Gun Store "tales"

[Djay3]

Inspired by the explosive growth of the Franklin Gun Shop thread due to negative experiences, I googled and found an enlightening and, at times, funny thread of "gun shop experiences".

Here is one sad, dangerously funny example ...

"Anyway, my friend goes to a very large gunshop, and the ammo shelves are empty. Hea asks thekid behind the counter, "Got any .270?" "Nope, all sold out."
At this point the manager comes over and chastises the kid for knowing nothing about guns and being generally stupid. The manager tells my buddy, ".270 is based on the .30-06. You can fire .30-06 through a .270. My friend starts to laugh at the joke, and the guy says, "No, really! You have to slam the bolt really hard to get it closed, but when you fire it, the .30-06 squeezes down to .270 and the accuracy is better 'cause it fits the barrel tighter."

Here's the link if interested ... http://www.militaryarmschannel.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=256

[gjohnsoniv]

That sounds like a wonderfully horrible idea.

[maroonandwhite]

I just read the entire thread. Pretty funny stories on there.

[Caster]

[i]You can't shoot cast faster than 1,200 FPS or you'll lead your barrel up. AND, if you shoot cast through a rifle you have to clean it every 20-30 rounds or you'll ruin the barrel.[/i]


I have heard this MYSELF at a gunshop that [i]should[/i] know better. Obviously the guy didn't. I actually prefer masses to fear lead. It keeps them from bugging the crap out of me and hogging up the supply of wheel weights. I love sharing what I know here, to you guys, but outside that......not so much. Arguing with people who already know everything wears me out.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I watched a customer ask about the "new" 17HMR. The shop owner said if you shoot a groundhog you will only find the teeth. He said the muzzle velocity was over 4,000 fps and vaporizes anything it hits. I aksed if he was talking about the 17 Remingotn and he said no, the 17 HMR. He then grabbed a rifle chambered in it and showed the customer.

I was at a local Walmart and a person called in asking for Hydrashocks. The sporting goods manager said no. When he got off the phone he went into a tirade telling the other associate that Hydrashocks are hollow points and they should be outlawed because they are designed to maim and cause suffering. I piped up and said I carried Hydrashocks in my 1911. You would have thought I said something inflammatory with how he reacted. He said the 1911 should never be in the hands of a civillian it was also designed to maim. He said everybody should carry a bolt gun loaded with FMJ's.

I was in a Walmart and heard the racking of a gun, I mean over and over again. So I walked over to sporting goods to see what was going on. A younger customer was vigoursly racking all the pump actions to see which one was the loudest. He told his friend you need to test them to see which is the loudest before buying. He said if you get a loud one you don't have to keep it loaded. He said when an intruder hears the shotgun they would run away in fear.

I had a close friend who is a 1911 freak, not just a fan boy but a over the top freak. We were discussing our Glocks we carried in 9mm and he said they wouldn't stop anyone. He went on to say that even a grazing wound from a 45 ACP would drop a bad guy immediately. He said the shock wave from the bullet would travel through the body and cause the person to become incapacitated immediately. I laughed and said no it doesn't. He said how do you know, have you been shot with a 45? I said yes in the leg and I didn't drop. He mumbled to himself then went into his room without saying another word.

Dolomite

[vontar]

I once heard a guy buying 9mm ammo and joking ask if it was good enough to kill a man and the guy behind the counter with out hesitation just said no, those are only good for punching holes in paper.

[TrickyNicky]

Heard a good one at my old local shop. Guy was comparing a few new pistols, a 45 and a 9mm. I over heard him say something to the effect of "I like the 45 but a friend of mine says the bullets travel to slow and I should stick with the 9mm because they're faster." To which without missing a beat the clerk said " yeah I've heard that a lot, damn criminals outrun those slow poke 45s all the time."

On the flip side I've had employees tell me to go ahead and buy 45acp for a Glock chambered in 45gap. No big deal he said, they didn't even stock the gap since it was just so unnessasery.

[Djay3]

Found this one on another forum ...

"One of my favorites happened while visiting a gun store in Houston several years ago. One of the salesmen was showing a customer several used single action Colts. Well, during the discussion things started leaning towards some of the old timey "B" westerns. At this point the BS was getting deep!
Now , one thing I have to say at this point in the story is that all weapons involved had been cleared and checked by both parties.
Well, sales clerk is in the process of 'twirling' the SAA and the thing unwinds off his finger and takes out the glass counter top and the two glass shelves beneath it. I don't know what happened to the salesman as I figured it was time for me to leave...before I got thrown out for laughing my butt off.....me and a few other people!"

Insert trembling icon here!!!

[Djay3]

Sorry, coulldn't resist one more find on another forum ...

"Woman came into a gun shop once with a small wheeled cart full of various types of ammunition. Dead serious, she told the guy behind the counter that she'd heard this shop was an "official bullet disposal center" and she wanted to dispose of these bullets.

Guy behind the counter was looking at her kinda funny but said "well, okay we can dispose of them for you".

Woman says "Good, my husband won't get rid of his damn guns so I'm getting rid of this stuff (the ammo) before somebody gets hurt". (Seriously, she's saying this right in the middle of a gun shop!)

Shop keep takes possession of the ammo and asks if she want's a receipt. Woman looks at him like he offered her a dead rat and then walks out the door in a huff, didn't even take the cart.

Me n' the store owner just kinda look at each other and he says "well, I think I'm just gonna lock this cart in the back for when the husband shows up".

We had a pretty good laugh over that one.
(Don't know if the husband showed up. There must have been about $650 in ammo in that cart.)"

[TrickyNicky]

Oops double post. Edited December 5, 2012 by TrickyNicky

[TrickyNicky]

[quote name='Djay3' timestamp='1354672919' post='855033']
Sorry, coulldn't resist one more find on another forum ...

"Woman came into a gun shop once with a small wheeled cart full of various types of ammunition. Dead serious, she told the guy behind the counter that she'd heard this shop was an "official bullet disposal center" and she wanted to dispose of these bullets.

Guy behind the counter was looking at her kinda funny but said "well, okay we can dispose of them for you".

Woman says "Good, my husband won't get rid of his damn guns so I'm getting rid of this stuff (the ammo) before somebody gets hurt". (Seriously, she's saying this right in the middle of a gun shop!)

Shop keep takes possession of the ammo and asks if she want's a receipt. Woman looks at him like he offered her a dead rat and then walks out the door in a huff, didn't even take the cart.

Me n' the store owner just kinda look at each other and he says "well, I think I'm just gonna lock this cart in the back for when the husband shows up".

We had a pretty good laugh over that one.
(Don't know if the husband showed up. There must have been about $650 in ammo in that cart.)"
[/quote]

That's funny stuff.

I worked at a thrift store a long time ago and once got a donation that included a peanut butter jar full of 22s. Of course I called dibs but the manager was apparently anti gun. She said I couldn't have them but asked if I knew a place to dispose of them safely. I said sure I'd handle it figuring I'd just take them and safely dispose of them through my rifle out in the desert. So I get the jar and take them home, the next day the manager says she wants a receipt from wherever I take them...Erm, OK... So I figure fine its not worth loss I g my job over $15 worth of ammo so that night I take them down to the local PD and tell them my sad little story, ask to turn them in and get a 1010 receipt. The cop at the counter just looks at me and laughs and says, tell your boss we took em and can't give a receipt for something like this. If she gets upset have her call officer(can't remember his name) and clear it up with her for ya, have fun with them.


This same manager about made my day once on a separate occasion, told me they had received a handgun in a donation a few years ago and still had it in the safe. Asked if I could have it and got turned down she didn't want it "on the streets" but said I could take a look at it. Went into the office and she pulls out.... A Daisy pneumatic BB gun! The old style that looked sort of like a 1911 where the end of the barrel flips open to load either 5-6 bbs or one pellet at a time. I loled but also really wanted it as mine got tossed as a kid for putting a hole in a window.

[Djay3]

I had a chuckle that goes back to the early days at Franklin Gun Shop (when they were in the strip mall across from their current location). Jerry Hassler, the present owner's father, was asked what they do to keep customers from piling into the store at closing time. Jerry said, "I just do this when I see 'um coming" (throws both arms up in the "Hold Up" position). "It works every time; they just turn right around".

: )

[1pointofview]

[quote name='Djay3' timestamp='1354651170' post='854858']
Inspired by the explosive growth of the Franklin Gun Shop thread due to negative experiences, I googled and found an enlightening and, at times, funny thread of "gun shop experiences".

Here is one sad, dangerously funny example ...

"Anyway, my friend goes to a very large gunshop, and the ammo shelves are empty. Hea asks thekid behind the counter, "Got any .270?" "Nope, all sold out."
At this point the manager comes over and chastises the kid for knowing nothing about guns and being generally stupid. The manager tells my buddy, ".270 is based on the .30-06. You can fire .30-06 through a .270. My friend starts to laugh at the joke, and the guy says, "No, really! You have to slam the bolt really hard to get it closed, but when you fire it, the .30-06 squeezes down to .270 and the accuracy is better 'cause it fits the barrel tighter."

Here's the link if interested ... [url="http://www.militaryarmschannel.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=256"]http://www.militarya...c.php?f=9&t=256[/url]
[/quote]

off topic but reminded me of a funny story. I just got my license and went to go drive around after school with a friend of mine. as we drove around we drove by a new sub that just laid some road but the road was all muddy because of a major rain and a lot of dirt moving around. well as we were screwing around in the muddy streets I lost control and wound up on top of a mud pile off the road.

long story short, the first 2 model homes were being built and a couple of framers came over and watched as we struggled to get out. He told me that if I could put it in reverse, and if i press the brake while giving it gas my front wheels would turn. well at 16, ,driving for 30 minutes and freaking out about a truck stuck on a side of the road I tried. Everytime I would let off the clutch while giving it gas and hitting the break it would stall. They would laugh and tell me I was not doing it right..

[TrickyNicky]

^^^Haha, you got to be careful around framers, odd sense of humor. "Hey you cut this to short! Go out to my truck and find the lumber stretcher." "What do you mean you can't find the lumber stretcher?! It's the big yellow thing next to the wood magnet!"

[Guest TankerHC]

I was in a Pawn Shop last year and was the only one there. The guy didnt have much for handguns, I was out looking for 1911's and he had an old worn out Llama. Asked what he wanted for it, he says $250. It was missing the rear sight, decided I would pass. Five minutes later in walks two large women. The conversation between him and them went something like this.

Hi ladies, can I help you with something?

Yes, we were recently robbed and a friend told us we should get a 45 automatic. Do you have anything like that?

(It was clear from the get go they had no idea what they were doing and probably should not have been there without someone knowledgeable)

He says "Yes I do," and proceeds to show them the Llama telling them all about its fine features, then gives them a price. $500. Twice what he just told me and right in front of me!

The ladies tell him they dont want to spend that much and he goes on to tell them that he has just what they need for home defense. He pulls out a cheapo (like a Raven or something) nickel .380.

Then, he goes on to explain that not only is it way better than a 45 for home defense, but it is EXACTLY like a 9MM. (Yea, if you consider the the 9mm Corto or Kurz EXACTLY the same as any other 9mm). He went on to explain the quality of this (Raven Arms?) pistol and how much "power" it has. (I guess saying power rather than trying to explain muzzle velocity, energy etc is easier to make a sale to an un-knowledgable gun buyer). He also explained how, although it is exactly like a 9MM, it wont break your wrist like a 9MM will when firing it (Any of you ever had a broken wrist from shooting your 9MM's? If so, I would like to know which one, so I can buy one).

Then he quoted a price. $350! WHAT!? Well, I was torn between stepping in and correcting this situation and costing him a sale or just letting it go. I took the easy wrong and let it go and these ladies walked out with an overpriced POS for home defense. I brought this up with numerous fellow shooters and they all pretty much agree, I should have asked those ladies to step outside and explained it to them. (What do you think?).


Several months ago I walked into a gun store on my way to Pa to look around and came across a situation that I had heard others talk about fairly frequently but had never seen first hand. Not really that big a deal. But when I went in, there was a pretty young guy, maybe 24 or so, behind the counter and another even younger guy in front and they had an AR laying there completely disassembled and were discussing (Trying to figure out) how to put it back together. IN A GUN STORE! I told them I would do it, and did it, and asked if either one had ever been in the military. The guy (Customer) who took it apart told me he was in the military, National Guard. I thanked him for his service, then went on to let him know I was also in the military and retired and never met a soldier who couldn't put together an M16, M4 or AR. He was pretty embarrassed but I let him know it was no big deal. His weapon was an M4 and of course these were not exactly the same. The "clerk" was working while the owner was out at lunch and he said he had no experience with AR's and let the other guy break it down assuming he could put it back together. I actually thought that was pretty humorous.

And finally I have a relative who is a Vietnam Vet, he served in Pleiku in 69-71. Every time we get together we have the same argument. He swears that his M16 was made by Mattel. No matter how many times I tell him Mattel has never manufactured a single firearm, he will argue with me that "I served in VN, I carried the rifle and I know damn well the word Mattel was right on the side of it". Ill explain to them how that old wives tale came about, but he still believes he carried a Mattel M16 in Vietnam. And I know he was in VN for a 1000% fact.

This conversation (Argument) has been going on for years at every family get together and during every phone conversation. Edited December 5, 2012 by TankerHC

[ShamGlock]

I was shooting at Prentice Cooper one afternoon and had to listen to a guy extol the wonderous nature of the .45 ACP to his buddy. "Even if you hit the perp in the thumb he's goin down, that's how much stopping power this round has behind it!"

It was truly awful to listen to.

[Guest TankerHC]

[quote name='ShamGlock' timestamp='1354680085' post='855118']
I was shooting at Prentice Cooper one afternoon and had to listen to a guy extol the wonderous nature of the .45 ACP to his buddy. "Even if you hit the perp in the thumb he's goin down, that's how much stopping power this round has behind it!"

It was truly awful to listen to.
[/quote]

He was definitely wrong, you dont even have to hit the perp, the pressure from the wind as the round passes alone will kill him.

[Guest cardcutter]

Years ago the owner of Tommies Guns in East Ridge( right next to Chattanooga) told me he had a women come in who wanted to buy some ammo for her husband. She did not know what caliber his pistol was. She asked him if he could sell her an assorted box so her husband could just use the ones that fit.

[10-Ring]

Sometimes I think that it is a little weird that I despise guns stores even though I really like guns. Guess this is why. Seems like every time I cross the threshold of a gun shop the people behind the counter are filling my brain with lies and high prices. Most recently was something to the effect of "Semi autos will be banned after this year so you should go ahead and buy this $500 SKS here."

[Guest Razz]

[quote name='TankerHC' timestamp='1354678643' post='855099']
This conversation (Argument) has been going on for years at every family get together and during every phone conversation.
[/quote]
Nice. Are you 1000% sure he's not been trolling you, all these years?

[LagerHead]

[quote name='TankerHC' timestamp='1354678643' post='855099']
And finally I have a relative who is a Vietnam Vet, he served in Pleiku in 69-71. Every time we get together we have the same argument. He swears that his M16 was made by Mattel. No matter how many times I tell him Mattel has never manufactured a single firearm, he will argue with me that "I served in VN, I carried the rifle and I know damn well the word Mattel was right on the side of it". Ill explain to them how that old wives tale came about, but he still believes he carried a Mattel M16 in Vietnam. And I know he was in VN for a 1000% fact.

This conversation (Argument) has been going on for years at every family get together and during every phone conversation.
[/quote]

Mattel did make the plastic pistol grip for some of the M16s and even printed their name on them. This may have led to the confusion. Edited December 5, 2012 by LagerHead

[Guest TankerHC]

[quote name='Razz' timestamp='1354715106' post='855204']
Nice. Are you 1000% sure he's not been trolling you, all these years?
[/quote]

Naa, he honestly believes it. What are you gonna do, if someone has believed the same thing for 40 years, going to be near impossible to change their minds, but Im still not going to say "Oh yea, Mattel built some great M16's for the Army" when the subject invariably comes up.

[Guest TankerHC]

[quote name='LagerHead' timestamp='1354724867' post='855255']
Mattel did make the plastic pistol grip for some of the M16s and even printed their name on them. This may have led to the confusion.
[/quote]

Actually, they didnt. Mattel even put out a statement quite some time ago that they had no hand in the manufacture of any weapons or part, they are a toy company. The confusion comes from the Mattel M16 Marauder (Toy) that is similar in appearance to an M16 but is still a toy, and size disproportionate.

[Patton]

[quote name='cardcutter' timestamp='1354685539' post='855140']
Years ago the owner of Tommies Guns in East Ridge( right next to Chattanooga) told me he had a women come in who wanted to buy some ammo for her husband. She did not know what caliber his pistol was. She asked him if he could sell her an assorted box so her husband could just use the ones that fit.
[/quote]
I knew the family that had that place. I think there name was Aaron, now they did know me but still I went in there at 10yrs old with a friend and the owner let md hold an UZI. Super cool.