I think a lot of new members would do better if they just shut up and read every sticky thread several times over.
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I think a lot of new members would do better if they just shut up and read every sticky thread several times over.
Comes down to willingness to learn, and truly learning takes humility.
I'm anal about researching everything and fully understanding what and why. I do that in many of my hubbies.
This hobby, however, has a "practical component" that makes accurate knowledge even more imperative; self defense.
I started martial arts when I was eight. I study Kenpo, Judo, Muay Thai, BJJ, boxing and Filipino Eskrima. Have years in the arts and it always amazes me how guys have a problem with cross-training in other arts. Constant debate about which is better and how something else sucks. Their pride is challenged and the emotional investment created over years of studying one method of fighting simply will not allow them to reevaluate anything.
What cracks me up is that most of the guys you are describing haven't put years of work into their AR's, rather, they just went and bought it. Where is this silly emotional attachment coming from? Just sell it and buy what you have learned is better.
Objectively debating the merits of training, methodology and equipment is good. Emotional, subjective evaluation and refusal to adapt or change is just stupid.
I love this site, have learned a ton and have received a lot of good advice. I too read and revisit many stickies and other threads.
I've definitely noticed it too. My theory...the panic created a LOT of new AR owners. Inevitably a portion of them will end up here. They were buying whatever the hell they could get their hands on when the market was crazy, which most of the time was inferior brands. Basically, they bought the wrong guns for the wrong reasons. Now they're out scouring the internet for more info on accessories and whatnot, or simply wanting to show off their fancy new rifles. The fact that they likely way overpaid for a weapon that they have no interest in learning to really use is a tough pill to swallow.
That said, while many will come and go when they realize they've landed on the wrong site, if even just a couple guys stick around and actually read/learn, it's an overall win IMO.
Panic buying of over priced low quality AR's by young inexperienced gun owners from (younger)generation that couldn't/can't handle "instructions well" so they invented youtube.. So reading stickies and researching products are going to be replaced with "so and so, said so".. BTW I'm not even that old, but the last 10yrs have de-evolving.
It's the "everybody wins" generation. They range in age from 18 to their late 20s. They never learned how to lose and they never learned that their word is their bond. I've noticed when offering them advice or trying to instruct them they get all pissy and want you to provide them with a link as if all the knowledge in the universe is available online.
These same guys fall apart when you try to thell them that their hobby gun is junk and for the same price or a few dollars more they could have bought a quality carbine. I've tried to explain the TDP to some and why it's important but they just want to get all emotional and call names and say their is just as good as mine. I always end up quoting Pat Rogers, " We know that not all ARs are the same and only a fool believes parts are parts."
When I first came to this site it was to learn and I'm still learning. To do that you have to read the information that's available here and then apply it. I'm glad my first AR was a Colt back in the early 80s and then after much research I went with Bravo Co.
On this site it's better to read more and post less. Post count doesn't mean squat.
Take a look at calguns.net if you want to see some funny stuff from current times and years back way before the panic.
There are constantly threads titled Why all the BrandX hate? or Why no BrandX love? The pissing contest will go on for pages and pages! Then there are the comments every other post about how "my AR has shot at least 500 rounds trouble free at minute of asshole. You don't know what yer talkin' about!"
Seriously, there was a guy that posted he owned a gun shop and had bought a boat load of Bushmasters he couldn't sell at pretty high prices. He wasn't trying to gouge anybody, just make a little profit off what he probably paid too much for. We couldn't explain to him BM's outdated/inferior parts, an outdated business model, and prices high enough somebody can buy a good BCM, DD, or even Colt. I almost felt sorry for the guy.
I don't have a problem with anybody buying a cheap/cheaper AR. The more the merrier. Just don't get all offended like I just shot your dog when I tell you there are better guns for just a little more money. People are impatient and can't wait another paycheck to save that much money and have to have other people pat them on the back.
That is the answer.
You two hit certain points that i would like to hit on.
It is a fact that there are more people buying AR style rifles than ever before, unfortunately with many their source of information has been gun store, video games, or Youtube. I fell into the same trap in 2004 when the AWB was lifted by purchasing a RRA instead of a Colt because I listened to the counter guy. Without searching hard you can find supporting information on the net to back any product/mfg/opinion wither it be true or not. To many 500 rounds without fail may seem a good standpoint for reliability, to most here that is a break in period.
So what we as M4C members need to do it politely and professionally show the new guys the way when they elect to ignore the search button. We all were Noobs at one time.
I know what you are saying, I searched dpms and it had great reviews so I bought one a lil over a year ago and thanks to this site I ended up buying a bcm upper and I built my own lower and now have a great reliable ar. I know a guy though that spent 2400 on a colt 6920 during the scare which I told him he was nuts. I usually do spend almost every day on here lurking at the threads and don't post much so I am getting me some edgycation.