Gun Review Website

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Werewolf

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My first attempt at the Gun Review website is now available to THR users for review and comment before it goes public. The site is not flashy - it is functional. Even with pics it should load very quickly for phone users.

Visit the site here: True Gun Reviews

Much thanks to P-95 for his suggestions (implemented I think) and to the user who suggested the name True Gun Reviews.

I believe that this site can provide a needed service to the firearms community by collecting product reviews that are not influenced by commercial intent all in one place. Please comment on this aspect of the site (I've not found a site dedicated to firearm reviews anywhere that's not a commercial gun mag and I've looked - maybe not good enough).

Please visit the site and test navigation. Please Comment on structure, organization and the actual criteria for review submission.

There are two reviews available that are examples of the type of review I would like to see posted on this site. Feel free to comment on them as well as if their nature is appropriate for the site as defined.

Before the site goes public and I take SVEN up on his offer of web space I believe that a minimum of 10 reviews should be available in each product category.

There are plenty of sites with RKBA op-ed type pieces. If folks think that an op-ed section would be appropriate I can build that too. Comments?

Visit the site here: True Gun Reviews
 
I like.

The layout is simple, easy to follow, and logical. The example reviews are fun to read, and well written.

:D

Nice, Werewolf, Very nice.

Nick
 
I like it! Fast, easy to read, and well laid out. If you need reviewers, let me know, and I can contribute a few. (Heck, between us Tamara and I should be able to do over 100! :D )
 
If you need reviewers, let me know, and I can contribute a few.
Click to expand...

Contribute away - what one chooses to review is up to the reviewer. True Gun Reviews will be a community supported site (for those that don't think community supported sites work visit Wargamer.Com . That site was 100% community supported from 1995 up until about a year ago. It was the top rated site for wargames for many, many years. All game reviews - volunteers. All site maintenance and management - volunteers. It got to the point where the bandwidth requirements were such that it cost $50K/year - donations not subscriptions.). I doubt if the interest in a community maintained gun site is anywhere near that of a computer game site but they can work.
How do you submit a review?
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On the home page of the site click "Guideline for submission of reviews". I need feedback on the submission requirements too.
 
If I may suggest?

Ask that the reviewers actually own or have owned the gun they're reviewing. There's too many instances of having shot their borther's in-law's uncle's cousin's plumber's pistol once for 3 rounds and didn't like it, or people that just have a bone to pick with a company and knock it without ever having tried it. If they owned it, hated it and traded it away, then they have a valid review. But just something they tried once at a family get-together might not give a valid review...

But it's a great site. I'll post of couple for some rare pistols I own soon.

..Joe
 
Ask that the reviewers actually own or have owned the gun they're reviewing.
Click to expand...
Excellent idea. That criteria is implicit in the mission statement but I will add it to the contributor's guidelines.

The links to Revolvers, Rifles, and Accessories lead to blank pages.
Click to expand...
Most true. When some reviews are contributed the pages will no longer be blank. ;) I may write up a review for each on stuff I own.

Thanks for the feedback guys!
 
When I click on a link that leads to a blank page, I don't know if the page is intentionally blank or blank due to a technical problem.

So, I recommend that you put some kind of notice on those pages to let us users know that no information has been posted yet.:)
 
A couple more suggestions to add to the guidelines.

1. Any statements regarding accuracy should include type of ammunition used, distance (range) shot, shooting method (rested/offhand, etc.), number of shots per group, and center-to-center group size measurements. I've read even professional reviews which casually mention group size measurements without telling the range or number of shots per group.

2. You might consider a specifying a minimum range for accuracy testing--personally I don't find the results of accuracy testing of handguns at less than 10 yards or rifles at less than 50 yards to be particularly useful.

3. Any statements about reliability should include type(s) of ammunition used and approximate total number of rounds fired. I've seen some folks claim that their gun is totally reliable only to later admit that they've only fired a couple of boxes through it so far.

4. Carefully specify any modifications to the firearm. I saw one review awhile back in a magazine where the writer did about a kbuck of mods to the pistol and then reviewed it. It was more a review of his gunsmithing ability than of the pistol.
 
Let me know about that hosting bit, seems like you have it under control.

Of course, if I host it, you get links from some high-traffic firearms sites... ;)
 
Nice site though :D

How about a standard rating system that gives the reader a quick idea as to the reviewer's tone. Something like 1 - 5 bullseyes, 1 beeing bad and 5 being great. Each reviewer can individually score each aspect and then average them up for an overall score. Have the stock graphics in a download section so everyone can access the same images.

Whadda think?
 
RE: Rating System - currently beyond my capabilities. Once we go public do we rate the actual firearm or the review? Suggestions on a rating system?

RE: T/C - Ehhhhh.... that's those handguns that are really rifles right??? Not being a smart ass - I've heard of 'em. Seen pictures but don't have a clue where to put a review on one? Suggestions - maybe competition Firearms???
 
It's a great idea, Werewolf. If you reach the point where bandwidth is getting pricey, you could always do some banner ads. Obviously you wouldn't want to have gun manufacturers, but you could have ads for Cabella's, gunbroker.com and other disinterested parties. $5 per 1,000 visitors a month is a typical cost for a banner ad on a niche site.
 
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