Do You Ever Buy Gun Magazines At A Store?

Status
Not open for further replies.
...and the reporters never saw a gun they didn't like.
Click to expand...
That's not true at all. Fact is, as much as they complain about never seeing one, people don't want to read negative articles. Firstly, a single problem gun is statistically insignificant and not typical of the species. Secondly, problem guns get sent back and repaired or replaced. I spoke with a well known gunwriter recently that sent the same gun back to its major, well-respected manufacturer (no, not Ruger) twice before giving up on it. You'll never see anything in print about it because there's no point. Let's face it, nobody produces junk any more so articles about that lone lemon are not worth anything.

The other myth is that gunwriters get free guns. Utter nonsense. If they want to keep them, they have to pay for them. I have had no respect for G&A since Seyfried left but for the most part, gunwriters are not shameless shills for the manufacturers. Besides, what do you guys expect from an article? Do you want to surrender your own judgement and have someone tell you to buy a certain gun? Do you hold a grudge because an article you read lauded a certain firearm and the one you bought had issues?
 
I also have a newspaper subscription. As much as I spend my time reading on the internet, what I end up reading on the internet are very brief writings or reviews. I find it much harder to read something long winded electronically. It is harder on my eyes and my mind wanders knowing I can click onto another topic somewhere at a whim.

Another thing I like about print like newspapers or magazines is, while thumbing through I will see stories presented to me that I would have never looked for or thought about while on the 'net. Sometimes those stories are worthwhile and would have been completely missed if it wasn't for print.

Oh yeah, and no batteries are needed ever for print if you are near a light source (natural or otherwise). Even with a battery powered reading device, most times it is read in the same light as a printed piece.
 
I used to until the mid 1990's. Since then, I've subscribed on and off to Guns Magazine,Rifleshooter, Guns & Ammo, American Handgunner and Handguns.

Today, only Guns Magazine hits the mailbox. It's all I need at this stage. :)
 
I have when I want to kill time. I think Guns and ammo sent me a pretty good subscription offer in the mail, but since I pick up gun rags for entertainment rather than useful info, I declined. One time I made the mistake of picking up a "survival" magazine because I knew my gf would enjoy it, couldn't believe how many typos and bad advice there was in there.
 
Usually NO, but a while back there was a mag with info on the .327 FED MAG, reload table and all. Picked that one up just for that article. Some are just glorified sales sheets for the advertiser's. Did receive a copy of Varmint Hunter and do really enjoy that one.
 
Gentlemen,
In line with much of the above commentary, I invite you to participate in an experiment.

I have five non-fiction Kindle eBook titles currently available from Amazon.
They represent the first 9 months or so of two ongoing series of expanded magazine article-format product reviews, one on straight gun reviews & the other on survival-related products that include, but are not limited to, guns in that context.

No advertising, it's a buy-it deal, electronic availability only.
Purely self-published, no editorial influence, no ad department influence, no constrictions based on offending a manufacturer.

If you choose to spend a couple bucks, get back here with feedback on:

Content (length & quality of info presented)
Usefulness (Info is helpful, not fluff, etc.)
Photos (number, quality, adequately illustrates features well, etc.)
Value for money spent (was what you got worth what you paid?)
Comprehensiveness (can you get that much info & that many quality photos for free?)

Zero ads, zero advertiser influence.
Search Denis Prisbrey & it'll show you the titles.
Risk a couple bucks & give me your opinion.

Better than typical print?
More depth than free content?
Or sucks all the way round? :)

I see fairly regular gunmag/gunwriter bashing three or four times a year on the forums, here's your chance to see independent pay-per-view (I ain't givin' it away) reviews that eliminate the perceptions of "paid to write good stuff", "they're all just paid ads", "they never say anything bad about a product", and so on.
Denis
 
Do You Ever Buy Gun Magazines At A Store?
Click to expand...

Generally, no. On a wild blue moon I might pick one up at the news stand if there is an article on a really unique topic, but that is very rare. The only "gun" magazine I still receive is American Rifleman (because I'm an NRA member) and Shotgun News (for the ads, though they occasionally have interesting articles). I also subscribe to Gray's Sporting Journal, but that is more of an outdoor periodical than a strictly gun publication.

Gun rags have been a waste of time for decades, but the quality of writing now is simply abysmal. There are exceptions, of course, but not enough to justify the cost and time. With the rise of Internet sources, they are even more irrelevant.
 
I read and enjoy field and stream, american rifleman and american hunter.

Magazines are a fun way for me to read articles I wouldn't have thought of "googling" about.
 
The "gun press" are shills for the industry. I've never seen a negative article about a new gun. It seems that all they do is beat the sales drums. And that includes the American Rifleman (which I get because I'm an NRA member). Nevermind the political alarmism and constant fundraising that also go into it. I refuse to actually buy a gun magazine.

You can get better, more timely, and more unbiased information on the Internet.
 
And ownership of a computer allows all sorts of erroneous nonsense to be widely disseminated, as you prove here. :)
The Internet is far from infallible.

Meanwhile, in the real world, no takers on my experiment?
Denis
 
I do on occasion, but gone are the days when I used to come back from food shopping with 2 or 3 gun mags. Not at 10-12 dollars each, I can and do stand there and read an article if it's something that really catches my eye, but most of it can be found online now anyway. The mags with the annual MSRP of all the guns out by every company are maybe an exception.
Hell if I really started reading the car and gun mags, I would never get the shopping done, my wife would be calling me on the darn cell phone.
 
I don't buy magazines anymore.

The internet has removed and satisfied any want I used to have to read this stuff.

Besides I have been doing it for over 60 years.

We still get the Rifleman and AH with the life memberships but I hardly read them. If I want to know something or read I can do it here.

We get to post ourselves and ask questions now. Much better.

A local newspaper has their building for sale. No paperboy anymore!
 
I buy them occasionally. Maybe once every couple of months when something finds my fancy. Usually the Book of the AR15 or AK47.
 
My LGS actually has most magazines cheaper than online. I like instant gratification and going into a store anyway, so even if they were slightly more expensive I'd still buy the store if I could.
 
Am I the only one who thought this would be a thread about actual magazines, or "clips" if you will? I had thought this was going to be a gripefest on how no one stocks magazines because psa and buds have them beat on commodity pricing.
 
Like many of the other posters have stated I rarely buy a gun magazine off the shelf anymore.
As a avid reader the lack of quality writing is a turnoff for me.
Granted I do like the more odd ball and unusual in firearms, so I might not be the best judge.
My favorite magazine that I get is MUZZLELOADER.
Andy
 
I buy Handloader when I see it on the newsstand, and sometimes American Handgunner. Those are both bi-monthly I believe.

I then recycle them to my shooting buddy; from him to other gun people.

I do get AR from the NRA, but really haven't read it much lately.

There is just too much stuff available on the internet. Magazines have to be hurting these days.
 
I subscribe to Guns Magazine, 'cause editor Roy Huntington is a class guy... and I love reading John Conner.

Oh yeah... the NRA rag. But that's it.
 
Back in past times I'd pick up a stray copy just to have something to flip through. These days, nah. Online discussion fulfills the reading and along with video sites what urges to find info is a flew clicks away.
 
Yes, back in '08: a pair of 10-rd. Promags for the Mini Thirty rifle, and a 20-rounder for the Mini 14.
Recently a new mag via E-Bay for the PPK/S, and an excellent 'de-rusted' mag from Numerich for the new Makarov. Can't find these in two stores I frequent.

AlexanderA: Reportedly some gun magazine writers (years ago) were not aware that "Made In W. Germany" PP, PPK-type handguns were manufactured/assembled in France and proofed/tested in W. Germany, until '86. There were some brief variations of the assembly sequence.
Some magazine experts.
 
Last edited:
Pontificating reply

Looks to me like Ignition override did not read the postings at all! Just jumped in and pontificated with his experiences with "magazines".
Enough said! If you are going to post on a forum at least have the decency to read the post you are replying t!
 
I never do, I always buy mags online and I rarely ever buy ammo at a LGS. The gun stores almost never have what I want.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Gun book prices
Replies
5
Views
399
paradox998
P
4v50 Gary
  • Locked
What (paper or e-zine) gun magazines do you guys read?
2 3
Replies
62
Views
2K
tws3b2
tws3b2
Rockrivr1
  • Locked
Firearms Literature Friendly Airports
Replies
17
Views
923
Mauserguy
M
D
  • Locked
Guns & Ammo Magazine: Reaching A New Low To Get Subscribers
2
Replies
31
Views
3K
GRB
G
C
  • Locked
Any Gun Enthusiast Will Probably Love This
Replies
8
Views
1K
ApacheCoTodd
ApacheCoTodd
Back
Top