I'd say it depends on whether or not correcting the will actually have a noticeable impact at any point. You may end up arguing with an idiot. If somebody was buying something that they thought was something else I like to think I'd speak up.

 

I probably would and have but never like I was trying to be a smart aleck . Times had happened was at a public range were was shooting with friends . Never had a issue with anybody thankfully .

 

It would depend on how they said it.
If it was a polite observation although wrong I may just say "It's a .................." and leave it at that.
If it was some smug jackass know it all...my reply would be considerably different.....and most likely sarcastic....and make sure other heard me correct him.
Most people ask what it is rather than broadcast what they seemingly know it is....and some are just jackholes trying to impress someone with their infinite knowledge.

 

For me, it is never a scenario where there has to be a distinction between the appropriate time, or place when it comes to making a correction. I will correct on the spot when it comes to a firearm as some firearms can be very close in appearance at a glance or at a distance. Differences , in many firearms are not as easily discernible on a quick glance. Plus, how the hell is anyone ever going to learn anything if what they consider it to be the correct firearm is not. Classic example comes to mind between the model 27 and model 28 S&W very similar looking but the finish on the bluing is different one being a high gloss and the other one being more flat or bead blasted appearance. I will correct the person and prefer that I be corrected on the spot as well . They will either acknowledge their mistake or shrug it off. Only individuals that will get upset are the morons who think they know everything.

 

I probably would depending on the situation.

If someone gets the caliber wrong or the brand wrong, I'll tell them what I'm actually shooting. Seems like the nice thing to do. But if I'm not in the mood to talk, I'll just say "thanks" and go on about my business.

 

One of my goals in life is to find a place to stand where it is none of my business to correct the stranger. I pray that I can allow people to wallow in their ignorance. "They" do not want my input. I will not ever become smart enough to fix all the stupid.

 

Probably, because I'm rude like that. However, I'd never assume a model of an older revolver because I'd be the first one to get it wrong. I'd ask.

 

Yes, I would correct the mistake and explain the differences. A Second Model Hand Ejector is different from a 45 ACP H E Model of 1917. A Python is different from an L frame, etc.

Why not correct them? Is it acceptable to allow the ignorance to continue and spread? I think not.

Kevin

 

Yes, I would correct the mistake and explain the differences. A Second Model Hand Ejector is different from a 45 ACP H E Model of 1917. A Python is different from an L frame, etc.

Why not correct them? Is it acceptable to allow the ignorance to continue and spread? I think not.

Kevin

I agree, and there's nice ways of doing it. Someone miss-call one of mine, I might look at it cockeyed and say "yeah, it does look a little like (whatever he called it), but it's not. It's a (whatever it actually is)" and then explain the similarities that make it look like what he thought it was, and then the differences. I might also say something like "I'd sure like to have one of (whatever he thought it was), but never found one in decent condition".

The casual gun nut sees similarities like a full underlug or a half-moon front sight or no extractor rod shroud and calls it the only model he knows that has that feature. One of my pet peeves is someone seeing a Patridge front sight and calling it a Partridge. I laugh and tell them there's no bird sitting on my gun barrel and then tell them why it's called a Patridge, just like the Baughman ramp has a history behind it too.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the pre-war guns or their modern classic versions, like the ones in your post above. My knowledge, what there is of it, starts about 1947 and ends around 1982-85, as those are the ones I like best, but I appreciate learning the older ones. Unfortunately, my mental hard drive is full, needs defragging and runs too slow to retain much new info these days.

 

Be polite and informative......

.....don't be an.....well......you know.

 

Ha...good question Alpo!

The very infrequent times I shoot in public if something is said it's usually, "what is that"?

I used to have an Alfa Romeo Spyder. Many times people would ask, "is that an MG". When I would say no, it's an Alfa Romeo, the most common response was, "who makes that"?

We're all ignorant of more than we're knowledgeable of.

 

Ha...good question Alpo!

The very infrequent times I shoot in public if something is said it's usually, "what is that"?

I used to have an Alfa Romeo Spyder. Many times people would ask, "is that an MG". When I would say no, it's an Alfa Romeo, the most common response was, "who makes that"?

We're all ignorant of more than we're knowledgeable of.

The difference there is both of the examples you gave, the onlooker asked.

What kind of gun is thy-att?

Is thy-att a em-gee? Nah? Then what is it?

In both of my examples the onlooker assumed he knew what it was and just made a statement.

 

If you’re worried about hurting someone’s feelings or embarrassing them by correcting them they will never learn, I would appreciate someone correcting me if I was wrong, after all this is how we learn.

I’ve got a Smith & Wesson model 22-4 that someone thought was a model 1917. I just explained, it was more or less a remake of the model 1917 with a couple modification changes.

 

If you’re worried about hurting someone’s feelings or embarrassing them by correcting them they will never learn, I would appreciate someone correcting me if I was wrong, after all this is how we learn.

I’ve got a Smith & Wesson model 22-4 that someone thought was a model 1917. I just explained, it was more or less a remake of the model 1917 with a couple modification changes.

The 5.5” barreled Model 22-4 is a modern rendition of the Model 1950 Army. The Model 22-4 incorporates the short action of the Model 1950 and the better sights. The lanyard ring is a carryover from the 45 Hand Ejector Model 1917.


Top left, Model 22-4, bottom left, Model 1950 Army (with modified front sight), top right, 45bHand Ejector Model 1917 Commercial, bottom right, 45 HE Model 1917 Army.

Yes, a lot of similarities but some very subtle, and important, differences.

Now, if you were talking about the 4“ barreled Model 22-4…

Kevin

 

I would correct them. The question is how. Some people get snooty and act like the person is an idiot. The best way is to start with something like “I can see how you could think that but….” even if you can’t

 

Exactly. There's no need to belittle someone or behave like a jerk just because someone doesn't know what you know.

 

When concealed carry started and folks began looking for somewhere to take a class, it became obvious that so many who like shooting guns think of themselves as experts. Now, a few truly are. Those are the ones to pay attention to. Too many get a feeling of self importance, and it shows. Those are the ones I might just let it slide and not say anything to or try to correct them. Let them revel in their own glory. To all others who have their pride in check, it is easy to carry on a conversation and so sure, correct them and they most likely would appreciate it.

Maybe I'm wrong in this. It wouldn't take much to simply share what it is. Then again, there are some gun lovers who I just tend to avoid. I've only known a couple like that.

 

Can't recall ever being in that situation but if I was I'd most likely correct them politely.
If I was the one that made that kind of mistake I'd hope the other person would politely correct me as well.

 

I agree completely with ral357 and CapnSlow - you can correct them without being sarcastic or smug. Sarcasim or smugness won't teach them anything or make any positive impression. The "I can understand how you might have thought it was a ..... but it is actually a ..... and here are the differences" would be the way to go IMHO.

Do as you will, but that's how I would do it. If that person wanted to argue the point afterwards I'd just tell them to have a nice day and move along with mine.

 

I think it would be more rude not to correct them. A lot of shooters think my 10-22 is something else as it doesn't look like a stock 10-22.

 

In my experience it really depends. Back about 20 years ago I was riding a Road Star Silverado. For those of you who don't know, it's a bike made by Yamaha and it's pretty much a clone H-D Softail Heritage Classic. I can't tell you number of times I was complimented on my Harley. After the 1st couple of times spending several minutes explaining what I had, i just started saying, "'Preciate it." I even had a co-worker, and friend, who would always comment on my Hog when I rode it to work. I finally just gave up.

On the other hand, I have willingly taken the time, when I have been asked about how I "Like that Judge" to explain that what I really have is MIL Thunder 5 and give them a little history on it.

 

Yes, I would politely correct them. If they are receptive we could discuss the differences, similarities. If they insist it's a yadda yadda, I'll just drop it and let them go.

 

As I get older, I try to refrain from correcting people. It only makes them angry at me and I get enough of that.

 

Upper left that’s the one I have, model 22-4. I didn’t know they made a 4 inch barrel.

 

I didn't know they made a five and a half.

I also thought they had an ejector shroud. My 22-4 does. But none of those four have one.

 

Yes, I'd correct them. But I'd do so simply by telling them what my gun really is. Then if they asked what the difference was I'd go further to explain why.

 

At the range yesterday I paused to change out what I was shooting and a guy next to me asked "what was that big caliber you were shooting in your revolver?" I told him it was 45 Colt and showed him the difference between a 38 special round and a 45 Colt round. He'd never seen them side by side and was surprised at the difference.

That's usually how my range conversations go. Folks tend to politely ask questions because they are genuinely interested or curious about something.

 

So far I've not had anybody misidentify any of my guns, but I have had a couple of guys misidentify the builder when they saw my name on the barrel and ask me what I had to pay for it.

 

Life`s to short. If I corrected folks just through the day that`s all I would time for.
You wanna call my 10/22 a .50BMG, fine by me.