Page 1 of 1

How Gun Magizines Write Reviews

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:08 pm
by TxD
Shamelessly stolen from "theoxrant.blogspot.com" and edited for language.
----------------------------------

Instruction From The Editor To The Journalist:

"Frangible Arms just bought a four page color ad in our next issue. They sent us their latest offering, the CQB MK-V Tactical Destroyer. I told Fred to take it out to the range to test. He'll have the data for you tomorrow."

Feedback From Technician Fred:

"The pistol is a crude copy of the World War II Japanese Nambu type 14 pistol, except it's made from unfinished zinc castings. The grips are pressed cardboard. The barrel is unrifled pipe. There are file marks all over the gun, inside and out.

Only 10 rounds of 8mm ammunition were supplied. Based on previous experience with a genuine Nambu, I set up a target two feet down range. I managed to cram four rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. I taped the magazine in place, bolted the pistol into a machine rest, got behind a barricade, and pulled the trigger with 20 feet of 550 cord. I was unable to measure the trigger pull because my fish scale tops out at 32 pounds. On the third try, the pistol fired. From outline of the holes, I think the barrel, frame, magazine, trigger and recoil spring blew through the target. The remaining parts scattered over the landscape.

Article Produced By The Journalist:

"The CQB MK-V Tactical Destroyer is arguably the deadliest pistol in the world. Based on a combat proven military design, but constructed almost entirely of space age alloy, it features a remarkable barrel design engineered to produce a cone of fire, a feature much valued by Special Forces world wide. The Destroyer shows clear evidence of extensive hand fitting. The weapon disassembles rapidly without tools. At a reasonable combat distance, I put five holes in the target faster than I would have thought possible. This is the pistol to have if you want to end a gunfight at all costs. The gun is a keeper, and I find myself unable to send it back."

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:12 pm
by frankie_the_yankee
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:26 pm
by Jungle Work
The Good or Bad of a Gun Review for most of the writers, is based on whether they are allowed to keep the gun for free or they have to send it back.

If its a freebe, it is the best and most deadly gun in the world, just after you have it tweaked by a gunsmith who has to take a ballpeen hammer to it.

The best I have read is in the American Rifleman where a "gun writer" told about the wonderful supre dooper custom 1911 pistol that had just come out at a price of $1299.00 msrp and how it will be a great gun when they get them to function reliabily. I figured that if the gun writer was encouraging a reader to buy a $1299.00 that won't run, he probably gets to keep it for free. Just what I want, a $1299.00 gun that won't run.

I always wonder what would have been said if the gun wasn't a gift to the gun writer.

Jungle Work

Re: How Gun Magizines Write Reviews

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:35 pm
by Skiprr
TxD wrote:Shamelessly stolen from "theoxrant.blogspot.com" and edited for language.
Image

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:48 pm
by frankie_the_yankee
The only gun reviews I really trust are in Gun Tests magazine. They don't take advertising.

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:49 pm
by Paladin
LOL!

Best gun review I've read in a long time! :lol:

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:56 pm
by JRG
Absolutely LOVED it!!

Joe :grin: :grin: :grin:

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:12 pm
by HankB
Have you seen the review of the Para-Ordnance pistols in the Sept. 2007 American Rifleman?
Wiley Clapp in American Rifleman wrote: . . . I ran a couple of boxes of 230-gr. ammuntion through the pistols to get a feel for them. Like many .45s, they are intolerant of anything less than a firm grasp, and they do need to be carefully broken-in. After a breaking-in period and positive lubrication, it was time to do a Ransom Rest evaluation . . . I can commend the guns to you from the standpoint of inherent accuracy and general handling.
NRA tests usually report either flawless performance or provide some details of the failures. In this case, it sounds like they were jammamatics, but he didn't want to say so in print because Para is donating $25 to the NRA for each pistol sold.

(BTW, neither one of my .45s is senstitive to limp wristing . . . my G17 yes, but not my Colt National Match or my Les Baer.)

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:58 pm
by frankie_the_yankee
HankB wrote:Have you seen the review of the Para-Ordnance pistols in the Sept. 2007 American Rifleman?
Wiley Clapp in American Rifleman wrote: . . . I ran a couple of boxes of 230-gr. ammuntion through the pistols to get a feel for them. Like many .45s, they are intolerant of anything less than a firm grasp, and they do need to be carefully broken-in. After a breaking-in period and positive lubrication, it was time to do a Ransom Rest evaluation . . . I can commend the guns to you from the standpoint of inherent accuracy and general handling.


NRA tests usually report either flawless performance or provide some details of the failures. In this case, it sounds like they were jammamatics, but he didn't want to say so in print because Para is donating $25 to the NRA for each pistol sold.
I'm surprised that a Para would have these issues. Between the ramped barrel, the new extractor design, and overall fit & finish, they tend to be pretty reliable and ammo tolerant. I can't recall an unfavorable Gun Tests review of them offhand.

Maybe Clapp has limp wrist issues.

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:12 pm
by mcub
Yep, just like boat reviews....

Also ever notice how the discovery channel and others describe EVERY fighter plane as if it was the greatest, most capable airplane ever built.
And cars too.


However I did watch one special on WWI where the show actually said that the French light machine gun supplied to the US army in the 30-06 configuration was the worst functioning firearm ever manufactured in human history. I guess the French tourism industry did not buy add space.

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:34 pm
by flintknapper
frankie_the_yankee wrote:
HankB wrote:Have you seen the review of the Para-Ordnance pistols in the Sept. 2007 American Rifleman?
Wiley Clapp in American Rifleman wrote: . . . I ran a couple of boxes of 230-gr. ammuntion through the pistols to get a feel for them. Like many .45s, they are intolerant of anything less than a firm grasp, and they do need to be carefully broken-in. After a breaking-in period and positive lubrication, it was time to do a Ransom Rest evaluation . . . I can commend the guns to you from the standpoint of inherent accuracy and general handling.


NRA tests usually report either flawless performance or provide some details of the failures. In this case, it sounds like they were jammamatics, but he didn't want to say so in print because Para is donating $25 to the NRA for each pistol sold.
I'm surprised that a Para would have these issues. Between the ramped barrel, the new extractor design, and overall fit & finish, they tend to be pretty reliable and ammo tolerant. I can't recall an unfavorable Gun Tests review of them offhand.

Maybe Clapp has limp wrist issues.

Theres your answer. ;-)

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:12 pm
by drinks
Mcub, my uncle, Clifford Ruby, was trained in the US as a Lewis gunner before he was sent to Europe, once there, his Lewis gun was taken away and he was given a Chat-Chat, pronounced "cho-cho].
He said it was a total piece of junk, the only reason it was issued was Pershing was having sex with some French women who made him forget his American wife.
Not a lot unlike Eisenhower in England during WWII, sex rules, world wide. :shock: