r/Firearms

The title pretty much says it all, I ask this because I keep seeing all these Youtube videos featuring people going into great detail on their home defense strategy, gun and ammo selection, etc. These videos often feature multi thousand dollar guns, and elaborate tactical gear.

I personally take a bit more of a fundamental, practical viewpoint, ie know what your shooting at, know what is in the background, use ammo that minimizes risk of over penetration, and remember the right gun for defending yourself is the first one you can reach, and it does not matter if it costs $250 or $2,500. In the real world 90+% of the time you are not going to have time to play dress up before things get busy, on top of that if you survive do you want to deal with the potential legal fallout of being dressed up like a SEAL team member with your tacti-cool rifle when you shot someone.

p.s. note I am not against tacti-cool rifles, I have a couple of them, but they stay locked up in the gun safe, and are not one of my grab it guns for home defense, which tend to have wood stocks or grips, or at least no tacti-coolized stuff beyond a flashlight.

Hi all, please forgive me for asking this. I’ve been getting back into firearms recently and I feel as though I’m having a sort of identity crisis. I’d love to get your opinions and would appreciate any help or advice you can provide.

For my background, I grew up with guns. My dad taught me safe handling, how to shoot, etc. We used to go hunting, and he was one of the people who sparked my interest in guns and eventually competitions.

As of now, I am getting back into the hobby. I enjoy old military rifles, shoot competitively at the CMP/NRA Highpower/Service Rifle matches and long range steel matches, reload my own ammo, and am licensed to conceal carry, even though I only do it occasionally due to my work and attire not being conducive to the same.

My question is, am I am fudd? I feel so alienated by much of the firearms community today. Whether it is in person or online. I don’t say this as a way to make anyone else feel bad or to imply any sort of negativity about others. I just don’t feel like I’m “one of you guys”. I will describe what I mean below:

• For example, I’m not super into FRTs/Super Safeties. I think they are silly (for me, given I’m more of a precision/accuracy shooter) even if I think they should be okay to own.

• I also don’t really do any sort of defensive training or competition. I see people online, especially Reddit, all the time saying I should be training etc. I don’t really do that besides practicing my marksmanship (standing/sitting/prone, use of the sling, dry firing my pistol one handed). I mainly do target shooting with my ARs, Bolt Guns, Pistols, etc.

• I also am not super libertarian. I say this in the sense that I am not opposed to federal agencies existing or taxes etc. My politics would generally be described as neo-conservative, favoring a strong national defense, strong executive, and generally socially conservative stance. I feel like politically I do not fit in with most of the people I meet at the range etc who say things like “Abolish the ATF” or whatever. I say this while agreeing that the ATF has historically done unconstitutional things. But this is just an example.

• I don’t regularly carry, and when I do I only carry a pocket pistol (KelTec P32). My job limits me from carrying without putting myself at risk for legal penalties. But when I’m online I also feel like I’m doing something wrong by not carrying a larger/more powerful pistol with extra magazines.

• I don’t own any tactical gear and don’t really have a desire to. Plate carriers, helmets, nods, etc. I also don’t really prep for any sort of end of the world scenario beyond just having a food supply at home, trying to be self-sustaining where I can, hunting, and learning first aid/medical skills (I am a PA but don’t have any trauma experience).

• I don’t own any suppressors. I hope to buy my first one this year.

I realize this is a really silly question, perhaps it is my OCD that makes me always doubt myself. I just was at a shooting match the other day and noticed that I don’t often feel I “fit in” with the others, for one reason or another like those listed above. I fully support the second amendment even to the point of legal full-auto. I just still feel like I might be considered a “fudd” for who I am, and I understand it’s my duty as an American to be armed. I also know the 2A isn’t just about hunting or shooting etc. But in spite of this, sometimes I wonder if I should stop shooting because of these doubts about “who I am”, but I know that sounds really silly.

I apologize for such a long-winded post. I appreciate your honest thoughts and opinions. This is something I’ve been wrestling with for some time now, and I finally decided it would be best to just ask instead of wondering about it internally.

Thank you all for your help

Im not trying to come on here to complain but I need to get some of my frustrations out and I dont want to cause uneeded strife within my family for no good reason.

For starters I am someone who deeply respects the importance of the 2nd amendment. I have seen the importance for having guns for as long as I can remeber. However, some people in my family are somewhat ant-gun. They dont like the idea of people owning them and having them. Especially "assault weapons" but they are family so I just dont bring it up and its typically not an issue (although they have given me lots of shit in the past for owning guns)

However, this switched up very quickly tonight when we got a shelter in place EAS alert for the whole city due to an active shooter who was running from the police and they had no idea where the guy was at. Within the hour I get calls and messages asking me to please come over with my AR15 and protect them. So I agree because its family. I end up spending the next few hours sitting in the living room watching TV with my fully loaded AR15 so they can feel safe (how cool of me). Anyway, cops seem to have given up on the search and it is now 1am and so they said I can go home.

Now look, its family so I am not mad but I am certainly holding back the urge to say "I told you so." This whole thing just made me realise that a lot of people would probably switch up really fast when they realise the government is not always going to be able to protect them even if they want to. Finally I want to clarify by saying that I have no ill will towards my familly. I still love them even though they give me a headache sometimes. Atleast I probably wont get anymore shit from them for owning guns.

Also out of curiousity does anyone else have a similar story?

Ordered a Vortex Defender XL through Scheels because of the great deal. Package was delivered today, opened it up and boom, no dot inside. The delivery box was sealed but the vortex box wasn't. I contacted customer support and they said they would call the store who sent the package out. Has this happened to anyone else?