Familiarization with other guns

[natedog]

Does anyone here make a point in just basic familiarization with a variety of firearms? I've never shot an AR-15, or an AK, FAL, G-3, G-36, and a whole bunch of rifles and pistols, but I've learned some basic familiarization through the internet, and am confident that I could pick up an AR-15, load it, aim, and fire it with some proficiency. Thats whats nice about firearms, skills with one gun can carry over to another. What about pistols? I think pistols are even easier; most have the controls in the same place, and the basic series in loading is the same: insert magazine, pull back slide and release, take off safety (if applicable), fire.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I have a long range purchase plan that will allow me to become proficient in a variety of platforms--autoloaders in both single- and double-action, revolvers in both single- and double-action, bolt action, lever action, and semi-auto rifles, semi-auto and pump shotguns. I've had a great deal of experience with most of these platforms over my life but have never had the opportunity to practice all or most of them in the same time frame. The only two that I have consistantly owned are pump-action shotguns and lever-action and semi-auto rifles. The rest have tended to come and go, especially handguns.

There is no practical reason for wanting to become proficient with all platforms and comfortable switching from one to another. It is just a goal I have set for myself (and an excuse to pick up a few extra guns).

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

There is no practical reason for wanting to become proficient with all platforms and comfortable switching from one to another.

I disagree. There are many practical reasons for becoming proficient with any and all platforms. The most important being survival should it come to that.

 

[BluesBear]

I try and become as familiar with as many as possible. Either through handling or, in the case of exotic types, at least reading enough about them to understand their workings.

You never know when you are going to come across a strange weapon and need to
A) use it, B) have to unload it, or C) want to check it out before you buy it.

I recall an episode of COPS where an officer recovers what appeard to be a Beretta Jetfire and after trying for at least a minute hands it to another officer to remove the magazine.