Do you believe the Gun Rags to be "objective"?

[twoblink]

I'm reading about digital cameras, and some websites are so biased you think they worked for that company's marketing dept.

And then you look at who the sponser is, and you aren't surprised.

Some of the gun rag articles are biased from the get-go.. And so I pretty much don't bother reading most of the gun reviews anymore..

Do you believe the gun rags are objective?? Am I the only one that feels they aren't?

 

[Tamara]

Do you believe the gun rags are objective?? Am I the only one that feels they aren't?

Haven't done too much reading on this board, have you?

Jeez, 'blink, making fun of goofy & biased reviews is almost an art form around here.

I find most of the rags to be brisk, but manageable.

 

[matis]

Twoblink

Of course they're biased! They're shilling for their advertisers. Most articles are simply (thinly) disguised ads. Isn't it obvious?

As you mentioned, all such magazines do this: Photograpphy mags, bicyle mags, dog magazines -- they're all pushing the products of their advertisers

Now that I've said that, so what? Given the pressures of Capitalistic society, how else can it be?


On the other hand, without the blessings of Capitalism, you'd either have (not so thinly) disguised propaganda for the glorious revolutionary leader -- OR -- you'd have to pay the full freight, the full price for publishing the magazine yourself and subscription rates would be MUCH higher.

I mean -- is there something I'm overlooking? Is there a free lunch after all?


I read gun mags 'cause I like to read about guns and I like to look at photos of guns. As for the bias, I take the articles, like I take everything else in life -- with at least a few grains of salt.


Show me an unbiased human being (ain't no such thing -- I'm not one and you're not one, either) and then, maybe I can show you an unbiased article.


There is still tons of good info in such magazines as there is in most product advertising.

So, now that you are armed with a dose of reality, enjoy the magazines.




matis

 

[BerettaNut92]

I just look at them for the pictures

 

[Mike Irwin]

I spent 3.5 years behind a desk for American Rifleman magazine as Associate Editor, the no. 3 position on staff.

Largely the reviews were fair and relatively unbiased.

There was, however, one glaring exception made for the Colt AA2000.

 

[jsalcedo]

Gun mag articles are complete B.S.

They have an advert for the same gun they are "REVIEWING" on the next page.

They know what side their bread is buttered on.

 

[twoblink]

Tamara..

Some think the theory of "Don't bite the hand that feeds you" applies..

It might just be indigestion, but lately, most of the articles just seem more blantently biased than I can stomach..

When you have a supposed review on Gun X, but the word "Glock" appears about 3 times more often in the article....

 

[kernal_panic]

i haven't bought a gun rag in many years. why should i? i have access to the best gun information via the internet. i get to interact with hundreds of shooters a day via message boards. gun magazines are out dated.

 

[Old Fuff]

As an "insider" (read that sometimes gun writer) I try to be as objective as possible. At the same time I'm aware that very critical comments will probably get edited. Some of the very top names can get away with things that others can't because the particular magazine they're working for doesn't want to lose a star.

That said, many writers will give the reader hints. Read between the lines and see what isn't said. An editor can't cut out what isn't there. Also articles on older out-of-productions guns probably show less bias. So do those that cover techical subjects such as reloading. You can get a lot out of gun rags besides product reviews.

Two outstanding magazines for more advanced readers are "Rifle" and "Handloader"

And finely yes, any magazine that doesn't stroke its advertisers will not be around long.

 

[Jaco]

Mostly yes, you must just know the writers style and read between the lines.....

 

[Waitone]

Maybe we can convince Consumer Union to expand their testing programs to incliude firearms.

I can't wait to see the annual report on revolvers in Consumer Report magazine.

Love those bingo card reports on used handguns.

IIRC there is a startup mag that takes no advertising while offering actual testing data on firearms.

 

[ceetee]

You want unbiased? Go get a subscription to "Gun Tests..."

BTW: A coupla months ago, G & A had an article wherein one guy reviewed a nice "name-brand" (read "cost more than I make in a month") 12 ga sporting clays gun... and his compadre reviewed one of the new cheap plastic-stocked pump models from (I think) Turkey that cost under $200.

They both shot a round, and the guy with the Italian wonder won by one bird...

 

[buzz_knox]

Go get a subscription to "Gun Tests..."

I wouldn't. It's biased towards the personal prejudices of the writers. If they don't like something, no one should like it. I've gotten better discussions over gun shop counters than from that mag. Of course, Marko and Tamara are the people I run into at gun shops around here.

As for other gun rags, they've convinced me that the paper gun rags are printed on would make the best toilet paper as it has an amazing ability to contain crap. Some of the writers are good, some of the information is great, but too much of it absolute drivel. Unfortunately, they are sometimes the primary and/or initial source for information on new products, especially the toys we serfs aren't allowed to have.

 

[Art Eatman]

First off, how many really-bad commercial guns have you run across, out of all the guns you've messed with?

When I run across a test of a new gun, I look at the pictures and the specs. That's straight info, without the writer's opinion. As to his opinion of the gun, I'm happy to sprinkle salt on it...By and large, I just don't pay all that much attention to most of the Oh, wow! stuff.

Therefore, kiddies, my innards don't get roiled and I remain my usual suave, debonair, mild-mannered self.

, Art

 

[HankL]

Gun Rags? I only purchase them for the editorial content, I never look at the pictures

 

[FPrice]

twoblink...

"Do you believe the gun rags are objective?? Am I the only one that feels they aren't?"

Repeat after me...

Gun rags good. Independent thought bad.



Seriously, gun rags, like any other product are out to sell themselves, keep themselves in business, and after a fashion, provide "some" service to their readers. I think that Art Eatman had the best analysis of how to read tehm. Look for information and hard facts, but don't take the opinion too seriously. Then go out and try one for yourself if you are interested.

 

[ACP230]

I have committed some gun prose. Some has appeared in national and regional magazines.

I almost always write on a gun I own, or that one of my shooting buddies owns. This means that I write about guns I like, which is bias of a sort. On the other hand, I can say whatever I want about the guns I review.

I have gotten some ammo from manufacturers to review. I felt no obligation to say nice things about the ammo, but most of it shot well enough to rate some good remarks.

If this be bias, make the most of it.

 

[Bacchus]

I definitely agree that they are biased, although I would be careful about using the term, "gun rag".

I got flamed on this board for it a while back. Thread even got closed down.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

 

[TheeBadOne]

Mike

There was, however, one glaring exception made for the Colt AA2000.

 

[Tamara]

The reviews tend to be combat accurate.

 

[Gunhead]

As a gun writer myself, I tend to think that most US gun rags are everything, but objective. I cancelled all my subs years ago...

These days I only browse through them in the office and then read the german gun rags like "DWJ" or "Visier".

In our mag we try to be as objective as possible - for example in this month's issue we unleashed hell on the poor SW1911 jammomatic (which since then went back to the factory).

 

[twoblink]

My favorite was an ad for a competing gun stuck between the reviews..

Yep.. I now view them for the pictures and the nice side by side picture shots...

Also, things I can't get myself, like chronographed info.. That's about it..

 

[JJohnston015]

The reviews tend to be combat accurate.

Now that has to be greatest comeback I've heard yet. Not "bust a gut" funny, but sublime and incisive.

 

[Sean Smith]

Gun rags are like Britney Spears: easy, but no longer cheap.

 

[garrettwc]

For the most part I would have to say yes they are biased. I was browsing one last night at the newstand that had an article about the Para CCW pistol. An no less than 3 ads including the back cover for the aforementioned gun.

There is only one gun mag I still buy (i.e. not included with membership) on a regular basis. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but if you want a magazine with a low to non-existent BS factor then check out SWAT.