The following took place 20 minutes ago in Walmart:
I was at the sporting goods counter getting 3 Remington UMC boxes of .40 S&W (the big 250 round boxes). A guy standing there was looking at the display and said to the salesman, "You don't have any 9mm Smith and Wesson?" The salesperson not knowing much himself, looked at the display while I just stood there for a moment wondering what the heck the guy was talking about and whether he knew something I didn't. The salesperson turned around and said, "Sorry, we don't have that." The guy turns to me and says, "I can't believe they don't have any 9mm."
I looked at the display and pointed and said, "There's 9mm right there in 100 round value packs."
(now I'll change into dialog mode)
The guy: No, that's not 9mm Smith and Wesson. I need 9mm Smith and Wesson.
Me: What gun is this for? I've never heard of 9mm Smith and Wesson, is this an old gun? (I was still thinking perhaps he knew something I didn't and was giving him the benefit of the doubt)
The guy: It's a Smith and Wesson Glock.
Me: Wait. Is it a Smith and Wesson, or is it a Glock?
The guy: No, it's a Smith and Wesson Glock
Me: Ok. I think there is some confusion here. You either have a Smith and Wesson, or you have a Glock. There is no such thing as a Smith and Wesson Glock.
The guy: Well, obviously you just don't know about it.
Me: I don't discount that there are plenty of things I don't know, but in this case, I'm fairly sure there is no such thing as a Smith and Wesson Glock. You see, Smith and Wesson is a trademarked brand name. Glock is also a trademarked brand name. What you're saying you own is basically like calling a car a Toyota brand Honda, or a shirt a Ralph Lauren brand Calvin Klein. They're both brand names.
The guy: Well, I know it's a Glock that takes 9mm Smith and Wesson.
Me: Ok. This can be made easier. What model Glock is it.
The guy: It's a Glock 16.
Me: Alright. Now I know there is some confusion. Gaston Glock's first model was the Model 17. There has never been a Model 16.
The guy: (now getting rude) Well, I guess I have the only one.
Me: The Glock 17 was named either because it was Gaston Glock's 17th design or 17th patent, I can't remember which right now, but look - if you really have a Glock 16, then it's some kind of really old prototype that was never released and is probably worth a small fortune. I'd say that it's more likely you have a Glock 17 or a Glock 19 if you're saying you have a 9mm. Glock only supports 9mm, .40 Smith and Wesson, .45 ACP, .357 SIG, .45 GAP, and 10mm Auto. They technically also support .380 ACP, but here in the U.S.A it's not sold to my knowledge. That might be also marked 9mm x 17. Is that what you have somehow?
The guy: No, I have a Smith and Wesson Glock in 9mm Smith and Wesson. I'd show you my license if I had it on me, it says the gun I have. I have a special state issued license.
Me: What kind of license is this? (at this point I've more than realized the guy has no idea what he's talking about, but I'm still trying to help out of the kindness of my heart)
The guy: It's a special license only certain people can get that allows me to carry a gun.
Me: Well sir, I'm always glad to see when somebody takes their safety seriously. I too have a concealed weapons permit, but it does not say on it what gun you can carry if it's a Florida license. I'm trying to help you here.
The guy: I appreciate your trying, but you obviously don't know what you're talking about.
Me: Ok. Well, all I can say is that I tried. I suggest that you go home and check to see what gun you have before you go anywhere else to buy ammunition because most places will not take returns on ammunition. I think what you have is either a Glock in 9mm Luger, or in .40 Smith and Wesson, OR you have a Smith and Wesson M&P in 9mm that looks a little like a Glock I suppose hence the confusion. Have a nice day.
Around this point I've purchased my ammo and start walking away. I can hear the guy asking the salesperson if they can special order 9mm Smith and Wesson ammo.
All I can say is wow..... just wow.....
ETA: honestly folks... I couldn't make this crap up if I tried. That's what makes it so sad.
I was at the sporting goods counter getting 3 Remington UMC boxes of .40 S&W (the big 250 round boxes). A guy standing there was looking at the display and said to the salesman, "You don't have any 9mm Smith and Wesson?" The salesperson not knowing much himself, looked at the display while I just stood there for a moment wondering what the heck the guy was talking about and whether he knew something I didn't. The salesperson turned around and said, "Sorry, we don't have that." The guy turns to me and says, "I can't believe they don't have any 9mm."
I looked at the display and pointed and said, "There's 9mm right there in 100 round value packs."
(now I'll change into dialog mode)
The guy: No, that's not 9mm Smith and Wesson. I need 9mm Smith and Wesson.
Me: What gun is this for? I've never heard of 9mm Smith and Wesson, is this an old gun? (I was still thinking perhaps he knew something I didn't and was giving him the benefit of the doubt)
The guy: It's a Smith and Wesson Glock.
Me: Wait. Is it a Smith and Wesson, or is it a Glock?
The guy: No, it's a Smith and Wesson Glock
Me: Ok. I think there is some confusion here. You either have a Smith and Wesson, or you have a Glock. There is no such thing as a Smith and Wesson Glock.
The guy: Well, obviously you just don't know about it.
Me: I don't discount that there are plenty of things I don't know, but in this case, I'm fairly sure there is no such thing as a Smith and Wesson Glock. You see, Smith and Wesson is a trademarked brand name. Glock is also a trademarked brand name. What you're saying you own is basically like calling a car a Toyota brand Honda, or a shirt a Ralph Lauren brand Calvin Klein. They're both brand names.
The guy: Well, I know it's a Glock that takes 9mm Smith and Wesson.
Me: Ok. This can be made easier. What model Glock is it.
The guy: It's a Glock 16.
Me: Alright. Now I know there is some confusion. Gaston Glock's first model was the Model 17. There has never been a Model 16.
The guy: (now getting rude) Well, I guess I have the only one.
Me: The Glock 17 was named either because it was Gaston Glock's 17th design or 17th patent, I can't remember which right now, but look - if you really have a Glock 16, then it's some kind of really old prototype that was never released and is probably worth a small fortune. I'd say that it's more likely you have a Glock 17 or a Glock 19 if you're saying you have a 9mm. Glock only supports 9mm, .40 Smith and Wesson, .45 ACP, .357 SIG, .45 GAP, and 10mm Auto. They technically also support .380 ACP, but here in the U.S.A it's not sold to my knowledge. That might be also marked 9mm x 17. Is that what you have somehow?
The guy: No, I have a Smith and Wesson Glock in 9mm Smith and Wesson. I'd show you my license if I had it on me, it says the gun I have. I have a special state issued license.
Me: What kind of license is this? (at this point I've more than realized the guy has no idea what he's talking about, but I'm still trying to help out of the kindness of my heart)
The guy: It's a special license only certain people can get that allows me to carry a gun.
Me: Well sir, I'm always glad to see when somebody takes their safety seriously. I too have a concealed weapons permit, but it does not say on it what gun you can carry if it's a Florida license. I'm trying to help you here.
The guy: I appreciate your trying, but you obviously don't know what you're talking about.
Me: Ok. Well, all I can say is that I tried. I suggest that you go home and check to see what gun you have before you go anywhere else to buy ammunition because most places will not take returns on ammunition. I think what you have is either a Glock in 9mm Luger, or in .40 Smith and Wesson, OR you have a Smith and Wesson M&P in 9mm that looks a little like a Glock I suppose hence the confusion. Have a nice day.
Around this point I've purchased my ammo and start walking away. I can hear the guy asking the salesperson if they can special order 9mm Smith and Wesson ammo.
All I can say is wow..... just wow.....
ETA: honestly folks... I couldn't make this crap up if I tried. That's what makes it so sad.
