Admit it GD, You are a bit scared the first time you shoot a gun you just built

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Admit it GD, You are a bit scared the first time you shoot a gun you just built (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:07:01 AM EDT

I can admit it. every time i build an AR or change barrels or anything major i always put on a heavy glove and stand behind the big tree in my backyard range with my entire body shielded from the gun except for my hand holding the gun. after a round or 2 i shot the gun normal.

The most scared was the time my dad asked me to test fire the Lorcin pistol he had just cleaned for a buddy

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:07:24 AM EDT

[#1]

LOL, yes.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:09:13 AM EDT

[#2]

Only when I've done something significantly out of the ordinary, I've got a wood vise and a string

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:11:29 AM EDT

[#3]

Not with ARs. AKs were a little exciting the first trigger pull.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:12:59 AM EDT

[#4]

An AR? Not in the slightest.

First time I shoot an Arisaka or whatnot? Terrified.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:13:31 AM EDT

[#5]

No...and I built 3 rifles from scratch.
I can admit to being a bit scared the first time I shot my reloads though.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:13:35 AM EDT

[#6]

Nah, I have put together so many ARs now it is pretty dull when I go run a mag thru them to test their function.

But when I am trouble shooting someone else's build it can be a bit sporty.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:13:55 AM EDT

[#7]

The only thing so far that I've been really afraid to shoot were my first reloads.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:14:15 AM EDT

[#8]

first AR I "assembled" I covered my face with my support arm and wore leather gloves

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:14:41 AM EDT

[#9]

I've been known to let other people shoot them first.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:15:59 AM EDT

[#10]

No. I buy quality components so I had nothing to worry about.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:16:35 AM EDT

[#11]

Every time I test out a new handload recipe I shoot the first round with my eyes closed.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:16:47 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've been known to let other people shoot them first.

View Quote

lol

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:16:51 AM EDT

[#13]

I just bear down in my best Shelby Stanga voice and say "Here we go!!"

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:17:23 AM EDT

[#14]

The excitement of shooting an AR I had built squashed any fear in my mind.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:19:32 AM EDT

[#15]

I was a little scared for the first rifle I built, and the first time I used a two stage trigger- that damn trigger took me by surprise.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:21:04 AM EDT

[#16]

Yup

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:21:18 AM EDT

[#17]

On my first SKS build, I tied it to a 4 wheeler and had a long ass string. The second one, I used welding gloves and a motorcycle helmet. My AMD-65, I went straight to the range. I just finished an Anderson/PSA Mid length...should I FO or go back to the string & 4 wheeler?

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:21:36 AM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Every time I test out a new handload recipe I shoot the first round with my eyes closed.

View Quote

lol like that thin piece of skin will protect your eyeballs from flying shrapnel

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:21:47 AM EDT

[#19]

I am a bit tense when starting a new engine, whether I built it or not. I don't recall any second thoughts with a new rifle I built. Maybe with a brand new reload once in a while.......

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:26:05 AM EDT

[#20]

Nope. I have generally proved to myself over the years that I know WTF I am doing. If you build guns and have doubts you need to do something else IMO.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:26:55 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
The excitement of shooting an AR I had built squashed any fear in my mind.

View Quote

Mostly this, with a tiny bit of fear.

I did have a GOOD local smith check it out before I put my booger hook on the trigger though.

ETA: I'll be a little nervous when I get my M92/AKM/Magpul Zhukov/Frankenbortion back and shoot it for the first time.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:28:50 AM EDT

[#22]

An AR? No not at all. Maybe I should be, but no. ARs are just assembled from interchangeable parts. There's very little chance of something to go all kaboomey unless the parts were made wrong.

Something like an AK or FAL where the quality of my work is more directly tied to the safety of the weapon? Sure.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:29:37 AM EDT

[#23]

The only guns of mine I have been even a little nervous about shooting for the first time were my 1870s Martini-Henry rifles.

I trust the design of the AR, so that I don't even give it a second thought when firing a build for the first time.

That said, once my Charlie G is rewelded and done, I will be EXTREMELY nervous about shooting a home-made round in it - and it will no doubt involve a long string and a big barrier.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:33:01 AM EDT

[#24]

nope, never with a AR. if your bolt and barrel are worth a crap, your rifle may malfunction but they won't explode.

I had reservations the first trigger pull after I corrected the headspace on my PSL, but I figured it couldn't get worse, and it was no longer closing on nogo gauge (the field gauge rattled around with the bolt close

)so I wasn't really concerned.

but I figured the worst was over, since it was stretching the cases at the rim, still doesn't run worth a fuck but atleast its not stretching cases anymore. I hate that gun.

I did have some hesitation when I shot my .30cal luger for the first time, sitting for over 30 years. it functioned just fine.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:33:07 AM EDT

[#25]

There might be a slight bug in the back of my mind, but I wouldn't say "scared".

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:34:37 AM EDT

[#26]

nope.. but my definition of building and yours are two very different things..

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:35:17 AM EDT

[#27]

Not nearly as much as when I pulled the trigger on my first reload (.308) the other week.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:37:12 AM EDT

[#28]

Only at home thinking about it. Not at the range.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:37:18 AM EDT

[#29]

Not scared but I dont hold it up to my face, head for the first few rounds.

That goes for all new and new to me weapons.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:38:07 AM EDT

[#30]

Yes. Except I don't hide my body from anything. I don't want to look like a pussy in front of everyone.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:39:21 AM EDT

[#31]

Yes for both FAL builds.
Used weak hand first test round and shielded my face

AR's - nah

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:39:54 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:

Not nearly as much as when I pulled the trigger on my first reload (.308) the other week.

View Quote

This, and then I realized the loading manuals were rewritten by lawyers, and if I stuck to published loads I'd probably be as safe as using factory ammunition. I also run all my loads through a case gauge to make sure they feed properly.

I still rest the forearm on something sturdy, and keep my face away from the rifle when I'm firing a new build or new load for the first few rounds. no problems yet, knock on wood.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:40:02 AM EDT

[#33]

I don't own a set of head space gauges so.... yeah.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:40:05 AM EDT

[#34]

No, you don't BUILD an AR.

You put it together. Assemble it. Like Legos.

Build an AK on a receiver that you bent yourself on a harbor freight press, and used a home made spot welder to attach the rails. THAT'S a build.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:40:06 AM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:

lol like that thin piece of skin will protect your eyeballs from flying shrapnel

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Every time I test out a new handload recipe I shoot the first round with my eyes closed.

lol like that thin piece of skin will protect your eyeballs from flying shrapnel

Nope, it protects my brain from seeing it happen.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:40:08 AM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
Not with ARs. AKs were a little exciting the first trigger pull.

View Quote

Exactly this.

I wasn't concerned at all with my first AR build, my first AK build on the other hand was a little nerve wracking during the first trip to the range.

ETA: My first build was a CampyBob style screw build, I had every confidence in the technique, but there are always those little doubts.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:40:37 AM EDT

[#37]

The only thing that makes me nervous is the possibility that I'll have to take it apart because I screwed something up and it doesn't work.

This is a mondo pain in the ass when you finish your AR build and all the rails and accessories are attached, but then you find out your brand new barrel has a defective gas port.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:41:16 AM EDT

[#38]

Only the 75cal smoothbore I built I was a bit nervous about

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:42:26 AM EDT

[#39]

Quote History

Quoted:
The only guns of mine I have been even a little nervous about shooting for the first time were my 1870s Martini-Henry rifles.

I trust the design of the AR, so that I don't even give it a second thought when firing a build for the first time.

That said, once my Charlie G is rewelded and done, I will be EXTREMELY nervous about shooting a home-made round in it - and it will no doubt involve a long string and a big barrier.

View Quote

Still need to buy that 84mm bouncy ball

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:43:41 AM EDT

[#40]

I fear malfunctions and things not working perfectly, but not catastrophic failure.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:46:39 AM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
I don't own a set of head space gauges so.... yeah.

View Quote

work for Red jacket?

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:52:03 AM EDT

[#42]

On my builds, no fear. Somebody else's build, they can shoot it first.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:54:16 AM EDT

[#43]

OMG.... no.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:55:22 AM EDT

[#44]

yes

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:57:05 AM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
No...and I built 3 rifles from scratch.
I can admit to being a bit scared the first time I shot my reloads though.

View Quote

Define"from scratch."

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:57:19 AM EDT

[#46]

Not at all. I are a enginerd.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:57:32 AM EDT

[#47]

I know i was the first round i "made" on my dillon 650.....as i pulled the trigger.

try it first learning to reload.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:58:14 AM EDT

[#48]

I don't get too nervous about guns... the parts get pretty thoroughly inspected during assembly.

The first few rounds of ammo that I loaded myself though... that was a different story. I may or may not have crouched under the table and shot them Somali off-hand.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:58:38 AM EDT

[#49]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nope. I have generally proved to myself over the years that I know WTF I am doing. If you build guns and have doubts you need to do something else IMO.

View Quote

I expected all the answers to read like this one. I have never had any doubts but I have always approached everything with lots of front end research before, "this should work", route.

Posted: 7/7/2015 10:59:25 AM EDT

[#50]

I was nervous with my first couple of builds, haven't tried my third build yet, but imagine I wont be as nervous.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Admit it GD, You are a bit scared the first time you shoot a gun you just built (Page 1 of 2)

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