Do you think firearm manufacturers ever read forums?

No comment on the overall industry, but PSA has a strong presence on AR15.com like machiv and longdayjake here. So some do. Others, especially the publicly traded ones are most likely in the "tell them what they want" stage, like Chevy before they went bankrupt, and microsoft before Mac and Linux became a thing.

The answer is almost certainly "not formally". The NSSF or NRA almost certainly has a social media monitoring agency that digitally scans a list of social media sites, including some fora, based an algorithms designed to elicit remarks on specific issues. I can't say what those issues necessarily are but based on other industries, legal and litigation issues, public policy issues, and "safety", however that is defined, will predominate. Competitive issues will be excluded to avoid any appearance of collusion or trust activities.

On a company basis, it is extremely unlikely that there is anyone tasked with specific social media responsibilities. I have a friend who has just taken up a social media marketing role with a major name brand firearms manufacturer and he was shocked and frustrated with the lack of attention and sophistication around social media. The firearms industry is o e of the more retrograde in that regard.

Having said that, there are gun guys and gals at gun makers. And in the more boutique manufacturers, accessorizers, and retailers, I bet there are quite a few surprisingly senior figures who do monitor and participate in social media relative to their industry, albeit frequently under alias.

So, the answer is "yes, but.." or " no, but" depending on your perspective.

Decades ago when i was CA govt drone we would get weekly reports from the "public relations " dept. This entire dept was tasked with reading every paper and monitoring every TV/Magazine etc, for any tidbit of info concerning the state, Piles of clippings and often special "reports" landed on my desk. Being ex military intell, the whole thing smacked of KGB/Gestapo. I shudder to think what goes on today at taxpayer expense.

vintovka, is that an Aardvark in your avatar photo?

Manufacturers who I know are on forums, and regularly interact with members and customers:

Dan Wesson
Wilson Combat
Guncrafter
Night Hawk
Milt Sparks (holsters)
Tucker Gunleather (holsters)
At least half a dozen other holster manufacturers, almost every high-end custom gunmaker, and I'm sure that the major manufacturers all have someone high up in the company who is on some gun forums.

Drail said:

vintovka, is that an Aardvark in your avatar photo?

Click to expand...

One of those from my old squadron. This one was ready for "special delivery" to Hanoi.

I know Adam Weatherby checks up on what is posted on the Weatherby Nation blog. His dad, Roy, did the same. Now and then Adam posts comments about the state of the industry and specific things with Weatherby.

They read the forums but rarely actively participate. I worked for an airline that had an active presence on Flyer Talk that turned into a 24/7 job for the official rep.

I know over on Bladeforums they have an official Kabar rep somewhat active and Mr Becker drops by at times