Fixing the weaons I have instead of buying new

[dksac2]

You know, most guys like having a lot of weapons. I'm really no different. I have all of the weapons that I need for the different jobs a weapon may be needed for. I look at new weapons all the time and am really tempted to buy a couple now and then. Instead I have concentrated on up grading the weapons that I have with better sighting equipment, parts for better reliability, parts to make the weapon fit me better and spare parts for my weapons. By doing so, I have increased the reliability of my weapons and customizied them to fit me better. To me, the guy with 50 weapons never really learns to shoot any of them to their full potential unless he is a real pro. The fewer weapons you have, the better you will shoot that weapon because you really get to know that weapon and what it will do. The other aspect is the amount of ammo needed to have a good supply for each one. Sometimes having less is more. I know too many old ranchers that only have one or two rifles, revolvers or pistols and shotguns that can shoot the nads off a flea at 100 yards. This guys weapons are all beat up from riding in his pick up truck or from being carried in an old holster, rain, snow or shine. I watched an old rancher drop a coyote at better than 200 yards with a 7.5" well worn Ruger flatop in 44 mag the other day. Only took one shot. How many of you can say that you could do this on a regular basis, this guy does, especially when the wind is blowing cold. This guy knows his weapon like the back of his hand. Sometimes less is more. Having back up weapons or weapons for a friend in need is not a bad thing. This is where my wife's weapons come into play. She also likes weapons and shooting, but does not use most of them a lot. This way I have an extra weapon if a friend comes over and wants to do a little hunting or target practice.

Best Regards, John K

[sinzitu]

I agree 100%. Once you have yourself outfitted with the weapons to do the various jobs you need, it's wise to keep them in top shape. Spare parts, tools, upgraded sights, etc are all key to keeping them in good repair and making the most of what you have.

Having a 2nd weapon of same make, model, and caliber also give you some peace of mind in the event a failure or and extra hand if you have more than one person with the ability to use or need for it.

[kawalekm]

So John, what exactly do you have? Care to show us some pics of your modifications? Do you reload? Got any pet loads you want to share with us? I enjoy working on guns also. Here's a pic of a Mauser I picked up a few years ago for 50$. After trimming the barrel and putting on a recoil pad it fits me and balances much better than it originally did. I refinished the stock in Chinese tung oil. I also cut and welded the bolt to add the scope you see here. It's not for a display case, but it's made meat!
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r55/kawalekm/2005_gunsmithing_project.jpg

[rice paddy daddy]

I have been accumulating firearms for many years, and have reached the point that I don't really NEED any more, but ya know, that Heritage Rough Rider single action 22 Combo with the 9" barrel and adustable sights down at the local shop is whispering to me.:D
Lately I've just been accesorizing - faux ivory grips on my Blackhawk, bayonets for my milsurps, slings, etc.

[Oblio13]

... I watched an old rancher drop a coyote at better than 200 yards with a 7.5" well worn Ruger flatop in 44 mag the other day. Only took one shot. How many of you can say that you could do this on a regular basis, this guy does, especially when the wind is blowing cold...

There sure are some incredible shooters on the internet.

[gunsmoke]

Everyone's situation is different. If a man has the desire to develop the shooting skill 1 really good rifle can serve many many purposes.

On the other hand there are those who appreciate guns for their artistry and mechanics and to whom guns are an avocation and a hobby as well as a working tool.

I will not criticize either. If you've been fortunate enough to be able to support a gun habit have at it. If guns are just a 1 or 2 purpose tool that is okay too.

My Dad was one of those guys, he owned one shotgun and three handguns in the time I had with him, but never more than 2 handguns at a time. That man had the weirdest grip and stance with a handgun I have ever seen in my life and I've seen alot being a competative shooter since my teenage years, but I'll be damned if I EVER saw him pick up a handgun and not hit exactly what he was shooting at.

He loved hunting bunnies ahead of dogs and he had a very old Lefever Nitro Special 12 ga SxS that I never once saw him miss with.

Guns are a very personal thing, one size NEVER fitas all. I admire fine guns and own many but I also admire the old well-used milsurps in skilled hands.

[Teg]

There sure are some incredible shooters on the internet.

Well everyone can't be as awesome as you. :rolleyes:

[MooseToo]

To me, the guy with 50 weapons never really learns to shoot any of them to their full potential

reminds you of the guy who's collected thousands of stamps and has yet to lick a single one -

[hunter63]

You know, most guys like having a lot of weapons. I'm really no different. I have all of the weapons that I need for the different jobs a weapon may be needed for. I look at new weapons all the time and am really tempted to buy a couple now and then. Instead I have concentrated on up grading the weapons that I have with better sighting equipment, parts for better reliability, parts to make the weapon fit me better and spare parts for my weapons......................................... Best Regards, John K

I hear ya, DW says I don't NEED anymore either, but she didn't say anthing about playing with what I have....so....

[dksac2]

I don't advertise or post pictures of my firearms on the net. Uncle does not need to know what I have or don't have. I'll admit to having a Winchester model 190, first rifle I ever bought. As to there being some great shooters on the internet, I did see my friend drop the coyote at 200 yards. He has a pile of dead cows and a dead horse that the coyotes like to munch on, so he knows the amout to hold over quite well and has killed more then one coyote there. He usually uses a .223 single shot. He had carried that same revolver for over 20 years and knows it well. I don't B.S. on the net and really take exception to people who think I do. I know that many do, so I do understand. I graduated top of my class in gunsmithing school, worked for a very good gunsmith for a while then had my own shop for 6 years, so I not exactly a wana be or AGI gunsmith when it comes to gunsmithing. I don't claim to be a master gunsmith as there are few left, but I was a darn good smith. Anyway, my point to the post was that it's not a bad idea to make your primary weapons as good as possible and have spare parts. A spare rifle of the same kind you have as mentioned is also a great idea. After modifiying your weapons so that they are the best they can be for you, shoot them until hitting what you aim at is second hand nature. I'm much more afraid of a man who only owns one beat up weapon and has shot that weapon for years than the guy who has 10 $5000.00 weapons. If things go south, the old guy with the one weapon will own the $5000. weapon.

Best Regards, John K

[NotSoFast]

I have to agree with you. Not having the megabucks to own six of this or two of that, I've had to plan my purchases. Then, because I don't have multiples of each one (I also only own one vehicle), I too make sure I have the spares I need in case something breaks, although I probably don't have all that I need. And, although I'm not a gunsmith, I've learned enough about what I do own to know how to replace the broken parts.

Having more than one just because it gives a warm fuzzy feeling doesn't work for me. As I see it, guns aren't trophies to show around and brag about. They are tools to defend myself and my family and to bring home food for the table, nothing more.

[dksac2]

I have to agree with you. Not having the megabucks to own six of this or two of that, I've had to plan my purchases. Then, because I don't have multiples of each one (I also only own one vehicle), I too make sure I have the spares I need in case something breaks, although I probably don't have all that I need. And, although I'm not a gunsmith, I've learned enough about what I do own to know how to replace the broken parts.

Having more than one just because it gives a warm fuzzy feeling doesn't work for me. As I see it, guns aren't trophies to show around and brag about. They are tools to defend myself and my family and to bring home food for the table, nothing more.

I agree. You should try to get as many spare parts as you can afford. Extractors, ejectors, firing pin, springs and any part that may break, fly or wear. The major parts usually hold up pretty good. If you have a rifle such as a Win 94 or other open sighted weapons, front and sometimes rear sights are also good to have. Replace your magazine springs at least every two years, have spare recoil springs for your semi auto weapons. If your weapon has ball bearing(s) such as the extractor in a Savage bolt gun or the safety detent ball on a mossberg shotgun, a couple are good to keep around. Many parts can be made in a pinch or adapted from other donor weapons, but having new parts available to put your weapon back in action quickly if needed are a plus. The correct tools are also essential. Buy several 1/16" pin punches as those will be the ones to bend or break. Every gunsmith that I know keeps at least 5 of the smaller punches around. Get them at Sears. When you bend or break one, just exchange it. If things go south, parts will be hard to come by. Sometimes simplicity is the key.

Best Regards, John K

[Oblio13]

Devil's advocate here: Seems like a serious shooter with only one inexpensive firearm would be like a wine connoisseur who only drinks one cheap wine, or a book lover with only one cheap novel. Is there really such a thing?

[rice paddy daddy]

Devil's advocate here: Seems like a serious shooter with only one inexpensive firearm would be like a wine connoisseur who only drinks one cheap wine, or a book lover with only one cheap novel. Is there really such a thing?
Of course, there's "winos" like me who have a closet full of "cheap wine.":D
The only thing I have that cost more than $700 is my M1A. And most cost $300 or less, since that was about the size of my quarterly bonus chacks after taxes.:p

[kawalekm]

I don't advertise or post pictures of my firearms on the net.

As to there being some great shooters on the internet, I did see my friend drop the coyote at 200 yards. He has a pile of dead cows and a dead horse that the coyotes like to munch on, so he knows the amout to hold over quite well and has killed more then one coyote there.

I graduated top of my class in gunsmithing school, worked for a very good gunsmith for a while then had my own shop for 6 years, so I not exactly a wana be or AGI gunsmith when it comes to gunsmithing.
John K

You know John, I'm willing to accept what you say on face value, but you have to admit there is a lot of BS on the internet every day. Some people have a problem with posts that only include broad generalities. In all honesty, from your initial post, some people might not tell the difference between you (adult professional gunsmith) and a sixteen year old highschool kid that's never even seen a gun. You went to gunsmithing school? Which school? One of those schools you see on the back of matchbook covers?

You have a problem showing pics of guns? For me, myself, I would have a problem with posting information information specific to my 1939 K98 Mauser serial # 123456789. As long as you don't display a serial #, what's the deal? The ATF is not going to break down my door for an old WWII bolt action.

I'm sure you saw this rancher take the coyote, but do you have a pic of that coyote? That's the kind of thing that separates real folks from posers. Maybe you saw this shot yourself or maybe you read it in a Jack London novel. Who knows? I'm not one to question anything you have to say, but some people just get impatient after a while.
Sorry,
Michael

[jim]

Devil's advocate here: Seems like a serious shooter with only one inexpensive firearm would be like a wine connoisseur who only drinks one cheap wine, or a book lover with only one cheap novel. Is there really such a thing?

Well, I could see how a person of limited means could love guns and shooting (or anything else) but only be able to afford to have and shoot something less than great. If that person is dedicated, is there anything to keep them from using a specific tool to it's limit of perfection? I've only had one firearm that wasn't capable of far tighter groups than I could deliver shooting it, so if someone was dedicated and experienced, I can see how they might shoot really well with a less than perfect firearm.

Being only a fair shot myself, I've never done this, but I did read where Jeff Cooper claimed to have outshot "his betters" as he called them in his youth with a M94 Winchester that had an excellent trigger.

jim

[Oblio13]

Jeff Cooper was a true expert who owned thousands of firearms, not a "one-cheap-gun-wonder".

[Oblio13]

... I did see my friend drop the coyote ...

Could your friend get lucky and pop a 200-yard coyote with a revolver? Of course. Can he do it on a regular basis? Well, the hold-over and wind corrections would both be measured in feet, the time-of-flight would be close to a second, coyotes are small, and they don't stand still for very long.

There are people on this forum who claim they get one M.O.A. and even better groups from cheap surplus rifles and ball ammo.

There's a fellow over on rimfirecentral.com who swears that he takes 300 yard squirrels with an iron-sighted .22.

Why aren't any of these guys ever on the national team?

There are two reasons that kind of BS riles me: It makes the shooting community look downright stupid, and it discourages young aspiring shooters who are gullible enough to believe it.

[jim]

Jeff Cooper was a true expert who owned thousands of firearms, not a "one-cheap-gun-wonder".


At the time he was writing about, he was 16 years old, and not yet what he evolved into. His only center fire rifle at the time was that 94 Winchester. While not a cheap rifle at the time, it was almost "the" rifle more people had than anything else (if they could afford one). It was not as accurate as the bolt guns of the time he was shooting against either. I do wish I could shoot half as well as he could!

jim

[Oblio13]

Every shooter starts with a first firearm. The point I was trying to make is that the serious ones don't stop there.

[jim]

You are correct, and it's a good thing for us he never stopped learning and teaching.

[Rick]

Weapons are like tools. Each individual job has it's intended tool.

For me a hypothetically complete battery would include:

MBR: Garand, M1A, or FN-FAL
Carbine: M1, AR, or lever gun
Shotgun: 12 ga. pump - 870 or Moss. 500 w/ asst barrels and stocks
.22 LR Rifle: any type
Centerfire handgun: in some caliber that begins with a .4
Hideout gun: something very concealable
Bolt gun: in my MBR caliber

If I was limited to only one weapon, I'd probably go the Gunkid route and choose an AR with a Ceiner .22 LR conversion kit.

(Where is Gunkid anyway? He should be getting out of the slammer soon.)

[gunsmoke]

Being only a fair shot myself, I've never done this, but I did read where Jeff Cooper claimed to have outshot "his betters" as he called them in his youth with a M94 Winchester that had an excellent trigger.

jim




I wouldn't doubt Cooper, a really good shootist is a really good shootist. Besides I have a late 1950s production 94 SRC in .30-30. It's the only '94 I've ever owned. I've never shot anything in it except Winchester 170 gr Silvertips, and I've never missed anything I've shot at with it.

A friend of mine has an early 1900s production OFMCB '94 rifle in .25-35 and that is one fine sweet shooting rifle. It was bought new by his grandfather and was the only centerfire rifle owned by three generations of his family.

[dksac2]

To Michael:
Lets see if I can answer your questions. Yes, I have seen the rancher drop two other coyotes at about the same distance. It took him 3 shots to hit the first one and two to hit the other. The one last week was hit on the first shot. Pretty darn good shooting. I could not have done it. I don't usually carry a camera.

Second, Gunsmithing experience. I took two mail order courses when I was younger. Both a waste of money. Everything in them was available in gunsmithing books on the market for far less money. At age 43, I got re married and my wife asked me if there was something I always wanted to do and have not done. I said that I wanted to go to gunsmithing school. We moved to Colorado and I went the The Colorado School of Trades Gunsmithing. I know some people have a low opinion of this school. Some other schools specialize more, CST gives just more basic overall training. The basics teacher was fair, the metal shop teacher was very good, the guy who taught stockmaking was pretty good. The head instructor was very knowlagable. Now before going to CST, I worked in a gunsmithing shop for free. It was a shop with a very good smith who was going to retire. He had me inletting stocks, threading and chambering barrels, working on the mill, blueing, parkerizing and doing general repairs. He also had an extensive collection of repair manuels that used to be available from the manufacturers in the old days as well as a lot of other info. I copied everthing he had and ended up with a pile of big binders. I read everthing I could get my hands on and made sure that I understood what was written before moving on. Going to CST with the knowledge I had was a big plus. I did extreamly well at every phase. I also bought far more tools then were furnished by the school and bought newer reference material also. Once you have a good working knowledge of gunsmithing, you don't have to know everything, you just have to know where to find the info you need. Having good logic and mechanical skills help a lot also. One thing I found was that many of the students were younger and just wanted to get by. I asked questions and showed interest in everthing I did and was taught. I learned to take my time and double check everything and if I didn't know how to do something, I would try to figure it out myself and then ask to make sure my solution was the correct one. The person who really wanted to learn was given a lot of attention by the instructors and all of them worked with me in any way they could. Some of the younger students, I would not let touch a single shot .22. The older students with life experience did far better. When I got into the portion of the school where you did repairs, I told the head instructor I wanted the worst of the worst, the hardest guns to fix with the toughest problems. He said he would give me a shot. I proved that I could fix any gun that came my way and soon got the guns that were the toughest. I also got the expensive guns such as the S/S shotguns and models that were Higher dollar. CST takes in firearms to fix from the public and charges far less than a regular gunsmithing shop. They tried not to take too many high $$$ firearms, and most of the firearms they got were real POS type firearms that needed a lot of work. I fixed one rifle and one shot gun that had been in the school for over a year and had been given to dozens of students to try and fix. One shot gun that a student crushed the receiver on was said to be unrepairable by all the instructors. I fixed the receiver and you couldn't tell it was ever damaged. I finished all my projects two months early and was made a student instructor who helped other students who were having problems when the instructors were busy. Had I not had the previous experience and large amout of reference material that I had, I would not have done as well. The average student who has applied themselves would graduate as a beginner who would still need to train under a good smith. The school gives a good basic knowledge of gunsmithing, but there is so much more to learn, you are an only an entry level gunsmith upon graduation, I would say that would be the case from any of the gunsmithing schools. There is simply too much to learn and the only way to learn is through experience and time. If you don't learn something new every day, your not doing your job. The school really taught the importance of safety. It is very easy to make a firearm unsafe or do an alteration that might blow up. The only way to really learn is by hands on experience and by getting the correct information.

Continued in the next post, the post was too long for one post.

[dksac2]

After graduating, I worked for another smith for a while then opened up my own shop. It was well equipped. I did general gunsmithing for the general public and then started www.savagegunsmithing.com (http://www.savagegunsmithing.com/). I specialized on accurizing Savage bolt rifles. It started off slow, but as people started talking about how good my work was, it got a lot busier. I also was invited to be the gunsmithing moderator on a Savage gun web site, which I did. I ended closing my shop after 6 years due to a bad back and moved to Arizona in hopes of feeling better. It wasn't that much better and I like Idaho better so I moved back. I don't have my FFL and sold my lathe, mill and a lot of the specialized tools. I still have a good collection of gunsmithing tools and a small lathe to do my own work. Looking back the other two things I would have done was to take a machine shop course ( I had taken one in high school, but that was many years ago) and also taken welding classes. I became a pretty good machinest by reading and practice, but my welding is still only average to this day. I can do a good bolt handle, but the finer stuff, I sent out to have welded. As I said, I became a pretty good smith, but not a master. I'm not real artistic, but can checker fairly well, I do a great refinish and or repair job on a stock and do excellent blueing and metal finishes. If there was a job that I knew I couldn't handle or didn't have the proper tooling, I knew well enough to pass on the job or send it out. The school also gave the the knowledge of safety, which is hard to come by, even studying from books.

Lastly, My weapons are personel to me and I only show them to people I trust. I don't need an ego boost or try to prove I have the biggest or best.
I don't know your background, but now you know much of mine. I was also a LEO for 15 years in S. Kalifornia ( hence the bad back ) and a Security Manager at a large casino for some years. My last full time job was a Correctional Counselor in a high risk building. I don't miss that one. Dealing with the scum on the street is one thing, but being in a building with 500 of them everyday is something else. One sick bunch of people. If you ever worked in a prison, you would know that 90% of them should never be let loose on the public.

Best Regards, John K

[Pitdog]

Well, even though I AM just an chest thumping internet commando who CAN shoot... blah blah blah.

One of the first things I learned at CST was that there are NO 'master' gunsmiths. There is no gunsmithing guild, and anyone who claims to be a 'master' are chest thumping internet gunsmiths and not to be trusted. There are 'master' pistolsmiths, and 'master' custom gun makers, as there are guilds for each.
I wanted to clear that up first.
I agree that a man can get good with one gun, or a couple of guns, but it doesn't necessarily make him better with his few than a man with many that knows his many. I have WAY more guns than I will ever need, I have five Remington 788s and 'need' doesn't fall on ANY of them. They are ALL useful and ALL shoot well and I shoot ALL of them well, but hell- that is the nature of those rifles. I have a collection of WW2 Military rifles, a collection of custom rifles, some I have built, others have been done by other gunsmiths, I just plain own a LOT of guns, some I have never fired and may never. But the ones I use on a regular basis- I shoot them damn well. It's more in the emphasis you put on shooting and the level of importance to you it is and a lot less how few or how many you own.
I agree of course, with you John, on having extra parts, and especially the knowledge to repair and upgrade your own individual guns. Anyone who owns a Mossberg 500 Shotgun should be VERY well versed in taking it apart, putting it back together, and maintaining it, as well as having safety parts, and a spare shell stop, and the ability to replace them. KNOW your guns not just in their use.
Being you're a Savage man, I'll get a pic up of the 99F in .308 that I made a stock for, and blued/color cased. LOVE those guns.

[hunter63]

Hey, guys, can y'all hit "enter" once in a while, helps us old guys to keep track of what ever y'all are "discussing" today.

[kawalekm]

Hi John
Never had any gunsmithing training, but about a dozen years ago I got the opportunity to take a machinist class while I was between jobs. Got some good hands-on training. Learned how to operate a lathe (LeBlond) and can tram a Bridgeport mill. Halfway through the course though a really good job came along and I dropped everything to take that. That turned out to be a very good decision which advanced my career a lot and provided me with the resources to purchase our land and support my gun habit.

Would like to get a lathe of my own to put in the garage to play with. I wouldn't want to do anything commercial, just things like barrel threads and things like bullet swaging dies. I'm having a good time learning to make jacketed bullets out of brass I picked up off the ground, and being able to make my own tooling would be a big plus.

Welding is another skill I hope to start working on soon. I've already bought myself a little MIG welding unit. It's just a matter of getting around to it. With planting trees and building, and laying pipe at our homestead, it just goes to the bottum of the list. I'm sure you know how that goes.

I lived in Idaho also for about 10 years, up in the Moscow/Pullman area. I jokingly say that I wanted to get away from the crowds and live quitely up in the mountains, so I moved from Idaho to California. And now I have!

[dksac2]

If you check around for used machine shop equipment dealers, you can get some darn good deals on regular lathes and mills now. Many places have gone out of business or switched to CNC. There really are some smoking deals to be had. It sounds like you know enough to pick up a sound piece of equipment. It's great to be able to take a piece of metal and make something useful out of it. You can also save $$$ making your own specialized tools and replacement parts. When I had my gunsmithing shop, I made a lot of my own tools rather than buying the commercial version. I also made fixtures etc that were not available which made my job easier. Look around and you may just be surprised at what you will find.

Best Regards, John K

[dksac2]

Well, even though I AM just an chest thumping internet commando who CAN shoot... blah blah blah.

One of the first things I learned at CST was that there are NO 'master' gunsmiths. There is no gunsmithing guild, and anyone who claims to be a 'master' are chest thumping internet gunsmiths and not to be trusted. There are 'master' pistolsmiths, and 'master' custom gun makers, as there are guilds for each.
I wanted to clear that up first.
I agree that a man can get good with one gun, or a couple of guns, but it doesn't necessarily make him better with his few than a man with many that knows his many. I have WAY more guns than I will ever need, I have five Remington 788s and 'need' doesn't fall on ANY of them. They are ALL useful and ALL shoot well and I shoot ALL of them well, but hell- that is the nature of those rifles. I have a collection of WW2 Military rifles, a collection of custom rifles, some I have built, others have been done by other gunsmiths, I just plain own a LOT of guns, some I have never fired and may never. But the ones I use on a regular basis- I shoot them damn well. It's more in the emphasis you put on shooting and the level of importance to you it is and a lot less how few or how many you own.
I agree of course, with you John, on having extra parts, and especially the knowledge to repair and upgrade your own individual guns. Anyone who owns a Mossberg 500 Shotgun should be VERY well versed in taking it apart, putting it back together, and maintaining it, as well as having safety parts, and a spare shell stop, and the ability to replace them. KNOW your guns not just in their use.
Being you're a Savage man, I'll get a pic up of the 99F in .308 that I made a stock for, and blued/color cased. LOVE those guns.

Some of the Savage 99's are getting to be valuable. There is much interest in them. Especially the older models. Hold on to your 99, they are great firarms.

Best Regards, John K

[ArmySGT.]

Hey, guys, can y'all hit "enter" once in a while, helps us old guys to keep track of what ever y'all are "discussing" today.

If your using Firefox you can press "crtl" and the "+" symbol together and it makes the whole image larger.

[ArmySGT.]

and also taken welding classes. I became a pretty good machinest by reading and practice, but my welding is still only average to this day. I can do a good bolt handle, but the finer stuff, I sent out to have welded.

Trinidad State Junior College regularly offers "welding for Gunsmiths" as a week long summer NRA course.


http://nra.trinidadstate.edu/index.php/courses

July 19th -23rd

[hunter63]

If your using Firefox you can press "crtl" and the "+" symbol together and it makes the whole image larger.

Yeah, I know, I can see the WORDS, but the Looooong sentences are just hard to follow.
Just hit enter a couple of times
(Maybe just me, sorry, mutter, mutter, I just seem to blow off long.... carry on, too bad seem to have some good stuff to say......oh, never mind).

[rice paddy daddy]

Well, my answers are short 'cause I type with one finger! Well, two when I gotta hit the shift key.:D

[Tuckahoe]

I used to trade rifles on a weekly basis. Buying and swapping guns became my hobby. Last year I was in the market for an AR15 I did some swapping and ended up with a Colt Target Match Competition H-bar. This rifle shoots like nothing I have ever owned or held in my hands. I never intend to part with this one. Yes I have many other rifles but this one would be the first I would grab.There is an old saying "Beware of the man who shoots one gun"

[hunter63]

There is an old saying "Beware of the man who shoots one gun"

LOL, I still think this saying was from the guy who's wife's saying was:"You don't need any more guns, you can only shoot one at a time any way"

[Oblio13]

... "Beware of the man who shoots one gun"

How could only shooting one possibly be a good thing?


"Beware the musician who only plays one song."

"Beware the painter who only has one color."

"Beware the librarian who only has one book."

"Beware the mechanic who only has one tool."


;)

[Oblio13]

LOL, I still think this saying was from the guy who's wife's saying was:"You don't need any more guns, you can only shoot one at a time any way"

I bet that guy's wife had more than one pair of shoes, though... ;)

[Teg]

Being familiar with your weapon is always a positive, think of it in terms of a sniper/police marksman (or whatever the current PC terminology might be) they don't practice with a different weapon each day they work with the same model and ammo day in day out. That being said there is nothing wrong with folks owning as many guns as they like or can afford and a lot of folks with large collections are great shooters, but I think we can all agree that having a large number of weapons won't automatically make someone a better shooter. Just my two cents worth.

[Oblio13]

... think of it in terms of a sniper/police marksman ... they don't practice with a different weapon each day they work with the same model and ammo day in day out...

What police department is that? The ones I'm familiar with are required to maintain proficiency with and requalify semi-annually with at least four weapons, and they do familiarization firing with as many different things as they can get their hands on.

[Teg]

What police department is that? The ones I'm familiar with are required to maintain proficiency with and requalify semi-annually with at least four weapons, and they do familiarization firing with as many different things as they can get their hands on.

The marksman/sniper piece was just an example of a specialized function where the use/proficiency with the same weapon and ammo is very important. But you are of course correct that they also do firearms quals and proficiency firing where they fire their duty weapons, shotgun and whatever else that Dept assigns, but when it comes down to brass tacks its all about being proficient with your assigned weapons and not the fact that once upon a time you fired this or that "Gucci" weapon of the moment. ;)

[NotSoFast]

Devil's advocate here: Seems like a serious shooter with only one inexpensive firearm would be like a wine connoisseur who only drinks one cheap wine, or a book lover with only one cheap novel. Is there really such a thing?
One can also buy expensive equipment that is less than the best. I'm just sayin'.

M favorite, and hardest hitting, rifle cost me $95 two years ago. There's a lot to be said for a good, straight shooting, military surplus gun in good working order. I don't think the wine comparison is valid here.

[Pitdog]

I attended foreign small arms school- loads of fun and I am familiar enough with everything from a Skorpion to HK to crap you've only seen in movies, and were it necessary to pick it up and shoot it and defend myself with it- all is well. HOWEVER- I am of course more comfy with M-4, Glock, 870 and 700 or M1A.I can transition from one to another, or carry only one or the other, however make no mistake, if there is no 870 and only a Mossberg 500 or Winchester, or whatever- the skill to employ it is still there.
Shooting a .22 rifle often, will make you a better marksman all the time, with other rifles. However, knowing one and having it gives you an edge. Not knowing one, and having it can be just as beneficial when the chips are down.
There are arguments to be made for both schools of thought, and neither are wrong. One band aid does not cover all wounds as duck hunting with a .500 Jeffrey is not feasible but possible.