[DetChris]

You know, trying to be helpful or strike up a conversation with someone at a LGS. We should all have common interests, so what's the harm about talking about guns and gun ownership, right? Well, maybe not.

I'm batting just south of .500 right now. Less than half the people I encounter talk back or even smile.

The other half are... well... "strange" comes to mind. Sometimes even creepy.

Two days ago I was at gander mountain and they had an avalanche of milsurp mosin nagants for sale. A guy was checking out their 7.64 x 54R ammo and I mentioned that they were used by the mosins over there. He shot me an almost murderous look that had me moving the other way immediately.

In the past, I've tried relaying experiences I've had with certain guns only to get shot down by a person's "gun expert" buddy in tow.

And just today I was trying to tell a guy not to get the nylon Blackhawk IWB holsters because of various reasons. He was so fidgety and on edge that I disengaged in fear of him pulling his piece on me.

All this for trying to communicate and be friendly. Yikes.

Anyway this is partly a vent post. Partly too, I'm wondering if most gun folks are just plain weird (outside the DC regulars here). I should probably just mind my own business but I never had such bad luck talking about other topics with like minded individuals before (examples: baseball, fishing, boating, cars, and other things I have interest in). I guess I've gotten so comfortable discussing guns here that I don't realize most normal gun owners may be pretty scary people? I'm not sure!

 

[Badey]

Some of the nicest people I have ever met have been at shooting ranges. I generally try to keep to myself at gun shops though.

The weirdest encounter I had was the only negative one I have every had at the range. A guy came with a suppressed Ruger .22, all tricked out with a laser and various other accouterments. I said, "Is that suppressed?" (with a "wow, that's cool, tone of voice). He looked at me like I was snooping in his personal journal (or something equally invasive), didn't say a word back, packed up, and left...

 

[Easy8]

Think its a age thing the older gun guys I have no problem with, seems like some of the younger guys are insecure with their knowledge of guns an tend to back off instead of looking like they are novices

 

[blitzburgh]

For me, it really all depends on the vibe the crowds giving off whether or not I'll open my mouth about something. Some people at the LGS think anybody who tries to give advice/relay firsthand experiences on any gun or accessory are automatically "Gunshop commandos".

Personally, I'm more than happy to hear out or have a conversation with anybody while there. I'm not arrogant enough to think I know everything there is to know about the world of weaponry and accessories to just ignore or write somebody off straight off the bat.

 

[Inspector71]

I tend to mind my own business unless someone solicits my opinion. That strategy has worked for many years, for me anyway.

 

[Manderinobyebye]

The indoor range i go to,the people are nice,and the gun store is also.But,the store,i've been going to for a few years now.One thing,i never do,unless,i'm asked,is suggesting to people what they should or shouldn't get..
Most people aren't,but,i've been around a couple of people,with egos,as big as they get.They know everything,well they claim.I guess they want attention,or maybe they are insecure,i don't know.So,unless,i'm asked,or,know them personally,i say hi,and move on.

 

[lionround]

I tend to be rather "chatty". Just this evening, I was at a grocery store buying hot dog buns and the guy behind me in the checkout line has some lactose free milk in his cart. I asked him how he liked it and started a conversation about lactose intolerance. It lasted longer than I had planned, but it was still all good.

The only "gun" conversations I have had since I started CCing were at the ammo counter at Wal Mart and with the people with whom I work. All of those conversations have been at least cordial if not informative. None of the people I work with can carry at or to work because we all work in a Federal Building and the garage is off limits.

 

[michael57231]

I tend to mind my own business unless someone solicits my opinion. That strategy has worked for many years, for me anyway.

Amen!!!!!

 

[atctimmy]

You know, trying to be helpful or strike up a conversation with someone at a LGS. We should all have common interests, so what's the harm about talking about guns and gun ownership, right? Well, maybe not.

I'm batting just south of .500 right now. Less than half the people I encounter talk back or even smile.

The other half are... well... "strange" comes to mind. Sometimes even creepy.

Two days ago I was at gander mountain and they had an avalanche of milsurp mosin nagants for sale. A guy was checking out their 7.64 x 54R ammo and I mentioned that they were used by the mosins over there. He shot me an almost murderous look that had me moving the other way immediately.

In the past, I've tried relaying experiences I've had with certain guns only to get shot down by a person's "gun expert" buddy in tow.

And just today I was trying to tell a guy not to get the nylon Blackhawk IWB holsters because of various reasons. He was so fidgety and on edge that I disengaged in fear of him pulling his piece on me.

All this for trying to communicate and be friendly. Yikes.

Anyway this is partly a vent post. Partly too, I'm wondering if most gun folks are just plain weird (outside the DC regulars here). I should probably just mind my own business but I never had such bad luck talking about other topics with like minded individuals before (examples: baseball, fishing, boating, cars, and other things I have interest in). I guess I've gotten so comfortable discussing guns here that I don't realize most normal gun owners may be pretty scary people? I'm not sure!

Has it occurred to you that perhaps it's you? Had you walked up to me out of the blue as I shopped for ammo and told me it belongs in those guns over there I'd have given you the same look.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY wants unsolicited advice from someone they don't know.

 

[iguanadon]

Why did you post this? What are you up to? Are you talking to me? STOP IT!

 

[1MoreGoodGuy]

You know, trying to be helpful or strike up a conversation with someone at a LGS. We should all have common interests, so what's the harm about talking about guns and gun ownership, right? Well, maybe not.

I'm batting just south of .500 right now. Less than half the people I encounter talk back or even smile.

The other half are... well... "strange" comes to mind. Sometimes even creepy.

Two days ago I was at gander mountain and they had an avalanche of milsurp mosin nagants for sale. A guy was checking out their 7.64 x 54R ammo and I mentioned that they were used by the mosins over there. He shot me an almost murderous look that had me moving the other way immediately.

In the past, I've tried relaying experiences I've had with certain guns only to get shot down by a person's "gun expert" buddy in tow.

And just today I was trying to tell a guy not to get the nylon Blackhawk IWB holsters because of various reasons. He was so fidgety and on edge that I disengaged in fear of him pulling his piece on me.

All this for trying to communicate and be friendly. Yikes.

Anyway this is partly a vent post. Partly too, I'm wondering if most gun folks are just plain weird (outside the DC regulars here). I should probably just mind my own business but I never had such bad luck talking about other topics with like minded individuals before (examples: baseball, fishing, boating, cars, and other things I have interest in). I guess I've gotten so comfortable discussing guns here that I don't realize most normal gun owners may be pretty scary people? I'm not sure!

Maybe they thought you were the "strange" and "creepy" one.:wink:

 

[DetChris]

Has it occurred to you that perhaps it's you? Had you walked up to me out of the blue as I shopped for ammo and told me it belongs in those guns over there I'd have given you the same look.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY wants unsolicited advice from someone they don't know.

I guess. A bit of it is personality. I do this with all sorts of other things. Not necessarily advice but just using something as a focus of conversation. Maybe it comes across as advice?? I dunno. Like I said. Baseball, cars, whathaveyou and no issues. Always ended up with a good conversation. Maybe guns naturally make a person aggressive?

 

[miller_man]

I think a lot of the people in gun shops and gun/ammo section of box stores are in the newbie to newbi-ish crowd. I can remember being there myself, heck it was just around 2 years ago. I remember just knowing a tad bit about a few little things, and was a little nervous about being seen as a newb who didn't know JACK. I remember being intimidated by the guys who seemed to know it all. Now, thanks a lot to this forum and my obsession with anything firearms related - I know a TON more, and can carry on a conversation with at least a little bit of knowledge about almost anything. And after talking to lots of people at the ranges, I've found most people who are knowledgeable about firearms are GREAT people who are glad to share experiences and converse about most things gun related.

But I still won't start to make convo with people at the gun counter or ammo shelves, they mostly do seem intimidated or just to themselves. Also might be a personal thing- like contemplating purchasing a certain gun, handling it at the counter and trying to make up your mind, then some know -it -all comes up and tells you that gun is crap, his friend has one and it just sucks - that's probably happened to lots of people, turning them off to talking to other strangers about guns.

But I will say, I have definitely noticed the guys who do know a good bit, usually don't say much unless asked.

 

[dben002]

The only advice I will give to anyone is if I am in a non LGS gun store (like Gander Mtn)..if I happen to be looking at certain things and others are also, I will offer the fact that a LGS in another town carries the same item at between $75.00 to $125.00 less and they may want to check it out before paying a premium overprice at the big box......usually people thank me....

 

[atctimmy]

But I will say, I have definitely noticed the guys who do know a good bit, usually don't say much unless asked.

This.

 

[DetChris]

I have to admit that I have a lot better conversations at gun ranges. About 90% end up nice friendly conversations. Maybe you guys are right. Lots of newbies that are nervous. Like the guy at Cabela's today that was buying his Blackhawk holster. He looked so nervous CCing (he made it pretty obvious that he was; asked the guy at the counter if he could draw his gun to try on the holster. Gah!) he must've only been only in this first week or two. Good point.

 

[PEF]

I get the same response when I try to strike up a conversation about sex with complete strangers. Weird.

 

[Secret Spuk]

I Dont

 

[MrsHB]

Just this evening, I was at a grocery store buying hot dog buns and the guy behind me in the checkout line has some lactose free milk in his cart. I asked him how he liked it and started a conversation about lactose intolerance. It lasted longer than I had planned

Classic southern style! :smile: When I read the OP was striking up conversations in the gun store, I though "OMG, if you do that, you'll be there ALL DAY.":doh:

All of those conversations have been at least cordial if not informative.

This has been my experience as well. The place I see weirdos is at the gun shows, not at the LGS. I don't talk to anyone who appears to be a little 'off'.

 

[liquid150]

Has it occurred to you that perhaps it's you? Had you walked up to me out of the blue as I shopped for ammo and told me it belongs in those guns over there I'd have given you the same look.

Nobody, and I mean NOBODY wants unsolicited advice from someone they don't know.

I disagree. It's just as easy to smile and say "I know, but thank you" as it is to offer a glare. In fact reacting negatively consumes more energy than being cordial (this is scientific fact). Being cordial doesn't require getting into a 10 minute conversation, either.