As year-end approaches, a sense of looking-back may occur prior to the turn of a new year. I found myself pondering my time here on SF and its influence on me, to whit:

Carrying a knife and a light daily - I never carried either regularly until reading about doing so here, even though I’d been carrying a firearm for quite some time prior.

The importance of tipping - my late father-in-law is the person in my life who instilled in me the importance of leaving a tip at a restaurant; I was a horrible tipper before that. I recall a post many years back here, though, about tipping others in the world who provide service - the mobile mechanic who gets you back on the road, the associate at the hardware store who goes an extra mile to custom-cut lumber, etc. I’d never considered that before, either, and have since started doing it. Some intended recipients will refuse but most are surprised and thankful.

The glory of an ad-free forum - I’ve been a member here for a while but wound up spending a fair amount of time on other online venues that were dedicated to a specific firearm type and whatnot. One by one, those forums have been absorbed by one media conglomerate or another, and with that came a new deluge of advertisements and opportunities to buy a “membership” to avoid ads. I still check on one or two of those forums from time to time, but greatly appreciate the starkly independent stance of Parabellum and SIGForum.

I can come up with a longer list, but I’ve typed enough for now.

What about you?

The forum is an enabler…
Guns, knives, flashlights…oh my! I pity those I leave behind having to sort it all out.

For me, SIGForum helps reinforce the values and morals I and everyone should have and shows the consequences of not having them.

At first, I wasn't really on board with DJT. I always thought of him as just a first-rate ass-clown.

but it didn't take long before I was convinced otherwise.

Then, there's the list of things I have bought over the years because of positive comments here.

I wasn’t political before guns and sigforum. I was late getting into guns, over 30 years old. My parents were democrats. The forum got me interested in politics and made me the conservative I am today (even though political posts were verboten back then). My brother is a libtard. We are estranged because of it. I think I’m too smart too have ended up that way but he has the same genes so who knows. I thank the forum I’m not a libtard. Lots of other things too but it would be a long post.

Made me buy several Glocks...

SIGforum is my go-to place for information on any and all subjects. Usually somebody is asking for, or has already requested, information about a process, purchase, possible option, etc., and more often than not a member, or members, have an answer or experience to pass on. Many of the suggestions offered here have saved me time and effort. I can't say they've saved me money because I'm always finding things I need to get that I didn't know I did.

Also, over the years this place has also helped me better formulate questions and arguments of the debate kind. More than once, JAllen handed me my ass when I tried to argue a counterpoint so I'm also the recipient of a goodly amount of humble pie in my time here on the board, which reinforces the lesson of "think before you act". I still have a lot of room for improvement, though.

Numerous times when I, and others, have exhausted all other possible avenues to solve a problem or resolve an issue someone, (usually multiple members), have stepped forward to provide insight, advice, legal help, and even financial assistance. The kindness, generosity, and willingness of the overwhelming majority of SIGforum's members to help other members who they have never met, and perhaps never will, exemplifies what an amazing group of people populate this forum.

Perhaps most importantly, this forum has made me realize the futility of trying to convince or persuade someone of something when they are belligerent, uncivil, or immediately go to personal attacks over whatever subject is being discussed - especially online. There was a time when I was naive enough to think that with enough facts and respect given on my part the other party would respond in kind, or at least respectfully disagree. From certain members here, both past and present, I have learned that is not the case. This has been a very great realization as it has helped me to far sooner recognize when further, or even any, discussion with individuals that exhibit these negative qualities is pointless. Much effort and angst has been saved on my part because of my observation and education here.

Lastly, none of the above could happen, or even be possible, without Para's guidance and, when needed, firm hand. It's because of his doing that this forum is the only one, or at least one of the top few, that many of us frequent.

I initially came to SIGforum for info before buying my first SIG, a P229.

The brain trust here is formidable. Over the years it has become my go-to resource for advice on vehicles, knives, flashlights, medical concerns, etc., as well as firearms. It also serves as my primary national/global news source as the media can't be trusted.

The 100+ page threads (Trump, ammo/gun panick buying, COVID, etc) have reminded me of the value of patience and keeping a level head. Trust your gut…if something doesn’t sound or feel ‘right’ to you, be patient and stay the course. Amazing how ignoring the knee-jerk reaction works in your favor over time.

Towards the end of the movie Charlie Wilson’s War that scene about ‘We’ll see said the Zen Master’ gets played quite often in my head thanks to my experience here!

I have met many good friends here. Competed in Shooting sports and took training with several of them. Even met my best friend of all here. Couldn’t ask for more.

Also I enjoy a community of like-minded people in these crazy times.

I never knew I needed a different gun for every potential threat. Or thousands of rounds of ammunition. Or dozens of magazines. Or an entire duffle bag of holsters. Or bayonets. Yeah, bayonets. I mean, who knew?

Glocks. Many of them.

Well I own a lot more magazines than I would have ever imagined. My ammo stash is the envy of my shooting friends, and a cause of mild concern among non shooting friends.

I’m still a piker compared to a great many members here.

My Dad got me into guns when I was around 5 or 6 years old, got me into reloading and casting bullets when I was 9 and I've been doing it ever since.

Got into flashlights after having to walk out of a Subway under San Francisco in total darkness during the 1994 total blackout that happened there.

So no, this forum hasn't inspired or influenced me but I do enjoy the discussions.

SIGforum became my source for real news years ago. I tend to look here first for both story and background information. This has made me largely immune to the official narratives and was extremely useful during the 2016 election and afterwards.

Does influencing my wallet to be lighter count?

I can't say I've been particularly inspired or influenced by my time here on SF, but I have found it enlightening and a place of friendly and helpful people. I found it by accident 15 years ago and have been a regular participant ever since (even though I don't own a SIG).

flashguy

SIGforum has refined my pimp hand timing.

I’ve learned a lot about critical thinking, to be honest. There’s a lot of sharp dudes around here. They have influenced me to dive deeper into a topic and speak less, listen more.

And a lot about human nature. Not necessarily from members, but from different articles and topics that have came up. I’ve learned that from a philosophical standpoint, the left and right differ. From the perspective of how they reason through things, there’s not a lot of difference. And it’s not all people, I’m just taking about the social norms.

A good example of this is that there might be a post on social media that claims DJT had sex with a pony. The social norm of how the left would react is without question. No proof, no nothing, just a claim. Change it to Nancy Pelosi, and the right behaves similarly. I think it’s just human nature. People want to believe.

That’s the biggest take away from what I have learned. I post a lot less and read a lot more.

I'm embarrassed to say how many times I logon in a day. Coffee and SF -