Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry

Proper terminology?

User avatar
markiver54
Deputy Marshal
Posts: 10283
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:49 am
Location: Biue Ridge Mountains, NC
United States of America

Proper terminology?

Post by markiver54 » Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:21 pm

Has the word " Gun " in this day and age become accepted when referring to any firearm? When I entered 22 rimfire competition at the age of 12, ( long time ago ) my instructor, an elder even then, told me a few things. A rifle is any long gun...the only long gun to be called a gun, was any shotgun. Bolt actions and others are rifles. A revolver is a revolver, not to be called a pistol. A pistol is a semi auto ...is this out dated now? I know this is trivial...not really important...just a thought that was passing through this evening. :) ..I love revolvers, or wheel guns per say so when someone refers to them as a pistol, it seems incorrect.
2 x
I'm your Huckleberry

User avatar
Mistered
Drover
Posts: 3372
Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2016 9:32 pm
Location: Wickiup Junction, OR
United States of America

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by Mistered » Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:34 pm

I think there are some variables on 'firearm' terminology but what scratches its fingernails on MY chalkboard is when I read a loaded round of ammo, IE a cartridge being referred to as a 'bullet'.
Another buzzkiller is when a magazine for a semi auto is called a 'clip'.
2 x

User avatar
Cofisher
Drover
Posts: 2472
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:02 pm
Location: Colorado/Nebraska
United States of America

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by Cofisher » Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:37 pm

Yeah, they are all 'guns'. I don't get hung up on the nomenclature. I have revolvers, they are guns. I have rifles and shotguns, they are guns. I keep it simple when talking with my grandkids and strangers.

With someone familiar with firearms, I am more specific. There is always a line of understanding.
2 x
Remember, it's not how many guns you have. It's how many bullets you have.

User avatar
markiver54
Deputy Marshal
Posts: 10283
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:49 am
Location: Biue Ridge Mountains, NC
United States of America

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by markiver54 » Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:15 pm

Cofisher wrote:Yeah, they are all 'guns'. I don't get hung up on the nomenclature. I have revolvers, they are guns. I have rifles and shotguns, they are guns. I keep it simple when talking with my grandkids and strangers.

With someone familiar with firearms, I am more specific. There is always a line of understanding.

Appreciate the fact that everyone just says "gun" anymore, and we all understand that. It works....as I said, was just wondering if, technically, the definitions are still correct... :?:
0 x
I'm your Huckleberry

User avatar
RanchRoper
Forum Ambassador
Posts: 12681
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 12:14 am
Location: Land of Shining Mountains, Alberta
Canada

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by RanchRoper » Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:30 pm

Ya firestick seems to have fallen out of favor...
4 x
1860 Colt SA Richards Conversion Revolver .45C
1860 Henry .45C
1885 High Wall .45C
1820-1840 Frontier Percussion .50
1790-1820 Frontier Flintlock .50

Ohkínohkomit - Shoot skillfully

User avatar
markiver54
Deputy Marshal
Posts: 10283
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2018 11:49 am
Location: Biue Ridge Mountains, NC
United States of America

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by markiver54 » Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:35 pm

RanchRoper wrote:Ya firestick seems to have fallen out of favor...
Guess so...NBD... :)
0 x
I'm your Huckleberry

User avatar
Cofisher
Drover
Posts: 2472
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:02 pm
Location: Colorado/Nebraska
United States of America

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by Cofisher » Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:10 am

I'm liking 'bangstick' tho. Brings it back to basics.
0 x
Remember, it's not how many guns you have. It's how many bullets you have.

Travlin
Cowboy
Posts: 1381
Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:06 am

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by Travlin » Thu Jan 31, 2019 12:40 am

And I thought that I was the only one. I think that the worst one is calling a pistol or rifle magazine a "clip" or the loaded round a bullet.I think that the broom handle Mauser used a stripper "clip", but that is the only handgun that I can think of that did .
1 x

User avatar
ChefDuane
Cowhand
Posts: 259
Joined: Thu May 24, 2018 12:10 pm
Location: Plano, TX.
United States of America

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by ChefDuane » Thu Jan 31, 2019 1:54 am

In the military (USCG) we were taught that we carried 'weapons' not guns. A revolver or semi-auto carried on your person was a 'sidearm.' A 'rifle' was a rifle... bolt action, semi-auto, 1855 Colt Revolving Carbine, it was a 'rifle.' A shotgun was, well... a 'shotgun.' A .50 caliber was a '50 cal.'
The only 'guns' we ever saw in the Coast Guard was when we tied up next to those Navy boys who had big 'ol turrets fore and aft that had big 'ol guns in 'em!! :)
5 x
Henry Classic H001
Henry AR-7 Survival

USCG '77-'83
NRA/TxLTC

There is no greater protection against evil on the rampage than a loaded firearm in the hands of a free man.

User avatar
roddy
Cowhand
Posts: 476
Joined: Thu Jun 01, 2017 12:27 pm
Canada

Re: Proper terminology?

Post by roddy » Thu Jan 31, 2019 7:38 am

Even the right word with the wrong pronunciation can get some people's feathers ruffled. Example? Carbine. Is it carbeen, or carbien? It seems to be regional...some say it one way, some say it the other. Either way, you'll likely get a cringe or a stern look if you say it differently than the listener is used to.
1 x

Post Reply