| Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revision |
| articles:the-sme_vs_salesman [2021/02/02 10:07] – [Other Considerations] rrandall | articles:the-sme_vs_salesman [2021/02/17 16:49] (current) – [And that's just the beginning] rrandall |
|---|
| |
| ===== Other Considerations ===== | ===== Other Considerations ===== |
| {{ :articles:dirty_harry-poster-1971.jpg?direct&200|}} | |
| Far too many new gun owners have had their choice in firearms unduly influenced by movies, TV shows, and video games. Just because some actor/actress looked "cool" wielding a particular handgun DOESN'T mean that it will fit your needs. A perfect example of this was the 1971 movie "Dirty Harry", where San Francisco Detective Harry Callahan, portrayed by Clint Eastwood, carried a Smith & Wesson Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum. According to a 2008 20th Century Fox poll, the Smith & Wesson Model 29 was the second most recognized weapon on film behind the lightsaber from Star Wars! And sales of the Smith & Wesson Model 29 skyrocketed for over 25 years. And yet, many people who bought the revolver rarely, if ever, fired it - because it was big, heavy and had a tremendous recoil. Ultimately, it became more of a conversation piece conveying status rather than a tool for self-defense. | |
| |
| More recently, choosing a handgun because some CGI characters in "Call of Duty" made them look "cool", doesn't mean that handgun will magically make you "cool"... or perform the same way it did in the game. And no. It's not "virtual reality"... it's a game designed to help people escape from reality. | |
| |
| When purchasing a handgun, do you want a movie prop... or a personal defense weapon? Is your priority that a handgun "look cool"... or that it is one that you can actually handle? | |
| |
| Beyond the "fit" of a pistol, someone who is new to firearms faces a dizzying array of options to consider - and decisions to make. For example: | Beyond the "fit" of a pistol, someone who is new to firearms faces a dizzying array of options to consider - and decisions to make. For example: |
| Another option is former military personnel. IF they only served for 4 years (or served in a non-combat role). Pass. Seek out former military personnel who were deployed multiple times and served in Special Forces, Navy Seals, etc. Many experienced former military personnel have had to use their firearm(s) MANY times. So they can move well beyond "theory" and talk about "practical application" in real-world "live fire" situations. And while they're primarily trained in use of the standard-issue weapons (including pistols), they often have experience in using multiple weapons - including multiple pistols. This training will be VERY good... but often VERY different from the instruction offered by Police Officers. The bottom line is... get a true Subject Matter Expert (SME). | Another option is former military personnel. IF they only served for 4 years (or served in a non-combat role). Pass. Seek out former military personnel who were deployed multiple times and served in Special Forces, Navy Seals, etc. Many experienced former military personnel have had to use their firearm(s) MANY times. So they can move well beyond "theory" and talk about "practical application" in real-world "live fire" situations. And while they're primarily trained in use of the standard-issue weapons (including pistols), they often have experience in using multiple weapons - including multiple pistols. This training will be VERY good... but often VERY different from the instruction offered by Police Officers. The bottom line is... get a true Subject Matter Expert (SME). |
| |
| <note>As a fan of the 1911, the best video that I've seen specifically addressing the basics for the 1911 is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thHqypf4-h0|1911s And How to Properly Use them]]".</note> | <note>The best video that I've seen specifically addressing the basics for the 1911 is "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thHqypf4-h0|1911s And How to Properly Use them]]".</note> |
| |
| 2 - Ammunition \\ | 2 - Ammunition \\ |
| 4 & 5 - Range Fees, Eye & Hearing protection \\ | 4 & 5 - Range Fees, Eye & Hearing protection \\ |
| Without going into great detail, you'll need to go somewhere to live-fire practice. This usually involves a shooting range - which has membership and/or usage fees. And, of course, you'll need both ballistic eye protection and good hearing protection. Many people like to double-up on their hearing protection by wearing both earplugs & earmuffs (electronic noise canceling earmuffs are often preferred). This is because, in order to work properly, ear muffs must have a complete seal... which is not always complete. The ear plugs dampen any noise that may enter through a poorly sealed ear-muff. | Without going into great detail, you'll need to go somewhere to live-fire practice. This usually involves a shooting range - which has membership and/or usage fees. And, of course, you'll need both ballistic eye protection and good hearing protection. Many people like to double-up on their hearing protection by wearing both earplugs & earmuffs (electronic noise canceling earmuffs are often preferred). This is because, in order to work properly, ear muffs must have a complete seal... which is not always complete. The ear plugs dampen any noise that may enter through a poorly sealed ear-muff. |
| | |
| | <note important>While a Shooting Range is great for beginners, these offer an extremely limited / restricted opportunity for practice / training (e.g., confined single lanes with little or no ability to move laterally, Range Rules often forbid drawing from a holster). Therefore, most serious shooters will graduate fairly quickly to a tactical training course.</note> |
| |
| |
| If you haven't figured it out yet... becoming a proficient marksman is an expensive - and time-consuming endeavor to undertake. And, just to be clear, I am by no means a SME on this topic. | If you haven't figured it out yet... becoming a proficient marksman is an expensive - and time-consuming endeavor to undertake. And, just to be clear, I am by no means a SME on this topic. |
