Terminology.......

My thoughts exaclty. The "platform" thing has gotten to be just silly.

Along with auto pistols having "uppers":confused:
 
With all the accessories available for different purposes and with caliber conversions many guns could be considered a "platform" that could be built off of. Just think of all the different variations of the 1911.
 
I think it's from all those military oriented shows on TV. The F-117 is not a jet, it's a weapons platform from which to launch various ordinance. A Humvee is a weapons platform to launch grenades or fire machine guns. But, a gun is not a weapons platform, it is the weapon.
 
The first use I heard of the term was in the auto industry, where the basic frame was and is called the platform. So a platform can be used for a four door sedan, a convertible, a pickup truck, a delivery van, etc. The car magazines picked up the term, and it spread from there.

It means any base or basic item to which parts and accessories can be added to produce different versions.

Jim
 
It reflects the style of pistol, not it's intended use. For example you can run an IDPA course with a 1911 platform or striker fired pistol such as a Glock. A combat pistol could be any platform you choose, (my S&W M19 for example.)
 
When did handguns get to be "platforms?"

Seems like the term came into vogue 'bout 5 or 6 years ago. I've never seen the point- just semantic gymnastics if you ask me- I call 'em all (semiautos & revolvers) guns and no one gets confused. :cool:
 
Noreaster - begs the question, why don't folks just call it "1911-style" or "1911-type?"

I'm with Bob and other old fart colleagues - seems more like a marketing gimmick than anything else. Taking advantage of deconstruction of the English language, in a way. If I quit a job, it might have "affected" the company's operations. But back then, it didn't "impact" the operations. "Impact" was what happened when the howitzer round landed. Don't recall when "impact" became a verb, but I'd guess it wasn't one in the Webster's dictionary of 1955.
 
I've used platform in place of "handgun". Not sure why I did when I think about it. I say pistol so much more than handgun, I probably didn't think to say "handgun"
 
FloridaVeteran: said:
481 - how difficult or complicated is the math in that book you like? It is $4 in Kindle format, but there are no reviews.
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Not too bad.

Nothing more than a little algebra at worst (you can skip it if you want and still use the model) and there is a chapter full of really clear examples that'll show you how to use the model if that is what you're after.

The author does a good job of breaking it down "bubba style" step-by-step for those of us at the back of the classroom who are prone to throwing spit-balls. :D

I got mine off Barnes & Noble for a bit less than that- like 3 1/2 bucks. There were also some reviews there, IIRC.

:)
 
481 - thanks. For $4, I'll buy it and try it. LOL re spitballs - when did that term go out? Sounds like you might be an old fart like some of us, or else spitballs lasted a lot longer than I'd have guessed. These days, our peashooters of old might be classified as dangerous weapons.

I'm assuming that you can't download and read a Barnes & Noble e-book on a Kindle, not that I care a whole lot about 50 cents.
 
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FloridaVeteran: said:
thanks. For $4, I'll buy it and try it. LOL re spitballs - when did that term go out? Sounds like you might be an old fart like some of us, or else spitballs lasted a lot longer than I'd have guessed. These days, our peashooters of old might be classified as dangerous weapons.

I'm assuming that you can't download and read a Barnes & Noble e-book on a Kindle, not that I care a whole lot about 50 cents.
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Sure, you are welcome.

Not sure about the compatability of the various ebook formats- that's a good question.

As to the "spitball" reference, yeah, I am kinda old and kinda smelly- guess I qualify as an ol' fart- the ones (spitballs/peashooters) we had would give today's educator's a case of the vapors- we knew how to make 'em sting and vengeance was a fickle mistress. :D
 
When did handguns get to be "platforms?"
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I don't know.

Is this yuppiespeak?
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I don't think so. I think it's just plain wrong.

Originally, platforms were things to stand on, walk on, put things on, mount things on, and so forth.

"Weapons platforms" were and are things used to mount weapons on. This usage goes back a while.

Some decades ago, the term "platform" was adopted to define a computer software and hardware architecture.

On a related subject, one can now acquire software systems known as trading platforms to facilitate the buying and selling of stocks and bonds.

I could see how someone might call an M-16 on which a rocket grenade launcher was mounted a "platform".

But a 1911 "platform"?--no, not for me.

I wonder how many yuppies have 1911 pistols....
 
Platform? Get off my 1911!

I have used the word before on this forum and now that I think about it, boy do I feel silly. I think all too often people use a word or phrase to sound knowledgable but when you think about what they said it is wrong or just silly. One thing that bothers me is when people make up words or shorten them or throw in slash between two words such as "this slash that". The English language just ain't what it usta be! I often think people just talk to hear themselves rather than actually say anything, much as I am doing now.
 
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