Newly into shooting ???

[Kevin]

There is another dad at my daughters school. I know him but don't see him all that often. He's a good guy though, just travels for his job. Anyway, lets say our families are friends.

So I'm talking with his wife at 3:30 when the kids are out of school. She tells me they are buying a safe that upcoming Saturday. He has apparently gotten into shooting as a fairly new hobby, like the last year or so. I ask what sort of guns does he have, and she doesn't really pay much attention but says rifles. Then sort of an off hand remark says he is having a rifle made for him.

My first thought was good for him way to go. Then over the weekend I think about it more and find it odd, newly into shooting and he already has a custom gun on order. I'm certainly not jealous, I have a custom rifle and a revolver on order as we speak also. But I've been shooting a lot for 20 years. Well all my life actually like most of everyone here.

But does it seem like the thing to do? As in go shooting occasionally for 6 or 8 months and then buy a custom rifle just because you can? Perhaps I'm off base on this, but I think it is more detrimental to the shooting sports to show up st the range with a multi thousand dollar gun and be relatively inexperienced. Almost like a hack or wannabe.

Am I wrong?

 

[bogus bill]

Kind of sounds like someone he met might have sold him a bill of goods.

 

[Xsales]

The guy may have far more knowledge than you think

If he has the money, I see no reason a custom rifle is an issue newbie or not

 

[dougader]

I did that with hats... I've always loved hats... just never wore them much because I was vain and didn't want "hat hair" messing up my curly hair... you know, the girls liking it so much and all.

Fast forward how many years. I have real haircuts now with clippers and all of that. I read up on hats, hatters in my area and dropped $525 on a handmade custom, 100% beaver, fur felt fedora. That was in July. I didn't get it until the middle of December.

Or maybe he's suddenly into serious prepping... who knows? The thing is, we don't know and I'd reserve judgment based on my ignorance about what's actually going on.

 

[Dan in MI]

You're thinking like an old time gun guy. "having a gun built" may just mean getting a Ar-15 parts gun assembled. Not a ballz out bolt gun or similar.

 

[WAYNO]

Times have changed. When we learned to drive, we were lucky to have our own junker, and we learned how to keep it running. When we got our first guns, they were very likely hand-me-downs or bargain rack guns. And we learned how to shoot them and how to take care of them. We even learned how to make them work better and look better than when we got them.

People have more money, (or more credit) now. Go to the local high school parking lot. The kids have nicer cars than I do. There is not the progression that I experienced. It's the best or nothing. Often it's the same with guns. New shooters don't progress from bargain and learning guns to better guns when they can afford to. They go to the gun store, the salesman shows them the best gun they have, and the new shooter says, I'll take it. And at the same time, they have become an expert. Did I say "times, they are a changing?"

 

[Mobuck]

Now, everything is a "build" even if it's simply pounding parts together. Guess if the dude has the $$, good on him.

 

[Kevin]

it just so happens I did actually talk with him tonight. Now I don't know him that well. But he does have some guns and is NOT very experienced.

He even reload too. He's been doing that for about two months. Yes I realize we all have to start sometime. He probably has a guy at work telling him what he needs and can't sleep good without. But he sounded sort of compulsive about his purchases. Like not much thought about what to buy.

I didn't think about how everything these days is a "build" even a 10/22. People "build" them these days don't they? Point taken thanks.

And Wayno, you are right about the progression and how times are changing....

 

[bogus bill]

That`s kind of how I was when I discovered girls.

 

[427mach1]

That`s kind of how I was when I discovered girls.

You had one custom built? How do you do that? :lol:

 

[blackhawknj]

I am also a bicyclist, and you'd be surprised how many new bicyclists start by buying a top of the line/all the bells whistles/high priced brand new bicycle, instead of starting out with something more basic-a good used bicycle-Craigslist anyone ?-and using that to learn with and most importantly, find out what they like and don't like-and don't need. In 1986 I knew a fellow who bought a top of Fisher VCR (remember those?). I asked him about it, he replied:
"The more you have the more you don't use."
I like the idea of a custom built girl.

 

[Mus408]

I don't see a problem with it...it's a hobby.

About the same as guys wanting to get into custom cars...hot rods...muscle cars and have a special car built but they know nothing much about how to tune it.

Maybe help the new shooter along as he enjoys the gun hobby or disease!

Just a few weeks ago a guy called me to help him sort out and tune his Cobra roadster he had built
some years ago. He found out about me from another friend so I went over to check it out.

Found he is also into shooting and builds and flies his own planes. Now another place to shoot as he has a 600 yard range. And of course another friend!

 

[exavid]

That`s kind of how I was when I discovered girls.

Girls?? Oh yeah... now I remember...

 

[Poco Oso]

His money, his rifle, his business. If you can afford the best equipment, or tools, from the beginning, why buy something inferior? Good for him. Don't begrudge the man a nice custom rifle because he's a new shooter. Who knows, if it doesn't work out for him, you may just get a shot at a nice rifle at a bargain price. :wink:

 

[gtxmonte]

If I decided I was going to be a Bullseye match shooter, I would start with a nice pistol. May as well learn with good stuff as opposed to a beater..............Good on him. Get what you want

 

[Dan in MI]

But he sounded sort of compulsive about his purchases.

I know a few of those guys. They are not only compulsive about what the buy, but also about their hobbies. There may be an awesome garage sale in your future as the new hobby kicks out the old one.

 

[Captain America]

I know a few of those guys. They are not only compulsive about what the buy, but also about their hobbies. There may be an awesome garage sale in your future as the new hobby kicks out the old one.

Yup, that's been the end result of the custom motorcycle craze, bikes that cost $75,000 a few years ago are showing up on eBay for $14,000 and they're still not selling.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks to all. It's nice to hear different perspectives on this. And I suppose different opinions make the world go round.

Like I said, I don't know him very well; but enough to know he is a good guy. Probably just overly enthusiastic. Still new though. Last night he was needing help trying to convince his wife he needs another gun. One of those "revolver" type guns, I tried not to laugh at that.

I'll go shooting with him sometime soon.

 

[powder smoke]

Now, everything is a "build" even if it's simply pounding parts together. Guess if the dude has the $$, good on him.

My thoughts exactly, if you got the bucks why not? ps

 

[contender]

Kevin,,, a door is open for you. RUN through it.
The place you will go is to HELP a new shooter develop into a seasoned one. Make a friend,,, offer your help,,, show him different things,,, offer advice,,, allow him to shoot your guns,,, & in general,,, help guide him on a good path,,, instead of allowing him to stumble along & maybe turn away from our beloved hobby.
You have seen many folks come here & get help. We encourage folks,,, offer advice & in general,, want folks to enjoy shooting. But even those of us who are looked at as seasoned old pharts,,, can still learn things. And while you may feel you aren't as seasoned as some,,, you are further along than this guy. I recall a simple piece of advice I helped a newer guy with who appreciated it. Even if the newer guy was from Texas,,,, he got help!

My point is,,, you can help him & who knows,,, maybe you'll develop a life long friendship.

 

[powder smoke]

There are many avenues one can go down as a firearm enthusiast. Rifles shotguns
ARs revolvers pistols even air guns it is all good. What ones likes are, go for it.
Seems this guy like Rifles, I do too but Revolvers are my thing. ps

 

[vito]

There are people who just have to have the best when it comes to anything they buy, sometimes just because they can afford it and don't want any compromises and sometimes just for bragging rights. I'm not much of a golfer and I haven't played in years, but a few years ago I was invited to play with my son-in-law and his boss and another guy from their company. The boss opens the trunk of his car and pulls out this extremely expensive looking leather golf bag, and a full set of custom club that I am sure set him back several thousand dollars. I immediately assumed that he must be really good to want the benefit of this high priced golf equipment, only to find that it was only his second time on a golf course, he was too arrogant to take lessons, and was even worse at golf than I was (which is hard to do). I had a well to do acquaintance, who was a highly paid anesthesiologist, who after one trip to a gun range, decided he liked to shoot (nothing wrong with that) and immediately bought several handguns, all top of the line stuff like H&K and Kimber. Remember you can't take it with you, so do what ever it is that makes you happy and doesn't take food off the table or make you miss your mortgage payment.

 

[Rook]

If the guy can afford it then why not. I feel the same way, if I can't go first class then I'd just as soon stay home.

 

[Mike J]

I hope he enjoys his new rifle. I have bought guns I didn't need because I wanted them. Personally I only own one revolver but I like it. It doesn't get shot that much but I enjoy it when I shoot it. As long as he isn't neglecting his responsibilities & is enjoying his new hobby good for him.

 

[gtxmonte]

If the guy can afford it then why not. I feel the same way, if I can't go first class then I'd just as soon stay home.

Yeah, this is the way I feel. Although I have been doing it a long time, the rush of guys wanting to do "long range" shooting here in the last few years, has gotten huge. I am talking 1000 yard and plus ranges. I have carried a few guys with me and I dial the scope, set the rifle up and let them bang some steel at 1000 and they are hooked. I shoot for groups, but when I take these guys, I just hang a big steel target down there that they SHOULD be able to hit with my rifle if they can halfway control their breathing. I carried a friend a year or so ago and he was hooked immediately. I have several custom rifles, he wanted one and I knew he could afford it. Hooked him up with my smith and he now has a WAY nicer rig than anything I own. Custom BAT action, Manners stock, Nightforce BEAST, Accuracy International metal. He dropped 5 grand like it was nothing........good for him. Now I get to TEACH him how to shoot his fancy rig.........its all good

 

[ilikerams]

If I decided I was going to be a Bullseye match shooter, I would start with a nice pistol. May as well learn with good stuff as opposed to a beater..............Good on him. Get what you want

This brings back memories. A guy I knew came to one of our practice nights for our Bulls eye league, joined the club, and a few weeks later showed up with a custom built 1911 from one of the big name smiths at the time. This was around 1985 or 86. It cost him around $1200 or so which was big bucks at the time. Anyway it turns out he was the purchasing agent for a big resort around here and he was skimming money from the company to pay for his fun. He didn't get prosecuted for that but he lost his job and got divorced over it. Fast forward to 2005, he is charged and found guilty of two counts of homicide,(his parents) and is serving a life sentence. Ya never know. :shock: