Not sure how to handle a negative gun store experience.

I have had similar experiences, maybe not that bad, but sometimes "experts" like to flex their knowledge to noobs. Its weird, to me that guy sounds like a loser but not worth your time, he just lost a $500+ sale in my opinion... I have had some experiences at bike stores where I was so put off by the insulting "bike tech" that I simply stopped going to that bike store. They lost a customer in me, and my gf, $100's in sales lost yearly for them. It also helped me learn more about bike repair on my own.

I have had the same condescending attitude recently at a store in Ottawa when buying scope attachment rings... he acted like I was an idiot for not knowing everything and he was a genius. That's fine, there are other stores. La Barons in Ottawa has been positive... also every sponsor on this website has also been positive, I would recommend just buying from the sponsors on here. If it ends up not being exactly what you want sell it on the EE, but lets be honest in a year from now you will suddenly have a dozen guns, I dont know how it happens but it does.
 
OP, you were offended by a guy who was more concerned about his own opinion than your interests. Not uncommon in todays world, retail or otherwise. You will best shoot the pistol you are most comfortable with, end of story... You have the most fun shooting a pistol well than not well.... really. Its real easy, pistols are not that expensive, but the one you like, regardless of the putz who sells it to you, as they will have no affect on how you shoot the pistol. If you don't like the pistol after a while, sell if for $150 less than you paid for it, and buy something else. Its just that easy.
 
Ratfor said:
Are guys like this common in the pistol community?
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You'll find people like that everywhere in life. Just take it in stride.

As for your pistol get whatever feels right. If you like shooting it, don't worry... You'll get another Handgun in the future anyway.

(cost efficient helps for ammo consumption)
 
Locos said:
If it was at one of the two gun store/ranges in Calgary... it's just the typical know-it-all staff; although the doorknob you dealt with seemed to be extra 'special'. You can count on one hand the number of really helpful, informative, intelligent staff members at each of the two places.
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One hand would be pushing it. I'll even open that up to all the stores in Calgary.
That being said, I've spent some in retail and the amount of crap I hear at gun counters from customers would make me lose my mind.
 
Get what you want. It's you're money. My first response would have been "excuse me?" Then I would have him get the manager. Then I would look him in the eye and ask him to repeat it, in front of his boss. You'll either get some better service or you'll discover the place he gets his attitude from. In the end you'll know whether or not you want to spend your hard earned cash there. There are tons of guys out there like that. Most times their boss has no idea they got on like that. The gun business is not really "booming" (pardon the pun), most places will show you they appreciate your business.
 
Grizzly Guy said:
In my experience,any one who is profiecent with a handgun has started out with an air pistol or a .22,or maybe a .38 with light loads.This is mostly so one doesn't develop a flinch. You get good,and then You get fast.Hope this helps.

There are shooters on here with far more experience than I have who should be able to help You out.Good luck,and don't let one salesman ruin Your day.
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^^^ True dat. The very reason I have a Ruger 22/45, a Ruger GP100, and a Beretta M9.
 
i picked up the Glock 17C couple years back, shot it a lot better then the 17.

no idea if it was the vents or what but it shot better.

your problem reminds me of when i was shooting my dads S&W 460.
i fired 3 shots and set it down and was done with it. it gave me a instant headache.
had a couple guys there say the same kinda thing.
"too much gun for ya!" kinda cat calls.

theres nothing you can do about that kinda stuff.
idiots are gonna be idiots.
i shoot for the pleasure it gives me.
the 460 gave me absolutely no pleasure at all in fact it gave me a headache, which i dont overly enjoy. so i dont plan on shooting it again.

but i dont let that keep me away from what i enjoy doing.
a also wouldnt let other peoples opinions of 22's and 9's keep me from buying them.

hell, if they sold pink or rainbow colored guns id probably have some.
i dont mind a bit of color on my lead chuckers.

at the end of the day its your hobby for your enjoyment.
brush off dudes comments and get what is comfy for you.

i probably have 50 guns and id imagine i take my 22's to the range more then any others.
its probably because im cheap, haha!
 
Talk to the Owner or Manager, seriously. I BS with customers sometimes but only people I've known for a while and can joke with. As a salesman, Sorry. Go in and talk to him again, maybe he read you wrong? He might be a sarcastic bastard like myself and took things a little far. I'm not making excuses, feel him out one more time just to be sure. If he's a dink again make a complaint to the manager letting him know it was more than once and that you would be taking your business elsewhere.

I'd never tell anyone to "man up" because they are shooting a 9mm, in fact Id tell them to start with a .22lr. Pistol shooting is difficult, don't make it harder by getting bad habits from the start, I went through it myself. There is NOTHING wrong with starting with a .22 and don't ever let anyone tell you different. If they do, make a note of it and when you are shooting x's and they are having trouble keeping them in the black know that you made the right choice.
 
Get the one you want!

Get the pistol you want & don't give a hoot about what some gun store counter cowboy says about it!

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NAA.
 
TheWharGoul said:
Talk to the Owner or Manager, seriously. I BS with customers sometimes but only people I've known for a while and can joke with. As a salesman, Sorry. Go in and talk to him again, maybe he read you wrong? He might be a sarcastic bastard like myself and took things a little far. I'm not making excuses, feel him out one more time just to be sure. If he's a dink again make a complaint to the manager letting him know it was more than once and that you would be taking your business elsewhere.

I'd never tell anyone to "man up" because they are shooting a 9mm, in fact Id tell them to start with a .22lr. Pistol shooting is difficult, don't make it harder by getting bad habits from the start, I went through it myself. There is NOTHING wrong with starting with a .22 and don't ever let anyone tell you different. If they do, make a note of it and when you are shooting x's and they are having trouble keeping them in the black know that you made the right choice.
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Yes, I only talk like that to my long term customers who know I'm kidding. I know I can be sarcastic and rude if I'm having a bad day and have been called out on it by my bosses over my career, yes I've been "that guy". That being said knowing it can happen makes me that more aware of how I handle a customer service encounter. This guy doesn't 'get it' and may have never been called out over his attitude. TheWharGoul is right it may have been a one-off and if not an attitude adjustment is necessary, customer service should be a pleasant experience.
 
like mentioned, try different guns. i would go with what fits your hands. maybe get a ruger .22 cheap and get onto the range. then get use to it. this is where you can talk to people and see they are shooting. dont rush it. get the "feel" of different grips, (glock, sig, smith, CZ, tangfolio,.... the list goes on.) your calibre will depend on what you want. 9mm is affordable, easy to find. Once you master the basics of a .22, and try a few, you will know what you need. I personally have a Glock in 9mm, with a conversion kit to .22 cal.(to teach my son how to shoot). $700 gun and $450 kit. and yes, i shoot IPSC. (the .45 is my back up)
 
Bah.....life's too short. Plenty more bozos in this world like him. Do your own research, try them out and buy what you like. You'll run into the same type of bozo whether you're buying a firearm, car, laptop or whatever....just remember it's your money, your choice and your toy, not his.
 
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