Generational differences in gun owners

[SuperSet]

While I was researching the new VersaMax Tactical shotgun, I saw this comment and couldn't help but think... is there a generational difference among gun owners? Those who embrace tactical items vs. the old schoolers?

Take a look at Jere Smith's comment:

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/gun-nuts/2012/01/new-remington-versa-max-tactical-shotgun

[Merc1138]

I read that comment and couldn't help but think the person who posted that comment is an idiot.

If he wants to rely on an old SxS or OU for home defense, good for him. If he can't accept that ergonomics have changed and some people actually like pistol grips, too damn bad.

If you're thinking that there is some 20-40, 41-60, 61+ group difference regarding tastes in guns, probably but I don't think it's really a bluntly ignorant as that one particular commenter. It's likely more along the lines of people being familiar with what they grew up with. Just because something has a picatinny rail section for a flashlight doesn't mean the person with that gun is going to be the guy at the public range shooting off of a bench rest in a plate carrier covered in mag pouches doing his owl head swivel "Search and assess" he saw in a magpul video.

[russ69]

... is there a generational difference among gun owners? Those who embrace tactical items vs. the old schoolers?

It's not generational but some groups are less accepting than others.

[CAL.BAR]

Sure it's generational. My generation got to walk into Turners and buy Uzi's, AK47's, HK's and all the hi-cap mags we wanted, while your generation is left to toil over BB's, radlocks and 10 rd mags (lol)

[ojisan]

^ That's mean.
Funny, but mean.


On topic: yup, there's some old codgers who are intimidated by all the new stuff, 'cause it took them forever to figure out the old stuff.

[BucDan]

Phew, thought this was going to be a discussion of tacticool and basic.

[The War Wagon]

Consider the source - Field & Stream?!?! Does anybody other than 60+ year old barbers subscribe to it? Does anyone OTHER, than 60+ year old customers of barber shops READ it?!?!

[SuperSet]

Good comments, guys. I've run into my fair share of Jim Zumbos who poo poo anything that doesn't have a wood stock and a hunting purpose. I worry that those types of individuals will be among those that'll side with the Antis, come a new AWB.

[russ69]

Consider the source - Field & Stream?!?! Does anybody other than 60+ year old barbers subscribe to it? Does anyone OTHER, than 60+ year old customers of barber shops READ it?!?!

Hey, that's a little too close to my age to be funny. It's not age related, most of the big machine gun collectors are older. Times are moving forward and the AR15 is by far the most popular rifle ever. There will always be guys that don't like black rifles, they really don't have a good reason but us EBR guys out number the other guys by a large margin.

[CBlacksheep]

My first memory of a gun store was going to Turner's in San Berdoo with my dad and getting to hold a Steyr AUG. The next time we went, I asked my dad where the 'alien gun' was. I was too small to have the ban explained to me, but needless to say I was less than pleased. As far as generational gaps are concerned, I don't think there are any. I just think it's preference.

[Rob454]

I think older guys sometimes tend to be more fuddy duddy about guns. Just like anything else they are used to a certain rifle/gun style and anything else is just too strange/out of place for them so they instantly have aversion to using it or giving it a chance. I think its just a they are used to a style of gun. i think a lot of them have never gotten a chance to even try a "tactical"gun. My BIL shot one of my ARs and it was his first ever. And it took a while for me to get him to try it

i mean when i was young my parents did not understand why I did the s*8t i did to my truck or my stuff or the music I liked to hear.

[george223]

I think some of you missed the point. Trapper Vic was commenting on what he preferred for hunting, auto loader vs double barrel. Not self defense. However, he missed the point also since the video was about a tactical auto-loader. For me, my $199 Remington 870 Express w/ an 18.5" barrel is about as tactical as I want to get with a shotgun. Bought it 20 years ago. Not sure what they go for now.

A previous poster mentioned preference for a pistol grip. For me, not on a shotgun. Hurts too much.

Not sure if I have this remembered correctly but I seem to recall Field & Stream supporting Clinton's AWB back in 1994. Haven't looked at their magazine since.

[NorCalRedneck]

I think its like older people that want nothing to do with computers. They didn't grow up with them so they figure they don't need them if they've got along just fine all this time without one. My uncle still doesn't have a cell phone. And although my grandma has a cell phone now she absolutely will have nothing to do with computers. She won't even touch one.

Same thing with guns. A lot of older guys don't want to embrace the newer stuff because they didn't grow up with it and got along just fine without them.

[DCF]

Older generation gets to buy and play with cool stuff. Newer generation gets to play with endless Glock, XD and M&P with 10 rds mags, magazine disconnect and warnings on the gun... We do get different sizes of backstrap though.

[joelogic]

Its easy to be afraid of technology and change. But, yes, there are generational differences. Wood vs. Plastic is a good one.