Firearm Review Advice

[SOAB]

Hello all,

I recently posted my first review on some ammunition, and it's raised a few questions about content and quality. As my username suggests my focus is going to be on budget firearms reviews. I have plans to start and focus on the shotgun section and to eventually branch out to other forums(once I get everything polished).

The major question I have concerns Content. I can pour facts out like no tomorrow, but I figure it may work better if I provide more specific information. I have a list of points worked out but, would like to know if anyone has anything to change or add.

With firearms( and partially ammunition), I had been thinking about the following bullet points;

Reliability: pretty self explanatory, the firearm or ammo needs to be reliable.

Ergonomics: does the gun feel good in the hands? Are the mechanisms easy to use? Is the recoil comfortable for the firearm/does the ammunition really punish you?

Customization: Can the firearm be outfitted with optics, furniture, and accessories with ease?

Cost: a budget firearm obviously needs to be affordable.

Please let me know what you think about my approach so far. If you have any questions, concerns, or advice; I'd gladly like to hear it.


Thank you, and have a good day!

 

[bannockburn]

SOAB

You might also want to consider things like durability, accuracy, consistency, availability, overall quality, and ease of maintenance.

 

[MedWheeler]

Also, keep in mind for whom you are reviewing it. Is your audience going to be primarily established firearms enthusiasts? Or might you be aiming toward the relative "non-gunner" who has a beginning interest?

While a H&R Pardner Protector shotgun might do well as a home defender, for example, for the relative non-gunner, the shotgun enthusiast might see it differently, as heavy and less-refined, and would probably prefer something else.

 

[SOAB]

Also, keep in mind for whom you are reviewing it. Is your audience going to be primarily established firearms enthusiasts? Or might you be aiming toward the relative "non-gunner" who has a beginning interest?

That is a very good question MedWheeler. I have given it thought, and I feel that especially for budget guns, I am focusing on newer shooters. I should have mentioned that in my first post.

 

[Flynt]

You didn't ask for advice along these lines, but I always wonder what kind of consideration the reviewer may (or may not) have received from the manufacturer. It would be good to know if you've purchased the guns on your own nickel, borrowed them, or whatever -- and whether you received anything of value from the manufacturer, etc. I'm not saying that a reviewer should never accept any favors, but I thing that they should be disclosed.

 

[jamesjames]

I am always looking for something different in a review. I want to know how the gun (or ammo) feels or makes you feel. Through accuracy, performance, shootability... I want to read inspired prose to make me appreciate some new revelation or epiphany experienced while shooting. How does it touch you spiritually? How does it move you? What makes it unique? How does it speak to you?

Too many reviews are nuts and bolts. Performance in terms of data points. I want to know if this gun is any damn good. Give me a reason fall in love with it.

If you can wax poetic about a product, great. If not, your just another schlub gun writer wannabe. Sorry, but I'm looking for transcendence in this hobby. Writing about low end guns aint where its at.

Brutal honesty. sorry dude.

 

[Buck13]

I would also say a focus on accuracy would be welcome. I can afford better than the very cheapest, so I'm more interested in VALUE. Is something inexpensive AND good?

The problem is with accuracy reviewing is credential and confidence. There are a few posters here who I believe have stated their credentials convincingly enough that I would believe them. Any others I would fear are no better than myself: even shooting off a rest, I am not that consistent, so it would be risky to trust my assessment of accuracy. I don't really even slightly believe my accuracy conclusions unless I have shot at least 15 rounds, rested, per day under good conditions (like, not suffering with someone in the next lane shooting an unusually loud boomer), and on at least two different days, and seem similar results. Otherwise, I probably just got lucky or screwed up a little more than usual, as the case may be.

 

[larryh1108]

Budget guns need to also provide a good value. A cheap gun that is crap is still a cheap, crappy gun. An inexpensive gun that does give value is 'worth' a lot more than a budget gun. For example, you can find LCPs for around $200 these days. That is a decent gun for a great price. A pot metal gun for the same $200 is not a good value, IMO.

Also, you should state the going price for the gun you are reviewing and where they are available. MSRP means very little. For example, you can say that at the time of writing, Buds has the gun for $375 and CDNN has it for $395. If you can't find them anywhere then why bother reviewing them at that time. Save the review for when they are available.

If you really want to be thorough, you can pre-review a gun on these boards and get feedback from guys who actually own them and have shot them. The people on these boards are very gun savvy and will provide valuable feedback before you put it to print.

Just some random thoughts.

 

[SOAB]

You didn't ask for advice along these lines, but I always wonder what kind of consideration the reviewer may (or may not) have received from the manufacturer. It would be good to know if you've purchased the guns on your own nickel, borrowed them, or whatever -- and whether you received anything of value from the manufacturer, etc. I'm not saying that a reviewer should never accept any favors, but I thing that they should be disclosed.

I think that is a fair point. I have read quite a few reviews, and have noticed when I should take a grain of salt with one or not.

If you can wax poetic about a product, great. If not, your just another schlub gun writer wannabe. Sorry, but I'm looking for transcendence in this hobby. Writing about low end guns aint where its at.

Brutal honesty. sorry dude.

Brutal honesty, my favorite color is Midnight Purple.

It's your opinion, once you say it, own it. If it hurts my feelings, that's on me.

The problem is with accuracy reviewing is credential and confidence

This Is a very good point.

If you really want to be thorough, you can pre-review a gun on these boards and get feedback from guys who actually own them and have shot them. The people on these boards are very gun savvy and will provide valuable feedback before you put it to print.

I think thread has been very helpful so far. I have had quite a few suggestions for refining my original review points.

I figured I'd mention this last comment though, because this could have a good potential for broadening my views; especially if it's focused on a single firearm specimen.

 

[Tirod]

Since we are talking budget guns then it goes to what they offer in terms of value, and what gets cut from the features list to make that price point.

If a particular gun doesn't have a feature and it's relative value in operating the gun isn't recognized, then the review may appear to be covering up something. For example, one design lacks a mag disconnect. In pocket guns it's certainly arguable that it could be easily deleted and no harm would come of it, for others it would be mandatory. Compare that feature to the slide hold open and how much easier it is to reload the gun, tho. In a decision one over another the better answer is to include the slide hold open. Not only does it faciliate reloading it also signals the shooter he needs to, rather than disguising the fact until the gun doesn't discharge and creating an issue.

This is where a lot of reviewers miss the boat - they don't discuss the prioritization of why a feature is more necessary than another, and on top of that, begin excusing the absence with rationalizations about it. Since the new shooter doesn't know or understand the importance, it has to be noted in the review why it is.

Certain features are the "line in the sand" where a firearm is distinguished as duty grade - or amateur grade. With self loading actions the slide or bolt hold open is that line in the sand and when a maker deletes it, then it should be noted. And why. It also goes to racking the slide - I read where one gun is better or worse than the other, but the real issue is do you have to do it every mag you insert? And do you have to do it with the mag inserted, which raises the effort considerably?

I don't think this are just finesse points when you are using a defense firearm and need to reload the second magazine you decided to carry. The gun can either help the user in the process - like the AR - or hinder it - like the AK.

Popularity has nothing to do with it. It's either a modern duty grade gun, or not. Pro or amateur? The new shooter needs to know.