Where did you learn you're gun iding skills?

[Bugabear]

Where is it that you guys learned to tell the difference between guns that look exactly the same? or even guns that are completely identical on the outside but are something else on the inside? Like for example a Norinco type 56 and an AKM? or a HK 416 and a M4 SOPMOD?

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Bugabear

Like for example a Norinco type 56 and an AKM?

Because I own a Type 56. That certainly helps.

Same with Beretta 92Fs vs. Taurus PT92s. Nobody on this site knew the difference between the two guns before I came here (some still don't); I do because I used to own a Taurus.

Other than that, I learned by simply going on the 'net and visiting lots of gun sites. IMFDB itself has certainly educated me, as I'm sure it's educated everyone else. I even had trouble telling Remingtons apart from Mossbergs and Winchesters before I came here.

[predator20]

I learned from this site.

Use to an AK was an AK to me. The only way I can tell the Type 56 from an AKM is the sights. Type 56 hooded, AKM is not and has slant muzzle brake. But what sucks is they put AKM muzzles brakes on Type 56's sometimes which makes id'ing them more difficult. M16 variants forget it, I don't even try.

The 92FS and PT92 has got me a few times because of not paying attention if it had the slide or frame mounted safety.

Before I joined this site I didn't know about Star Model B doubling for M1911A1 in older films because of the reliability with blanks. Kind of ruins it for you sometimes, bit still good to know.

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by predator20

I learned from this site.

Speaking of which, I seriously had no idea how to tell the difference between a Desert Eagle Mark I and a Mark VII before you photographed your own Mark I and posted it here.

Then again, I'm not sure very many other people did, either. There are very few good pictures of the Mark I on the Internet, and some of the ones that are available have been mis-labeled as Mark VIIs (if you go to World Guns, for example, they have a picture of a Mark I but call it a Mark VII).

[predator20]

Originally Posted by MT2008

Speaking of which, I seriously had no idea how to tell the difference between a Desert Eagle Mark I and a Mark VII before you photographed your own Mark I and posted it here.

Then again, I'm not sure very many other people did, either. There are very few good pictures of the Mark I on the Internet, and some of the ones that are available have been mis-labeled as Mark VIIs (if you go to World Guns, for example, they have a picture of a Mark I but call it a Mark VII).

Unless you can the see the safety, there's no way to tell. Or if it has rail notches you know it's a Mark XIX. The Mark I's aren't as popular because you have to change the slide also if you want to change calibers. I'd like to find a complete .44 upper.

At world guns they also have a stainless Mark VII mislabeled as Mark XIX, doesn't have the rail notches.

One thing I don't understand why some label them as IMI Desert Eagle and others Magnum Research Desert Eagle. When it's really both.

[Excalibur]

I used to learn from all sorts of sites, like wiki, Worldgun.com and this site. And usually asking people who know a lot about guns like my Marines buddies, friends in the police departments, etc

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by predator20

Unless you can the see the safety, there's no way to tell. Or if it has rail notches you know it's a Mark XIX. The Mark I's aren't as popular because you have to change the slide also if you want to change calibers. I'd like to find a complete .44 upper.

Usually, the safety is visible in a lot of movies. I just didn't know what to look for. Once I saw your picture and compared it to the Mark VII pictures that MPM took, it was pretty clear, once and for all.

Also, does this mean you're keeping your Eagle and not selling? I realize that one gun shop wasn't giving you a good price, but is it still on the market?

Originally Posted by predator20

One thing I don't understand why some label them as IMI Desert Eagle and others Magnum Research Desert Eagle. When it's really both.

I dunno, I always figured whoever manufactures it should carry the name. But then, it seems like most people on this site just say "Desert Eagle" without even specifying the model (the page itself just says "Desert Eagle", and some day, I need to re-organize it by variant).