Super Sneaky Steve
New member
Why can't I ask how much the gun cost? I do that all the time.
Manners.....
- Thread starter Bob Wright
- Start date
tahunua001
New member
sorry if I'm a bad-mannered country bumpkin but...
really? first of all it's good manners to tell someone if it's loaded or not or if the safeties on or if there's a round down the pipe. I have never been offended by anyone double checking for safety's sake and I've never offended anyone for doing the same(at least not that they showed visually). also, a simple cursory view of the chamber on an autoloader is enough to see if there is a round in it or not. you don't have to completely remove the mag for this purpose or fully retract the slide.
although normally it is bad manners to talk about money, this is one situation where I would think that it would be ok to do so. usually when people are asking how much a gun of mine costs, it's because they are interested in one and want to know if it's financially possible for them to own one. again, I've never taken offense by someone asking what I paid for a gun and never offended anyone that I'm aware of by asking that question.
there is nothing in either of these two rules, that I can see that increase safety or courtesy. if you don't like someone asking how much a gun costs, then only shoot alone in the woods. most people that shoot in public, believe it or not, like guns and I would never be offended by someone being overly cautious. I'd rather them check my weapon clear without asking that having a negligent discharge because I didn't explicitly allow them to check my gun.
Safestuffer
New member
I agree with most of this, but I think there is some here that is personal preference rather than sound safety.
I have always read and was taught that it is bad manners to hand someone a gun that does not have an open action. If you handed me a gun and I have to wonder if it is loaded and need to check it, in my book you are the one with bad manners.
Most of this I agree with, but as per rule #5 where you state not to touch metal when at all possible, I don't see what is wrong with slowly rolling a cylinder down the sleeve to make sure the gun is unloaded. It is not the same as flipping a cylinder closed, and I can see no harm that can come to the gun from doing so.
I agree...but if a person is respectful and reasonably careful, what is wrong with working the extractor rod? What are you afraid of them damaging? The extractor rod is meant to be worked, and part of my appreciation of a fine firearm is feeling the smoothness of finely fitted parts working as they should...spinning the cylinder when its open to feel the smoothness, working the hammer, feeling the trigger, checking the lockup, etc.
This one I fully agree with. I have a few break opens and have had to yell at a few friends of mine for snapping one or two closed at the range...even if it was a cheap coach double.
Ok...I can see that in some cases with some really expensive guns, but unless its a really nice gun or you hand me some white gloves before you hand me the gun, I'm going to get a little peeved if you freak out if I leave a fingerprint on your gun that you just handed me to look at.
Why not? If I really like it that is the first thing I want to know so I can start the process of getting one.
All in all, some good advice, and some things I think are your personal preferences and not necessarily related to safety or proper gun handling.
I have always read and was taught that it is bad manners to hand someone a gun that does not have an open action. If you handed me a gun and I have to wonder if it is loaded and need to check it, in my book you are the one with bad manners.
Most of this I agree with, but as per rule #5 where you state not to touch metal when at all possible, I don't see what is wrong with slowly rolling a cylinder down the sleeve to make sure the gun is unloaded. It is not the same as flipping a cylinder closed, and I can see no harm that can come to the gun from doing so.
I agree...but if a person is respectful and reasonably careful, what is wrong with working the extractor rod? What are you afraid of them damaging? The extractor rod is meant to be worked, and part of my appreciation of a fine firearm is feeling the smoothness of finely fitted parts working as they should...spinning the cylinder when its open to feel the smoothness, working the hammer, feeling the trigger, checking the lockup, etc.
This one I fully agree with. I have a few break opens and have had to yell at a few friends of mine for snapping one or two closed at the range...even if it was a cheap coach double.
Ok...I can see that in some cases with some really expensive guns, but unless its a really nice gun or you hand me some white gloves before you hand me the gun, I'm going to get a little peeved if you freak out if I leave a fingerprint on your gun that you just handed me to look at.
Why not? If I really like it that is the first thing I want to know so I can start the process of getting one.
All in all, some good advice, and some things I think are your personal preferences and not necessarily related to safety or proper gun handling.
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It is assumed by both parties involved that the gun will be checked by the person receiving it.* If not, the person who does not make that assumption shall be informed of the general rule. If they object, they have no business handling firearms. They are informed of this and the firearms is placed on the table or counter. I have no patience for lax gun handling skills by those who should know better. Newbies are a different story.
That said, they should not hand off a gun with a closed action. I take personal responsibility for gun safety and ask they "show clear" prior to handoff. They should open the action, verify it is clear, ask the person receiving it to verify, and then hand it over.
* There are exceptions on the gun range. The "Ball and Dummy" drill comes to mind.
This is an interesting discussion. I always check to see if a gun is unloaded before handing it to someone else, unless they are in the act of shooting and the act of handing a loaded firearm is appropriate. I know many will disagree if this is ever appropriate.
I expect that person to confirm it is unloaded...or loaded as is fit for the situation.
From here on, let's assume the purpose is for general sharing, check out, etc.
I expect the gun to be unloaded when handed to me. I expect to be free to confirm as part of the handing it to me. Kind of like when I give someone a beer, I think it is reasonable for them to expect they can drink it. If I want to work the action more, field strip, test pull weight/quality, etc. I expect to ask.
If you expect me/others to receive a gun without being granted the freedom to check it's loaded status, that should be clear handing it over. I frankly would reject receiving it or hold it in a way that I could immediately and politely hand it back without being close to the controls.
I have looked at expensive museum pieces. When asked not to work the action, I immediately handed it back. I think the bolt handle was still half up.
I expect that person to confirm it is unloaded...or loaded as is fit for the situation.
From here on, let's assume the purpose is for general sharing, check out, etc.
I expect the gun to be unloaded when handed to me. I expect to be free to confirm as part of the handing it to me. Kind of like when I give someone a beer, I think it is reasonable for them to expect they can drink it. If I want to work the action more, field strip, test pull weight/quality, etc. I expect to ask.
If you expect me/others to receive a gun without being granted the freedom to check it's loaded status, that should be clear handing it over. I frankly would reject receiving it or hold it in a way that I could immediately and politely hand it back without being close to the controls.
I have looked at expensive museum pieces. When asked not to work the action, I immediately handed it back. I think the bolt handle was still half up.
gunslinger2000
New member
I have been dumbfounded by the number of people now that will hand you their loaded concealed carry piece!!!!! gunslinger
Good information to those just starting out and reminder for some old. I too will never hand a FA to anyone unless I clear it and open the action. However, I do not think it is necessarily bad form to ask how much the gun runs, especially if it is liked and there is though of getting one. Its not like someone is asking your annual income
Like others have also said, I too automatically check a FA handed to me to see if its loaded. I assume if you are handing me a FA it implies a certain amount of latitude like checking to see if loaded. I do not take anyone's word on this matter. By handing a FA cleared and open also minimizes some of the other concerns discussed in the thread.
Like others have also said, I too automatically check a FA handed to me to see if its loaded. I assume if you are handing me a FA it implies a certain amount of latitude like checking to see if loaded. I do not take anyone's word on this matter. By handing a FA cleared and open also minimizes some of the other concerns discussed in the thread.
I've never been rich enough to be offended by people asking how much my guns cost. Neither am I offended when someone asks how much my chainsaw, mower, or nail gun costs. I am always comparing costs and value of various goods and figure many other folks are too.
Good manners is also asking for basic operation instruction if you are unfamiliar with the firearm model, before accepting it.
Manners goes both ways. If there are special handling "rules" you have then politely inform the other person to avoid damage and embarrassment. Not everyone is familiar with ever firearm operation, weaknesses or value.
Good manners is also asking for basic operation instruction if you are unfamiliar with the firearm model, before accepting it.
Manners goes both ways. If there are special handling "rules" you have then politely inform the other person to avoid damage and embarrassment. Not everyone is familiar with ever firearm operation, weaknesses or value.
I'm not a rich guy and I don't find the question necessarily offensive, but I'm always a little disappointed in folks whose first question tends to be "How much did you pay for it?"
This thread is about manners and that just seems to be a gotcha question, since it's sometimes followed up by comments like, "I wouldn't pay that much for it" regardless of how good your deal was. They're looking to start an argument where none is needed.
I see this on a regular basis. Some people think they're incapable of having an accident, or they're severely lacking in impulse control. When reprimanded, they usually get huffy.
If there's a conflict between safety and manners, guess which wins? Sorry if I dinged Joe Bob's fragile pride in front of the wife, but manners would entail not placing other people in danger.
I was always told that it is rude to ask someone how much they make or what they paid for something and I try to live by that.
What I have done when looking at someones gun that I was admiring was say something along the lines of, "That sure is a nice gun. What are they selling for now a days, do you know?" They may answer with what they paid but at least you are not directly asking what they paid. Just the way I was brought up.
What I have done when looking at someones gun that I was admiring was say something along the lines of, "That sure is a nice gun. What are they selling for now a days, do you know?" They may answer with what they paid but at least you are not directly asking what they paid. Just the way I was brought up.
I used to do that until I had someone slam the slide home on one of my finest 1911s. And also the nieces boyfriend that flipped the cylinder closed on my unfired 686-2.
After that I got to the point that if they don't knowing about guns and want to see one I show them it's empty, making them confirm it, then close slide/cylinder and hand it to them. I tried in both cases to tell them not to do what they did and they did it anyway.
tahunua001
New member
I guess I'm lucky, I have never done this or seen it done. I've had a few guys hand me their concealed carry piece, usually it's the guy working the counter but they always removed the mag, locked the slide back and handed it to me in that fashion. I always handed it back the same so that they didn't have to go through the whole 5 step process of putting it back in condition 1.
as I said in my earlier post I've never been offended by anyone asking what a gun costs or what I paid for it, I take it as someone interested in what I have and are looking to get one for themselves. although i never really come out and ask what the shooter themselves paid for it, I do regularly ask what they normally run. but this is kindof beside the OP who specifically says not to ask what it costs which I take to mean any context whether it's roundabout or not.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Ask permission to dry-fire, even if it's a centerfire. In fact, only if it's a centerfire, because if it's a rimfire - don't even ask; you shouldn't do it.
Exactly. I've never understood what's wrong with asking about costs.
Oh, and the "don't sweep anyone" thing definitely needs to be added - even though it's a violation of rule #2 of the 4 basic rules of gun safety, it is evidently NOT known by a lot of people, espec. in gun stores.
Exactly. I've never understood what's wrong with asking about costs.
Oh, and the "don't sweep anyone" thing definitely needs to be added - even though it's a violation of rule #2 of the 4 basic rules of gun safety, it is evidently NOT known by a lot of people, espec. in gun stores.
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Sorry, I don't agree with that one.
If someone is embarassed to admit how much they paid for something, especially something they are showing off to me, that's their problem. If I ask, it's because I am interested, maybe interested in getting one myself. I am not rude to be asking it. You're free to refuse to tell me if you like, but I'm not being rude to ask, and I actually think you would be rude to refuse to answer.
Fair Market Value is the dollar amount that is the most relevant to a current selling/buying price. Today's Fair Market Value may be $2,500 for a firearm your great grandfather bought for $25 many years ago. If I was interested in a firearm with a Fair Market Value of approximately $2,500, the fact that the great grandfather of the seller bought the gun new for $25 many years ago would be very interesting but not very relevant to the current Fair Market Value (other than a person's appreciation for the change, i.e., increase, in value over the years.)
Edit: Sorry, My reply addresses posts about price rather than the OP, not the posts about handling a firearm. I keep an SR9c loaded but without one in the chamber in our second floor bedroom closet. I pull the magazine and check the chamber EVERY time I touch the gun - maybe several times a day.
Edit: Sorry, My reply addresses posts about price rather than the OP, not the posts about handling a firearm. I keep an SR9c loaded but without one in the chamber in our second floor bedroom closet. I pull the magazine and check the chamber EVERY time I touch the gun - maybe several times a day.
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We are probably both from the same generation since this is what I was taught also as an absolute must-do, to hand over a firearm with the action open, revolver with the cylinder out and after checking and showing that it is unloaded. The person taking the gun then checked loading status again before further handling.
This is just part of a safety net that will help avoid unpleasant surprises.