Are you fascinated by guns? Why?
- Thread starter Skans
- Start date
Tire tread is considered to be a normal wear item and one expects to replace the tires multiple times in the life of a car. Even if you don't drive the car, the tires will eventually have to be replaced due to age.
It is true that some people would consider a barrel to be a normal wear item and expect to replace it multiple times in the life of a firearm, but most firearm owners will never use up a barrel and many who do would replace the gun rather than the barrel if they did.
Even if one were to consider a barrel to be a normal wear item and expect to put say, 10 barrels on a rifle before the rest of the gun wore out, they would increase the life of the rifle to 20 seconds to less than 2 minutes.
If one is talking about semi-automatics then it might make sense to include the action cycle time. That would increase the figure but it would still be under 10 minutes.
Like I said, I watch a video of a guy shoot pretty much non stop for almost 10 minutes and only stopped because an easily replaced part that is designed to fail at a certain point failed due to massive heat buildup. Had the gun been allowed to cool at certain intervals, there is no question that it could have kept shooting well past 10 minutes overall.
The time of the action does not include just semi autos. It takes time to cycles the bolt on a bolt action rifle or a lever action rifle. To cock the hammer on a revolver, to load and unload a single shot. Those may be things that have to be manually done, but they are still part of the operating time of the firearm. A semi auto probably has the shortest operating time just due to it's automation.
The time of the action does not include just semi autos. It takes time to cycles the bolt on a bolt action rifle or a lever action rifle. To cock the hammer on a revolver, to load and unload a single shot. Those may be things that have to be manually done, but they are still part of the operating time of the firearm. A semi auto probably has the shortest operating time just due to it's automation.
Firearms, being ..firearms, there's no perfect analogy to other items. There are some general principles that apply to a great many things man makes.
I do find it interesting, the "lifetime" of a firearm, being calculated as a couple of minutes (max?) of actual "operation". Interesting set of parameters. I'd never really considered just the amount of time actually firing as being the life of gun.
Service life is a long established concept, for military arms it's always a number of rounds fired, not a time period. All the other firearms I can think of also use rounds fired as the "units" when speaking of the life of the arm.
Other things are calculated in their own ways. If it moves, this usually includes the number of cycles of operation.
Some items, because of the high number of cycles express this in hours of run time.
And what's the "right" way to calculate run time, time in use, time of operation, etc., where to you set the parameters? How do you compare apples to oranges??
also, not all guns are equal in this regard, either. Some are more "heavy duty" than others. Take a Browning water cooled machinegun, properly set up with enough ammo and coolant, and you could virtually go out for breakfast, come back and find the gun still running. (not as much of an overstatement as it might seem
)
I suppose you could consider this the industrial engine end of the firearms curve, but its in there.
Another thing to consider is the difference in one's definitions of "in operation" and "in use".
I can define it as any time the gun is not in storage. You can define it as the time the gun is actually fired. Or something in between. Neither is wrong, they're just different parameters.
I do find it interesting, the "lifetime" of a firearm, being calculated as a couple of minutes (max?) of actual "operation". Interesting set of parameters. I'd never really considered just the amount of time actually firing as being the life of gun.
Service life is a long established concept, for military arms it's always a number of rounds fired, not a time period. All the other firearms I can think of also use rounds fired as the "units" when speaking of the life of the arm.
Other things are calculated in their own ways. If it moves, this usually includes the number of cycles of operation.
Some items, because of the high number of cycles express this in hours of run time.
And what's the "right" way to calculate run time, time in use, time of operation, etc., where to you set the parameters? How do you compare apples to oranges??
also, not all guns are equal in this regard, either. Some are more "heavy duty" than others. Take a Browning water cooled machinegun, properly set up with enough ammo and coolant, and you could virtually go out for breakfast, come back and find the gun still running. (not as much of an overstatement as it might seem
)I suppose you could consider this the industrial engine end of the firearms curve, but its in there.
Another thing to consider is the difference in one's definitions of "in operation" and "in use".
I can define it as any time the gun is not in storage. You can define it as the time the gun is actually fired. Or something in between. Neither is wrong, they're just different parameters.
Gator Weiss
New member
What does he mean by "fascination?"
Firearms is a hobby no different from fishing, baseball, archery, coin collecting, climbing, sailing, horseback riding, etc. Sadly, guns are politicized and hobbyists associated with guns are negatively labeled by the left-wing because it suits a subversive political agenda to label firearm enthusiasts in a negative way. Common hammers consistently kill more people than guns. Criminals kill more people than firearms hobbyists. The parties of the left enable organized crime and drugs and often fund it in many ways. Firearms hobbyists aren't criminals. They are hobbyists, who enjoy this ancient sport and hobby, and they certainly don't represent the criminal element. Words like "fascination" suggest a mania or manic interest, and that's not a sportsman or hobbyist. I don't think anyone here is "fascinated" at all. Those that are here study and post in the form of dedicated sports participants and hobbyists; in some cases professional militarists and law enforcement. This is a healthy community and comprised of good credible folk.
Firearms is a hobby no different from fishing, baseball, archery, coin collecting, climbing, sailing, horseback riding, etc. Sadly, guns are politicized and hobbyists associated with guns are negatively labeled by the left-wing because it suits a subversive political agenda to label firearm enthusiasts in a negative way. Common hammers consistently kill more people than guns. Criminals kill more people than firearms hobbyists. The parties of the left enable organized crime and drugs and often fund it in many ways. Firearms hobbyists aren't criminals. They are hobbyists, who enjoy this ancient sport and hobby, and they certainly don't represent the criminal element. Words like "fascination" suggest a mania or manic interest, and that's not a sportsman or hobbyist. I don't think anyone here is "fascinated" at all. Those that are here study and post in the form of dedicated sports participants and hobbyists; in some cases professional militarists and law enforcement. This is a healthy community and comprised of good credible folk.
Might be interesting to post this question on a social media location. Ask non-gun owners and non-enthusiasts why they think that some people love guns. They will tell you that us gun lovers are trying to make up for some deficiency, probably related to certain body parts, or that we have pathological desires to kill and hurt people, or we feel so insecure that we want to dominate other people through our firearms, etc. I guarantee that you would not get a single response that matches any on this forum. Guns are useful tools, marvels of engineering, fill a need that nothing else can fill, and fun to use, and harken back to our earliest instinctive drives for self preservation and success in a competitive and dangerous world.
Once when a relative who is outspoken in her anti-gun attitude asked me why I like guns, and I responded, "who wouldn't?".
Once when a relative who is outspoken in her anti-gun attitude asked me why I like guns, and I responded, "who wouldn't?".
Hmmm. Many times, especially on the range alone, I find it meditative. I'm focused on the firearm, the target, the sights, the trigger, my grip, stance, my breath. Can't multi-task thinking of the wifey or work business.
Now I find I shot less and am more methodical and spend more productive time at the range.
Now I get to close out the afternoon or evening, marveling at the engineering while cleaning, inspecting, basically tending to the firearm before being stabled.
Now I can't wrap my brain around the idea that a firearms operational usefulness is that minuscule moment that the projectile spins down the barrel.
Way I see it, two of my firearms served me well today. At least and hour and half of range time, plus maybe a half hour of cleaning. That's two sweet hours of Yoga, Yogi
Now I find I shot less and am more methodical and spend more productive time at the range.
Now I get to close out the afternoon or evening, marveling at the engineering while cleaning, inspecting, basically tending to the firearm before being stabled.
Now I can't wrap my brain around the idea that a firearms operational usefulness is that minuscule moment that the projectile spins down the barrel.
Way I see it, two of my firearms served me well today. At least and hour and half of range time, plus maybe a half hour of cleaning. That's two sweet hours of Yoga, Yogi
10 minutes of actual non stop full-auto firing for an AR-15/M16 would be 7,000 to 9,500 rounds which is getting into the neighborhood of the nominal service life of an AR-15 barrel.
So I should amend my statement to say "under 20 minutes" as opposed to "under 10 minutes".
Since all those things are done manually, there's no way to quantify how long they take and trying to add that into the actual operating life of the gun only makes sense if one is trying to stretch the figure. Does it really make sense to say that the service life of a gun is longer if it's owned by someone who cycles the bolt very slowly? I wouldn't think so...
Are your fascinated by Guns? Why?
From the first time I saw one, I wanted one. At age 6 or so I shot my Uncles Springfield .22 with a long 28 inch barrel.
Carried that gun to the store to buy shells. 29 cents for shorts or so. Shot lots of squirrels and rabbits and spent .22 casings and pennies.
I cleaned with Singer machine oil and cut patches on a double piece of thread or strong and needle to drop it down the barrel.
I've bought several junk guns and fot them into good condition. No gun smithing as such.
I like guns a lot. An examining and cleaning one not familiar to me and rejuvenating it is a most pleasureable past time.
Might need to join Gunaholics Anynmous nto to quit but to examine their guns and get tips on fixing others.
From the first time I saw one, I wanted one. At age 6 or so I shot my Uncles Springfield .22 with a long 28 inch barrel.
Carried that gun to the store to buy shells. 29 cents for shorts or so. Shot lots of squirrels and rabbits and spent .22 casings and pennies.
I cleaned with Singer machine oil and cut patches on a double piece of thread or strong and needle to drop it down the barrel.
I've bought several junk guns and fot them into good condition. No gun smithing as such.
I like guns a lot. An examining and cleaning one not familiar to me and rejuvenating it is a most pleasureable past time.
Might need to join Gunaholics Anynmous nto to quit but to examine their guns and get tips on fixing others.
My mom didn't like guns in the house, so naturally, when I married and had my own home, I was fascinated by them. Then they became just another everyday tool. But I find the process of shooting relaxing, and helps my mind focus. Kind of Zen, I guess. Inhale, exhale, relax pause, squeeze trigger. Repeat. During that process, nothing else exists lol. So fascinated? No. Enjoy the mechanics and tinkering with them as well. But I also get pleasure using a drill press, welder, milling machine, etc.
Oh, I don't doubt that at all! In fact, I think most of us have heard or read what antis think of our fascination with guns. I suppose the same kind of psycho-babel could apply to swords, spears, bow-&-arrow, missiles, rockets, and who knows what else.
But, non-gun owners don't really get it do they? So, their answers to my question would likely be shallow, simplistic and lacking any real substance. I am much more interested in why actual gun owners (like myself) find guns appealing. For me its a combination of the mechanical nature of the gun, history and something else that I call longevity or posterity.
aarondhgraham
New member
I've already posted,,,
I've already posted in this thread,,,
But I've been thinking more about the topic.
I do have a fascination with the workings of a gun,,,
I mean we are holding a controlled explosion in our hands.
I love the intricacies of how this is managed.
One of the most exhilarating things in my life was when,,,
I learned how to load and fire a flintlock.
But after some reflection I think the true fascination is,,,
Just sending a projectile of any type downrange,,,
And hitting a predetermined spot.
When I was a small child I attended Sunday School,,,
I wondered where David got the inner tube to make a sling shot.
Then my grandfather told me what real slings were,,,
We made one from some leather strap he had,,,
I emptied our driveway of gravel with it.
I still think my proudest "hunting" moment,,,
Was when I showed my Dad a rabbit I beaned with it.
I have a friend with three young sons,,,
I've sort of adopted them as The Cool Uncle,,,
Last year for Christmas I bought them throwing knives.
A year before that I made them real biblical slings,,,
I found I could still hit a paper plate at 25 yards.
Later on it was archery,,,
I shot on a team in high school.
In 1978 I competed in the California Olympic tryouts,,,
The top five went to a national level tourney to pick the USA team.
I didn't get selected to go to that tourney,,,
Even though I scored #3 out of over 80 archers.
My claim to almost-fame is,,,
Two California people were picked for the USA team.
I had beat them both.
Moot point though,,,
Carter had the USA boycott the 1980 games.
I even got into competitive darts,,,
But that was always in a bar,,,
Same with 8-Ball pool,,,
Beer was a problem.
So basically I'm into anything that tosses a projectile at a target.
At my age, guns just happen to be the thing that still works out for me.
Aarond
.
I've already posted in this thread,,,
But I've been thinking more about the topic.
I do have a fascination with the workings of a gun,,,
I mean we are holding a controlled explosion in our hands.
I love the intricacies of how this is managed.
One of the most exhilarating things in my life was when,,,
I learned how to load and fire a flintlock.
But after some reflection I think the true fascination is,,,
Just sending a projectile of any type downrange,,,
And hitting a predetermined spot.
When I was a small child I attended Sunday School,,,
I wondered where David got the inner tube to make a sling shot.
Then my grandfather told me what real slings were,,,
We made one from some leather strap he had,,,
I emptied our driveway of gravel with it.
I still think my proudest "hunting" moment,,,
Was when I showed my Dad a rabbit I beaned with it.
I have a friend with three young sons,,,
I've sort of adopted them as The Cool Uncle,,,
Last year for Christmas I bought them throwing knives.
A year before that I made them real biblical slings,,,
I found I could still hit a paper plate at 25 yards.
Later on it was archery,,,
I shot on a team in high school.
In 1978 I competed in the California Olympic tryouts,,,
The top five went to a national level tourney to pick the USA team.
I didn't get selected to go to that tourney,,,
Even though I scored #3 out of over 80 archers.
My claim to almost-fame is,,,
Two California people were picked for the USA team.
I had beat them both.
Moot point though,,,
Carter had the USA boycott the 1980 games.
I even got into competitive darts,,,
But that was always in a bar,,,
Same with 8-Ball pool,,,
Beer was a problem.
So basically I'm into anything that tosses a projectile at a target.
At my age, guns just happen to be the thing that still works out for me.
Aarond
.
Kreyzhorse
New member
I am not fascinated with guns. I do enjoy them though. The are marvellous little machines that are fun to shoot, offer protection and some of them could tell some great stories if they could.
Jayhawkhuntclub
New member
My wife once asked me, "Why are you so obsessed with guns?" The answer is: I have no idea. I'm not sure why I love breasts as much as I do either. It's just the way it is.
guns will be destroyed in less than 100 years
my guess, your modern firearms wont be around in 100 years, the government will take them away and destroy them by that time
it's not the same as an old antique rilfe or pistol from 1880 - 1911
current guns wont make it as long in private ownership like they use to
the 2nd amendment will be changed before that ever happens
everything changes , throughout history people rewrite history or change the story, just like the bible, and believe what they want to or only print what they want to believe or want others to believe.
my guess, your modern firearms wont be around in 100 years, the government will take them away and destroy them by that time
it's not the same as an old antique rilfe or pistol from 1880 - 1911
current guns wont make it as long in private ownership like they use to
the 2nd amendment will be changed before that ever happens
everything changes , throughout history people rewrite history or change the story, just like the bible, and believe what they want to or only print what they want to believe or want others to believe.
ShooterScott1
New member
I like the independence they give me. A sense that I can take care of myself.
Iwanttoshootbettter
New member
Yes
But only because a saltwater infection from fishing in Galveston bay almost killed me.I fished 3-5 times a week and was passionate about it my r hand looked like a catchers mitt.2 months in the hospital with heavy drugs drs told me to stay away from any fresh or salt water.Sold the boat and most of my 38 rods n reels.Bolt guns fascinate me have deer n hog hunted 28 years just taking it another level and appreciate all the help from this site.Have a daily carry and am not attracted to black guns with due respect.
But only because a saltwater infection from fishing in Galveston bay almost killed me.I fished 3-5 times a week and was passionate about it my r hand looked like a catchers mitt.2 months in the hospital with heavy drugs drs told me to stay away from any fresh or salt water.Sold the boat and most of my 38 rods n reels.Bolt guns fascinate me have deer n hog hunted 28 years just taking it another level and appreciate all the help from this site.Have a daily carry and am not attracted to black guns with due respect.
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Pathfinder45
New member
Almost everyone is fascinated by guns, even those who don't approve of them, fear them, loathe them, and want to have them confiscated and banned. If it were not so, there wouldn't be such an overwhelming
presence of firearm depiction in film and television.
presence of firearm depiction in film and television.