I was wondering how my parents were still together. My mom is TMW (too much work) and a total nag, living with her isn't a pleasureable expirence. Dad explained to me during a conversation that he made a choice to marry mom and though they've have problems he loves her and stays with her. He explained basically that some choices are permenant and you don't/can't take them back. He's been under her thumb in many ways. That's a big lesson on choosing a wife.
Mom hates guns, dad lives with that. He'd love to go shooting with me but it's not worth the fight when he gets home. When Grandpa died his two Japanese bring backs were given away and subsequently destroyed. Rifles grandpa kept all those years.
So I've had to learn shooting wisdom and technique from friends, aquaintances etc. But I've taken dad's wisdom to heart. When I pick up a fire arm I realize the care I should take and that most choice are permenant. If I'm careless and someone is hurt or killed I'll have to live with that.
Oh wait, mom did give me some "wisdom" when I got my first gun. She told me I couldn't kill anything with it.
I sure proved her wrong
JoseM
Member
This isn't" gun advice" from dad...but funny.
He said,
This was after going through a divorce with his second wife (his first wife was my mom).
I laughed at this and reminded him of it this year (the divorce was about 12 years ago). He laughed and said he didn't remember giving that advice to me but it sounds pretty good.
He said,
dad said:
This was after going through a divorce with his second wife (his first wife was my mom).
I laughed at this and reminded him of it this year (the divorce was about 12 years ago). He laughed and said he didn't remember giving that advice to me but it sounds pretty good.
- Status
