This guy gives GOOD advice, especially for newbies going to a gun store for the first time…
And all of these people DO exist, and if you get one “my” recommendation would be to just leave and go to another store. If that isn’t an option, politely ask to see what you wanted to look at and tune the guy out. For the ladies, if you’re getting patronized, ask to speak to the manager or someone else. I’m seeing more and more stores where women are behind the counter too, and the are more knowledgeable and less critical of newbies than most of the other salespeople…
And all of these people DO exist, and if you get one “my” recommendation would be to just leave and go to another store. If that isn’t an option, politely ask to see what you wanted to look at and tune the guy out. For the ladies, if you’re getting patronized, ask to speak to the manager or someone else. I’m seeing more and more stores where women are behind the counter too, and the are more knowledgeable and less critical of newbies than most of the other salespeople…
I was right there with him until he got to “Old Farts” . . . . . . .
Simply referring to a Glock, 1911 Kimber or Springfield as “gun” and not “handgun”, “pistol” or “firearm” put me off from the beginning. “Gun” refers to a smoothbore – a ‘shotgun’ is a gun.
eia- Yeah, but there ARE old farts… I know a few of them!
LL- True.
I have found that going to the store with a knowledgeable friend is helpful.
Otherwise, taking classes is good. Going shooting with friends and groups of friends is good. Both of these activities will allow a beginner to try different firearms and that will be the most helpful in order for them to determine which firearms work best for them. Each person has a different body style so there is no knowing which firearm will suit them best except by trying them.
By the time all of that activity is accomplished, the trip to the gun store is more a matter of price shopping the firearm that they want.
Opus- Excellent point, knowledge in any form is better than going in cold. And all those activites help form a idea of what a person really wants, rather than trying to do it all on the fly and based on just reading. Like grip size, recoil, ability to actually run the gun correctly, etc…
Way over my head. What I need to know is the cylinder rotates the right way or the wrong way.
Old Farts? From a puppy…
If you walk into a gun shop and fail to receive a smile or welcome within a minute or so, walk back out. Having said that many cities have stores packed twenty-four seven and they really don’t give a damn if you spend your cash with them or not…find a mom and pop shop instead.
So he calls them “guns”…. he’s still spot-on about a lot of the folks behind the counter.
Went into my LGS the other day. The only revolvers left were Italian SAA clones.
WSF- LOL
Stephen- Understood, and agree, the mom and pops will almost ALWAYS treat you better!
CM- Ouch, that is not good when that is all that is left…
The range/gun shop I go to is quite good when it comes to helping women.
They don’t try and push any particular gun to a female, and are very knowledgeable and friendly.
I guess it helps that the owners let their daughter run things!
The local M&P gun shop is sooo into themselves that it’s not even funny. I’m stick’n with Buzz, the Old Farts and a few Gunny Gals for now! Besides they have better tall tales….