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October 4, 2013, 01:10 PM | #26 |
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Join Date: November 28, 2012
Location: Eastern SC
Posts: 68
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In addition to all the good points mentioned above, NEVER dry fire a rim fire firearm, revolver, pistol or rifle. Dry firing a rim fire will damage the firing pin, the rim seat of the chamber or both.
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October 11, 2013, 11:10 AM | #27 |
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Join Date: August 24, 2012
Location: Guatemala City, Zone 10
Posts: 76
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American citizen living in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Central America:
I would say... 1. Don't walk in there like a total nob, unless of course you are in which case act like a person with genuine interest in purchasing your first weapon. Ask, listen, repeat. Most employees will be delighted in turning a fellow citizen into a gun owner and into a repeat customer. 2. Don't walk in there like Mr. Expert-in-all-weapons-in the-world, throwing gun terms, brand names, calibers, and such all over the store. 3. If and when you do go go with at least with the mindset to buy a gun then or at some point in the near future. Remember, a gun store is a business for profit, it is not a public park for you to hang around in. Allow me. Case in point, whenever I show up at my armsdealer he knows that a) I'm looking at what my next gun purchase b) I'm going to slap some money on the counter for a new gun c) I'm there to pick up some boxes of ammo c) I'm in need of some sort of accessory for my cache. 4. And lastly, keep your word. If you get them to set aside a piece for you then it should be done with your full intent to return to close the deal. Well, I guess that's it. Hope they help. Last edited by Tom Servo; October 12, 2013 at 08:43 PM. Reason: Borderline language |
October 11, 2013, 12:20 PM | #28 | |
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Join Date: July 1, 2001
Posts: 6,331
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Quote:
About respect.... I feel crazy saying this, but it has to be said. First, it might be valuable to do an NRA basic course before you buy. Also, gun store salespeople are people. They may know more or less than you about guns. Ask your questions, take your answers, confirm with multiple sources, then come back ready to buy. I do this even with my Father's advice and he has shot a lot....like sense he was 5! So have I, but I will likely always lag behind him in experience...still, I don't always follow his advice. I tell every newb I intro to guns to buy a S&W revolver, XD, Glock or 22 rimfire as a first gun. Most buy a M&P, which isn't bad! So, personal experience is a best teacher. No reason to embarass the guy behind the counter. I have occasionally refused a gun requesting they check it first or asked they not point it at me! Last edited by Nathan; October 11, 2013 at 12:32 PM. |
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October 12, 2013, 05:16 PM | #29 |
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Join Date: December 23, 2009
Posts: 1,624
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Asking permission to open and work the action usually isn't necessary. If I don't know how to operate the particular firearm I'll ask for instructions.
I always ask if its ok to dry fire no matter the firearm. Always work the action carefully. Be firm but not rough. It isn't glass, nor is it a block of granite. If the clerk hands me a firearm without showing its unloaded I simply take it and clear it myself. (If you aren't familiar with firearms ask the clerk to prove it). When checking out the sights keep your finger off the trigger and aim at the floor or the back wall. Don't sweep anyone. That should do it. Be nice, don't be a jerk or a know it all and you should be just fine. |
October 12, 2013, 05:24 PM | #30 |
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Join Date: January 24, 2009
Location: Anchorage Alaska
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Note to shafter:
"prove" may be a loaded term which may carry the connotation of a challenge. P.R.O.V.E. is a very specific term (acronym) which may not be familiar to monkeyfist (the Original Poster). it also may not translate into Spanish. PROVE it safe: Point the firearm in the safest available direction. Remove all cartridges. Observe the chamber. Verify the feeding path Examine the bore for obstructions Lost Sheep |
October 12, 2013, 07:00 PM | #31 |
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Join Date: May 23, 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 347
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Be polite and do what everone else has said.
One other thing, if you get bad vibes, advice that seems off or they act rudely or snotty towards you, walk out. There are good gun stores and there are bad gun stores. A good gun store will have helpful, knowladgable (and by that I mean, if they know they tell you, and if they don't know, they'll say they don't know) staff that will deal with you honestly and fairly. A bad gunstore will let you walk out with the worst choice possible, glad for your money and glad to be rid of you. Demanding good service is something we should do everywhere we spend money. I think it's particularly important in gun stores. If you are benifiting a place by giving them your business, then they can benifit you by giving you a good experiance and a good product. Don't be shy about it.
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October 23, 2013, 08:12 PM | #32 | |
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Join Date: May 3, 2008
Posts: 3,057
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Working with guns 24/7 specially in todays climate has us all on edge really.
Biggest things that annoy me when I hand someone a gun... they point it at me... granted I am scarily used to it by now, it usually ticks us off. Secondly unless its a rimfire I personally can care less if you dry fire it, but not everyone agrees with me so it IS a good idea to ask first. The biggest piece of advice I can honestly give you before hand in dealing with us gun counter guys is at least do SOME research before showing up to a store. I love teaching new shooters as much as the next guy, but as we all know it has been extremely demanding on us in the last months, and there sometimes isn't enough time in the day to fully help every single customer to the fullest extent. I am not saying come in looking for a specific gun, but atleast know what you intend to mainly use the gun for.. like target shooting vs. CCW, and just have an idea in mind of what you want it for, then just ask. I would much rather a customer tell me he or she is clueless about guns, but is looking for a gun to keep in the night stand, vs just ask to see every gun in the cases in the matter of 30 mins. Quote:
Last edited by HKFan9; October 23, 2013 at 08:21 PM. |
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October 24, 2013, 07:01 PM | #33 |
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Join Date: February 7, 2012
Posts: 514
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Explain to the gun guy what your interest is and that you are new to purchasing, so please tell me what I should be looking for in a gun. As mentioned, tne lack of attitude and humility will be appreciated.
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October 24, 2013, 09:15 PM | #34 |
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Join Date: October 19, 2004
Location: michigan
Posts: 578
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1, dont ask for a box of ammo when your currently holding a gun in your hand
2. dont pull ammo out of your pocket and try to load the gun 3. dont get offended when the sales idiot points a gun at you. 4. dont be offended when the sales idiot complains when you point out 3 |
October 24, 2013, 10:30 PM | #35 |
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Join Date: September 27, 2008
Location: Foothills of the Appalachians
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Here are a few things that spring to mind.
I'm sure there are others. I'll add them as they come to mind.
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October 25, 2013, 02:57 AM | #36 |
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Join Date: April 19, 2012
Location: Western PA
Posts: 3,829
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^^^ Amen, brother!
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October 25, 2013, 12:02 PM | #37 |
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Join Date: February 21, 2012
Location: Woodhaven MI
Posts: 477
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When handling a gun at a store I wouldn't put my finger on the trigger or look down the barrel. This came back to bite me in the ass when I took an sr22 home and the frame was warped. the only way you could tell was looking at it head on. I sent it back to Ruger who claimed to fix it but sent it back looking exactly the same. From now on I look a gun over really good before I take it home and I will pull the trigger in the store. I don't care if it makes anybody at the store nervous either.
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October 25, 2013, 12:25 PM | #38 |
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Join Date: March 14, 2011
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 148
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Some of this stuff is so simple but, for some, it's SO hard. The other day I was in a shop when the owner took out his personal weapon. His finger was on the trigger and he was waving it around. I tried to get small in a hurry and asked him to clear the thing. It was loaded!
Listen folks this happens time and time again! All they have to do is to clear it or open the cylinder for all to see, keep the finger where doesn't belong and have muzzle awareness. I made the mistake years ago about not being conscious of where the muzzle was pointed and got a stern lecture. |
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