Gun Store Etiquette

I asked about a Browning Hi Power, but I accidentally called it a Hi Point.
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Now, that's funny! I suppose if I was the counter-guy, I'd have a little chuckle at your expense, but I wouldn't be mean about it.

"If it's a Hi-Point your looking for, I've got one over here and 'll sell it to ya for 10% less than this here old gun"
 
I didn't want to start a new thread since my question fits here so well. Last week my wife and I were at the LGS/indoor range shooting some small stuff for her. It was her first time there and my third. The range is separated from the storefront by a half wall and glass. It is a great setup with a nice store and range. The workers there are very nice,helpful,and understanding if my wife's needs. After she was done shooting I stepped back to grab a stapler to change targets and looked over to see a woman in the store aiming at me thru the window. (the windows are behind the sales counter) she was not just covering me,it was eyes down the sights aiming. I didn't want to freak in front of my wife and turn her off of shooting but we did finish pretty quick after that. So all that to say this, do I say something about it next time I'm there (I think yes) and more importantly HOW.
And yes I did pee myself a little....
Sent from my DROID RAZR
 
Nearly all of the guns I've bought are military/LEO grade, also ugly and finished in scratch resistant black.

They're not pieces of jewelry, fancy watches, or snowflakes.

If a Sig, HK, Glock, Walther, etc. breaks because someone is dry firing it, racking the slide, or, God forbid, drops a magazine ON THE FLOOR... then it's defective and you've just done everyone a favor and identified a serious warranty problem before any poor soul bought it.

Any gun store that thinks an ugly Nitron finished military grade gun that can survive being dropped down a cliff, immersed in sea water, baked, frozen, thrown in the mud, then hosed off can in any way be damaged by typical handling to make sure everything is in order (trigger, slide, magazine release, etc) doesn't deserve your business.

...this doesn't apply to guns with fancy grips and finishes that aren't meant to be used as a hammer if need be.
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What you say may be true, but it does not circumvent common courteousy when handling property you do not own. Ask first
 
I always thought it was a little weird when you would be at the counter and look to your right as an example and see a guy with his son checking out a rifle that happens to be pointed at you instead of the wall behind the counter
 
I don't mind other people dry firing my guns. I do it all the time, how is it going to matter if someone else does.

If I am looking at a gun for either immediate or future purchase I have no problem working the action or dry firing the gun and almost never ask. If they don't like me dry firing, I guess they will tell me and I probably won't be purchasing from them or visiting the store in the future.

I am sure some will call this incredibly rude, of well. By my standard, dry firing a gun is part of knowing how it will work for me and if a person is looking at a gun for purchase - absolutely required.
 
After she was done shooting I stepped back to grab a stapler to change targets and looked over to see a woman in the store aiming at me thru the window. (the windows are behind the sales counter) she was not just covering me,it was eyes down the sights aiming
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How did she not see you?
 
or dry firing the gun and almost never ask. If they don't like me dry firing, I guess they will tell me and I probably won't be purchasing from them or visiting the store in the future.

I am sure some will call this incredibly rude, of well
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I don't know about "incredibly" but I would call it rude. I always ask the owner of any firearm before I dry fire it if it's ok to do so before I do. How hard is that?
 
Gunnut17: said:
After she was done shooting I stepped back to grab a stapler to change targets and looked over to see a woman in the store aiming at me thru the window. (the windows are behind the sales counter) she was not just covering me,it was eyes down the sights aiming
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How did she not see you?
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For some folks, the universe ends about three feet in every direction from wherever they happen to be standing. Nothing outside of that space matters to them.
 
Another ground pointer here. Although I've gotten some odd mixed reactions when asking about preferred safe direction. One shop, preferred that people pointed at the wall behind the sales counter...behind which was the office and stock area. Other's have seemed baffled that I would bother asking, I guess the didn't mind if I pointed at walls that had other shops behind them? :confused:
 
Although I've gotten some odd mixed reactions when asking about preferred safe direction.
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Heck, I wish people would just ask. Common courtesy is so uncommon that it comes as a breath of fresh air when we actually encounter it.
 
Common courtesy is so uncommon that it comes as a breath of fresh air when we actually encounter it.
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I know what you mean, once I held a door for a woman, and she said, "Excuse me." as if I was forcing the door shut.
 
To thedudeabides.......post #30.

Ahem.......you rapid dryfire a $2500 Colt Python infront of the store owner or a 99% rimfire Mk III with a strait face telling him "this will never hurt it" I will pay $20 to watch that go down......
 
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By my standard, dry firing a gun is part of knowing how it will work for me and if a person is looking at a gun for purchase - absolutely required.
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It's not your gun, so your general attitudes about firearms don't govern how the gun should be handled. The current owner is the one who has the final say.

Ask first. If the answer is no, then buy somewhere else.
 
and I don't ever point a gun at someone so i do have an issue with the fact that some people think it is ok when they shop around for weapons....as for the other post, that woman was probably aiming at you on purpose(either without thinking or thinking you made it easier for her to 'try it out')
 
When someone tells me they need and EDC SHTF rifle for CQB that's good for zombie apes at 1000 yards and they know from first-hand experience that it has to have 30-round clips and be chambered in something larger than .223 because .223 has no stopping power and the ammo needs to be cheap in case society melts down...

...and after listening for ten minutes, we establish that they've never even shot a rifle, and they just need something under $500 for occasionally hunting whitetail. Great, here's a decent .30-30 and maybe a 10/22 for junior.
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. . . and this is the problem with the internet. You should be able to get an AR which is best for you without a 100% mil spec home built SBR with a silencer. You don't need 75gr Zombie slayer bullets.

Most homes can be effectively guarded without a rifle!

Most first time gun buyers would be best served with a 22, NRA basic class and lots of range time. HD, CCW, etc is a process. You don't need something today most likely.

Some people may need an SD gun fairly quick. In those cases, a Glock 9mm and as much training as one can absorb quickly would be best.
 
Most first time gun buyers would be best served with a 22, NRA basic class and lots of range time.
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Tell a customer that, and you'll be branded an elitist snob.

People don't understand that shooting, especially defensive shooting, takes time to learn. They don't need all that if they've got the right hardware!
 
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