things i learned in a gun shop today

[MJRW]

1. The .50 BMG can take off a man's arm by passing within 10'. It's true, just go to Quantico to see "the secret Cadaver video."

2. .50 BMG travels at 1700 fps. No, it is not much higher than that. 1700 fps, absolutely.

3. Speed of sound is 220 fps. This was maintained despite it being proven different on a calculator.

4. Employees cannot have lasers on their carry guns because of insurance liability for when they pull out their gun to show a customer the laser. Apparently the laser will cause blindness.

5. Lasers are good because it let's the person know you have a bead on them and then you don't have to shoot. Oh, and apparently any trip is worthy of 5-10 minute speech on the value of lasers.

Why can't I get some glocks with some friggin laser beams on them? And I'm just spreading the wisdom here.

 

[Triad]

Don't all those lasers have warning labels on them about the possibilty of eye damage if you shine it in someones eyes?

 

[Weimadog]

1. The .50 BMG can take off a man's arm by passing within 10'. It's true, just go to Quantico to see "the secret Cadaver video."

Ummm, if you could watch the video, it wouldn't be a secret!

At the gun shop/ range I shoot at:
The .25 is designed to bounce around in the body.
Body armor is illegal for civilians to own.

The 9mm is underpowered for defensive purposes, avoid it, but the .38 Special is the best buy for defensive purposes, it is recommended.

 

[MJRW]

Triad, did you miss the point that the guy is pointing the laser in the eyes of customer of his loaded gun and more concerned about the laser than the loaded gun?

 

[Mal H]

"Speed of sound is 220 fps."

That explains why Nascar races are so loud then. Every single car out there is breaking the sound barrier.

All the other stuff is true.

 

[Triad]

No, I didn't miss that, I was just throwing out a question which has nothing to do with this fellows stupidity. Unless you want to consider that he may be capable of reading and picked up a piece of useful information off a warning label.

 

[MJRW]

Triad, in the midst of everything else he said, I sincerely doubt that there was one partially informed gem of wisdom.

 

[Triad]

The sad thing about this is that it doesn't surprise me at all. Out of curiosity, what's the appoximate age of this fellow?

 

[sm]

tongue in cheek

1. The .50 BMG can take off a man's arm by passing within 10'. It's true, just go to Quantico to see "the secret Cadaver video."

Oh NO, you mean its NOT True? What about hitting a person in the pinky finger with a "forty-five"...supposed to spin 'em around and down...or ten feet back and thru a plate glass window...

( j/k)

 

[Amegatek]

On a related note...

I saw a pic of a gang member (deceased) who was taken out with an AK-47. One round only "grazed" his shoulder and there wasn't much shoulder left! BTW, this was on a documentary about gangs in Arkansas that I saw on HBO years ago titled "Bangin' in Little Rock." Interesting show... Little Rock even has local chapters of the "Bloods" and "Crips". Of course, they are in my state also.

 

[Phil in Seattle]

Gee the scariest thing I hear at the shop I go to all the time is that 20% down and 20% a month will get you anything in the shop.

 

[Tag]

This weekend I learned that

1: Glocks are unsafe for carry.

2: A carry gun needs a manual safety

3: Anything with a trigger pull less than 9 lbs. is unsafe.

Not nearly as obscene as "[the] Speed of sound is 220 fps.", but its still opinion being passed off as learned fact.

 

[duckfoot]

I was told that "the Bushmaster Varmint Special Rifle in the US ARMY M-16 caliber is dead on out to 1k" by some kid at a big SportingGoods store.

 

[clubsoda22]

two weeks ago i learned that it is illegal for me to shoot my handguns because i'm only 18, and that i somehow misinterpreted the letter i got from the attorney general that says otherwise. I also learned that the handguns can't possibly be legally owned by myself for the same reason.

 

[PATH]

Sigh!

 

[artherd]

"Why can't I get some glocks with some friggin laser beams on them?"

LOL! Mail-Order yourself an M6. And they wonder why their own shops are being frequented less and less, sigh.

 

[pax]

two weeks ago i learned that it is illegal for me to shoot my handguns because i'm only 18, and that i somehow misinterpreted the letter i got from the attorney general that says otherwise. I also learned that the handguns can't possibly be legally owned by myself for the same reason.

clubsoda22,

I called a local gun shop here looking for information on whether a 20 year old friend of mine could legally acquire a handgun. The fellow who answered the phone asked, "For home defense?"

I said, "Yes, a handgun ... I'm just wondering what the laws are."

He responded, "Well, we always recommend a shotgun especially for the ladies, since you don't have to aim them much, and since just racking them will scare the bad guy off and you won't have to shoot, and since the little BBs won't go through walls or anything."

Fascinating.

pax

 

[clubsoda22]

in PA if you are under 21 the best way is to have your parents buy it for you. I don't know washington law. There is no federal law against owning at 18+, just buying from a LICENCED dealer if you are under 21.

 

[sm]

Confirmation

pax
I'm glad you posted and shared with others the experience you shared in our PM's, Soooo...

I called 2 "chain outlets that sell guns" , these people said the racking of a shotgun alone is enough to scare perps away from a single gal...worst case-- the sight will cause the perp to turn tail and run. I asked " what if the BG is a rapist?" [please sit down, remove all drinks from computer area]. A lady working behind the counter said a BG rapist will *ahem* lose interest real quick upon hearing and /or seeing a SG".

I called 2 gunshops, same question. One recomended if a total newbie to take a course ( NRA First Step, or sit in on A CCW course and pay attention to guns, safety and gain permisson to try guns if avail) Usually a revolver is what he personally prefers, however the Glock is user friendly...depends on budget; used the revo is the best way to go. Shop #2 basically said a Sp101 for a revo and depending on caliber and budget, a Bersa .380, Glock or Sig in a 9mm.

I think in area my two chain store people are related to your people in your area pax.
Gee ,we are what 7 states and 1700 mi. away from each other ? Racking a shotgun = "lose interest" humm, I grew up with pump SgGs... all these new shooters learning on semi's , O/U, SxS...I think I now know what is partially wrong with the world today...but gonna respect a lady and Art's Grammaw.

It's a scary place sometimes in this world of ours...

 

[Ky Larry]

Years ago I learned there is a round called a .38 swad cutter (?) that tumbled as soon as it left the muzzle. It was designed to cut a man in half.

 

[threeseven]

I'm always astounded by threads like these. God knows if I could manage to get a job in a store that sells guns I'd do nothing but play with them and read about them all day. These people are misinformed to a degree that makes me cringe.

 

[Tamara]

You think the clerks are bad, have you checked out your average gun store customer lately?

I swear, with one or two exceptions, you could have added up the IQ's of everyone that came into the shop yesterday, multiplied by ten, and still had a two digit number.

Cletus and Zed stroll in, and immediately glom onto the TEC-9 and AB-10 in the first showcase.

Cletus: "Those machineguns?"
Me: "No, sir, those are semiautomatic pistols."
Zed: "Well, you know how to turn 'em into machineguns?"
Me: "I wouldn't even want to speculate on it, sir, as merely speculating on it is technically a crime."
Cletus: "Aw, it can't be that bad..."
Me: "Ten years and ten thousand dollars bad, I think. Federal time, too."
Zed: "But our buddy has an SKS he carries around in his truck that he made into a machinegun..."
Cletus: "...and he wouldn'a done it if it woulda gotten him in that much trouble."
Me: (Fingers in ears) "Lalalalalalala! I don't want to hear about your buddy's illegal machinegun."

 

[Steel]

A few years ago I was in between jobs and worked for a whole week at a sizeable gun shop. The fellas that worked there were pretty much normal. I encountered some dorky misguided customers though -- welcome to the hollywood, pop culture.

 

[Rebel Gunman HK]

While purchasing my first Ar-15 a while back the store owner told me that the 5.56 round fired from the M-16 flew at a 45 degree "cant" so when it hits somebody it begins to tumble making it as deadly as a .308?

 

[Billy Sparks]

True story. Gentleman calls the gun store I was working at. Question:
Gentleman -- "Do ya'll rent guns?"
Me -- "Yes sir we have several different range guns that we rent"
Gentleman -- "Okay put my name on one I'll pick it up before you close"
Me -- "Excuse me sir"
Gentleman -- "I just need it one night what is the rental for a night and
how much deposit is needed?"
Me --- "Uh sir you can't leave with the gun you rent it to use on our range"
Gentleman -- "Well what use is that, click"