buy the book

[WadePatton]

ALL due respect, not trying to cross wires but,

how about we answer questions here with more answers and less "Buy this book" and/or "Search the archives, it's all there" replies.

While it is wonderful to know where to benefit from the valuable research of so many fine authors and also to support them financially, some of us are looking for answers that we can discuss with the answerers.  And sometimes we might not have 40 or 100 bucks to drop on the complete treatise.

Nothing wrong at all with sharing your beliefs, convictions, and understanding by telling your own opinions-which may in fact be better than those found in any published materials.  We wouldn't come here an ask if we didn't value and respect those who have gone before us--who are you.  

Not the author and his lackeys.

And the folks who take the time to respond to the inquiry with a general "Search for it Duh" reply COULD take a few more seconds to generate a link to one or more of these helpful threads.

[off box]

no particular thread in mind, just something i've observed with some regularity.  

Trying to _help_, not to impeach or overthrow.  No need for "piling on" or "defending".

Thanks

[Old Ford2]

Yer gonna get a beatin for that fella!
Old Ford

[flintriflesmith]

There is a flip side to that coin---I'm of the opinion that it shows interest and intent to have done at least a little research before asking a question on this or any web message board.

It helps the person with the question narrow the focus so that it can be answered without the responder having to rehash a ton of information and that respects the time the responder is essentially donating. I know, from personal conversations with them, that leaders in a field often drop off a message board because they get tired of reading the same questions and responses over and over.

IMHO a question that starts with "I've searched the archives (OR read...) and found a lot about... but I'm still not clear on..." is more likely to get an answer from someone who has put in the time and effort to have something to say that is worth listening to.

Gary

[LynnC]

Ok - I'll take the bait.....and this is not a slam on you or anyone else.

You'll not spend a better 20 to 40 bucks when you purchase a gun building book.

If one can afford the parts, one can afford the book and THEN good questions can be asked.  Its not all in the books.  I wish I new books were even available when I started out.  I'd already made several (sorta) guns before I got books (pre internet). They shot but didn't look that great.  They turned out a lot better after the books - heck, I then new what to ask here - and what a great resource this is!  As to the archives, There is great info in there too.  A good reference source.

I read most posts in the gun building section and have not noticed a whole lot of "buy the book".  Some but not a lot and I feel sure it was good advise.

A good book will save you ton of heart ache in the long run.

Just my 2 cents...and no doubt I've probably ruffled feathers but I can assure, that was not my intent.
Lynn

[WadePatton]

Yes, i too have before become weary of the "newbs" posting the same questions over and over  I've been on the "mentor" end of that as well.  And there are new-to-fourms folks of every age at each particular-items-of-interest group.

I've been active in many different areas of forums over many years.  Yes the newbs can sometimes "abuse the system" and try patience, but I've never seen so much "spend a dollar and then you'll know"/"don't bother me boy i'm fishin'" as here.  I'm sure some inquirers claim they've looked and haven't-but lazy cheats exist in every society.  AT this late day in interwebulon i'm going to generally  assume that most folks know that_indeed_a search function exists.

Maybe the situation here is exacerbated by the absolute weird search engine included in our forumware (it doesn't recognize quotation marks to state the first issue).  

For those who don't know--you'll vert likely be much more satisfied with your SEARCH results if you use a "site:specific" type search through any of your regular search engines.  Looks like this

"site:americanlongrifles.org XqueryX"  

without the exes yo.

Thanks for your input Gary.  Maybe we'll raise awareness on both "sides" of the issue.

@ OldFord  I've gotten away with too much already...i'll just have to take it.  ;-7

@ Lynn  I'd LOVE to have the books, plan to get them as I can.  I'm a big fan of books, have shelves and boxes of them, but happen to be in a real squeeze at the moment.  I sold a complete rifle just to buy the wood to hang under this bbl and lock I've had for three years now... (hint: don't try to launch a biz with new wife at the onset of a recession.)  When things get better I'll buy two books each, one for me and the other for the local library (they still have books on paper down there). 

Besides, the author didn't write much of a book if all of it can be significantly devalued by a few posts on a forum. 

[SPG]

Wise investments-

1. Good reference books.
2. Good tools.
3. Good guns.

And in that order.

Just my opinion.

Steve

[WadePatton]

Wise investments-

1. Good reference books.
2. Good tools.
3. Good guns.

And in that order.

Just my opinion.

Steve

absolutely and i agree.  the term "investment" is quite mis-used these days--usually by folks selling goods guaranteed to depreciate.

but who is it to say how many of which books and what tools?

i'm making a large part of my tooling as I go.  have metal and torch and a bit of gases left, plenty of files and sech. 
 
I'm not trying to be cheap or "save a buck" where it might cost ten.  Presently I don't have the dollar to spare. Hope yall don't ever have to experience this...but it's not about me.  I know I'm not the only poor-at-the-moment boy around.  Never before did I not have a few quid to throw at reference materials or tools.  It's an enlightening experience-truly.

carry on.

[WadePatton]

So help a bro out every chance you get.  And loan your books if you can.

Grasshopper has to work yes but,

Eventually the Student repays the Master.

)shutting it down as the point/s have been made(

thank you.