Set Gun for Dummies

Set Gun is a term that refers to a specific type of firearm that was commonly used in the past. Now, let me break it down for you in a way that is easy to understand. Imagine you're playing a game of cowboys and Indians. You know how cowboys used to have these fancy guns that they could shoot really fast? Well, those guns are called "revolvers" or "six-shooters." They were the cool guns of the wild west. But before the revolvers came along, there were these other guns that required a bit more effort to shoot. That's where the "set guns" come in.

Now, picture this: you're in a race and you come across an obstacle course. On this course, there are different stations where you have to complete different tasks. One of these tasks is shooting a target. You want to do it as quickly as possible, right? Well, in a way, a revolver is like a shortcut. It's like having a car to drive around the course, while a "set gun" is like having to use a bike. It's a bit slower and requires more steps.

So, when we talk about a "set gun," we're referring to a type of firearm that needs to be manually prepared before it can be fired. Instead of just pulling the trigger like you would with a revolver, you have to go through a series of steps to make it ready. This includes setting the trigger, cocking the hammer, and sometimes even priming the gunpowder. It's like you have to set everything up before you can take the shot. It takes a bit more time and effort compared to a revolver, which is why it's called a "set gun."

Now, there's another meaning of "set gun" that we should talk about. In some situations, a "set gun" can refer to a specific way of hunting or trapping animals. Imagine you're trying to catch a sneaky rabbit in your garden. You could set up a trap, like a cage or a snare, and wait for the rabbit to wander into it. Similarly, some hunters use a method where they strategically set up guns in certain areas to catch animals that pass by. They set the guns up in such a way that when an animal triggers a specific mechanism, the gun goes off, effectively catching the animal. This is another way of using the term "set gun."

I hope this explanation helped you understand what "set gun" means. Just remember that it can refer to an older type of firearm that requires manual preparation before firing, or it can also describe a hunting or trapping technique involving strategically set-up guns. Keep in mind that this term isn't as commonly used nowadays, but it's still important to know about these historical and hunting contexts.