Today's Gun Magazines
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theotherwaldo
Member
Haven't bought one since the internet started up.
I signed up for the American Rifleman when I went for life membership.
Somehow I wound up with American Hunter.
Hate it.
I've asked for them to change it, but no response.
NRA's not getting any more of my money.
I signed up for the American Rifleman when I went for life membership.
Somehow I wound up with American Hunter.
Hate it.
I've asked for them to change it, but no response.
NRA's not getting any more of my money.
I buy a few for long international flights and cache a number of episodes of Field & Stream Gun Nuts on my laptop. Rarely for the content; half the fun is reading them on the plane and wait for another passenger to see what I'm reading/watching and have a panic attack. Long flights are boring without some form of additional entertainment.
Other than that, not really. Except for having a copy of a russian gun magazine (and I don't speak russian at all) visible in my car on the seat whenever I park to a shady area. Never had my car broken into after I started that practise.
Too bad that they're all riveted these days. They may scratch the floor when you use them to clean puppies' accidents and after using them as tinder you have to pick the rivets from the ashes.
Other than that, not really. Except for having a copy of a russian gun magazine (and I don't speak russian at all) visible in my car on the seat whenever I park to a shady area. Never had my car broken into after I started that practise.
Too bad that they're all riveted these days. They may scratch the floor when you use them to clean puppies' accidents and after using them as tinder you have to pick the rivets from the ashes.
JCooperfan1911
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No.
The modern gun rags are just that.
Good for keeping in the outhouse and that’s about all.
The modern gun rags are just that.
Good for keeping in the outhouse and that’s about all.
CapnMac
Member
Gun periodicals were a necessary thing in the pre-interweb days.
The inter-tuubs have negated their value to a considerable degree--not necessarily by of being better content, but easier to access. The content creators do have to answer to larger audiences, and gain larger appeal, a lot less Teen Beat writing style (my polymer tip is sexier than yours).
The internet stuff has become more specialized, too.
So, the bon mot of "Print is Dead" may very well be becoming true.
AmRifleman still goes to my folks' house, despite 6 or 7 attempts to correct that.
I get Small Arms Review in paper, mostly to get web access for reading.
I get GCA in paper because, that's what they do.
I used to get Gun Tests electronically, but between THR and TFB and the like, I really don't need it much anymore.
The inter-tuubs have negated their value to a considerable degree--not necessarily by of being better content, but easier to access. The content creators do have to answer to larger audiences, and gain larger appeal, a lot less Teen Beat writing style (my polymer tip is sexier than yours).
The internet stuff has become more specialized, too.
So, the bon mot of "Print is Dead" may very well be becoming true.
AmRifleman still goes to my folks' house, despite 6 or 7 attempts to correct that.
I get Small Arms Review in paper, mostly to get web access for reading.
I get GCA in paper because, that's what they do.
I used to get Gun Tests electronically, but between THR and TFB and the like, I really don't need it much anymore.
High Plains
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I get Field & Stream and Rifle Shooter. The endless stream of AR style rifles is nothing I care about. Ditto to 99% of the poly - metal pistols. I also don’t t need the history of a cartridge if a gun writer is doing his required Review of Life for a new firearm with an old cartridge. Yes, the supposed new and innovative cartridges do what our oldies did ——— and do it with faster twist rates for heavier bullets. Fine. New gadgets and rifles mean the gun writers are trying to entertain us. I would rather be well informed about something that matters.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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- Joined
- Dec 30, 2007
- Messages
- 1,127
When I got into shooting in the 1960s I devoured the gun magazines, bought back issues when I found them.
Today:
1. I receive American Rifleman as part of my NRA membership, the others I will look at when I am in Barnes and Noble or at one the gun shops ranges I go to.
2. Gave most of my more recent back issues to another shooter during a big housecleaning a few years ago.
3. I found out years ago the gun magazines had a shelf life of about 3 years, then they started to repeat.
4. I remember the writers of yesteryear, Keith, Askins, Jordan, Skelton, Nonte et al.,many of them had been there, done that. The ones of today just don't hold my interest.
5. I have seen enough designs come and go, small manufacturers that didn't make it, all the "Yet Another's",
the Ultimated Defense Cartridge, etc. THE carry pistol, etc.
6. As a Life Member of SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man-I prefer the Feel of Steel, all these "modern" materials don't interest me. I prefer my firearms as stock as possible, 53 years of shooting and I have found few if any modifications that have made me a better shooter.
7. The Web allows many more people with vast experience to share their knowledge with us.
Today:
1. I receive American Rifleman as part of my NRA membership, the others I will look at when I am in Barnes and Noble or at one the gun shops ranges I go to.
2. Gave most of my more recent back issues to another shooter during a big housecleaning a few years ago.
3. I found out years ago the gun magazines had a shelf life of about 3 years, then they started to repeat.
4. I remember the writers of yesteryear, Keith, Askins, Jordan, Skelton, Nonte et al.,many of them had been there, done that. The ones of today just don't hold my interest.
5. I have seen enough designs come and go, small manufacturers that didn't make it, all the "Yet Another's",
the Ultimated Defense Cartridge, etc. THE carry pistol, etc.
6. As a Life Member of SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man-I prefer the Feel of Steel, all these "modern" materials don't interest me. I prefer my firearms as stock as possible, 53 years of shooting and I have found few if any modifications that have made me a better shooter.
7. The Web allows many more people with vast experience to share their knowledge with us.
GJeffB
Member
Geez, now I feel like Scrooge. Has anybody noticed the single copy newsstand price of a gun rag lately? For the same online information, it's no wonder print is dying. I guess like other threads with "ancient" advertisements, I wish for the $2.95 Guns 'N' Ammo, Shooting Times (Skeeter!), Guns Magazine, et al.
As an aside, I was very grateful to come across American Handgunner back issues at https://americanhandgunner.com/classic-issues/classic-handgunner-editions/
But print mags ... nope, done
-jb, the cheap
As an aside, I was very grateful to come across American Handgunner back issues at https://americanhandgunner.com/classic-issues/classic-handgunner-editions/
But print mags ... nope, done
-jb, the cheap
slickracer
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- Jan 4, 2013
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- 254
Gun magazines are just a shadow of their former selves, with the exception of Handloader.
Mike OTDP
Member
"Muzzle Blasts", from the National Muzzle-Loading Rifle Association, has really stepped up their game in the last few years.
But I'm noting a trend in the comments here. Too many of the gun magazines seem to recycle the same basic articles. And the industry as a whole isn't that innovative these days.
But I'm noting a trend in the comments here. Too many of the gun magazines seem to recycle the same basic articles. And the industry as a whole isn't that innovative these days.
Shooting Illustrated as part of my NRA membership. Seems like the only thing that changes from one issue to the next is the date on the cover. Usually only look at the newest issue when I have nothing else to do. About five minutes after that I throw it in the recycling bin. I do like Handloader magazine-always seem to find something of interest in each issue.
Lifetime Member of the NRA so I get American Rifleman every month.
I peruse the magazine rack at Walmart. If there is a new Guns of the Old West Magazine, I'll buy it.
Really enjoyable magazine with lots interesting info. I should probably subscribe to it.
I have had subscriptions to Shotgun News, Field & Stream, and Guns & Ammo in the past.
None were worth keeping.
I peruse the magazine rack at Walmart. If there is a new Guns of the Old West Magazine, I'll buy it.
Really enjoyable magazine with lots interesting info. I should probably subscribe to it.
I have had subscriptions to Shotgun News, Field & Stream, and Guns & Ammo in the past.
None were worth keeping.
And the 350 Legend. I get the NRA magazines. Marketing at it's finest with a good article every now and then. The wife gets one I get the other...
AlexanderA
Member
The problem with the "gun press" is that it's hard to tell where advertising ends and editorial content begins. I don't recall ever reading a review of a gun product that was seriously critical of it. Basically, the gun press is just sales promotion. Plus -- especially in the case of the American Rifleman -- a substantial dose of right-wing political promotion.
Old Dog
Member
Petzal is great, a curmudgeon of the old school with a wicked sly sense of humor. I still get F&S and OL... and American Rifleman. I have a subscription to American Handgunner, and usually enjoy a handful of articles in each issue.
With subscriptions, the magazines aren't expensive (newsstand prices are ridiculous, for sure). Guess I'm just odd; I still read the "gun rags." I still read those book thingies, too.
Anyway, I kinda wish Denis Prisbrey was still around to argue with those who state that
Those were some entertaining threads. RIP, DPris.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Gun Tests will gladly rate your favorite gun less than you would. Especially if it isn't a 1911 that runs flawlessly. There was even a time when they'd downgrade ARs for not having a reciprocating charging handle. Not sure if they've finally jumped on the AR bandwagon or not these days.
GBExpat
Member
Not counting American Rifleman ...
My last print magazine subscription was SGN (if you considered SGN a print magazine ... which I did not) I stopped 15-16 years ago.
30-40 years ago I subscribed to G&A for a couple of years, as I vaguely recall. Gun Rags always struck me as being a bit light on the "meat".
I only rarely page thru my monthly American Rifleman mag, usually only flipping to the last page to peruse the I HAVE THIS OLD GUN ... article. I will often cutout and scan that last page prior to oval-filing the magazine.
One primary reason that I stopped casually paging thru American Rifleman is so that I would not come across an image of Wayne LaPierre.
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Tommygunn
Member
ApacheCoTodd
member
When the old word-smith writers disappeared either through attrition or market shift... They lost me.
Now it's all sensationalist driven drivel and writers are no longer writers but *editors*, whatever the hell they mean by that.
Sadly, with very rare exceptions I have seen the same in motorcycling periodicals as well.
Might as well follow the rest of the fish wrappers and scream out solutions for erectile disfunction, being summer-beach-bikini-ready, renewing interest in your mate and how to finally get your dog to stop barking.
"Throw your *#&^%^&* ammo out NOW and use this to see an immediate increase in happiness and marital satisfaction!!!!!"
Todd.
Now it's all sensationalist driven drivel and writers are no longer writers but *editors*, whatever the hell they mean by that.
Sadly, with very rare exceptions I have seen the same in motorcycling periodicals as well.
Might as well follow the rest of the fish wrappers and scream out solutions for erectile disfunction, being summer-beach-bikini-ready, renewing interest in your mate and how to finally get your dog to stop barking.
"Throw your *#&^%^&* ammo out NOW and use this to see an immediate increase in happiness and marital satisfaction!!!!!"
Todd.
doubleh
Member
American Rifleman is it for me. It has an excellent selection of ads every month 
and now and then a fairly in depth historical article. Most issues I can read it in about 10 minutes if I ignore the ads and occasionally even faster. I used to find American Handgunner of interest but it became mostly about guns that people of ordinary means can't afford and I quit it. No store I know of around here has a magazine rack stocked with anything but women's magazines anymore.
and now and then a fairly in depth historical article. Most issues I can read it in about 10 minutes if I ignore the ads and occasionally even faster. I used to find American Handgunner of interest but it became mostly about guns that people of ordinary means can't afford and I quit it. No store I know of around here has a magazine rack stocked with anything but women's magazines anymore.It’s always the latest and greatest because that’s who buys advertising. The magazines review and write articles about who buys the advertising. They are very biased toward their advertisers because that’s how they make money.
I used to like to read a magazine called gun test. At least that’s what I think it was called. They took no advertising. Many people disagreed with them but at least you knew it was their opinion and not that of their advertisers.
Back when I wrote commercial software magazines wouldn’t talk to you about your software wouldn’t do reviews wouldn’t do anything. Once you bought advertising in their magazine They will pick up the phone and talk to you and even write articles or get articles written.
All the stores around here that carry mags have a selection of the usual ones. I don't buy unless there is a specific article on a topic. A problem with content is the need to correlated with advertisers. The second is that there are not that many new topics. I find most of the 'tactics' articles to be things I already know or practice. However, the topics are recycled as the publishers know that new people come and old people go and thus the new ones see things for the first time. I read an article about Bride's magazine that says new brides have magazine read life span of about two years, so they recycle. I imagine gun mags are the same.
Announcements of new products are of interest but you can find them on line. I do read some industry magazines that have real articles for the trade.
About the NRA magazines - 40% is politics, which I don't need as it is usually hysterical or too political in domains outside of gun rights. Some interesting articles but I wouldn't pay for them if they weren't part of the membership.
Announcements of new products are of interest but you can find them on line. I do read some industry magazines that have real articles for the trade.
About the NRA magazines - 40% is politics, which I don't need as it is usually hysterical or too political in domains outside of gun rights. Some interesting articles but I wouldn't pay for them if they weren't part of the membership.
OP
OP
.455_Hunter
Member
A notable exception is Barnes and Noble. They do stock pretty much every shooting and "survival" magazine out there.
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