The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: General Handgun Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old January 2, 2007, 08:35 PM   #1
Martowski
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 31, 2000
Location: Texas (By Way of Illinois)
Posts: 1,376
Worst Handgun Myths/Fallacies

Okay, so I was in a gunshop the other day and overheard a couple of patrons talking amongst themselves. Conversations included:

Conversation 1: "...this is the plastic model, not the ceramic one" (in reference to a Glock).
Conversation 2: "...revolvers can shoot handloads. Don't get an auto, you can't shoot handloads."

Again, these were customers talking to each other, NOT the people behind the counter. However, overhearing this had me thinking about how much I hate certain fallacies when it comes to handguns (most come through movies or the media). By far, one of my least favorites is the "ceramic Glock" myth created by the movie "Die Hard."

Anyway, what's your least favorite handgun myth? I'm sure I haven't heard them all, so I'm interested to hear!
__________________
Midwestern Ramblings (my amateur firearms blog): http://martowski.wordpress.com/
Martowski is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 08:38 PM   #2
Hans
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 27, 2004
Location: Montana
Posts: 421
That handguns (or firearms in general) kill people!!! :barf:
__________________
G26, Ruger LCP
Ruger 10/22, Wyndham AR-15 5.56x45
Savage 111 LWH .270 Win.
Without the 2nd Amendment, none of the others would exist.
Hans is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 09:01 PM   #3
Playboypenguin
Junior member
 
Join Date: February 27, 2006
Location: Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 11,515
Handguns do kill people. So do pointed sticks, car crashes, and stairs. they just don't initiate the act.

That being said, the myth that bothers me most is that guns go off by accident all the time. People like to think that just because the people that shot someone tell the police it was an accident that they didn't in actuality lose their temper and try to kill the person then both lie to the police afterwards.

Last edited by Playboypenguin; January 2, 2007 at 09:47 PM.
Playboypenguin is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 09:28 PM   #4
tony pasley
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 13, 2006
Location: western north carolina
Posts: 1,641
Auto-loading rifles are assult rifles
tony pasley is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 09:31 PM   #5
flycaster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 8, 2004
Posts: 289
Guns can "go off" without even being touched. Sheesh.

Chuck
flycaster is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 09:34 PM   #6
wayneinFL
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 18, 2004
Posts: 1,944
I had an old man tell me that the .45 Colt would send a man flying. He mentioned some old cowboy show in which "six men had to pull so-and-so back with a rope to simulate the effect a 45 has on a man".

I didn't bother to explain that was the only way any handgun would send a man flying backward.

The taurus rep and I listened patiently, politely waited for him to walk away, and rolled our eyes.
wayneinFL is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 09:35 PM   #7
DarthTedd
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 19, 2006
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 625
Quote:
Guns can "go off" without even being touched. Sheesh.
I've heard this one many times.

The one that gets under my skin is people saying I can't/shouldn't hunt deer with my SKS. The press has gotten after it for no reason. Why don't they get after the M1 Garand? Cost perhaps ... not sure.

Just ... annoying.
DarthTedd is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 11:05 PM   #8
raggededge
Member
 
Join Date: December 5, 2006
Location: So. Holland, IL
Posts: 88
Sorry, I realize this is for handguns, but I was just discussing this with a friend today: shotguns. Like how they're believed to have a 10ft diameter pattern at a distance of five yards, or that they have no range past ten yards. Also that some people believe the sound of a pump shotgun being racked is such that it will bring all man, beast, and vehicle to a screeching halt. Yes, it can be an intimidating sound, but come on.
raggededge is offline  
Old January 2, 2007, 11:29 PM   #9
G-Cym
Junior member
 
Join Date: September 27, 2006
Posts: 366
Or that a shotgun blast will send a BG crashing through a wall.



Or anything called "cop-killer".
G-Cym is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 10:25 AM   #10
RecoveringGT'er
Member
 
Join Date: October 10, 2006
Posts: 82
That you can fire a Glock 18/Beretta machine pistol/etc. full auto and never miss.
__________________
"Justitia fiat, ruat coleum." - "Let justice be done, though the heavens may fall"
RecoveringGT'er is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 10:46 AM   #11
PILMAN
Member
 
Join Date: December 24, 2006
Location: Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Posts: 76
Just a few random ones myself from those who are less educated about firearms.

A was showing a friend online that I knew in reallife a picture of my new gun and he was saying "oh yeah I own a 9mm" and I asked him what kind, he said "oh it's in my closet". I asked him if he could get it from the closet and he said "It's my dads and it's at home, I'm not at home I got kicked out of the house". So much for that.

Same guy said "Man I heard Glocks are really crappy, that only like poor black people own them". Not exactly a racially correct comment...considering most Glocks run for over 500.

Another guy I was debating with about gun control was born in Germany, know him in reallife. He said "Oh yeah, Glocks are made out of plastic aren't they?" and I had to explain "polymer" to him and how it was being used in most newly high quality manufactured guns now.


Other than that i've run into the stereotypical "AK47's can be converted to full auto" and stuff like that.
PILMAN is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 11:24 AM   #12
boroif0506
Junior Member
 
Join Date: January 3, 2007
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Posts: 6
Ak 47

That an AK 47 never jams. I have seen a whole bunch of Iraqi Army AKs jam at the range (Of course it might be because the never cleaned them). Not saying the AK 47 is a bad weapon (they have my respect) there is just two many myths about them. I would be very curious to see what an AK 47 with a 20 inch heavy barrel, peep sights like the M16 family of weapons, and hand loaded ammo could do. If anybody has tried this setup please let me know.
boroif0506 is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 12:45 PM   #13
zcarp2
Junior Member
 
Join Date: December 28, 2006
Posts: 10
7 yards!

Best one I heard was from a Sheriff's deputy while patting his trusty revolver, "This thing is only good for 7 yards, anything further and you need a rifle to hit!".

And we wonder why some shootings involve 68 rounds fired and 2 hits, neither fatal.

This particular deputy was invited to the range to be proven wrong with his own revolver, politely. He declined, of course.

I am glad not all the deputies are this ignorant!
zcarp2
zcarp2 is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 01:47 PM   #14
Martowski
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 31, 2000
Location: Texas (By Way of Illinois)
Posts: 1,376
Yeah, you guys got me thinking about some of the other myths I hate.

I get particularly annoyed when people say we should outlaw machine guns. True full-auto weapons, as we all know, have required Class III licenses to own for a VERY long time. The "average Joe" doesn't just walk into a gun shop and come out with an M-16.

I also get annoyed when people assume that because they heard something from a police officer or member of the military regarding a firearm that it is correct. Please don't misunderstand me... I am not bashing the people serving our country in any way, nor am I stating that police and military personnel don't know firearms. I'm only stating that being a police officer or a member of the military doesn't automatically bestow omnipotent firearm knowledge on an individual.
__________________
Midwestern Ramblings (my amateur firearms blog): http://martowski.wordpress.com/
Martowski is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 02:42 PM   #15
Sriracha
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 9, 2005
Location: GA
Posts: 310
PILMAN,

How did you explain the distinction between plastic and polymer to your friend? My understanding is that plastics are polymers.

-Sriracha
Sriracha is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 02:46 PM   #16
10 MickeyMouse
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 29, 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 429
Assault weapon.
__________________
Don't gripe about the economy if the things you buy don't say made in USA
10 MickeyMouse is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 03:03 PM   #17
Playboypenguin
Junior member
 
Join Date: February 27, 2006
Location: Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 11,515
Two handgun fallacies that I must ad to this list is one alot of gun owners are guilty of perpetuating.

1. That small children are not strong enough to rack the slide on an auto-loader or pull the heavy trigger on a revolver so it is safe to have the gun in the house unsecured.

2. That a small child can be "taught" to not touch a handgun if the parent expains the ramifications to them so it is safe to leave a handgun unsecured around them.

I know some people will pipe up and say "I taught my 6yr old to not touch guns" but I hate to break it to you. Children do not have the same forthought and reasoning abilities that we have as adults. Children, especially under the age of 10, often act first and think second. So not matter what they supposedly "know is right or wrong" can sometimes not amount to a hill of beans.
Playboypenguin is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 03:26 PM   #18
BillCA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 28, 2004
Location: Silicon Valley, Ca
Posts: 7,117
Oh lawdy, lawdy, hep me to not go on for days with this thread!

1. "Easy availability" of guns -- who's kidding whom?
2. (Insert gun type here) is the weapon of choice for criminals.
3. You should be required to get a permit to own a (hand)gun.
4. "Why can't you just shoot to wound someone?"
5. Semi-Auto pistols are unreliable and jam frequently (esp. the 1911).
6. Snubby revolvers are inherently inaccurate beyond [x] yards.
7. The whole "penis envy" theory about guns and barrel lengths.
8. The 5.56mm bullet will enter your shoulder and exit your opposite side big toe (or some such silliness).
9. Hollow-point bullets = "dum dum" bullets = exploding bullets.
10. If you use JHP ammo, it shows you wanted to kill the person.
11. Hollow-point bullets are inhumane because they're outlawed in the Geneva accords.
12. The 9mm round is as effective, or more so, than a .45ACP or .45 Colt. (no flames, please)
13. Revolvers are obsolete.
14. Any "hydrostatic shock" theory relating to handgun bullets.
15. The grooves in a rifled barrel are there to let gas seep past the bullet, otherwise the gun would explode.
16. "Assault weapons" are inaccurate and only good for spraying bullets to kill people.
17. "Assault weapons" are high-powered rifles.
18. Your (insert gun model here) has no sporting purpose so it should be banned.
19. Your (insert gun model here) has no militia purpose so it should be banned.
20. The (type of JHP) will leave an exit wound the size of a (grapefruit, baseball, basketball, beach ball, etc.)
21. Machine guns are illegal and no one can own them except criminals.

and my least favorite "gun myth"...

Only the police & military need to have guns.
__________________
BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)
BillCA is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 03:27 PM   #19
Hedley
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 9, 2006
Location: South Texas
Posts: 1,279
Clips.
Hedley is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 04:40 PM   #20
novaDAK
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 14, 2006
Posts: 312
Quote:
Why don't they get after the M1 Garand? Cost perhaps ... not sure.
Exactly. Remember that if it's an inexpensive gun, it must be dangerous and only used by criminals. An SKS can be had for under 120, so they fall under that category to the gun grabbers.



And remember it was a Porcelain Glock 7 made in Germany and it costs more than what you make in a month.
novaDAK is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 04:47 PM   #21
BobR.
Junior member
 
Join Date: December 22, 2006
Posts: 70

Playboypenguin wrote:fallacies that I must ad to this list
2. That a small child can be "taught" to not touch a handgun if the parent expains the ramifications to them so it is safe to leave a handgun unsecured around them.

I know some people will pipe up and say "I taught my 6yr old to not touch guns" but I hate to break it to you. Children do not have the same forthought and reasoning abilities that we have as adults. Children, especially under the age of 10, often act first and think second. So not matter what they supposedly "know is right or wrong" can sometimes not amount to a hill of beans.

Sorry, but the only one full of beans on this is you.
BobR. is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 04:56 PM   #22
mes228
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 19, 2005
Posts: 628
Handgun Myths

Model 19 S&W K frame revolvers shoot loose. This, in my opinion, is as rare as Unicorns or Dragons. I've never seen one, and it defames one of the most balanced, properly sized, accurate, carriable revolvers ever made. I've had several large frame Smiths and they were all a step down compared to the Model 19. I think the 2 1/2" or 3" Model 19 is the finest carrying revolver ever made.
Just an opinion, but it based on owning a lot of revolvers.
mes228 is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 04:58 PM   #23
Playboypenguin
Junior member
 
Join Date: February 27, 2006
Location: Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 11,515
Quote:
Sorry, but the only one full of beans on this is you
BobR,

Put your money where you mouth is and show me where I am wrong. Give me the benefit of your massive psychological knowledge of small children that disputes what I said.
Playboypenguin is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 05:06 PM   #24
Rugged
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 14, 2006
Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia
Posts: 241
1) guns in the house with small children is dangerous.

2) over 10,000 children are accidentally killed anually by handguns

3) .380 is not a potent enough cartridge for defense.

4) the 1911 is god's gift to handgunners
__________________
"GET RID OF THAT NICKEL-PLATED SISSY PISTOL AND GET YOURSELF A GLOCK!!!"
Rugged is offline  
Old January 3, 2007, 05:22 PM   #25
Mark54g
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 21, 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,265
Correction guys

The Geneva Convention does not discuss "dum dum" bullets or anything like that. That goes to the Hague Accords.

I also like
A .45ACP will kill you with a shoulder wound, might spin you around too

or

Its only a .22, he can't hurt you with that
__________________
CZ 75B Stainless
Beretta PX4 F Series 9mm & U22 Neos 6" black
S&W Shield 9mm
Mark54g is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.09657 seconds with 7 queries