Gun Store Etiquette

I always ask when doing anything to a gun other than testing how it feels in my hand ... my LGS has a target mounted on an armored vest and attached to a wall which is brick outside in case you want to work the action ... never been an NG there to my knowledge, because they are vigilent about keeping ammo and guns separate and checking twice before letting you aim at the target ...
 
Walked into a local gun store once, they handed me a shotgun without checking to make sure it was empty. I was instantly uncomfortable but was too much of a noob to hand it back and politely ask the woman behind the counter to make sure it was unloaded. I later bought the same model of shotgun somewhere else for a little more money. The gun store has since gone out of business. I never went back but heard from others that the owner and salespeople were normally arrogant and superior. The etiquette of the gun store folks matters too, if they make you uncomfortable, leave.
 
I agree it's always just proper etiquette to ask the salesperson how you plan to handle a weapon. Several months ago I went to one of my local ranges with my boss, he had never shot a pistol in his life but is considering purchasing one for SD purposes I brought 6 of varying calibers/styles for him to try. After we were done shooting I put them in my car and went "window shoppiing with him", roughly explaining some of the differences (they have quiet a nice selection). Over the past couple of years I've spent a good chunk of change with them (Year range passes, firearm purchases, transfers, etc.) It was slow so one of the reps came over and volunteered to let him hold/dry fire about 10 different makes, although I explained we were just window shopping but he didn't mind, I wasn't even going to ask him to get anything out of the case.

You know my mother always told me you get more flys with honey. I'm always polite with almosta everyone I meetand I feel it really pays off. Aside from this I was actually steered away from a couple of purchases at the same shop, they were honest about what I was buying. I still ended up buying another rifle and pistol that day, and they still have me as a loyal customer, it's called integrity. (They have even let me borrow a tool in shop once so I could finish one of my rifles, although I went in to buy the tool for a one time use it ended up only costing me 5 rounds of ammo that I let him shoot after I made sure it was cycling properly.)
 
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......
Click to expand...

If you do that at one store I know of you will be buying it. You dry fire it, you buy it. I don't necessarily like the policy, but they do have lots of $8,000 Dakotas and $10,000 Barretts on the shelf, so I can understand not taking any chances.
 
They may have signs, but without a signature I think they would have a hard time collecting anything beyond actual damages in a lawsuit.
 
Ben Towe said:
Exactly. The heavily armed 600 pound man at the front counter also serves as a guard against non-compliance.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

While I am completely in the ask first corner, this store is too far to the extreme. The must have a heck of an inventory and better prices than anyone else, because intimidation is usually not the best tactic for a small business. I would never dryfire of of their guns, but I would also never go back to the store if it is the way you say it is
 
Let the well armed 600 pound man enforce compliance even once, and see how fast the false imprisonment, extortion, intimidation, and/or assault charges and lawsuits fly.

Sounds like your LGS is run by yahoos, Ben Towe.
 
Exactly. The heavily armed 600 pound man at the front counter also serves as a guard against non-compliance.
Click to expand...

Are you really afraid that he's going to shoot you or hit you?

I'm with the other posters. Things must be different where you are, a shop like that wouldn't last long around here.
 
Are you really afraid that he's going to shoot you or hit you?
Click to expand...
You really can't enforce civility or common sense.

There are some folks I just don't let handle certain things. The attention-deficit Call of Duty crowd can admire the unfired 1851 Colt or the $7000 Barret from afar.
 
MLeake said:
Let the well armed 600 pound man enforce compliance even once, and see how fast the false imprisonment, extortion, intimidation, and/or assault charges and lawsuits fly.

Sounds like your LGS is run by yahoos, Ben Towe.
Click to expand...

It's not my LGS, it's actually a couple hours away, and yes, they're definitely a little nutty, but they have a huge selection. I worded that last comment poorly, it was supposed to be a bit more humorous but I was tired when I replied.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
When checking out a particular firearm, I always re-check that the chamber is clear even when the store employee already did. I usually point towards the floor if I dry fire it, never up to the ceiling because you can still accidentally point it at someone else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top