How to explain the appeal of this hobby of ours?!?

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holdencm9

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Every time I see that insurance commercial, the one where they say "there are people who don't understand the way you live" I have to think about how much I enjoy shooting firearms and how some people will just never really "get it."

Usually when I get asked "Why?" I just say it is fun and leave it at that. It usually suffices. But then, every now and then, the dreaded follow-up comes: "Why?" What makes it so fun?!? Now I am not saying I care if they understand my hobbies or not, but am interested in what others have to say.

To me, there are enthusiasts and then there are those who only see firearms as a means to an end: hunting, defense, or a requirement of a job. This question is obviously directed to the enthusiasts. Of course, I carry and am armed for self and home defense, but I would be just as "into" guns even if I couldn't carry. Protection is just a perk. As far as shooting, I enjoy the challenge, the focus required to shoot well. The constant struggle to improve. There is always something new to learn, or another gun to try. I love the mechanics and ballistics of firearms. The amazing precision of a long range rifle, or the unabashed functional utility of a pump shotgun. I think it is the union of human and machine, art and engineering, that draws me to it. That tiny instant in time when the hammer drops and you feel the kick. The hands-on quality of racking a slide, loading the cylinder of a revolver, or cycling a bolt. These days when everything is microprocessors and touch-screen displays, there is just something pure and enjoyable about the manipulation of a machine that is nothing more than some metal, plastic, springs and some clever design/craftsmanship.

Maybe some others who are more eloquent can help put it in words. How do YOU explain the appeal? What draws you to the range, time after time?
 
I would only explain it by saying that I find it enjoyable. I would challenge anyone who asks why its fun by posing a question in return. What do they like to do and why do they like to do it? Likely, they flounder trying to put into words feelings, emotions, and memories that are usually so unique and personal to them. The only answer to that "there is no why" that anyone asking the question would understand.
 
When people ask why you enjoy guns or shooting, it's a perfect opportunity to reply "let me show you!" Take 'em out shooting. No explanation in words will come close.
 
Take them out and let them shoot at a paper plate target at 25 yards.

Most quickly realize it is not like the movies (after they say "This is heavy").
 
holdencm9 said:
Usually when I get asked "Why?" I just say it is fun and leave it at that. It usually suffices. But then, every now and then, the dreaded follow-up comes: "Why?" What makes it so fun?!? Now I am not saying I care if they understand my hobbies or not, but am interested in what others have to say.
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I would ask them if they have ever tried it.? If not, offer to take them to show them why it is so much fun. I would doubt most who ask have ever shot a firearm.
 
I always give the "it's fun" response and explain the "fun" of each. Rifles are like Yoga with a boom, handguns are fun to try and beat my time or score and shotguns are a big boom and when successful send an orange disk into dust.

I then also add that even if I did not find them fun and collect a safe full I would still have some and stay familiar with them for their intended job. They are after all just tools for a job, just happen to be tools I like to play with.
 
I don't owe anyone an explaination.

As long as what I do does not harm them or their property it is none of their business.
 
Take 'em out shooting.
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Exactly. The appeal is emotional, not logical. It cannot be explained, any more than you can explain to someone why you like chocolate (if you do), or convince someone that they should like chocolate, if they've never tasted it.

So let them try it. A lot will like it, and some won't.

(There is an argument to be made that everyone "should" be able to shoot, just like everyone "should" be able to change a flat tire. But that's a different matter than "appeal.")
 
Anyone who asks me for an explanation to why I enjoy something probably views my enjoyment as being on the verge of taboo. I don't like watching basketball, but I don't ask someone who does to explain why they like it. I know something about it must appeal to them otherwise they wouldn't watch it. All said and done, I usually just say it's fun. I can't explain why it appeals to me. I just know it does.
 
As much as its impossible to explain in words how much we enjoy shooting or why, I usually compare it to any other sport that people play to unwind / relax. Its exciting and relaxing at the same time, there's as much challenge in it as you want their to be if you decide to better yourself and train towards a goal wether its a certain time in a 3 gun match, a certain score at skeet or trap, or even just knocking down x amount of bottles at 25 yds with your handgun. The possibilities are endless and thats why I don't think I'd ever get bored with it.
 
Especially with shotguns shooting clays and guns shooting other "reactive" targets, there is an immediate feedback - you either hit it or you didn't, something the seemingly ADHD types and gamers would love
 
How to explain the appeal of this hobby of ours?!?
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Why would I want to explain it?

Seems like the type of person that I would need to explain it to would probably want to bait me in a "guns are bad mmmkay" discussion.

Which I would rather just avoid.
 
Like others said, give them an opportunity to try it or at least suggest they try it. Many aspect of shooting are just hard to put into words.

Even within the shooting community some can't understand what others see in a different aspect of shooting. There are some types of shooting I presently have no interest in, but next year I might.
 
I definitely agree about taking people out, and have done that numerous times, sometimes converting people (count 'em 4 people have went out and bought guns of their own after the experience) and sometimes they'll say yeah it is fun I suppose, but they definitely don't get hooked. Which is fine. I have done plenty of things that I enjoyed but didn't fall in love with.

It is interesting to me that most people interpreted it as a question of defensively explaining to an "anti" and/or somehow "justifying" the hobby. That was not my intent, although probably my fault for poor wording, and understandable. In truth I have been asked several times, genuinely, why I enjoy it, and after a bit of introspection gave some of the reasons as in the OP. I didn't feel that I "owed" them an explanation, but if they seemed genuinely interested I'd try to explain it in more detail, as a precursor to maybe taking them to the range. And I thought, maybe others have as well.

It is kind of like driving a manual transmission to me. Some people just don't get why do it when you can get an automatic. Some people would rather take a bus than let the car do all the shifting for them :)

And I do agree it is very relaxing...almost therapeutic....try explaining THAT to someone who has never shot before!
 
Even within the shooting community some can't understand what others see in a different aspect of shooting. There are some types of shooting I presently have no interest in, but next year I might.
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Agreed! I could care less about shotguns until the first time I vaporized a clay target, and never really paid much mind to long distance shooting until the first time I tried it. (Ok not long distance but 200+ is long for me!) Similarly I still haven't caught the revolver bug. Some folks love 'em, I just don't understand the appeal (other than historical maybe). I have heard a lot of people say they have more "character" but I still don't quite "get" it yet. Maybe someday! :)
 
HoldenCM9,
I started on shot guns. First with hunting, then with skeet. After not shooting the shotguns for years I shot skeet again. I was so bad I almost sold my shotguns. Then I happened to go to an event that had skeet and shot somebody else's gun. I am so glad I didn't sell the S/G's. I got back on target so to speak. I can't wait til next year, I'll bring my shotgun to the event.

My next new thing I want to try is .22LR silhouette.

Honestly if money & time were no issue I would have broader shooting interest. I do enjoy the social aspect of sharing our sport.

I always think thank God for the guys & ladies that keep a segment of the sport alive.
 
Depends, If I know the person well enough to know their hobbies, What do you get out of collecting Wedgwood? Or antique cameras?
I the person asking is a casual acquaintance, I find the shooting sports, collecting historic examples of firearms, and the mechanical precision of firearms intriguing. For me it is a part of understanding the world and events around me.
 
Shooting is one of the very few sports where you can be seriously competitive throughout your lifetime.

With some sports, such as women's gymnastics, you are finished in your early 20s. For most others, the early 30s are the limit.

Shooting? Well, the oldest Olympic medalist was a rifle shooter. He was well over 70 years old. And that was not a fluke. Certainly most of the competitors at a World Muzzle-Loading Championships are over 40. At an age where participants in other sports are hanging it up, a shooter is just beginning to come into his prime.

It's a lot better than celebrating your 25th birthday by drinking to being washed up.
 
I tell people that ask that it is similar to golf. in golf you hit A little ball A long way and try to put it into A little hole. Shooters shoot A little bullet A long way and try to hit A small target. The up side of shooting is you can defend and feed yourself A lot better with A gun than you can with A golf club.
This actualy works well in Fla where ther are golf coarses all over.
 
First off, it's a gadget, something mechanical. I like smartphones, computers, cars, etc. and marvel at the technology and am a hands on person. It's cool, I like shooting the gun, learning how to field strip it, clean it, it's fun for me.

It can be exciting shooting a gun, but at the same time, it forces you to calm down. If you are really trying to shoot, just unloading at a target in anger and without care isn't gonna get you far- you gotta calm down and relax to control the gun and place your shot.

And there is the protection part of it which is always a nice bonus. My parents live in a nice part of town, but the two houses next to them got robbed. They refuse to get a gun. But they got a security system and all that. It would be comforting to know you have it just in case.

Here's a perfect example of that:
http://youtu.be/j_YTM_eAWnQ?t=3m2s
 
When someone asks me why I like guns I usually say "Because it's just like playing darts, only a lot louder!" After that person laughs and sees the lighter side of it, I briefly give this short list in just about this wording but not necissarily in this order:

"Well, I like guns for a lot of reasons."

"I really enjoy the challenge of target practice, and it's just another good skill to have."

"It's a great stress reliever and way to blow off steam."

"I feel its a good investment because guns retain their value if you care for them, and can increase in value if there aren't a lot of that model on the market, and if you invest in high quality guns, they will last you a lifetime with regular maintenance."

"They are a great tool for putting meat on the table."

"They make great heirlooms. You don't ever throw a gun away. If you really didn't want it, you could sell it so there is still benefit."

"And I also believe in protecting myself and the people I love, because no one will be able to do it for me in a bad situation. If the cops were already there, you wouldn't need a gun."

That list usually hits home pretty well and people seem to get it. Then I follow up with. "It's really a lot of fun........ If you ever want to go, I'd be happy to let you shoot some of my guns."

Some peolpe take me up on it, and others don't.
 
I find shooting and self defense in general fun. Whether I'm in a defensive handgun or KM class, just on the range, dry practice or sparring it's all fun for me. I really enjoy the challenge of getting better. To top it all off it could save me or a loved ones life one day.
 
I tell them "Katrina".

I live in a hurricane state and after seeing society breakdown within 24 hours of Katrina I realized I needed to be prepared to protect my family.
 
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