Teaching the "Newbies"

CarryOrDie · October 28th, 2009, 10:49 PM

I have not been carrying for long, but after joining this forum I feel I have learned a lot. I DO NOT think I am an expert, as I am assuming no one here feels they are. I do have a military background and at the least understand weapons handling. In the next few months I plan on finding a defensive carry course which me and my 2 friends can attend.

I got my CCP shortly after a friend of mine got his. He does not carry daily for personal reasons which I feel are not important here. I am trying to teach him all I can, and he more than wants to learn how to properly carry. He even just bought himself his first semiauto since he has been carrying a small J-Frame since he got his CCP

. Though I still cant convince him he needs to remember to wear a belt all the time, not to mention buy a few t-shirts that fall a little lower than what he has been wearing.

My second friend just bought his first S&W M&P Compact .40

and applied for his CCP. He too does not understand the concept of dressing around the gun.

Lastly, we were in the local gun shop and I pointed out some good holsters for them to look at. I was with my dad and he wanted to get a move on the range time. We went in, and my cheap buddies went and bought Uncle Mike's holsters. I dont want to bad mouth these products, but I pointed out good leather holsters for them.

My question is, how can I get through to these guys?

jhh3rd · October 28th, 2009, 11:22 PM

Don't give it too much attention. The learning curve is long and slow for the cheap crowd. Maximize what works for you and lead by example when asked. Money is tight for many of us, but life is not valued in money. It is hard to separate this mind set for some folks. Continue to be informative and kind to your friends, but realize this is all personal choice. Good luck to you, john

C9H13NO3 · October 28th, 2009, 11:42 PM

Some people learn from other people's experiences and mistakes. Some have to learn from their own. They will shortly find out they want something better than that Uncle Mikes. If they go cheap again, eventually they will learn you can buy cheap and buy often, or buy quality and once. I wouldn't worry about it.

Ram Rod · October 28th, 2009, 11:49 PM

You can only do so much. Sounds like you've done more than enough to give yourself a clear conscience. Try not to worry about it, and as previously suggested, let them go on their own learning curve for now, and when they come back to you for advice in the future, you'll be even more ready to help them out.

Beretta8045 · October 28th, 2009, 11:51 PM

Get 'em to visit this forum!

Before I bought my holster, I soaked in all the knowledge I could before I made my decision. Read enough "love x brand holster" and it'll get through.

RogerThat · October 28th, 2009, 11:52 PM

Sometimes you can't talk sense into people. I've tried many times. You just gotta lead by example like the poster before me said. Hopefully they'll observe and see the benefits of doing things the right way. I wouldn't worry too much about what they do, they'll learn the hard way if need be. I think also maybe by you trying to force feed them "your way" even if its the right way. They maybe rebellious because they may feel underminded. But than again I only can go by what you have posted.

retsupt99 · October 28th, 2009, 11:55 PM

Buy them each a holster box for Christmas...they'll begin to learn about how to fill it.

TX-JB · October 28th, 2009, 11:57 PM

It's kinda like kids... you can only teach them so much, then they have to figure it out for themselves.

TX-JB · October 28th, 2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retsupt99

Buy them each a holster box for Christmas...they'll begin to learn about how to fill it.

Or buy them an Uncle Mike's giftcard....

Divebum47 · October 29th, 2009, 10:04 AM

"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink". The secret is to make the horse thirsty. In some cases, the horse dies of thirst before he admits he's thirsty". Metaphors aside, don't harp. Give your opinion and let them make their own choices. Just remind them that there are consequences for each choice. Sometimes bad, sometimes good. Lead by example.

That's it for the sage advice. Good luck.

October 28th, 2009, 10:49 PM	#1
CarryOrDie Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Havertown, PA Posts: 53	Teaching the "Newbies" I have not been carrying for long, but after joining this forum I feel I have learned a lot. I DO NOT think I am an expert, as I am assuming no one here feels they are. I do have a military background and at the least understand weapons handling. In the next few months I plan on finding a defensive carry course which me and my 2 friends can attend. I got my CCP shortly after a friend of mine got his. He does not carry daily for personal reasons which I feel are not important here. I am trying to teach him all I can, and he more than wants to learn how to properly carry. He even just bought himself his first semiauto since he has been carrying a small J-Frame since he got his CCP . Though I still cant convince him he needs to remember to wear a belt all the time, not to mention buy a few t-shirts that fall a little lower than what he has been wearing. My second friend just bought his first S&W M&P Compact .40 and applied for his CCP. He too does not understand the concept of dressing around the gun. Lastly, we were in the local gun shop and I pointed out some good holsters for them to look at. I was with my dad and he wanted to get a move on the range time. We went in, and my cheap buddies went and bought Uncle Mike's holsters. I dont want to bad mouth these products, but I pointed out good leather holsters for them. My question is, how can I get through to these guys? __________________ Just remember: When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

October 28th, 2009, 11:42 PM	#3
C9H13NO3 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,188	Some people learn from other people's experiences and mistakes. Some have to learn from their own. They will shortly find out they want something better than that Uncle Mikes. If they go cheap again, eventually they will learn you can buy cheap and buy often, or buy quality and once. I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ -Ryan All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

October 28th, 2009, 11:49 PM	#4
Ram Rod VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: crawford county, arkansas Posts: 8,808	You can only do so much. Sounds like you've done more than enough to give yourself a clear conscience. Try not to worry about it, and as previously suggested, let them go on their own learning curve for now, and when they come back to you for advice in the future, you'll be even more ready to help them out. __________________ RamRod-----sans remords live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

October 28th, 2009, 11:52 PM	#6
RogerThat Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 29	Sometimes you can't talk sense into people. I've tried many times. You just gotta lead by example like the poster before me said. Hopefully they'll observe and see the benefits of doing things the right way. I wouldn't worry too much about what they do, they'll learn the hard way if need be. I think also maybe by you trying to force feed them "your way" even if its the right way. They maybe rebellious because they may feel underminded. But than again I only can go by what you have posted. __________________ A man with a briefcase can steal millions more than any man with a gun. No law ever prevented a crime. -Anonymous A Fool refuses to protect himself, his family, and his home. - Me

October 28th, 2009, 11:55 PM	#7
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 22,750	Buy them each a holster box for Christmas...they'll begin to learn about how to fill it. __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

October 28th, 2009, 11:22 PM	#2
jhh3rd Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: nc Posts: 416	Don't give it too much attention. The learning curve is long and slow for the cheap crowd. Maximize what works for you and lead by example when asked. Money is tight for many of us, but life is not valued in money. It is hard to separate this mind set for some folks. Continue to be informative and kind to your friends, but realize this is all personal choice. Good luck to you, john

October 28th, 2009, 11:51 PM	#5
Beretta8045 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MI Posts: 67	Get 'em to visit this forum! Before I bought my holster, I soaked in all the knowledge I could before I made my decision. Read enough "love x brand holster" and it'll get through.

October 28th, 2009, 11:57 PM	#8
TX-JB VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 3,163	It's kinda like kids... you can only teach them so much, then they have to figure it out for themselves. __________________ *"We're in Texas....Things are different here."* *NRA Life Member*

October 29th, 2009, 10:04 AM	#10
Divebum47 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 375	"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink". The secret is to make the horse thirsty. In some cases, the horse dies of thirst before he admits he's thirsty". Metaphors aside, don't harp. Give your opinion and let them make their own choices. Just remind them that there are consequences for each choice. Sometimes bad, sometimes good. Lead by example. That's it for the sage advice. Good luck. __________________ "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

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