Hawk, there is no false dichotomy. I did not say I was surprised that some folks didn't know a thumb, or part of one anyways, could be blown off by BC gap. I said I was a bit surprised by folks at a wheelgun forum who did not know they could be burnt by it. When you look at the posts a significant number of posters did not know that the gases from the BC gap can burn you, period, from any revolver. This includes quite a few with a number of prior posts. That was and is the only thing surprising to me from this thread.
There is nothing disrespectful or dismissive to new shooters about this observation.
For two generations shooters have been losing pieces of their digits or burning gaps into their hands from BC gap of the .357 Magnum and the 44 Magnum. For 150 years or more folks have burnt themselves lightly from the same on any number of guns including .22s. (There have also been numerous discussions over the years on burns from ported revolvers and autos). It stands to reason then that the more powerful the round the bigger the burn.
THR, and other forums are a useful place for learning a number of things about guns. But the basics are best learnt elsewhere. Particularly from a basic firearms class. If a shooter is new to guns there is no substitute for that and most particularly not an internet forum.
For generations good basic books on shooting, including the proper grip to assume on a gun, have been published. The NRA distributes a good many. It is a little surprising to me how many folks overlook these low priced and invaluable resources for acquiring basic knowledge. The downside to forums such as THR are the large number of yahoos. It can take longer for a new shooter to pick up useful information due to that. Nothing can be done about that but to patiently explain.
I've read plenty of comments to the effect of "If I need to know that sort of stuff I trust the members of THR more than the print rags".
This can be true depending on the "stuff" a fella wants to know. It's always useful for shooters, new or otherwise to read fellas like Ed McGivern, Charles Askins, Bill Jordan, Chic Gaylord, and others on the basics like grip and sight picture, trigger pull, etc. There is no shortcut, when it comes to basics, to the work of reading and studying and taking a few classes. Maybe that is what I lament that for some serious study has given way to the desire to become an "expert" quickly. For others though the internet can be a starting point for that study.
tipoc
