First timer questions: Who here has seen the elephant?

Reeps · January 25, 2005, 06:23 PM

I have been lurking around here for a while, I have noticed that a number of people here seem to be really sharp and up to date in their info. I was just wondering if any one here has had to use their arm to defend themselves. I just recently had to use my 629-9 Traillboss to shoot a dog in my neighborhood. So I was curious to see who here has used their weapon.
I dont know that I need to know the specifics just if it has happened.
Thanks.

XavierBreath · January 25, 2005, 06:27 PM

I always hate to be the first to speak up, but I have seen that elephant, been picked up by him and rode him in the jungle.

Gary L. Griffiths · January 25, 2005, 09:08 PM

On several occasions.

Never had to actually shoot the elephant, thankfully.

chris in va · January 25, 2005, 09:29 PM

I'm curious about this myself.

seb5 · January 25, 2005, 09:35 PM

Several times over the years. I've never had to shoot anybody. Had several looking down the barrel.

Psalm 144:1 · January 25, 2005, 10:33 PM

Been on both sides of the muzzle. Neither side is much fun,but behind is better. No shots fired,but one heck of a fight once. I won....

Reeps · January 25, 2005, 10:57 PM

Thanks for responding, folks.

Wade · January 25, 2005, 11:07 PM

Was on the receiving end of a .38 snub once (shoved into my stomach). It was the one time in my life I was truly terrified. Not a "life experience" I want to repeat.

Wynterbourne · January 25, 2005, 11:18 PM

The first time that I was ever shot at by someone, in a malicious fashion, was when I was 17. I was mugged in downtown Fort Worth near the Water Gardens. I lost my watch, my wallet, and nearly my life.

To this day I could tell you that it was a blued steel Smith & Wesson .38 caliber snubby with wood grips. I can tell you that she fired off five shots at me. I can tell you that at least two of them ricocheted off of the concrete within inches of me, and that concrete fragments fragging HURT when they pull them out of your face.

I wish I could say that was the only time I was ever shot at. Unfortunately, I wasn't always the shining image of virtue that I am today. I can still remember every single one of them.

The first time that I was able to defend myself from someone with a weapon is something that I do not talk about, even to my wife.

Sufficed to say I've seen the elephant, heard his trumpet, and smelled the stench from the big pile of sh** that was left behind when he was done. Unfortunately, it was in my pants at the time.

Wynterbourne · January 25, 2005, 11:27 PM

Sorry. Editted to remove double tap post.

Samuel2001 · January 26, 2005, 01:20 AM

Wynterbourne,
Nice twist on my sig line! I aprove!!

phat694 · January 26, 2005, 01:20 PM

Have been on the receiving end of a bretta p92 stainless steel 9mm from a robbery about 5 years ago. I would hate to think of what would happen now if someone tried to rob me again.

Blind Tree Frog · January 26, 2005, 02:20 PM

Couple holloweens ago while I was walking down the street with my drunk friend late at night, someone stuck their head out of the back seat of a car window with a bandanda over their face. He pumped a shot gun and said "give me your wallet" I was sober and decided it was a toy shotgun so I kept walking. Since he pumped it again before trying to get my wallet from me again I figure I was right.

Either way he drove off. If I had a gun at the time would I have tried to shoot him and not worried if it was a toy or not? Who knows. Not worried about it until it happens again.

XavierBreath · January 26, 2005, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Sufficed to say I've seen the elephant, heard his trumpet, and smelled the stench from the big pile of sh** that was left behind when he was done. Unfortunately, it was in my pants at the time.

Yessuh! Brother Wynterbourne done seen dat elephant! ROTFLMO!

snacktrack · January 26, 2005, 05:12 PM

can someone explain the origin of the phrase, who has seen the elephant. I mean I can gather what it means from context, but not really sure.

XavierBreath · January 26, 2005, 05:28 PM

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk
Cried, "Ho! what have we here,
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me `tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up he spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he;
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope.
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

Moral:

So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!

John Godfrey Saxe

MooseRLP · January 26, 2005, 05:51 PM

Unfortunatly my friend has seen the Elephant. This is the reason I carry 24/7.

R.I.P Robert W.Kramer we miss you

shu · January 26, 2005, 09:43 PM

the phrase 'seen the elephant' was used in the mid 1800's, the times of wagon trains from st louis to oregon and california, referring to those travelers who tired of the hardships on the trail, turned back, or just dropped out and settled where they were.

when young, vigorous, and ambitious, we yearn to travel to new places and see strange things (e.g. an elephant). but after weeks of dragging west across the plains, suffering thirst and other deprivations, some decided they had seen enough.

the expression may be older than that.

nobanforme · January 26, 2005, 09:46 PM

Yes!!! No fun!!

shu · January 26, 2005, 09:46 PM

courtesy of google
http://www.goldrush.com/~joann/elephant.htm

AttackTurtle · January 26, 2005, 09:49 PM

Twice in 2 months, I have feared for my life. Im glad I found this forum.

Nnobby45 · January 26, 2005, 10:15 PM

also refers to an earlier time in America during the time of the traveling Circus. People would travel long distances (for them) to visit the circus, and it was thought that a young man hadn't really been anywhere or done anything until he had gone to the circus and "seen the elephant".

HosMan · January 27, 2005, 12:47 AM

Hmmm...not very romantic nor very noble but the last time I used one of my pistols for something other than plinking/informal target was when I shot a cat. Poor thing was a neglected neighborhood "pet" that was slowly dying of cancer and had an incurable skin condintion. One point blank head shot and no....I am not proud of it but it was the humane thing to do.

January 25, 2005, 06:23 PM	#1
Reeps Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: The Flatlands Posts: 46	First timer questions: Who here has seen the elephant? I have been lurking around here for a while, I have noticed that a number of people here seem to be really sharp and up to date in their info. I was just wondering if any one here has had to use their arm to defend themselves. I just recently had to use my 629-9 Traillboss to shoot a dog in my neighborhood. So I was curious to see who here has used their weapon. I dont know that I need to know the specifics just if it has happened. Thanks.

January 25, 2005, 09:08 PM	#3
Gary L. Griffiths Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Location: AZ, WA Posts: 1,469	On several occasions. Never had to actually shoot the elephant, thankfully. __________________ Violence is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and valorous feeling which believes that nothing is worth violence is much worse. Those who have nothing for which they are willing to fight; nothing they care about more than their own craven apathy; are miserable creatures who have no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the valor of those better than themselves. Gary L. Griffiths (Paraphrasing John Stuart Mill)

January 25, 2005, 11:27 PM	#10
Wynterbourne Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2004 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 292	Sorry. Editted to remove double tap post. Last edited by Wynterbourne; January 26, 2005 at 12:03 AM.

January 26, 2005, 01:20 PM	#12
phat694 Junior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: colorado Posts: 8	from a robbery Have been on the receiving end of a bretta p92 stainless steel 9mm from a robbery about 5 years ago. I would hate to think of what would happen now if someone tried to rob me again.

January 26, 2005, 10:15 PM	#22
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	Saw the Elephant also refers to an earlier time in America during the time of the traveling Circus. People would travel long distances (for them) to visit the circus, and it was thought that a young man hadn't really been anywhere or done anything until he had gone to the circus and "seen the elephant".

January 25, 2005, 06:27 PM	#2
XavierBreath Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2002 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 2,800	I always hate to be the first to speak up, but I have seen that elephant, been picked up by him and rode him in the jungle.

January 25, 2005, 09:29 PM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I'm curious about this myself.

January 25, 2005, 09:35 PM	#5
seb5 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 477	Several times over the years. I've never had to shoot anybody. Had several looking down the barrel.

January 25, 2005, 10:33 PM	#6
Psalm 144:1 Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Posts: 51	Been on both sides of the muzzle. Neither side is much fun,but behind is better. No shots fired,but one heck of a fight once. I won....

January 25, 2005, 10:57 PM	#7
Reeps Member Join Date: January 9, 2005 Location: The Flatlands Posts: 46	Thanks for responding, folks.

January 25, 2005, 11:07 PM	#8
Wade Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2000 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 178	Was on the receiving end of a .38 snub once (shoved into my stomach). It was the one time in my life I was truly terrified. Not a "life experience" I want to repeat.

January 25, 2005, 11:18 PM	#9
Wynterbourne Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2004 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 292	The first time that I was ever shot at by someone, in a malicious fashion, was when I was 17. I was mugged in downtown Fort Worth near the Water Gardens. I lost my watch, my wallet, and nearly my life. To this day I could tell you that it was a blued steel Smith & Wesson .38 caliber snubby with wood grips. I can tell you that she fired off five shots at me. I can tell you that at least two of them ricocheted off of the concrete within inches of me, and that concrete fragments fragging HURT when they pull them out of your face. I wish I could say that was the only time I was ever shot at. Unfortunately, I wasn't always the shining image of virtue that I am today. I can still remember every single one of them. The first time that I was able to defend myself from someone with a weapon is something that I do not talk about, even to my wife. Sufficed to say I've seen the elephant, heard his trumpet, and smelled the stench from the big pile of sh** that was left behind when he was done. Unfortunately, it was in my pants at the time.

January 26, 2005, 01:20 AM	#11
Samuel2001 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2001 Posts: 838	Wynterbourne, Nice twist on my sig line! I aprove!!

January 26, 2005, 02:20 PM	#13
Blind Tree Frog Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2005 Posts: 298	Couple holloweens ago while I was walking down the street with my drunk friend late at night, someone stuck their head out of the back seat of a car window with a bandanda over their face. He pumped a shot gun and said "give me your wallet" I was sober and decided it was a toy shotgun so I kept walking. Since he pumped it again before trying to get my wallet from me again I figure I was right. Either way he drove off. If I had a gun at the time would I have tried to shoot him and not worried if it was a toy or not? Who knows. Not worried about it until it happens again.

January 26, 2005, 05:12 PM	#15
snacktrack Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2005 Location: Wilmington DE Posts: 291	can someone explain the origin of the phrase, who has seen the elephant. I mean I can gather what it means from context, but not really sure.

January 26, 2005, 05:28 PM	#16
XavierBreath Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2002 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 2,800	It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind. The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: "God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!" The Second, feeling of the tusk Cried, "Ho! what have we here, So very round and smooth and sharp? To me `tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!" The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up he spake: "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a snake!" The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee: "What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he; "'Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!" The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: "E'en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!" The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope. "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a rope!" And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong! Moral: So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen! John Godfrey Saxe

January 26, 2005, 05:51 PM	#17
MooseRLP Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Posts: 20	Unfortunatly my friend has seen the Elephant. This is the reason I carry 24/7. R.I.P Robert W.Kramer we miss you

January 26, 2005, 09:43 PM	#18
shu Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2000 Location: lower rio grande valley, texas Posts: 216	the phrase 'seen the elephant' was used in the mid 1800's, the times of wagon trains from st louis to oregon and california, referring to those travelers who tired of the hardships on the trail, turned back, or just dropped out and settled where they were. when young, vigorous, and ambitious, we yearn to travel to new places and see strange things (e.g. an elephant). but after weeks of dragging west across the plains, suffering thirst and other deprivations, some decided they had seen enough. the expression may be older than that.

January 26, 2005, 09:46 PM	#19
nobanforme Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 389	Yes!!! No fun!!

January 26, 2005, 09:49 PM	#21
AttackTurtle Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2005 Location: Washington NJ Posts: 248	Twice in 2 months, I have feared for my life. Im glad I found this forum.

January 27, 2005, 12:47 AM	#23
HosMan Member Join Date: January 4, 2005 Location: Valley Springs,CA(Sierra Foothills) Posts: 24	Hmmm...not very romantic nor very noble but the last time I used one of my pistols for something other than plinking/informal target was when I shot a cat. Poor thing was a neglected neighborhood "pet" that was slowly dying of cancer and had an incurable skin condintion. One point blank head shot and no....I am not proud of it but it was the humane thing to do.