Want to get this off my chest/Your opinions

S

SHNOMIDO

New member
OK, ill start with the story.

So yesterday i'm at my second choice LGS, looking around, just browsing. A couple of fellas are looking at ruger SR-9's. I walk up, ask the guys, mind if i look a that? never handled one before, they say, sure go for it. Ask the clerk, set down my FOID on the counter, he says go ahead sir.

He sets in down, muzzle facing him, handle facing me. were squared up with each other. Its a little crowded and i have people on the left and right of me. i pick it up, rack it to check the chamber, and just generally check it out. as soon as i pick it up he says "UM EXCUSE ME sir (sir sarcastically) do you MIND not pointing a gun at me?" I have to stress he was very rude, because it doesnt carry well in text.

Now i pretty much lost my temper, so i just said sorry, set it down, and walked away.

Now i ask the forum, when the pistol is laid muzzle to handle, how the heck are you supposed to even pick it up without pointing it at the other guy? am i supposed to stick my finger in the trigger gaurd and spin it around like a cowboy? should i have grabbed it around the top and turned my back to him? that sure doesnt look suspicious.

It just made me darn mad, and i want to know other peoples opinions. At my first choice LGS, they take the gun out of the case, check it, show YOU the chamber again, and hand it to you handle first, then take a step away.

Opinions?
 
You picked up the gun. You pointed it at him. You shouldn't have.

Learn to accept that you can make a mistake. When you do, accept it, learn from it and don't do it again.
 
You can never be too safe and I have learned not take others words that's it's safe when it comes to firearms. With that said, I think the clerk should have faced the muzzle toward him behind the counter since he was the one who safety checked it or SHOULD have checked it before handing it over

I can see how he might have overreacted. There's a polite way of saying things and plus he should have known that's how guns are displayed at a gun store
 
Last edited:
I can see where your frustration is coming from. The clerk already handed it to you with the muzzle pointing towards himself but decided to turn his awareness radar on only when you handled it. And technically speaking it would be impossible to pick it up initially with a secure grip in a way that doesn't point towards anyone if surrounded on all sides. Closing a fist around the muzzle would keep your hand away from the trigger but you'd be considered a true nut among gun nuts.

Sometimes I do a little play acting and handle a gun very tentatively - much more slowly than I actually feel comfortable doing just to not frighten the other person. It makes me look unskilled and I wonder if it's a tad deceitful to have them think I'm more new to guns than I seem. Oh well.

The only other alternative I can see about checking the chamber and anything afterwards for your situation would be to have done it with the muzzle pointing down toward the ground. Pointing up toward the ceiling would still be kind of spooky and people would expect to hear "this is a stick-up!" as you discharge a round. Definitely 1980's (or earlier) behavior :D Not a ton you can do about the initial grip on the gun though as it's laying on the glass case.
 
I do remember once picking up a gun with 2 hands at a gun store - left hand under the slide/barrel and right hand cupping the grip. Then adjusted later. It may not be the most secure or even safe grip but it doesn't look like a firing grip/stance. But who knows what it would have taken for that particular person. Anyone in the service business who feels at liberty to use sarcasm/belittle a customer will drive people away.
 
I personally try to feel each guy at a LGS out. Some are jumpy and do not want you aiming the weapon higher than the floor, Some will even muzzle sweep me after clearing the gun, I try my damdest not to muzzle sweep anyone but with SO many people moving around in your typical gun store it is almost impossible.

At my LGS of Choice their is no real safe direction to aim a weapon, only 2 of the 4 walls of the place do not have other rooms behind them. And aiming at one of the 2 "non room containing" walls means you are aiming in the direction of a display where people typically are.

Go out of your way to not muzzle sweep people, make eye contact with people who are going to pass in front of you and try to keep the weapon aimed low or high. Another good practice is to clear any weapon handed to you by someone else at least once even if you see them clear it.


PS TO THE OP: You weren't at a certain gun store in Dundee yesterday were you ?
 
Honestly? I'd say shrug and move on. He probably just wasn't thinking when he set it down, then chose to embarrass you instead of admitting his mistake.

Gun store employees are by no means gun safety experts (scary, but true :eek: ). At most places around here they will remove the mag, inspect the gun and hand it to you grip first with the slide or cylinder open. There's one particular store though with a guy who will just grab it out of the case and hand it to you.
 
Generally the guys in my LGS check weapons to make sure they're clear first, then hand them over grip-first to me. One of them told me they once received a weapon for someone from out-of-state, and there was a round in the chamber! I guess they are extra vigilant because of that.

If there are people around, a safe place to point the muzzle is down towards the floor.

Sounds like your guy was not really paying attention, and took it out on you. That said, one can't be too careful handling any firearms, muzzle sweeps are not cool
 
Most of the gun stores around here are very nice because they know that theyre running a local small business ans they want me to buy local. I dont understand why some just keep hiring rude clerks...how hard is it for me to buy online? Its easy as a click and even my neighborhood tool store can setup a ffl transfer.
 
Now i ask the forum, when the pistol is laid muzzle to handle, how the heck are you supposed to even pick it up without pointing it at the other guy?
Click to expand...

Pivot it up, grip end first, so that the muzzle is pointing into the counter. Finger out of the trigger guard, of course. Pull it to you, keeping the muzzle pointed to the floor. Once you have it, rack and latch the slide open, and re-check that the chamber is empty. Then do whatever handling and examination is appropriate.
 
Every store I go to checks the gun and then hands it to you handle first; so it is pointing at them. I then point it in a safe direction and check it myself. This is more as a habit I don't want to get out of than because I don't trust them.

I usually test how well it "points" first, so I pick a safe direction and remain pointing that way until I hand the gun back, again grip first.

There are some stores I don't go to because I don't like the way they do things. Basically you can do better online regardless, so if I make a purchase from a local store its because I like them.
 
I have had a couple of instances at gun shops that have turned me away for good.

Me and my dad were at one gun shop and my dad was looking for a holster. they didn't have one for his particular gun so the man behind the counter got talking to us about his holster he made. He proceeded to unholster his personal firearm and put the base of the grip on the counter while still holding the gun...it was pointed directly at my dad. He kept talking to my dad while holding it directly at him. After a bit he put it back in his holster but then took it out and laid it flat on the counter again pointing directly at him. Me and my dad shot each other a few glances during the few minutes this took place and I could tell he was thinking the same thing I was...what is this idiot doing? Lol afterwards we were talking about it and neither of us have returned since. Not that I never will but it shows that the man behind the counter isn't always the brightest.

Back in June i went to another shop to see if they were planning on trying to order the SR1911. There were 3 people working and i asked the first one. He said he didn't really know much about guns so he asked another guy if they were gonna try to order rugers 1911. He didn't even know they had made one. He asked another guy that I am guessing was the owner and he acted like I was an idiot and didn't even answer my question and started going on about a different 1911 to another customer. I stood there for awhile waiting for him to answer my question and he never even turned back to me or acknowledged I was there. The first kid just looked at me and shrugged his shoulders like I don't know what to tell you. I left and will never go back. If I worked in a gun shop I would try to know all I can about what is going on in the gun world. If I know more about guns than the man behind the counter there is a problem.

I am the customer and unless I do something that warrants being treated like I'm stupid, I don't expect to be treated disreapectful. I dont understand how shops that have people like that working for them stay in business.
 
I am the customer and unless I do something that warrants being treated like I'm stupid,
Click to expand...


Pointing a gun, loaded or un-loaded, at a person IS STUPID!!!!!!!!!!

If you put it in your hand, learn proper gun safety and proper ediquite.

No excusess, you did wrong. A gun on the counter is not the same as a gun in your hand. (Period)

Jim
 
Crowded environs are not a good place to examine a firearm. Hard to say much else without having been there.
 
pointing

Pivot it up, grip end first, so that the muzzle is pointing into the counter. Finger out of the trigger guard, of course. Pull it to you, keeping the muzzle pointed to the floor. Once you have it, rack and latch the slide open, and re-check that the chamber is empty. Then do whatever handling and examination is appropriate.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Pete
 
It is no skin off my buttocks if a clerk is rude, stupid or both. I'm there to buy a product. If the gun is in good shape and at a good price, I buy it.

What a clerk may say or do doesn't effect me.
 
I wasn't there so... If it was too crowded then you should daintily pick it up by the frame (no where near the normal grip) and then point the muzzle at the counter. Then proceed normally ensuring the gun isn't loaded and continue to point the gun at the ground/counter. If he gets ****** after than then you should talk to his manager (always keep your bearing and ensure you have every opportunity to make HIM look like he is overreacting and you are calm).

I don't take the employee's side on this one because talking to someone sarcastically with a gun is about the best way I know to get shot.
 
Jim,

I did not point a gun at anyone. The man behind the counter pointed his personal weapon at my dad. I'm sure it wasnt intentional but that isn't the point. I think you misread the post.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top