Are you fascinated by guns? Why? - Page 2

vito · April 24, 2016, 06:26 PM

Might be interesting to post this question on a social media location. Ask non-gun owners and non-enthusiasts why they think that some people love guns. They will tell you that us gun lovers are trying to make up for some deficiency, probably related to certain body parts, or that we have pathological desires to kill and hurt people, or we feel so insecure that we want to dominate other people through our firearms, etc. I guarantee that you would not get a single response that matches any on this forum. Guns are useful tools, marvels of engineering, fill a need that nothing else can fill, and fun to use, and harken back to our earliest instinctive drives for self preservation and success in a competitive and dangerous world.

Once when a relative who is outspoken in her anti-gun attitude asked me why I like guns, and I responded, "who wouldn't?".

gunnre · April 24, 2016, 07:40 PM

Hmmm. Many times, especially on the range alone, I find it meditative. I'm focused on the firearm, the target, the sights, the trigger, my grip, stance, my breath. Can't multi-task thinking of the wifey or work business.
Now I find I shot less and am more methodical and spend more productive time at the range.
Now I get to close out the afternoon or evening, marveling at the engineering while cleaning, inspecting, basically tending to the firearm before being stabled.

Now I can't wrap my brain around the idea that a firearms operational usefulness is that minuscule moment that the projectile spins down the barrel.

Way I see it, two of my firearms served me well today. At least and hour and half of range time, plus maybe a half hour of cleaning. That's two sweet hours of Yoga, Yogi

**JohnKSa** · April 24, 2016, 08:07 PM

Quote:

...shoot pretty much non stop for almost 10 minutes...

10 minutes of actual non stop full-auto firing for an AR-15/M16 would be 7,000 to 9,500 rounds which is getting into the neighborhood of the nominal service life of an AR-15 barrel.

So I should amend my statement to say "under 20 minutes" as opposed to "under 10 minutes".

Quote:

It takes time to cycles the bolt on a bolt action rifle or a lever action rifle. To cock the hammer on a revolver, to load and unload a single shot. Those may be things that have to be manually done, but they are still part of the operating time of the firearm.

Since all those things are done manually, there's no way to quantify how long they take and trying to add that into the actual operating life of the gun only makes sense if one is trying to stretch the figure. Does it really make sense to say that the service life of a gun is longer if it's owned by someone who cycles the bolt very slowly? I wouldn't think so...

Tinbucket · April 24, 2016, 08:24 PM

From the first time I saw one, I wanted one. At age 6 or so I shot my Uncles Springfield .22 with a long 28 inch barrel.
Carried that gun to the store to buy shells. 29 cents for shorts or so. Shot lots of squirrels and rabbits and spent .22 casings and pennies.
I cleaned with Singer machine oil and cut patches on a double piece of thread or strong and needle to drop it down the barrel.
I've bought several junk guns and fot them into good condition. No gun smithing as such.
I like guns a lot. An examining and cleaning one not familiar to me and rejuvenating it is a most pleasureable past time.
Might need to join Gunaholics Anynmous nto to quit but to examine their guns and get tips on fixing others.

rfalcon · April 24, 2016, 09:14 PM

My mom didn't like guns in the house, so naturally, when I married and had my own home, I was fascinated by them. Then they became just another everyday tool. But I find the process of shooting relaxing, and helps my mind focus. Kind of Zen, I guess. Inhale, exhale, relax pause, squeeze trigger. Repeat. During that process, nothing else exists lol. So fascinated? No. Enjoy the mechanics and tinkering with them as well. But I also get pleasure using a drill press, welder, milling machine, etc.

Skans · April 25, 2016, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Ask non-gun owners and non-enthusiasts why they think that some people love guns. They will tell you that us gun lovers are trying to make up for some deficiency, probably related to certain body parts, or that we have pathological desires to kill and hurt people, or we feel so insecure that we want to dominate other people through our firearms, etc. I guarantee that you would not get a single response that matches any on this forum.

Oh, I don't doubt that at all! In fact, I think most of us have heard or read what antis think of our fascination with guns. I suppose the same kind of psycho-babel could apply to swords, spears, bow-&-arrow, missiles, rockets, and who knows what else.

But, non-gun owners don't really get it do they? So, their answers to my question would likely be shallow, simplistic and lacking any real substance. I am much more interested in why actual gun owners (like myself) find guns appealing. For me its a combination of the mechanical nature of the gun, history and something else that I call longevity or posterity.

aarondhgraham · April 25, 2016, 04:23 PM

I've already posted in this thread,,,
But I've been thinking more about the topic.

I do have a fascination with the workings of a gun,,,
I mean we are holding a controlled explosion in our hands.

I love the intricacies of how this is managed.

One of the most exhilarating things in my life was when,,,
I learned how to load and fire a flintlock.

But after some reflection I think the true fascination is,,,
Just sending a projectile of any type downrange,,,
And hitting a predetermined spot.

When I was a small child I attended Sunday School,,,
I wondered where David got the inner tube to make a sling shot.

Then my grandfather told me what real slings were,,,
We made one from some leather strap he had,,,
I emptied our driveway of gravel with it.

I still think my proudest "hunting" moment,,,
Was when I showed my Dad a rabbit I beaned with it.

I have a friend with three young sons,,,
I've sort of adopted them as The Cool Uncle,,,
Last year for Christmas I bought them throwing knives.

A year before that I made them real biblical slings,,,
I found I could still hit a paper plate at 25 yards.

Later on it was archery,,,
I shot on a team in high school.

In 1978 I competed in the California Olympic tryouts,,,
The top five went to a national level tourney to pick the USA team.

I didn't get selected to go to that tourney,,,
Even though I scored #3 out of over 80 archers.

My claim to almost-fame is,,,
Two California people were picked for the USA team.

I had beat them both.

Moot point though,,,
Carter had the USA boycott the 1980 games.

I even got into competitive darts,,,
But that was always in a bar,,,
Same with 8-Ball pool,,,
Beer was a problem.

So basically I'm into anything that tosses a projectile at a target.

At my age, guns just happen to be the thing that still works out for me.

Aarond

.

Kreyzhorse · April 25, 2016, 07:24 PM

I am not fascinated with guns. I do enjoy them though. The are marvellous little machines that are fun to shoot, offer protection and some of them could tell some great stories if they could.

Jayhawkhuntclub · December 21, 2016, 10:55 AM

My wife once asked me, "Why are you so obsessed with guns?" The answer is: I have no idea. I'm not sure why I love breasts as much as I do either. It's just the way it is.

vito · December 21, 2016, 11:34 AM

And motorcycles. And donuts. Who knows why?

mr bolo · December 21, 2016, 02:12 PM

my guess, your modern firearms wont be around in 100 years, the government will take them away and destroy them by that time

it's not the same as an old antique rilfe or pistol from 1880 - 1911

current guns wont make it as long in private ownership like they use to

the 2nd amendment will be changed before that ever happens

everything changes , throughout history people rewrite history or change the story, just like the bible, and believe what they want to or only print what they want to believe or want others to believe.

ShooterScott1 · December 21, 2016, 05:51 PM

I like the independence they give me. A sense that I can take care of myself.

Iwanttoshootbettter · December 21, 2016, 06:52 PM

But only because a saltwater infection from fishing in Galveston bay almost killed me.I fished 3-5 times a week and was passionate about it my r hand looked like a catchers mitt.2 months in the hospital with heavy drugs drs told me to stay away from any fresh or salt water.Sold the boat and most of my 38 rods n reels.Bolt guns fascinate me have deer n hog hunted 28 years just taking it another level and appreciate all the help from this site.Have a daily carry and am not attracted to black guns with due respect.

Pathfinder45 · December 21, 2016, 08:55 PM

Almost everyone is fascinated by guns, even those who don't approve of them, fear them, loathe them, and want to have them confiscated and banned. If it were not so, there wouldn't be such an overwhelming
presence of firearm depiction in film and television.

HiBC · December 24, 2016, 10:02 AM

Because wet dogs,Hoppes #9,Lin-Speed,coffee,and ham and eggs and old men are the smells that distracted us from Momma's bosom,Johnson's baby powder, Desitin,and the diaper bucket.(blatant plagiarism of Robert Ruark "The Old Man and the Boy")

Don P · December 24, 2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Are you fascinated by guns?

Obsessed is more like it

Ozzieman · December 26, 2016, 06:45 PM

I don't really know. My father served in WW2 and landed on Normandy in later life he was totally uninterested in guns so he was not a reason.
My grandfather was a great shooter of birds but I never met him.
My best guess was TV, as a kid when Combat was on, I was there.
Had my first handgun when I was 14. Legally, 44 cap and ball which I still have and shoot.
I am addicted to shooting sports and I need NO cure.

iraiam · December 27, 2016, 01:34 AM

I'm not necessarily fascinated by guns or "love" guns. The main reason I own so many now, and have so much ammunition now. Is some of our civilian government goes out of their way to restrict or ban us from having them, while specifically exempting itself from any such restrictions. I have a serious problem with that.

Nathan · December 27, 2016, 06:23 AM

I too am fascinated by guns, really the mechanisms. Think about the complexity of mechanism designs. I love the almost zero fasteners part! Then there are the safety/ignition mechanisms. It is all pretty cool.

Ozzieman · December 27, 2016, 08:57 PM

Maybe I do have a problem,

I will let the members decide if I need professional help or not by the following datum.

This thread

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=579586

And number of posts
Ozzieman
Join Date: December 14, 2004
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 5,876

April 24, 2016, 06:26 PM	#26
vito Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2004 Location: IL Posts: 853	Might be interesting to post this question on a social media location. Ask non-gun owners and non-enthusiasts why they think that some people love guns. They will tell you that us gun lovers are trying to make up for some deficiency, probably related to certain body parts, or that we have pathological desires to kill and hurt people, or we feel so insecure that we want to dominate other people through our firearms, etc. I guarantee that you would not get a single response that matches any on this forum. Guns are useful tools, marvels of engineering, fill a need that nothing else can fill, and fun to use, and harken back to our earliest instinctive drives for self preservation and success in a competitive and dangerous world. Once when a relative who is outspoken in her anti-gun attitude asked me why I like guns, and I responded, "who wouldn't?". __________________ People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” ― George Orwell

April 24, 2016, 08:24 PM	#29
Tinbucket Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2015 Posts: 355	Are your fascinated by Guns? Why? From the first time I saw one, I wanted one. At age 6 or so I shot my Uncles Springfield .22 with a long 28 inch barrel. Carried that gun to the store to buy shells. 29 cents for shorts or so. Shot lots of squirrels and rabbits and spent .22 casings and pennies. I cleaned with Singer machine oil and cut patches on a double piece of thread or strong and needle to drop it down the barrel. I've bought several junk guns and fot them into good condition. No gun smithing as such. I like guns a lot. An examining and cleaning one not familiar to me and rejuvenating it is a most pleasureable past time. Might need to join Gunaholics Anynmous nto to quit but to examine their guns and get tips on fixing others.

April 25, 2016, 04:23 PM	#32
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I've already posted,,, I've already posted in this thread,,, But I've been thinking more about the topic. I do have a fascination with the workings of a gun,,, I mean we are holding a controlled explosion in our hands. I love the intricacies of how this is managed. One of the most exhilarating things in my life was when,,, I learned how to load and fire a flintlock. But after some reflection I think the true fascination is,,, Just sending a projectile of any type downrange,,, And hitting a predetermined spot. When I was a small child I attended Sunday School,,, I wondered where David got the inner tube to make a sling shot. Then my grandfather told me what real slings were,,, We made one from some leather strap he had,,, I emptied our driveway of gravel with it. I still think my proudest "hunting" moment,,, Was when I showed my Dad a rabbit I beaned with it. I have a friend with three young sons,,, I've sort of adopted them as The Cool Uncle,,, Last year for Christmas I bought them throwing knives. A year before that I made them real biblical slings,,, I found I could still hit a paper plate at 25 yards. Later on it was archery,,, I shot on a team in high school. In 1978 I competed in the California Olympic tryouts,,, The top five went to a national level tourney to pick the USA team. I didn't get selected to go to that tourney,,, Even though I scored #3 out of over 80 archers. My claim to almost-fame is,,, Two California people were picked for the USA team. I had beat them both. Moot point though,,, Carter had the USA boycott the 1980 games. I even got into competitive darts,,, But that was always in a bar,,, Same with 8-Ball pool,,, Beer was a problem. So basically I'm into anything that tosses a projectile at a target. At my age, guns just happen to be the thing that still works out for me. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

April 25, 2016, 07:24 PM	#33
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I am not fascinated with guns. I do enjoy them though. The are marvellous little machines that are fun to shoot, offer protection and some of them could tell some great stories if they could. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

December 21, 2016, 11:34 AM	#35
vito Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2004 Location: IL Posts: 853	And motorcycles. And donuts. Who knows why? __________________ People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” ― George Orwell

April 24, 2016, 07:40 PM	#27
gunnre Member Join Date: February 6, 2016 Posts: 83	Hmmm. Many times, especially on the range alone, I find it meditative. I'm focused on the firearm, the target, the sights, the trigger, my grip, stance, my breath. Can't multi-task thinking of the wifey or work business. Now I find I shot less and am more methodical and spend more productive time at the range. Now I get to close out the afternoon or evening, marveling at the engineering while cleaning, inspecting, basically tending to the firearm before being stabled. Now I can't wrap my brain around the idea that a firearms operational usefulness is that minuscule moment that the projectile spins down the barrel. Way I see it, two of my firearms served me well today. At least and hour and half of range time, plus maybe a half hour of cleaning. That's two sweet hours of Yoga, Yogi

April 24, 2016, 09:14 PM	#30
rfalcon Member Join Date: April 19, 2016 Posts: 25	My mom didn't like guns in the house, so naturally, when I married and had my own home, I was fascinated by them. Then they became just another everyday tool. But I find the process of shooting relaxing, and helps my mind focus. Kind of Zen, I guess. Inhale, exhale, relax pause, squeeze trigger. Repeat. During that process, nothing else exists lol. So fascinated? No. Enjoy the mechanics and tinkering with them as well. But I also get pleasure using a drill press, welder, milling machine, etc.

December 21, 2016, 10:55 AM	#34
Jayhawkhuntclub Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2007 Posts: 581	My wife once asked me, "Why are you so obsessed with guns?" The answer is: I have no idea. I'm not sure why I love breasts as much as I do either. It's just the way it is.

December 21, 2016, 02:12 PM	#36
mr bolo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2012 Posts: 432	guns will be destroyed in less than 100 years my guess, your modern firearms wont be around in 100 years, the government will take them away and destroy them by that time it's not the same as an old antique rilfe or pistol from 1880 - 1911 current guns wont make it as long in private ownership like they use to the 2nd amendment will be changed before that ever happens everything changes , throughout history people rewrite history or change the story, just like the bible, and believe what they want to or only print what they want to believe or want others to believe.

December 21, 2016, 05:51 PM	#37
ShooterScott1 Member Join Date: November 11, 2016 Posts: 15	I like the independence they give me. A sense that I can take care of myself.

December 21, 2016, 06:52 PM	#38
Iwanttoshootbettter Member Join Date: November 16, 2016 Location: Laporte Texas Posts: 79	Yes But only because a saltwater infection from fishing in Galveston bay almost killed me.I fished 3-5 times a week and was passionate about it my r hand looked like a catchers mitt.2 months in the hospital with heavy drugs drs told me to stay away from any fresh or salt water.Sold the boat and most of my 38 rods n reels.Bolt guns fascinate me have deer n hog hunted 28 years just taking it another level and appreciate all the help from this site.Have a daily carry and am not attracted to black guns with due respect. Last edited by Iwanttoshootbettter; December 21, 2016 at 07:23 PM.

December 21, 2016, 08:55 PM	#39
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	Almost everyone is fascinated by guns, even those who don't approve of them, fear them, loathe them, and want to have them confiscated and banned. If it were not so, there wouldn't be such an overwhelming presence of firearm depiction in film and television.

December 24, 2016, 10:02 AM	#40
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,283	Because wet dogs,Hoppes #9,Lin-Speed,coffee,and ham and eggs and old men are the smells that distracted us from Momma's bosom,Johnson's baby powder, Desitin,and the diaper bucket.(blatant plagiarism of Robert Ruark "The Old Man and the Boy")

December 26, 2016, 06:45 PM	#42
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	I don't really know. My father served in WW2 and landed on Normandy in later life he was totally uninterested in guns so he was not a reason. My grandfather was a great shooter of birds but I never met him. My best guess was TV, as a kid when Combat was on, I was there. Had my first handgun when I was 14. Legally, 44 cap and ball which I still have and shoot. I am addicted to shooting sports and I need NO cure. __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.

December 27, 2016, 01:34 AM	#43
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	I'm not necessarily fascinated by guns or "love" guns. The main reason I own so many now, and have so much ammunition now. Is some of our civilian government goes out of their way to restrict or ban us from having them, while specifically exempting itself from any such restrictions. I have a serious problem with that. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

December 27, 2016, 06:23 AM	#44
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,326	I too am fascinated by guns, really the mechanisms. Think about the complexity of mechanism designs. I love the almost zero fasteners part! Then there are the safety/ignition mechanisms. It is all pretty cool.

December 27, 2016, 08:57 PM	#45
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Maybe I do have a problem, I will let the members decide if I need professional help or not by the following datum. This thread http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=579586 And number of posts Ozzieman Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 5,876 __________________ It was a sad day when I discovered my universal remote control did not in fact control the universe. Did you hear about the latest study.....5 out of 6 liberals say that Russian Roulette is safe.