Gunwriters and gun magazines and their drivel

Joe Boleo

Are you good folks taken aback when a gunwriter praises a $3,000.00 rifle or $4,000.00 shotgun as being "reasonably priced" or within the budget of most hunters and shooters? I certainly could not and would not pay that amount for any rifle or shotgun.

I have reduced the number of gun magazines I buy for the same reason. When a publication names a "Gun of The Year" that costs as much as my used SUV, we part company. Once in a blue moon, a gun magazine may run a half-baked article on buying used guns. They focus on new guns.

I shop the used gun racks on a regular basis. When I find domething I like, I haggle with the gun shop. Usually, it is possible to get discounts if you are a frequent customer. Just the idle thoughts of an idle fellow. Take care...
Joe

Bushmaster

At this time I am receiving only one magazine. American Rifleman...I agree with you Mr Boleo. I am also tired of reading the same thing everytime I open a gun related magazine.

FALPhil

Amen!

I like cheap guns. In fact, I like them so much, I build most of what I shoot these days outside of my milsurp collection. But even building them, it's getting more expensive. Five years ago, a good barrel from a top-of-the-line barrel maker was sub $250. Now the same barrel is approaching $400.

tracker

I absolutely agree Joe, it's insane and the nice part is, at the used gun racks, it takes about one minute to look over a firearm and know if it was well cared for or not. Most I've seen have been.

gelandangan

Well, the "reasonably priced" part shows us how much money the gun makers paid the writer to write about the gun..
I am sure that they do not have to pay for the guns most of the time, they have them as a "reasonably priced permanent loan".

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Well I generally don't read magazines anymore. Too much like advertisements throughout the whole magazine then articals.

Would like a magazine that talked about rifles and ammunition and hunting and the like without sounding like they are trying to sell most of the items they talk about.

But then agian thats why I go on hunting forums, get more opinions of people that do not make money off their posts. Smile

Dimitri

Vince

gelandangan wrote:

Well, the "reasonably priced" part shows us how much money the gun makers paid the writer to write about the gun..
I am sure that they do not have to pay for the guns most of the time, they have them as a "reasonably priced permanent loan".

Well said Gelan...I believe that you are totally correct. One particularly well known gunwriter out here in Australia...who should probably remain nameless (Pick,Dick,Lick Mick...something like that)...often contradicts himself in subsequent magazine issues. Some of the drivel he comes out with is sickening. To quote one of Eminem's songs...Everytime I think of you it makes me want to puke...huuppptttt

I don't necessarily believe that it is the manufacturers who "pay" the writer...more likely the importer who stands to loose if sales aren't as high as he anticipated.

The only gun magazine I read these days is the Australian Sporting Shooter, and only because it is included as part of my Club fees.

Cheers, Vince

Pumpkinslinger

I read several gun/hunting magazines every month. I do agree that they frequently seem to think that all shooters make a gazillion dollars a year, although I see that mentioned in the magazines too. I don't think they are the "be all, end all" source of information on guns but the opinions they express are as valid as any others. I certainly value their opinions more than the "gun shop gossip" I hear from some shooters, if for no other reason than they get to shoot a LOT more different guns than the average shooter. You've just got to figure out which writers seem to have their heads screwed on straight. That said, we've all heard the old saying "Opinions are like ...", well, you know. Take what information they offer and filter it through your own knowledge and the knowledge of those you respect. I pick up some useful info that way.

By the way, I recommend the magazines "Handloader", "Rifle" and "Successful Hunter". I also get "Shooting Times", mostly to see what's new and coming.

hunterjoe21

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

I read several gun/hunting magazines every month. I do agree that they frequently seem to think that all shooters make a gazillion dollars a year, although I see that mentioned in the magazines too. I don't think they are the "be all, end all" source of information on guns but the opinions they express are as valid as any others. I certainly value their opinions more than the "gun shop gossip" I hear from some shooters, if for no other reason than they get to shoot a LOT more different guns than the average shooter. You've just got to figure out which writers seem to have their heads screwed on straight. That said, we've all heard the old saying "Opinions are like ...", well, you know. Take what information they offer and filter it through your own knowledge and the knowledge of those you respect. I pick up some useful info that way.

By the way, I recommend the magazines "Handloader", "Rifle" and "Successful Hunter". I also get "Shooting Times", mostly to see what's new and coming.

I couldn't agree more Mike, It's up to the reader to determine what's usable to them.

Crackshot

I get tired of it as well. I realy hate the new Gun Magazine TV show when they say "Im going to send a check to the company for this gun instead of sending the gun back" Well lucky you! Ya Pri%^.

rob.greene · Rookie Member Joined: Nov 25, 2007 Posts: 1

About the only thing I find useful in those articles is how the gun acutally works, is it relilable, etc? Then I try to remember that when I'm browsing in a gun shop in the used gun section. I have a bit of info on the guns I see. I find it tough to justify $400 on a new gun, let alone $4000!!

Bushmaster

Welcome to this fine site Mr. rob.greene...Pull up a log and brab a beer.

I can see $400 for a rifle as I paid $379 for a slightly scratched Browning A-bolt on sale and another $200 for a 3 X 9 X 40 Redfield scope several years ago when Redfield was still U. S. made. But you are right. $4000 is a bit much...

Crackshot

I have paid more for some guns, Like my 50BMG. If I had it to do again, I would not own a 50BMG. I could have used that money for 3 or 4 other fine rifles or handcannons that cost ALOT less to load for and shoot. Sad

Hind sight is 20/20.

Bushmaster

Ain't it always...

gelandangan

Bleh, you guys b!tching bout having to pay $400 for a rifle???

Here in Australia, we have to pay at least double or more for the same gun Sad

My last purchase, a H&R Buffalo Classic cost me over $850 AUD including delivery (in today's exchange rate, thats about $760 USD) where in the US, the same gun is only about $350.

So, yeah, Vince is right, the importers got all the profits. Mad