Snobbery....

[mikey357]

Excellent points, Dave, as usual...it IS unfortunate, but I have seen more than my fair share of "Dinkheads" participating in the various clay-target games, too...seems like "Tactical"/IDPA/IPSC-type pistol isn't far behind, either...wonder if any of the "Dinkheads" ever pause to THINK about the future of the shooting sports and where the "New Blood" will come from??...hhmmm...wonder if the "Dinkheads" are even CAPABLE of thought???....mikey357

 

[UnintendedConsequences]

It is because of snobbery that I haven't gotten into shotgun shooting sports.

I have a friend who is really into trap and skeet shooting, but I was taken aback when I wanted to get into those things and she told me that while my woodland camoed Mossberg 835 is nice to start out with, a good over-under would be better suited.

I overheard a trap and skeet shooter in a gunshop a few days ago talking about wanting a certain over under to improve his score. He went on to say that he wasn't too keen on those who used semiautos or pumps on the course because they weren't as nice as an over under. He then went on to say that he wondered where all the trap and skeet shooters were. He said that it seemed like every year there were fewer and fewer.

I never said a word to either one about what I thought of their statements. I just know that I can take game out to 40 yards with my shotgun and its extra full choke. I also know that I can take a deer down with a slug out of my fully rifled barrel.

My short 24 inch barrels don't get hung up on brush, the woodland camo finish is dull and is like multicolored parkerizing and keeps bumps, dings and scratches from standing out. The synthetic stock is unaffected by the weather.

Maybe my gun isn't the fanciest, but it works for me. I like a gun that I can use, not pamper. I also prefer to do things, like getting into highpower shooting, where I can be around people who warmly welcome new shooters even if they don't have the most expensive or newest gear.

Just my view...

 

[Dave McCracken]

Mikey, our definition of ourselves as an intelligent species is quite exaggerated. Usually we use emotion, prejudice and reaction instead of rational thought.

One of the most common mistakes we make is thinking...

"I don't like it so it must be bad"....

UC, The first rule of getting into the shotgun sports is to have a shotgun. Run what ya brung. There may be "better" shotguns for the clay sports but if it can be operated by you safely and effectively,your 835 is welcome on my squad and certainly many others.

 

[HSMITH]

UC, take that ugly 'ol 835 out there and spank some O/U butts, it really is fun even if it is sort of childish .

 

[KeysBear]

Guess I found some good folks

I'm forty six years old and got my first shotgun last summer. It's the cheapest Mossberg 500 12 gauge. I bought it for home defense, and wanted to be familiar with it, so I took it out to a county park where they have trap and skeet ranges. I got my ticket and headed out to the trap range where I found the range master teaching a high school age kid the basics with a great deal of patience. When the range master was through, a couple of regulars helped the kid with his stance, posture, and sighting. When I announced that I was a novice myself the range master was just as patient and helpful with me. Before I knew it I was shooting in a squad with the regulars, and did pretty good for my first go around. My Mossberg did just fine, and it was a very enjoyable experience. I can see how it could have all been totally different if I'd run into the wrong bunch of guys. Regards, Keys

 

[Dave McCracken]

KeysBear, probably your experience was typical. The jerks attract attention, and are thus more memorable.

 

[45auto]

I have been lucky. My experience with shotgunners, the ones that shoot a lot and compete in particular, is very little snobbery.

They(I) have seen too many different types of people, styles of shooting and different guns win in competition, to comment about someone's gun.

That doesn't mean all the people I have met are nice- they aren't.
But the majority are very good and at the very least... interesting!
How many sports can you find a "factory worker" socializing with a "CEO" of a company. A simple comment like "nice gun" will often be followed by the gun being handed to you to try! Good way to try different guns.

But, there are jerks, so we just keep the "newbies" away from them, just like in the "real world".

 

[Dave McCracken]

Funny you should mention that. At PGC I've gotten to try a Kolar(Combo, about $9K), a Purdey (Who knows how much), Ithaca and Parker SBTs, Beretta and Browning O/Us, a Kreighof, a Remington 3200,a couple classic 870 WMs, a highly tweaked clay gas gun or 5 and so on. Owners ran from a guy who worked on the county roads to a couple of wealthy retired types.

Snobs don't seem to be at the top of the local talent. Maybe that's why they're snobs. Or maybe being at the top burns off some of the dross. I know some highly competitive shooters, including a couple ATA Hall of Famers. These folks are highly interested in HOW one shoots, not WHAT one shoots.

Like one told me, it ain't the gun....

 

[Dave McCracken]

Funny you should mention that. At PGC I've gotten to try a Kolar(Combo, about $9K), a Purdey (Who knows how much), Ithaca and Parker SBTs, Beretta and Browning O/Us, a Kreighof, a Remington 3200,a couple classic 870 WMs, a highly tweaked clay gas gun or 5 and so on. Owners ran from a guy who worked on the county roads to a couple of wealthy retired types.

Snobs don't seem to be at the top of the local talent. Maybe that's why they're snobs. Or maybe being at the top burns off some of the dross.

I know some highly competitive shooters,including a couple ATA Hall of Famers.These folks are highly interested in HOW one shoots, not WHAT one shoots.

Like one told me, it ain't the gun....