Les Jones

Guns > The Intangible Part of Shooting

Uncle, back from the Gunblogger Rendezvous in Reno, writes:

I had an epiphany of sorts in Reno. No matter what I do, how hard I try, or what I know: I just don’t like AKs. Period. Can’t help it.

I have a nice AK (see pics here) and I should like it. ... But I don’t. I don’t like how they feel. I don’t enjoy shooting them. It has nothing to do with them not being fine weapons. I guess, my dislike of it is more aesthetic/ergonomic in nature. I’ll probably unload it at the next gun show.

In comments, I told Uncle how he feels about AKs is how I feel about Glocks. I'll concede intellectually that Glocks are incredibly reliable and durable. They're also remarkably corrosion resistant, not unfairly priced, lightweight, available in a huge assortment of frame sizes and calibers, and have an embarrassment of aftermarket parts, accessories, and qualified gunsmiths who know how to work on them. Despite all that, and despite having shot eight or 10 different Glock models, I've never bought one because they just don't move me. The only one I feel like I shoot well with is the model 30.

The handguns I like - S&W revolvers, 1911s, CZs, SIGs - are guns with great triggers, sights, and ergonomics that keep me hitting the X ring. If a gun can't do that - and make me enjoy it - I won't buy it. Townsend Whelen captured it, in part, when he said, "Only accurate rifles are interesting." Only enjoyable guns are interesting, maybe. There's a reason the almost-century old Colt 1911 is still going strong - a gun with great pointability, great balance, and a great trigger is still a great gun, in any century.

This will be anathema to people who aren't part of the gun culture, but part of the appeal of shooting for some of us is pleasure. Shooting a well-designed, well-crafted gun and shooting it well is pleasurable. Some people will find that idea shocking. Others will nod knowingly.