What is an Expert?
- Thread starter DocFox
- Start date
You don't need to to be an expert to cut a card with a bullet--you also don't need to shoot .01moa, and you don't even have to be able to see the card.
I have done this with a pistol at shorter ranges, and the key is to make a visible aiming point on the target backboard that is lined up with the card. It also helps (if you're using a pistol) to orient the card vertically.
You will also have to have a firearm/ammo/sight combo that is capable of shooting all its rounds into holes that touch each other at the range you intend to shoot if you want to make the shot every time.
BTW, I am NRA certified to teach basic safety courses in Home Firearm Safety, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, and Personal Protection. I think I can say with some authority that being certified is not necessarily evidence of being an expert. And perhaps some will agree with me now that I have made this revelation!
I have done this with a pistol at shorter ranges, and the key is to make a visible aiming point on the target backboard that is lined up with the card. It also helps (if you're using a pistol) to orient the card vertically.
You will also have to have a firearm/ammo/sight combo that is capable of shooting all its rounds into holes that touch each other at the range you intend to shoot if you want to make the shot every time.
BTW, I am NRA certified to teach basic safety courses in Home Firearm Safety, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, and Personal Protection. I think I can say with some authority that being certified is not necessarily evidence of being an expert. And perhaps some will agree with me now that I have made this revelation!
StormTrooper
New member
well, i was impressed, but i am also just trying to perfect my own abilities right now.
An expert is a person who has mastered the basics and can perform them consistently under pressure, on demand and independent of luck, fate or Karma. They can explain how they do something and why. An expert can evaluate new data and reach a conclusion on its value on its own merits. An expert can continually teach, and continually learns.
They also own and can tie a tie
They also own and can tie a tie
Being this is a firearms discussion forum, I will say that just being part of law enforcement and/or military does NOT make one an expert. I can vouch first hand for this. Although, the few people I believe to be experts were indeed part of the military and/or law enforcement.
I guess credentials and experience would really come into play here. I voted “other,” but I think I should have voted for “training.” How would you classify someone a golf expert, or an expert on modern economics? I would go with their level of education and experience first and foremost.
I guess credentials and experience would really come into play here. I voted “other,” but I think I should have voted for “training.” How would you classify someone a golf expert, or an expert on modern economics? I would go with their level of education and experience first and foremost.
Two different animals...expert is pretty subjective...instructors are a different matter.
I have always liked the phrase..."sometimes a teacher...always a student"
The better teachers are always questioning the status quo....but not changing their approach merely to be "trendy"
Someone that considers themselves an "expert" probably has quite a bit to learn
I have always liked the phrase..."sometimes a teacher...always a student"
The better teachers are always questioning the status quo....but not changing their approach merely to be "trendy"
Someone that considers themselves an "expert" probably has quite a bit to learn
Know Their Limitation
Some time ago, a study was done to see how people view themsleves as far as knowing things. They gave a bunch of folks a math test. The test went from easy arithmetic through calculus. After each person finished the test they were interviewed on how they felt they did. Some of the test takers were bragging on how easy the test was and that they aced it. Some of the subjects felt confident, but they had some lingering doubts about some of the math problems. They thought they did well, but were a bit nervous.
They then scored the tests. The people that bragged the most did the worse. The people that had cautious confidence did the best.
The point was, that many folks that brag and act like they know everything are actually hiding a lack of knowledge. People that are truly experts in a particular field are confident, but not obnoxious about their skills. I have found this to be the case in dealing with others. Generally, the more a person brags about stuff, the less I am impressed. I have more confidence in a Doctor that occasionally utters the words, "I am not sure," then any MD that doesn't feel they make mistakes.
Some time ago, a study was done to see how people view themsleves as far as knowing things. They gave a bunch of folks a math test. The test went from easy arithmetic through calculus. After each person finished the test they were interviewed on how they felt they did. Some of the test takers were bragging on how easy the test was and that they aced it. Some of the subjects felt confident, but they had some lingering doubts about some of the math problems. They thought they did well, but were a bit nervous.
They then scored the tests. The people that bragged the most did the worse. The people that had cautious confidence did the best.
The point was, that many folks that brag and act like they know everything are actually hiding a lack of knowledge. People that are truly experts in a particular field are confident, but not obnoxious about their skills. I have found this to be the case in dealing with others. Generally, the more a person brags about stuff, the less I am impressed. I have more confidence in a Doctor that occasionally utters the words, "I am not sure," then any MD that doesn't feel they make mistakes.
Ok gang, confession time. This thread was actually to prove a point to a friend (and we had $100 on the outcome, thanks for helping me win guys).
Now for the explanation (going to be a bit long, sorry)
I've only been on this forum for a short time, but had noticed certain people had very adamant and forceful OPINIONS. The people in question tended to present their points and opinions as if they were experts and others "just don't know what they're talking about". Frequently suggesting (or outright saying) "you're wrong" or "I know more, so listen to me" , never asking a question about opinions, never exploring concepts outside their own box. It was my belief that these would be the ones who would not post in this thread, and I have yet to see one of them do so.
I commend the ones who did post, it shows that you truly thought about it, and questioning the "why's and wherefore's" are what allow us to grow. Remember, Columbus was told he was wrong, and so were most innovators in every field. Even if you are 100% certain you are right, never stop wondeing if you could be wrong, never stop asking someone why they believe what they do. Even the greatest teacher can learn from the lowliest student, if the teacher keeps an open mind.
Forums like this are wonderous places to SHARE knowledge, the more we argue and the less we ask questions, the more the ones who really do know, the real experts, will stay quiet.
All that being said, instructors are a dime a dozen. Good teachers are rare, and are nothing more than life long students that know something we don't.
Experts, well, this is truly subjective. It depends on who you are compared to. Most of us are experts when compared to novices, and most experts are novices when compared to the "one percenters" (the top of the food chain so to speak). It's funny, the one percenters think of themselves as novices, what does that say about the self proclaimed "experts"?
Now for the explanation (going to be a bit long, sorry)
I've only been on this forum for a short time, but had noticed certain people had very adamant and forceful OPINIONS. The people in question tended to present their points and opinions as if they were experts and others "just don't know what they're talking about". Frequently suggesting (or outright saying) "you're wrong" or "I know more, so listen to me" , never asking a question about opinions, never exploring concepts outside their own box. It was my belief that these would be the ones who would not post in this thread, and I have yet to see one of them do so.
I commend the ones who did post, it shows that you truly thought about it, and questioning the "why's and wherefore's" are what allow us to grow. Remember, Columbus was told he was wrong, and so were most innovators in every field. Even if you are 100% certain you are right, never stop wondeing if you could be wrong, never stop asking someone why they believe what they do. Even the greatest teacher can learn from the lowliest student, if the teacher keeps an open mind.
Forums like this are wonderous places to SHARE knowledge, the more we argue and the less we ask questions, the more the ones who really do know, the real experts, will stay quiet.
All that being said, instructors are a dime a dozen. Good teachers are rare, and are nothing more than life long students that know something we don't.
Experts, well, this is truly subjective. It depends on who you are compared to. Most of us are experts when compared to novices, and most experts are novices when compared to the "one percenters" (the top of the food chain so to speak). It's funny, the one percenters think of themselves as novices, what does that say about the self proclaimed "experts"?
I think that's the best definition in the thread.sendec said:
Someone else commented that there's a difference between an instructor & an expert. That was my initial thought too, but after thinking about it longer it seems to me that there should not be such a difference -- especially if using Sendec's definition.
pax
One more thing...
Let's not confuse being an "expert" with a being good instructor or teacher.
An expert is more knowledgeable than most others in a particular area, and so others view him/her as an expert.
A good instructor is almost always knowledgeable about the subject that they are teaching, but there is more to it than (only) knowledge and experience that will make them a good instructor, or teacher, or coach.
Let's not confuse being an "expert" with a being good instructor or teacher.
An expert is more knowledgeable than most others in a particular area, and so others view him/her as an expert.
A good instructor is almost always knowledgeable about the subject that they are teaching, but there is more to it than (only) knowledge and experience that will make them a good instructor, or teacher, or coach.
dave_in_delaware
New member
Seems I'm a bit late on this post, but "expert" is defined as:
1 (obsolete) : EXPERIENCED
2 : having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience
synonym see PROFICIENT
So, to me, for someone to be an expert, he/she has to have a special skill or knowledge about something (in this case, something gun-related), which comes from training and/or experience. They don't have to have skills and knowledge in everything related to guns, though, to be experts. They could specialize in some particular subject (gunsmithing, marksmanship, history of a manufacturer, etc). An expert can be specialized, focused on one thing.
As far as instructor qualifications, I would think that they should be experts in what they're going to teach. And they would have gotten this qualification by training to do it, or from many years of experience. You don't have to know everything about everything to be a teacher. You just have to know your subject matter and be able to convey it to your students so they understand.
I consider the sergeant at my range who showed me handgun rapid fire techniques to be an expert, but only at rapid fire w/ a handgun. He may know nothing about rifles. Unlikely for being in the Army, but it's just an example. For me, I guess you could call me an expert in using AutoCAD (from both training and 15 years experience), but there's still a lot of the program I don't know about.
Personally, I am neither an expert nor an instructor. I'm a willing student, thirsty for knowledge and improved skills. Technically, I'm probably still a novice, but I'm trying to get better. Practice, practice, and more practice.
1 (obsolete) : EXPERIENCED
2 : having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience
synonym see PROFICIENT
So, to me, for someone to be an expert, he/she has to have a special skill or knowledge about something (in this case, something gun-related), which comes from training and/or experience. They don't have to have skills and knowledge in everything related to guns, though, to be experts. They could specialize in some particular subject (gunsmithing, marksmanship, history of a manufacturer, etc). An expert can be specialized, focused on one thing.
As far as instructor qualifications, I would think that they should be experts in what they're going to teach. And they would have gotten this qualification by training to do it, or from many years of experience. You don't have to know everything about everything to be a teacher. You just have to know your subject matter and be able to convey it to your students so they understand.
I consider the sergeant at my range who showed me handgun rapid fire techniques to be an expert, but only at rapid fire w/ a handgun. He may know nothing about rifles. Unlikely for being in the Army, but it's just an example. For me, I guess you could call me an expert in using AutoCAD (from both training and 15 years experience), but there's still a lot of the program I don't know about.
Personally, I am neither an expert nor an instructor. I'm a willing student, thirsty for knowledge and improved skills. Technically, I'm probably still a novice, but I'm trying to get better. Practice, practice, and more practice.
Hardtarget
New member
Definition of an expert...from my Dad.
X is an unknown quanity...
spurt...just a drip under pressure.
I quallify in both catagories.
Actually, I know just enough to know better than to make that claim. I just like to shoot.
Mark.
X is an unknown quanity...
spurt...just a drip under pressure.
I quallify in both catagories.
Actually, I know just enough to know better than to make that claim. I just like to shoot.
Mark.