Gun blogs?

[KDS]

Hey guys, anyone here blog or read blogs about guns? A friend of mine recently asked me to start contributing to his new blog. I am suprised to find out that I enjoy it. It is just a couple guys and their opinions (hey, isn't that what the internet is for?) but I was just curious how many others do this too. Also, I am interested to know what kind of blog posts might interest you? Feel free to check out our blog (link in my signature below) and write comments. Thanks guys!

 

[GigaBuist]

I've got about a hundred or so gun blogs in my RSS feed. I added yours to it. Looks decent.

 

[Ruger44mag]

I read a few not a whole lot though.

 

[Kendal Black]

Lots of people have them, even me (see below).

In a sense that is a good thing, lots of people getting the word out about shooting and related political and social issues. On the other hand, having lots of gun blogs out there makes it difficult for a blog to get a whole lot of traction, because so many people are blogging about the same things.

 

[Gord]

OP, your newbie pistol-buying guide (for example) is full of blanket statements and oversimplifications. This is why I much prefer a forum format for my firearms discussions: it welcomes input from others, who could have told you (or your readers) that there is such a thing as a double-action semi, for instance.

Unless someone has major credentials (and sometimes even then...) I don't have any use for reading their opinion presented as fact.

 

[KDS]

Gord, the whole point of that post was to keep it simple. I never stated anywhere that I am presenting my opinions as fact. I am well aware of the fact that there is such a thing as a double action semi, I own several. As well as double singles and SAOs (1911s). A new gun buyer may not be ready for that level of discussion yet and sounds like a good idea for another post. In the future we plan to do unbaised reviews of firearms based on our experience and opinion. If you don't agree, thats fine. We have a comment section and I would be happy to recieve input. The purpose of my series on guns for newbies is that it is ok if you know next to nothing about guns. If you want to buy one for defense or get into the hobby, there are plenty of people out there that are willing to give advice based on their own experience. Respectfully, I doubt you are more qualified to give advice or opinion than anyone else here.

 

[earlthegoat2]

There are wayyy to many of them IMO.

It doesnt stop me from posting on my own about once a year though.

I like to think mine is better than all the rest. I really only use it as a repository for my own thoughts though. If I ever forget something I go back to the blog and remember.

I read Michael de Bethancourt's blog about snub revolvers. That is the only one I read regularly.

 

[Gord]

A new gun buyer may not be ready for that level of discussion yet

Yeah, that should come after they blow their gun fund on something that may not actually be "best" for them based on factually incomplete data.

What if I say that a 1911, or a Glock, is usually the best gun for a new shooter? What criteria am I using to arrive at that conclusion, and would it not be good form to preface the statement with "In my opinion"?

Let's move on to another post. In "Rifles for home defense," you state that

So why is a rifle a bad choice most of the time? The basic answer is ballistics. Rifle rounds are designed to travel long distances with great power. A rifle round fired in a neighborhood could travel through several houses, hitting who knows what.

While I realize that you're trying to simplify, you're also omitting data here; 5.56 will actually penetrate interior spaces to less extent than buckshot according to some testing that has been oft-quoted on THR. What happens if some small-statured dude (or lady) reads your blog and decides that they'd better buy a heavy, shoulder-battering 12-gauge instead of the AR they held and liked at the gun shop because you're telling them it's going to kill the neighbors three houses down if they ever have to use it?

Of course, you also posit that birdshot is just fine for self-defense purposes, so...
At least you were gracious enough to interject an "I think" into that one.

 

[KDS]

Come on man, you are taking things out of context. I am trying to avoid the "just buy a glock" or "just buy a 1911" advice and give them things to think about. If you read my shotgun post, I mention that 20 gauge guns are available for people that are recoil sensitive. I also state that buck shot is a great self defense choice but regardless of weapon, you have to be concerned with over penetration and that you are responsible for your projectiles. For the birdshot case, I specifically mention apartments or other places where shooting a bad guy is risky. I know birdshot isn't the best, but I challenge you to take a full load of birdshot to the chest at 12 to 20 feet. Let me know how bad birdshot is then.

I'm trying to do more than just give the standard reply I hear at the gunshop. How many times have you seen a potential first time buyer walk into a shop with no idea what to get and some jerk just slaps a glock or mosberg 500 in their hand and say "here, you need this".

 

[Gord]

I know birdshot isn't the best, but I challenge you to take a full load of birdshot to the chest at 12 to 20 feet. Let me know how bad birdshot is then.

So what you're saying is that a single-shot .22 is also perfectly fine for self-defense? 'cause I wouldn't want to get shot with one of those, either.

All I'm saying is that if you are going to take it upon yourself to lecture or educate newbies, you need to get your info straight, fact-check, and be able to provide compelling arguments and data to back up what you're saying. The fact that your blog is geared towards newbies is no excuse for presenting incomplete (or just plain wrong) information because they're "not ready for it yet."

Otherwise, you may as well just be another Youtube Yokel telling people that "just the sound of you racking a shotgun will scare them off!" That's good info because it probably happens sometimes... right...?