Most gun shop employees aren't very knowledgeable about what they're selling (at least not relative to the subject matter experts that are out there). They want to sell you the products they have. It is a good idea to handle the guns yourself in person, but going into a gun shop without any idea of what you're wanting and expecting the people that are there to fill in the blanks is a horrible idea. A face doesn't make joe blow at the gun counter any more knowledgeable. The gun shop arms expert brought you favorites like "The Pump Shotgun will scare away criminals", "If you only have $300 let me sell you this Hi-Point" and "These bullets have plastic in them to help them expand". On the other hand, most firearms experts are active online, and most research is published and discussed online - more than just about any other subject except technology. The most helpful gun store owners spend a lot of time online keeping up with the latest products and reviews. Discounting the peer reviewed and extensive firearms resources available online is absurd - especially considering that if the alternative you offered is worth their salt, they will be getting a large wealth of their information from the same sources.
That being said, there are a lot of customers who don't know anything about firearms or you get a lot of the old timers who've been around guns all their lives so it makes them an expert. Until you start throwing fancy terms at them like receiver, action, disconnecter, sear, etc. then they give you a loot like you're speaking spanish
True, a lot of employees do it as a job and pick up some product knowledge as they go but a lot don't have a clue. This is excluding "gun stores" like Gander Mountain, Dicks, Wal Mart, or any other Tom, Dick, and Harry mega chain store with a FFL, they're kind of jokes. But, there are stores where employees know something, small mom and pop stores that have been around decades. People who work at a store to fund their hobby/passion/addiction. Yes, there is going to be some BS said because of personal preference or "tradition" (like employees or customers saying revolvers don't jam or break, hahaha); but it's not like everyone on the internet posts correct information either.
For the record, I don't really care for Hornady ammo with the plastic tip of death. Personally I like Gold Dots or Winchester PDX but a lot of hollow point decisions come from brand preference, price, and whether you like the shape of the bullet or not. I wouldn't care to get shot with any of them personally though.
is it worth $130 to get the surefire mag 60?
I used to retail those mags for $100 before Surefire jumped cost on them last year after the run. If you want a super high cap mag that doesn't weigh a ton, I'd say go for it. I've shot a little over a 1000 rounds through mine just to make sure it would work right and it has, never had a single issue out of it. The 100 rounders AFAIK are still having a little issues and I think they stick out too much, but it sure beats the weight of a drum mag.
So I'd say yes, it's worth it, but I'd buy one after you have your rifle set up like you like and as a "luxury" accessory
