By the way, I happen to know that Skeeter Skelton and Bill Jordan were fictitious characters created by Jug Johnson...I met him once in Alpine and he told me so.

Ok now im on board with you. It just took 2 pages to get clear. I can agree with that. I was in academy a few months ago and another customer kept telling every other customers all the guns they were looking at were junk and the only pistols in the case worth owning were berettas.

I think you would have told him sure it will work, I can show you that one and others that will also work if you ate interested.

We're all protective of our wives, right? Imagine walking into an Academy with your wife and the widow of one of your closest friends that recently passed away. Both the ladies wanted to look at pistols. They can handle themselves just fine, so I hung back, but it was obvious I was with them. One of the groupies started in telling them what they needed. Not just telling them, but moved in to do some "close talking". I had to physically insert myself between Mr. Lonely Guy and the women and tell him "thanks, but they just want to look." It actually almost got to the this-is-gonna-get-real-messy stage.

If the clerk behind the counter actually had some stones, maturity, and cared about selling guns, he (or she) would tactfully run these losers off. We bought pistols elsewhere.

I told him that a Crossfire was a good hunting scope and would serve well in that role. That I hunt and have never shot long distance target, but from what I know that if he wanted to hit paper at 1000 yards he would need to spend a lot more money on a scope, put some money into accurazing his rifle, possibly get a chronograph and start reloading.

He left with the notion that 100 to 400 yards is more realistic for a new shooter and a VX-3 4-12x40.

That scope doesn't exist. VX2 4-12x40 or VX3 4.5-14x40 maybe.

A guy came in the store tonight. He had recently purchased a Remington 700 .308 with a heavy barrel. He was shopping for a scope to punch paper at 1,000 yards and wanted to look at the Vortex Crossfires. He then asked me if I thought the Crossfire is a good scope for 1,000 yard shots.

What do you think I should have told him? What do you think I did tell him?

I agree that many people who work behind the counter at major retailers try too hard to push their opinions. I believe it comes from a good place and that they really believe they are helping. However, the majority of people working behind the counter are nowhere near being an optics expert. Keep in mind that these guys are making $9-10 an hour and get only a small amount of training. Of course they are going to push certain brands because they don't have the knowledge base required to really break down each brand and help the customer make an informed decision. Take everything anyone behind the counter says with a grain of salt. There is a ton of parroting that goes on at these stores. Employees endorse products they haven't ever even used because they hear others talking about them.

If you are making any purchasing decision based on what the guy behind the counter says, chances are you are screwed.

All homework should be done prior to purchase.

Very true and accurate statement!