I am done giving advice about guns for free. If I give you detailed reasons why you should or should not get a particular first gun and then you do stupid shit on your own, at least I want some cash for my wasted time.
You don’t want to pay me? Go back to the TikTok or whatever Social Media influencer who gave you the bad idea in the first place.
THIS is whats wrong with gun culture today- newb idjit comes to “old guy” for advise and does the exact opposite of advise… You have to reasearch the newb and see if they are for real or an internet moron… I agree, we need to charge a fee for information.. or just let natural selection work…. Heh heh
I take the opposite approach to this issue, which I face daily or at least several times per week. When asked which firearm is best for a particular situation in life, I give a very general categorical answer. Such as, “well…. you have this price range here and these twelve manufacturers compete within in this price range, then you have another price range, and these eight manufacturers compete, and so on.
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When they repeat the question as to which one, I recommend, I will tell them everyone body is different, and you have to do your own personal research so I can’t answer that for you. But once you discover which firearm is good for you, give me a call and we’ll talk about learning what you need to know to achieve your goals.
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I do however offer some helpful hints, for instance ‘Grip Angles’ on pistols, and how it’s more important that a pistol fits your hand and arm best. and how to determine that. A Glock is completely wrong for my hand and arm because of the grip angle. It is impossible for me to experience a natural point of aim with one and requires a correction of point of aim every time. So, I don’t own a Glock, but they are an exceptional pistol which compete with other exceptional pistols.
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The time taken to deliver this general introduction takes about three minutes of my time. And I generally end up having them as customers in the end. I never recommend a particular pistol but do offer truthful guidelines which will save them money.
I went that way including where to rent guns so an informed choice could be made….. and TikTok won.
Fuck ’em. You want advice? $50 cash or electronic transactions accepted (No PayPal)
That’s great, helping anyone idiotic enough to download/use communist Chinese spyware.
My observation is that most people asking for advice, are really looking for confirmation of a choice they already made. (see also forums with asking “is a BoomerMag 1000 a good gun?” and then getting upset with “no.”)
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I suspect this is true much more broadly than just in gun culture. David’s is a kind and effective approach. When people ask me for advice about guns I try to suggest the questions they should be asking themselves, and then suggest a range visit.
Buddy worked the gun counter at a large retailer for a while. Almost always the new gun owner would come in, and eyeball the .44 Magnum, but ask about what might be the best gun for a new shooter. He tried to provide useful advice, but invariably, they left with the .44.
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It was very refreshing when a new gun owner actually engaged in conversation, asked questions, etc.. But, that was not common.
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However, charging for advice… that will scare a lot of good people away. Recommend asking a few leading questions before exposing the pricing scheme. “What do you know about guns? Where did you get your advice? What do you think is best?” If they demonstrate a willingness to listen/learn, I would continue free of charge. If the ask where they can buy a Glock 7 cheap, I would charge them.
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Just a thought…
“However, charging for advice… that will scare a lot of good people away”
At this point, I am thinking more about my sanity. Whatever little is left..
Yeah, that ship already sailed, I think… 😉
Sailed? Does hydrofoils qualify as sailing? LOL