Everytime I walk in a gun store.
Posted by PastAffectionate4693@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 117 comments
Posted by PastAffectionate4693@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 117 comments
UpstairsBet5179@reddit
Huh, I wish our gun store employees wanted to help. They avoid us and are far from helpful and friendly here.
lksmith03@reddit
Guess I'm lucky then. Most of the ones in my area, are real friendly and if they don't know you by name they definitely remember the last conversation you had with them. But then again I do live in a rural area in the south
tjwest13@reddit
I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes they are a total gun nut and have better suggestions than what I originally had in mind, but often it plays out like the meme. Regardless, I want the discourse to be positive and informational so they can grow as an industry professional. Unless they are a total twat. Then I’ll dunk on them.
ExpensiveFill2178@reddit
Nope. If anyone even dares to speak to me from behind a counter, it’s a big
‘FUCK! YOU!!”””
Don’t ever try to lecture me again..
grifkiller64@reddit
That's a great way to get banned from every gun store you go to.
ExpensiveFill2178@reddit
Incorrect. They all respect me greatly for my ability to voice my opinions and be heard. I am very brave.
ale1981us@reddit
Stunning too. You seem stunning and brave.
LilSwissBoy@reddit
🤣
b0ltscr0ller@reddit
"You know Kalashnikov USA uses real Russian kits to built their guns, they're all Russian parts!"
Real shit I heard a MFer behind the counter say once.
MrFartyStink@reddit
or that andersons are "military grade" because it says milspec
AlphaTangoFoxtrt@reddit
I love how fudds think "Military grade" is a good thing.
It means:
Don't call my guns "military grade", mine are much nicer.
SayNoToStim@reddit
After serving, I learned that "military spec" means one of three things-
1) it will make something dead.
2) it doesn't work at all.
Or
3) made to be idiot proof, but can still be defeated by advanced idiots.
Sometimes 2 or all of these things at once.
mcbergstedt@reddit
Only thing that’s military grade and decent are bombs, jets, and some boats
Prind25@reddit
And tinnitus... and aches... and PTSD... and nicotine addiction... and Caffeine addiction... they give you that good shit.
IudexJudy@reddit
AMMPS Generators also kick ass
SayNoToStim@reddit
And woobies.
wizwort@reddit
^I know guys who would re-up for a woobie with an iron on patch attached
DasKapitalist@reddit
"Mil spec" aka "Will be issued to some poor enlisted, shot 20 times, cleaned 20 times, and never shot again until the NEXT poor bastard goes through basic.
Belial710@reddit
People forget that “within spec” part usually the bar is set pretty high I mean most of the time you can’t even compare mil spec to civilian stuff. What’s the civi version of a Browning M2?
AlphaTangoFoxtrt@reddit
LOL. LMAO.
Yea, because civilian shit blows it out of the water unless you're buying poverty ponies.
Non-Existant because it's not legal since 1986. Let's repeal the hughes amendment and see what happens.
MetalMakesUsStrong@reddit
A couple or years ago I got downvoted hard because I said an Israeli tank was rusting because tanks are not made to last. These things are designed to be made fast and not expected to last more than like 5 years. I mean, during a war, after 5 years it will be destroyed or the war most likely ended.
Are those things millions a piece? Yes, but not because of nicer materials.
Belial710@reddit
I’m just saying. It’s a fact that a stamped receiver will fail far before a milled one. The military doesn’t used stamped receiver guns
AlphaTangoFoxtrt@reddit
What in the chat GPT are you even on about? First of all, the military absolutely does use stamped receiver guns.
Such as this one
And that's not to mention all the militaries using AK pattern weapons.
Belial710@reddit
Sure some do but 1 they are being phased out for something else in almost every country they are currently in service in. 2 most of the stamped receiver weapons were used by specialist units not infantry and 3 and maybe the most important I was under the assumption we were talking about the US armed forces, you know, since you were referencing the Hughes amendment
AlphaTangoFoxtrt@reddit
Your chat GPT skills are bad, and you should feel bad.
Excelius@reddit
This was probably more important 10+ years ago when a lot of commercial manufacturers weren't even meeting mil-spec, let alone exceeding it.
Now it's less common to find commercial AR15s with a commercial buffer extension, a semi-auto bolt carrier, barrels with a 1:9 twist rate, lowers without the M4 feed ramp cut, and so forth.
chattytrout@reddit
Why does the commercial spec buffer tube even exist? What was the point?
zombie_girraffe@reddit
'm pretty sure it had to do with how much of a pain it is to machine the mil-spec tubes. Commercial spec tubes have the threads level with the surface of the tube, so you can just cut threads into a section of 1. 168" tube and cap the other end and you're done. Mil-spec tubes have threads that rise slightly above the surface of the rest of the tube so they're way more work to machine because you've got to either mill the whole body of the tube or use additive manufacturing to put the threads on or weld a different diameter pipe to your threaded section or something like that make the tube the right shape to be mil-spec.
https://www.hogueinc.com/media/custom/upload/File-1497474264.pdf
dog_mountain@reddit
At the time, I think it was slightly cheaper to make commercial spec tubes.
zombie_girraffe@reddit
I'm pretty sure it had to do with how much of a pain it is to machine the mil-spec tubes. Commercial spec tubes have the threads level with the surface of the tube, so you can just cut threads into a section of 1. 168" tube and cap the other end and you're done. Mil-spec tubes have threads that rise slightly above the surface of the rest of the tube so they're way more work to machine.
https://www.hogueinc.com/media/custom/upload/File-1497474264.pdf
b0ltscr0ller@reddit
"If it's good enough for 18 year olds we don't care about and want to use as fodder, it's good enough for you!"
squats_and_sugars@reddit
I feel like this is a holdover from back in the day of shitty knockoff gear, milspec actually kind of meant something. Yes, milspec is min spec, but for surplus (vs cheapo knockoff) pouches and what not milspec met the minimum specs for durability.
For guns though, milspec really is the minimum required specifications for functionality and durability. Advances in machining mean tighter tolerances can be achieved and improved metallurgy means that non milspec metals may be better. But since they aren't the specified milspec metal, it isn't milspec.
Perfect example is PMags. Before it was updated, polymer magazines weren't milspec/NATO spec because the specification was for metal magazines with a subtly different shape.
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
For me it's the long drawn out "uhhhh" followed by "which one?" when I tell them exactly what gun I want to look at.
Calgaris_Rex@reddit
How about my CCW instructor trying to tell me that .38spl is a rimfire cartridge?
🤦🏻♂️
wtfredditacct@reddit
Well, yeah. Didn't you know that all revolvers are rimfire?? Why else would they be rimmed. Duh 🙄
aintgotnonumber@reddit
For my pleasure, obvs.
Admirable-Mango-1987@reddit
This is very relatable.
TaskForceD00mer@reddit
"You can't group better than the size of a pie plate at 10 yards with the Beretta 92! We used them in the army and they were shit!"
justuravgjoe762@reddit
So this was in a time before Reddit magic,
Guy behind the counter sees my "Team Saiga" hoodie and then goes about telling me how they are going to be imported in .270wsm along with .223 wssm soon. Since that's what the American public wants.
I didn't have the mental capacity to understand where any of that came from. I thanked him for the information and wasn't in the place much longer.
WoodEyeLie2U@reddit
I won a Weatherby Vanguard in .270 WSM at a charity auction in the 90s. It sat unfired in my safe for a couple of decades before I traded it for a couple of Glocks and a case of 9mm.
bACEdx39@reddit
Funny that the new .277 Fury is basically a 270 WSM. Time is a flat circle.
HellBringer97@reddit
No no, it’s essentially the .276 Pederson reborn from the 1930s
Envictus_@reddit
Time does not travel in lines. It travels in circles. That is why clocks are round.
roostersnuffed@reddit
I will admit that after 9 straight hours of talking shop with customers, sometimes my brain is just fried.
If you're not asking me to compare a sig 365 and a g43x for the gazillionth time I need a second to allow my brain to refresh for a new subject.
Cassius_au-Bellona@reddit
So many times have you heard:
1) I need a gun for self defense. What do you recommend?
2) Is 9mm good?
3) My neighbor is a cop and told me to get a Glock. Do you have one?
4) I'm looking for my first pistol. I want it to be big enough to hold but not too big to carry. I want it to shoot smooth but also stop a bear.
5) I don't know (in response to every question you ask trying to narrow down the selection)
6) After spending 45 mins answering every question you've answered a hundred times before, you've finally settled on the P365 (which is also one of the two you recommended at the very beginning). Then, just when you're ready to wrap up the sale, "So what about a shotgun? Is that better?"
roostersnuffed@reddit
I can almost play daily bingo with all of it. Granted it's my job and people are coming to me to learn before dropping $500-800+ so I'm patient. My patience starts to wear thin though when;
A) anything I say goes in one ear, out the other. They just want to hear themselves talk while constantly asking questions I've already answered.
B) people bringing their slightly knowledgeable friends/fam in that want to argue/confuse the 1st time buyer. Exceptionally bad in a father daughter team.
C) irrationally angry old people that are looking at any excuse for an outburst. But that's not gun shop specific I suppose.
FriendlyRain5075@reddit
Super rare Type 56 SKS in "black stock (no bayonet)" owned by Ho Chi Minh himself.
PlentyOMangos@reddit
I know this is a joke but damn, the idea of Ho Chi Minh’s personal SKS is super cool lol
bancorrupt5@reddit
I asked to check out a Ruger PC Charger and a Ruger LC charger at a Bass Pro Shops. I said they would make a good backpack gun, I would just need to file a form 1 to put on a stock or just get a brace.
The guy behind the counter said that would make it an SBR and SBR's are illegal no matter what.
I will never make small talk or ask any questions other than "Can I see that?" At all but 1 shop I go to.
Hero0220@reddit
I went to the local PSA here buying a dagger. It was the mirco dagger, which I later found out had it's on magazine designed for it. I asked the guy which Glock mag it would accept, and he gave me an attitude, saying I should know before I bought it. I looked at him and said he's the employee and it's his store name brand gun. He didn't see the connection.
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
Friends don't let friends buy PSA
Hero0220@reddit
Normally, I'd agree, but at the time, I was on a strict budget. I've since been able to purchase more trusted brands.
Epyphyte@reddit
This really made me laugh.
The other one is: "Can I help you sir."
Yeah Bob, you sure can, Ive bought 12,000 dollars of guns and supressors from you! Youve also helped me fill out like NFA forms! I was in here last week!
wtfredditacct@reddit
I always loved having repeat customers who would ask for me by name when someone else would try to help them... there were a lot that I didn't always remember at first, though. I'd usually figure it out when I pulled them up to run their background check and I'd remember the gun they bought with particular accessories. "Oh, this is the guy who wanted me to install a Romeo 5 on his new Desert Eagle" 😅
HanselSoHotRightNow@reddit
I go to a reallll crusty fucking Mom and Pop family owned FTL thats mostly a fish and tackle store but they sell guns etc. too. Anyways, the owner is only there once in awhile and I absolute love my interactions with him but he never remembers me or he does and doesn't care. You can tell he has a "Bolt action and a good 12 GA is all you need, young man" layer of grit to him.
I recently bought a Aero M4E1 lower and transferred through them. He was there and he kinda side eyed and it said, "what are you planning for that?" I said, "Oh, well I already have a 10.5 inch completed upper in .300 blackout and a supppre...." He just kinda makes a groan noisee under his breathe and keeps filling out my transfer papers. I busted out laughing because it was exactly what I hoped for. He recognized I thought it was funny and instantly brightened up. Gun store owners are another breed.
smallmonzter@reddit
Recently had a guy try to explain to me what “sighting in” ACTUALLY is and how a Tasco is almost as good as an NF because they both have “them reticle adjusters”. I said “sir we evidently have different opinions” and I walked away.
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
Well what did he say sighting in was?
smallmonzter@reddit
His suggested process was to pull the bolt out of the new rifle (Browning X-bolt) with the gun on a “table or rest or bipod” and look down the barrel at a target on a wall and then look through the scope and if they’re both pointed at the target it’s “good enough for deer”.
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
The process he's describing gets you on paper but it's not sighted in.
smallmonzter@reddit
Agreed. And it’s a far cry from “good enough for deer”.
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
I agree with your agreement. However I am also looking at you like you're descriving something out of an astrophysics study guide.
Are you suggesting that point blank range has a certain range of distance?
smallmonzter@reddit
The idea of MPBR is really simple. Basically it’s used to describe if I’m sighted in dead on at say 100 yards at what ranges will I never be more above or below that point by a certain margin. So if I’m 1.5” inches high at 100yds, I’ll be on at 200yds and no more than 1.5” inches low at 300. I can hold center mass on a given animal and KNOW I’ll always be on the vitals. I don’t have to think or dial or hold over in the woods under pressure to make a shot. Ron Spomer outdoors really describes it well. Imagine shooting down the inside of pipe. If I’m centered in a perfectly straight pipe at what range do I hit the top of the pipe and at what range do I hit the bottom of the pipe.
Catbone57@reddit
That has absolutely nothing to do with "point blank range".
smallmonzter@reddit
Well according to Kestrel ballistics it does. And I have a suspicion that Kestrel ballistics is more of a subject matter expert than either you or I.
https://kestrelballistics.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/374#:~:text=Maximum%20Point%20Blank%20Range%20is,the%20target%20without%20holding%20over.
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
Ah. I'm familiar with the concept but didn't know it had a fancy name.
smallmonzter@reddit
Meh, makes me sound smarter than I am I suppose. Lol if I spent half as much time learning things about my actual profession as I do about shooting and hunting I’d rule the workplace. But that would cut into shooting. 😂😂
Sure_Pear_9258@reddit
Thankfully my LGS while the owner is young (late 20s) he grew up working in the store and was run by his father. The two desk guys he has are reasonably knowledgeable despite one being a fudd and the other a recently retired army POG.
Munkir@reddit
I once asked for .303 and the guy said the 308 is over there I corrected him and asked if they had .303 he laughed at me and said that ammo doesn't exist
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
Buy a box and go back and correct him.
DustOff95@reddit
Yeah but if I don’t ask then I get it for ignoring the customers.
billwa@reddit
Before I was 21, I worked at a cabelas buying an SKS. I was in the gun room and I was told to buy a 44 magnum for my first pistol.
Zumbert@reddit
So uh I unironically bought a .44 for my first pistol, but it was primarily going to be ahunting sidearm, and I still think it was a great choice
billwa@reddit
44 is a good hunting sidearm. However, he told me to get a 44 for bedside defense like lmao
Locked_and_Firing@reddit
This is honestly how I feel at most gun stores. I once asked a guy for tritium night sights, and he said there was no such thing
sparks1990@reddit
I asked if they had any fixed carry handle ars in stock and the guy told me I should consider using a sling instead.
LilSwissBoy@reddit
paul harrel rollin in his grave everytime a LGS employee say theres "no such thing"
Locked_and_Firing@reddit
This was bass pro unfortunately
LilSwissBoy@reddit
not sure of they count as gunstore employees tbf
Beebjank@reddit
I’ve definitely heard people recommend lever actions for home defense. Even if it’s in 45-70.
SayNoToStim@reddit
Did he mean home defense as in another home is attacking you?
Dubaku@reddit
.50 is pretty good for killing buildings
OperatorGWashington@reddit
For when you wanna wall bang the perp from the comfort of your bed
fuzzycaterpillar123@reddit
Wind River noises 🥵
AldoTheApache3@reddit
The scene where he notices the guys “flanking them” and the chick not noticing gives me the heebies. Love that movie.
fuzzycaterpillar123@reddit
One my favorite shootouts of all time. Obviously it’s for the plot and the killer line, but I always wish the guy who noticed the flanking would have just shot first instead of saying “fuck you let’s go” 🥲
DasKapitalist@reddit
I've had gun store employees recommend 3" magnums for my 12 gauge SxS "for home defense". Bruh, I'll buy those to screw with some testosterone spill friends who think they're badasses, but if I have to use a SxS for "home defense" I have questions about all the better guns you sold me.
heili@reddit
"If someone breaks in you just call the government. The .45-70 government."
Benign_Banjo@reddit
410 grain Hornady Sub-X coming to vibe check your life
youknow99@reddit
45-70, for when you need to shoot the intruder on the other side of your neighbor's refrigerator.
Kuandtity@reddit
I mean if it can kill a deer...
Schorsi@reddit
My least favorite gun store experience was asking to check out this used Kimber 1911 with a really cool optic. The old guy behind the counter fiddles with it for a minute trying to check the chamber and not being able to get the slide back before literally pressing the tip of the gun into his leg. I think I pulled a muscle suppressing a cringe.
aDrunkSailor82@reddit
I once had a butter face kid behind the counter argue and argue and argue with me that 38 special was ballistically superior to 9 mm.
When I politely explained I've reloaded for two decades, and that they literally use the exact same projectile size, and frequently weight, even interchangeable components in reloading, and the 9 mm has greater velocity in all cases, nevermind the boxes of ammo 5 feet away also state projectile weight and velocity, he got red in the face, told me I was wrong and not worth arguing with. I think he might have been 24-25. Way too old to learn anything new.
I took ten steps sideways and purchased a pistol from a different sales associate in front of him.
jas280z@reddit
"butter face kid"
A what now?
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
OP is saying he found the guys body to be sexually appealing but not his face.
DCA805@reddit
🤣 💀
SadRoxFan@reddit
Being a Lee Enfield guy in a Remington 700 world feels like this
BlueRidgeShooter@reddit
If they asked me if theres a project im working on the first thing after walking into a gun store I would ask them what they know
Scrappy_The_Crow@reddit
Gun Counter Guy: "Have you visited us before?"
Me: "Yes, many times. A couple of weeks ago I bought a Kahr."
GCG: "You bought... a 'car' here?"
Me: "Yes."
GCG:
Me:
GCG: "Oh."
PastAffectionate4693@reddit (OP)
Gun stores aren't sending their best.
roytwo@reddit
A gun store, a hardware store, an auto parts store, a tool store, I always have that felling when I walk in and some kid born this century wants to help me
fryeguy95@reddit
Was picking up a Browning BAR Mark I semi auto in 300 win mag and the guy at the LGS, when I said it was a Browning BAR, got all excited. I told him, no it's not the WWII full auto BAR that most people think of, it's a hunting rifle. When he grabbed it from behind the counter, he told me I lied to him and that it was a 12ga (does look slightly similar to a Browning A5 I guess). When I told him no, it's 300 win mag, he told me it's not a Browning BAR...
SPECTREagent700@reddit
How I feel looking for ammo to feed my mil surps
_SCHULTZY_@reddit
Old guy behind the counter at the range asked if he could help me, I said "Yeah, I'd like to see that rifle in the top cage right hand side."
It was an AR10 but I didn't see any markings on the lower. There was no tag on the cage or the rifle so I asked the guy "What's this chambered in?" He said "Oh, uh, this says multi. Yeah it's multi caliber."
This is a fully built rifle with a proof carbon barrel. So he then immediately tells me "If you're looking for an AR i would just get one of them Rugers because this is a $4k rifle so you don't want this."
I literally just bought an $800 can from the same damn sales counter 10 minutes earlier. Same asshole had a 357 revolver in his holster with the full trigger guard exposed.
Some people shouldn't be allowed to own plastic spoons let alone be near firearms
RedLimes@reddit
Way to upsell
Excelius@reddit
I have 20/20 vision and I can almost never read the damn tags from in front of the counter. Seems like they could save a lot of hassle, and possibly even increase sales, with some way to make it more visible what they actually have for sale.
snippysniper@reddit
One shop puts all the prices on the bottom side of the tags. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Flat_chested_male@reddit
Last time I went in I wanted a small parts kit without handle or a trigger. He told me I wanted a oh shit I lost a spring or detent kit. I showed him what I wanted on primary arms. I just ordered it in front of him as he still kept telling me what I wanted didn’t exist. I then said “stock ours cause walk outs” and walked out.
behindgreeneyez@reddit
My gun store employees act more like tacticool versions of Jack Black in High Fidelity
SwimminginInsanity@reddit
Someone comes up and talks to you? Strange. I feel I'm standing at the counter for at least 15 minutes waiting for someone to finally come and help me. After that they don't really care to answer questions that much.
MasterJacO@reddit
I totally get this, as there are many LGS’s just like this. That said, gotta find the right one with the right people who aren’t deuches and/or idiots.
CoolaidMike84@reddit
Sightmark is better than an acog........
FunWasabi5196@reddit
I'm mostly just here for the comments but one of my favorites was a dude who was dead set on his claim that the 1858 Enfield never had rifling. I guess the expanding skirt on the minié ball was just there for funsies
FactsHurt1998@reddit
Depending on the day, I usually love chatting with my guy about what I want to do. He isn't a "gunsmithing mastermind" but he is very passionate, and loves his job.
Sliced_Orange1@reddit
Thankfully the couple of times I was in a shop the staff were cool and knew what they were talking about, so not everyone is a dud. Tho it's only a matter of time before I come across someone like these stories in the comments lol
Brilliant_Wealth_433@reddit
My favoriate local gun store has a custom machine shop attached. The owner just made a 2 mile shot and they make custom barrels and wildcat custom ammo calibers. Yeah they know way more than me to say the least. I am by no means green to firearms myself but those guys are on a whole different planet of knowledge. I live going there, I learn shit every question I ask. Then there is the "gun" guy at the pawn shop. Dude is a absolute moron, last time I was in there I ended up helping 3 customers with questions because the guy was clueless. The "gun" guy was trying to tell a customer any AR style upper will fit any lower and was about to sell a .308 upper to someone to attempt to use it on a AR15 lower. I couldn't keep mh mouth shut and other customers ended up hearing me explain that's not possible. Next thing you know people are asking me a bunch of questions. Said pawn shop does have good prices but God forbid you need any actual informative info before buying.
Matty-ice23231@reddit
I will say that I’ve been very disappointed with the knowledge behind many cases at gun stores. But I do know some really good ones too. If you go to a big box store this is quite accurate!
Corndawg123456@reddit
Several Years ago when 22lr was unavailable across the country my LGS got a shipment in. When paying for my new gun they said “do you need any 22?” I said “no I’ve got plenty, do you need some?”