Writers of firearms topics monthly columns

Writing for a living is a tough gig in general. I've tried and failed a number of times now.

Part of this is a result of the demands of a modern audience that values quantity over quality. Consumers demand a constant stream of fresh content to keep them entertained. The result is often a stream of raw garbage with the occasional decent article mixed in.

They get paid by the word. They get paid to write in proper English; something most folks know little about. Depending on the rag, they must also walk a fine line as many of those same folks are advertisers that pay their wages.

Gun Writers

I agree with Jason, above; gun writing is a "tough gig"; I buy a LOT of magazines, mostly gun-related; and I participate on a number of different forums, a few of which are gun-related; but I don't do it to "be entertained"; If I'm in the mood for "entertainment", I let Lee Child take care of that with his Jack Reacher stories.

I do it because I like to stay "informed"; I've learned a lot right here on THR that I didn't know before, (mostly about re-loading).

You may have noticed that several years ago, .40 caliber was probably the most popular caliber among L.E.; you may also have noticed, in the last year or so, many of those same agencies are now "switching back" to 9mm; one of the most knowledgeable gun writers (IMHO), is Pat Sweeney; Pat has a very good article about the big "move" by L.E. away from .40 cal in this months "Guns & Ammo"; I especially enjoyed this article, partly because I enjoy Pat's writing, but mostly because I already agree with everything he says in the article, and I'm not even a gun "expert"! When you have recently spent as much time, effort, researching, and studying in order to buy a new semi-auto pistol as I just have, and most of that "study" was directed at the differences between 9mm and .40, and you finally buy a G-34 (chambered in 9mm), then a month later you read Pat Sweeney's article.........you just can't help but feel that all of the reading was a very good investment of time and money.

Someone started a thread here on THR not long ago about "who is your favorite gun writer". You can spend a whole day reading other people's "opinions" on that one! (I did ) I have more than one "favorite" writer, but I suppose I'll have to finally narrow it down to .......Mas Ayoob; I'm guessing that Ayoob is probably the most prolific gun writer there is right now; but even Ayoob had his "detractors" in the recent thread.

What are two of the "most discussed" issues relative to hand guns on the planet just now? Judging from what I read on various gun forums, I'd probably guess, "which holster should I buy", and "open carry".....is it a "good thing" or a "bad thing"? I'm happy to report, Mas Ayoob has just cleared up BOTH of those subjects in his great book, "Concealed Carry", 2nd Edition. (which he wrote originally in 2007), and which he has now recently "updated"; (it's already saved me from having to buy at least a half dozen "wrong" holsters for my G-34! )

Any magazine that covers one topic will have the same issue. You name the topic: guns, deer hunting, weight lifting, running, bicycling, motorcycles, basket weaving...there's only so much to write about.

There will always be a new crop of folks that are new to the sport that have never seen the issues...so it's great for them. I learned a LOT from magazines when I first began various hobbies. I guess maybe it's one of those things that once you've got a bunch of experience, you don't need the magazines as much anymore.

Most gun writers are not experts about anything but slinging the baloney their publisher assigns them.

Ever notice how some "magazines" are so opinionated that they "push" certain things and ideas even after they have been discredited?

Also notice that even if the new Remchester Belchfire magnum is an absolute piece of crap, there is a glowing test report all about how this is God's gift to the American shooter? Then turn the page and there is a full page color advertisement for the new Remchester Belchfire magnum?

Notice also how they like to follow public opinion. If Ruger or S&W of SIG comes out with a new caliber handgun, and it sells well anmd becomes popular, the gun-rags will tell you

"it kills like a thunderbolt,"

even if it's less powerful than a .32 ACP?

That's why I quuit reading that garbage 25 years ago.

oneounceload, If you ever received a letter directly from Elmer Keith or Charles Askins then you would know that their copy required a certain amount of editing.

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No I haven't but I do know a gun writer who is a retired attorney and Columbia U educated. His panning of a gun is very carefully coached and if you know how to "read between the lines", you can easily pick up when he is not liking something.

Hangingrock said:

Writers of firearms topics monthly columns in periodicals I wouldn’t want their job. How do they find something new to write about other than sale copy for the products of their magazines advertiser’s?

As an example there is one prolific writer that has columns for several different monthly and or bimonthly periodicals. That individual as an example has developed a standard template for certain length that notably usually contains the usual verbiage format, photos of rapid fire sequence of usually two ejected cases simultaneously in the air, target with appropriate grouping, and last not least their lady friend also firing.

It seems that 90%-95% of written information is basically recycled, some information has a new twist and like a ray of sunshine some new tidbit.

I’m not picking on that individual previously mentioned, but using them as an example of firearms writers in general. I do not envy them.

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Gosh, Hangingrock, that description sounds vaguely...familiar.

But, seriously, tell me what you'd like to see different in a gun test. The bench rest accuracy tests (5 shot groups, 25 yards) are pretty much standard in the industry, and give consistency of comparison with competing products. Reliability testing? Gotta do it. Control in rapid fire? That's where the "fountain of brass" shots come from. The gun should be passed around in many hands, large and small ... including petite females, of which the significant other is the most readily accessible exemplar, not to mention being a state and regional IDPA champ herself.

We try to include a combat match with defense guns if the schedule allows, and if not, at least a police type qualification score, to get a comparable performance standard of "shootability," reloading speed, etc. under at least replicated pressure. If there are breakthrough design features, we try to get the engineers who designed it to give us the background.

Always open to suggestions from the readers.

Hey Mr. Ayoob, how does a new writer get the new stuff before the public does so he can write a relevant, informative review? Or does he have to slog through the backwater and write the obviously advertising oriented reviews before he gets enough miles behind him to get some choicer assignments? Are you still sending in queries for example or do the mags approach you with needed articles? Thanks!

1Kperday, best way to get started is to send the editor of the magazine you want a "query letter," in which you outline your idea for the given article and explain why you feel it will fit their publication. If you catch their interest, they'll probably assign you to write it "on speculation," meaning if they like it, they'll buy it.

For testing a new gun, if you're a new writer, your best bet is to offer them a gun they haven't seen before...a custom gun produced by someone you know, for example.

Good photography is critical to selling the article: sharp, hi-rez images. Highlight the given gun's features, get some "guns in action" shots.

Wishing you luck,
Mas

As Ernest Hemingway said, you "just" sit in front of a typewriter for about 12 hours per day and sweat blood, and the pages "pop out"

While I've not been able to quit my day job, the quarterly royalty checks are nice. The more stuff out there, the better they get. On Tuesday I have a short coming out and next month, God willing, the sequel to Steel Ambition, Steel Resolve, will come out.

I've not written for gun magazines - or any periodicals for that matter - just fiction of various kinds. Though Mausers, Nagants, and Mosins show up in one, and an FN .380 is featured in the sequel.

Fair enough, Hangingrock. As you've noticed most of us do follow similar protocols test to test. We're looking for the same things (accuracy, reliability, handling, etc.) gun to gun.

Cordially,
Mas

massad ayoob said:

1Kperday, best way to get started is to send the editor of the magazine you want a "query letter," in which you outline your idea for the given article and explain why you feel it will fit their publication. If you catch their interest, they'll probably assign you to write it "on speculation," meaning if they like it, they'll buy it.

For testing a new gun, if you're a new writer, your best bet is to offer them a gun they haven't seen before...a custom gun produced by someone you know, for example.

Good photography is critical to selling the article: sharp, hi-rez images. Highlight the given gun's features, get some "guns in action" shots.

Wishing you luck,
Mas

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Thank you, sir!

Standardizing on testing protocols, in general, gives the reader an easier method of comparison between guns of similar types.

If I take a new pistol from the Whizbang Gun Company & shoot 20-round groups sideways one-handed gangster-style as fast as I can pull the trigger at 10 feet, and Mas takes the same pistol & fires the standard 5-round groups at the standard 25-yard distance, off a bench, which gives you the better data set for evaluating what that pistol can do for you?
And that's just as a basic idea, without including additional data points like controllability in rapid fire, ergonomics, analysis of individual features, and so on.

Standardization may seem repetitive to many, but it presents a more consistent method of evaluation, if it's done in terms that most readers can relate to.

And- there are only so many ways to describe a gun, its performance, its characteristics, and the evaluator's perceptions.

You do this for 75 years, as Mas has, or 25, as I have, and it's just not possible to endlessly come up with exciting new verbiage, scenarios, and realistic or relevant test protocols or write-ups.
Some evolution, yes. Major climate change, no.

On certain new models, as Mas says, we'll try to get with the maker for background on the development process and/or the thoughts behind the gun.

I'd be interested too in hearing what else you think should be included.
That's a sincere invitation, but in responding keep in mind that the idea behind an article is to make a profit on that article, and that precludes such things as African safaris, weeklong carbine courses, Alaskan hunts, and 5000-round endurance tests on every gun written up.

In line with which, incidentally, I've never been paid by the word for a gun review.
Denis

Mr. Ayoob, if I may ask, why are tests of new or 'improved" ammuition never accompanied by comprehensive ballistic gelatin testing?

Many of us are far more interested in terminal performance of the bullet than pinpoint accuracy.

Group size at 25 yards is not a significant factor in duty/sd/hd ammo.


If ABC ammo comes out with a new super pooper round, I want to know how far it penetrates in calibrated ballistic gelatin before beginning to expand, maximum expanded diameter, how far before it stops expanding, size of permanent wound cavity and total penetration. Preferably, using both IWBA standard of four layers of denim, and bare gelatin both..

Thank you

Can't speak for Mas, but in my case I don't bother because of the time & effort involved.

Mix time, set-up time, temperature control, calibration, transportation, and expense all add additional complexity to a review.

To go back to the profit & pay: Writers typically do not determine the length of a given article, editors do.

Those of us not on salary are given a set number of words (AKA a particular amount of page space) at a set pay rate.

The more complexity introduced, the more time's added.
Payout on any article requires that time & production expense be divided into that payout.

If production costs are too high, no profit.
If hours average out too low ($5 per, say), it becomes not worth the effort.

Gelatin is simply not practical as a rule.
Denis

I remember one gun review that included a picture of a target with a very tight group fired with the latest and greatest rifle. The caption and text said that firing was done at 100 yards. But the little pencil note on the target said "25 yards".

Hmmmm?

Jim

John Connor and John Taffin of Guns Magazine are always informative and entertaining as is Mas Ayoob. These writers constantly come up with different slants on a myriad of issues.

It certainly cannot be easy.

DPris' answer to Cheygriz's question nailed it. In addition, I for one rarely write up new rounds; my review assignments are mostly for new guns. However, there are lots of gelatin tests available at ammo manufacturers' sites, and various private sites on the Internet.

Tom Gresham talks for 3 hours plus a 30-60 minute after-show every week about guns, on a radio station or podcast near you! (GunTalk)


Don't know how he does it, and they make the same point in one of their regular commercial break intros, but it is incredible and seldom dull!