Another "Silly Things You Hear In Gunshops" Thread
- Thread starter Joe_Pike
- Start date
Evan Thomas
Inactive
In that case, the bullet rises relative to the ground because the barrel of the gun is angled up. However, bullets never rise relative to the plane of the barrel; they leave the barrel in line with that plane, and gravity takes care of rest.
Theohazard
New member
A lot of people think a bullet rises on its own relative to the bore line. It's actually a very common myth.jimbob86 said:
Another variation of the myth is that a lot of people think the bullet goes straight for a while before it starts to drop. I recently had a customer ask me how far the round from his new LWRC will travel before it starts to fall.
I know of a few ranges that do that, and boy do some people grouse about having to sit through it. Those are usually the same people who really need to sit through such a seminar.
I know this, you know this...most gun folks know this.
BUT...sometimes I've got someone who can't or won't process that. In those cases, you might hear me say that the bullet rises just to make the explanation painless.
I was once trying to explain to a guy why smaller, lighter guns have more felt recoil (sometimes easier to refer to as "kick"). I mentioned Newton's second law, and the guy glared at me. "You think you're so smart because you've got physics, huh?" Yeah.
So, sure...we've got clips for a Glock Forty.
Jbar4Ranch
New member
In relation to the bore axis, a bullet starts dropping immediately upon exiting the muzzle, unless the muzzle is pointed straight up or straight down in relation to the pull of gravity. In order to NOT drop, it will have to exit the muzzle at escape velocity or above (about 36,000 fps), AND maintain that velocity, but it cannot rise without the aid of an independent force influencing it. A projectile launched at, and maintaining, escape velocity will appear to rise, in relation to the Earth anyway, as it overcomes gravity, continuing in a straight line along the axis it was launched and on out into space.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Ain't that the truth.Tom Servo said:
I ended up teaching one of those classes. There was some kind of mix-up -- I don't recall if a class was scheduled for a day and time when the instructor wasn't there, or if they double-booked. Anyhoo, two couples showed up and were told that the class they had pre-paid for wasn't going to happen. One of the women, in particular, was quite vocal about being exceedingly unhappy. The counter guy saw me in the background and asked if I was an NRA instructor. When I acknowledged that I am, he asked if I would do the range a favor and teach the group a basic safety class.
So, the counter guy handed me the box of teaching props, and up the stairs we went to the classroom. I didn't know exactly what the range's course was supposed to include but I knew it was supposed to last about an hour, so I did something that was probably a cross between Basic Pistol and First Steps.
Naturally, the two guys had to be veterans, who made it clear that they were bored to tears and knew everything about guns. The women, on the other hand, paid attention. At the end of the hour we went down to the range area to put them all through some live fire to see if they had absorbed enough to be allowed to shoot unsupervised.
There were no major safety disasters, but it was most amusing that both women outshot their companions by a significant margin. When they left, the women were happy and the guys were decidedly unhappy.
C'est la vie.
This holiday season's favorites at several retailers.
No sir, I can't sell that one to you. It is committed for an internet sale and will be shipped by the end of the day.
(me)
No sir, I can't put live ammo in the gun so you can cycle the action.
I am sorry sir, but you have to take a number from the box over there. See the lit sign saying "now serving number 78".
We lost the key to the ammo display. Somebody must have taken it home. (guess where)
No sir, I can't sell that one to you. It is committed for an internet sale and will be shipped by the end of the day.
(me)No sir, I can't put live ammo in the gun so you can cycle the action.
I am sorry sir, but you have to take a number from the box over there. See the lit sign saying "now serving number 78".
We lost the key to the ammo display. Somebody must have taken it home. (guess where)
Aguila Blanca
Staff
I had something similar, but worse (for me).Ozzieman said:
Several years ago I bought a used pistol from a large, respected gun store that I don't often visit, but I was going by it on business so I stopped in to look around. Saw something I liked and bought it. I'm in one of those benighted states that has to report all handgun sales to the state police.
MONTHS later I received a curt letter from the state police informing me that I had not submitted the paperwork for a gun sale I had made on [date], and that if I didn't submit it immediately I would be subject to arrest. I was genuinely puzzled. I didn't recognize the date as significant, but since I never sell guns there had to be something wrong. I spent a very nervous weekend, and on Monday morning I called the state police to ask for more information about this purported sale.
The officer with whom I spoke looked it up and told me that on [date] I had requested an authorization to sell a [pistol], and I didn't file the supporting documentation after the sale as required. I recognized the description of the pistol -- it was the one I had bought from [large upstate gun store]. I informed Officer Not-so-Friendly that the pistol in question was bought by me on that date from [large upstate gun store], that I still had it, and if they wanted to send someone around to my house I could show them both the pistol and the paperwork.
The officer then did some poking around and said they found the record of my purchase, and that I had nothing to worry about. Apparently I was not unique. [Large upstate gun store] apparently had a clerk who made a habit of calling in sales as if it was the customer who was selling the gun, rather than the store selling to the customer. Then someone in the store would see the error and resubmit the paperwork correctly -- but not do anything to correct the erroneous report.
I still have the pistol, and I haven't bought anything other than scarce reloading components from [large upstate gun store] since.
That could work in a LARGE shop that draws big crowds of people, and has the space for such events.
Most gun shops don't fit that description, and don't want to spend the time lecturing to people who aren't interested in buying.
Most customers need to be handled on an individual basis depending on what they already know, and what they need to learn.
There would be little sense in lecturing on rifle ballistics to folks interested in concealed carry
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
At Sportsman's Warehouse in San Antonio, before they closed, I was browsing and the clerk went into a tirade about his lousy daughter. Seemed said child had put a vote for ... sign in her front yard.
Daddy was having a poop fit and told the world that he was disowning her. He was going to leave her property and now he wouldn't. Blah, Blah.
Like we care?
Daddy was having a poop fit and told the world that he was disowning her. He was going to leave her property and now he wouldn't. Blah, Blah.
Like we care?
Slow Saturday morning setting behind the counter with the owner setting in the small office that had a one way window looking out over the floor.
His shop had all of the windows covered with gun posters of one type or another so that you couldn’t see outside.
I see a shape walk along the windows and the door opens up and a double barrel shotgun sticks in through the door.
I then hear “Get in there!”
A man walks in and sweeps the entire store with the shotgun with his 7 year old in tow, The first thing he see’s is a Bulldog pointed at his face. Luckily he froze and laid the gun against the wall.
He was VERY nice about the whole incident and apologized and in his own words the stupid *&^%$ *(&^&$ thing he did. He turned out to be a very nice gun savvy person that made a simple mistake.
After the owner cleaned out his underwear, he had seen it all, finally took my suggestion to take some of the posters down so we could see who was coming to the store. The only one we didn’t take off the door was the large one that had been there for a LONG time that said
His shop had all of the windows covered with gun posters of one type or another so that you couldn’t see outside.
I see a shape walk along the windows and the door opens up and a double barrel shotgun sticks in through the door.
I then hear “Get in there!”
A man walks in and sweeps the entire store with the shotgun with his 7 year old in tow, The first thing he see’s is a Bulldog pointed at his face. Luckily he froze and laid the gun against the wall.
He was VERY nice about the whole incident and apologized and in his own words the stupid *&^%$ *(&^&$ thing he did. He turned out to be a very nice gun savvy person that made a simple mistake.
After the owner cleaned out his underwear, he had seen it all, finally took my suggestion to take some of the posters down so we could see who was coming to the store. The only one we didn’t take off the door was the large one that had been there for a LONG time that said
Anyone ever have a “gun expert” help on a sale.
Guy came in that owned a bar down the street looking for a good carry piece. I had sold him several guns before and knew what guns he owned and liked. I walked him through the cases looking at several autos and revolvers.
He wanted to stay with a revolver so I nudged him toward a Ruger SP101, 3 inch barrel. He picked out the Ruger several boxes of 38’s and Mags and a nice holster. Got him started on his paperwork and I started on the shop paperwork.
The business partner to the owner walks up and asks what was happening. The bar owner says that I had done a good job talking him into the Ruger revolver.
This nit wit that knew nothing about guns said that I was totally wrong and he should buy a HK P7 (which cost a lot more than a Ruger at the time).
The bar owner tried to say that he had picked out a revolver but the twit wouldn’t let him get a word in. I could see him getting mad and then the twit said those famous words you hear too often in gun shops “I’m the gun expert here.” More or less.
He shook his head and walked out the door. Without the gun.
The nitwit then said to me “What were you thinking, we are here to make money not sell guns!”
I walked back to the owner’s office and asked if he could do something about him. He shook his head and said his money is helping to open the new store they were building.
I quit several days later when the nitwit was in and ordered me to go to McDees for him.
Told him where he could put his McDees.
Guy came in that owned a bar down the street looking for a good carry piece. I had sold him several guns before and knew what guns he owned and liked. I walked him through the cases looking at several autos and revolvers.
He wanted to stay with a revolver so I nudged him toward a Ruger SP101, 3 inch barrel. He picked out the Ruger several boxes of 38’s and Mags and a nice holster. Got him started on his paperwork and I started on the shop paperwork.
The business partner to the owner walks up and asks what was happening. The bar owner says that I had done a good job talking him into the Ruger revolver.
This nit wit that knew nothing about guns said that I was totally wrong and he should buy a HK P7 (which cost a lot more than a Ruger at the time).
The bar owner tried to say that he had picked out a revolver but the twit wouldn’t let him get a word in. I could see him getting mad and then the twit said those famous words you hear too often in gun shops “I’m the gun expert here.” More or less.
He shook his head and walked out the door. Without the gun.
The nitwit then said to me “What were you thinking, we are here to make money not sell guns!”
I walked back to the owner’s office and asked if he could do something about him. He shook his head and said his money is helping to open the new store they were building.
I quit several days later when the nitwit was in and ordered me to go to McDees for him.
Told him where he could put his McDees.
Ugh, I've run into my fair share of folks like that too. Me looking like I'm fresh out of HS as well doesn't help me, since I tend to get this look from some older firearms owners/salesmen as if I'm something unpleasant that they found on the bottom of their shoes.
There seems to be a great deal of disdain among some folks as gun stores over "young folks" coming in to buy a gun. Likely because of all the video game gun experts that come in hootin and a hollarin. I make no claims about knowing everything there is to know about firearms (far from it in fact, novice in many respects still). It just irks me when you have those who look down on you just because they THINK you don't know anything.
Even worse when they themselves are clearly blowing more than just hot air.
There seems to be a great deal of disdain among some folks as gun stores over "young folks" coming in to buy a gun. Likely because of all the video game gun experts that come in hootin and a hollarin. I make no claims about knowing everything there is to know about firearms (far from it in fact, novice in many respects still). It just irks me when you have those who look down on you just because they THINK you don't know anything.
Even worse when they themselves are clearly blowing more than just hot air.
Heavy Metal 1
New member
I was in a local store that sells all sorts of sporting goods and other sundry items. This scruffy, odd man walks up to the gun counter and declares he wants to buy this particular shotgun. I was nearby debating with myself which gun cleaning potion I should get. They start filling out the 4473 with the clerk asking the questions and helping the guy fill out the form. When they get to question 11 c, the part about the felony, the clerk asks the fellow the question and the guy says, "well I got out in less than a year". The clerk terminates the transaction and the weirdo shrugs his shoulders and says calmly "ok". He comes over near where I was and he starts looking at the boot/shoe grease and asks the clerk, "how many of these can I buy?" The clerk says quietly, "as many as you want sir."
They walk among us you know....
They walk among us you know....
Heard at a local store:
"22's are getting so hard to find I'm thinking of hunting squrial with my .223". After hearing me chuckle he continued, "A .223 bullet is only 10 grains heavier". I did not respond and could only imagine what would be his reaction when he follows through with his plan.
"22's are getting so hard to find I'm thinking of hunting squrial with my .223". After hearing me chuckle he continued, "A .223 bullet is only 10 grains heavier". I did not respond and could only imagine what would be his reaction when he follows through with his plan.
A few wèeks ago I was in Gander and overheard a 20 something year old employee behind the counter tell a woman (husband beside her) she could shoot .380s out of a .38 but not the other way around. I kind of eyeballed the shelf to listen in. I know he was thinking of. 357/.38s but come on. The husband quickly said umm I'm not sure that's right.
I can't think of a situation where hunting squirrel with any rifle would be safe. The squirrels I see are usually in trees if not digging holes on the ground on occasion. Grandpa would only use shotguns. Usually a .410. Shooting a rifle of any caliber up at an angle just was not safe in his camp. I spit many lead pellets on my plate from squirrel, pheasant, quail, dove, duck, and rabbit.