[NGIB]

Other than the obligatory copy of American Rifleman I get for being an NRA member - I do not read any gun magazines. I have a real problem with reading all the glowing reports and reviews on every gun they feature. Yes, I know they need the advertising $$$ from the gun makers; however, objectivity should be paramount if you're going to make recommendations on how folks spend their hard earned dollars.

I find that real life experience is the way to judge whether a handgun is a good value. If I'm considering something I have no experience with - I'll ask here and get honest answers.

Anybody else feel this way about the gun rags?

[Troy Michalik]

Yes, yes I do feel the same way. I rarely if ever read them. The only real exception is if the lines are long at the store. I'll swing by the magazine rack and pick up one to browse while I stand in line, because everyone knows there are never any guy magazines at the checkout.

The trouble with that is that there are a few people out there that treat guns like some folks treat fantasy football. They have subscriptions to every mag printed, and can recite the complete ballistics table for the 300 whisper upon request. And since a few of these "fantasygun" folks (or is the correct term Mall Ninja?) know that I have my FFL, expect me to be able to do the same.

Either that or I am being asked "How much is a _________" Often my response is "I don't know, how much is a .........car?"

My favorite is "How much is an AR-15?"
"Which one?"
After that, it's an even 50/50 whether I get a blank stare or "Uh, Bushmaster."
And once you start asking about carbines, stocks, grips, flattop... ect. ,they usually just walk away.

[CA357]

I think they're just a vehicle to advertise for the various manufacturers, I don't buy them.

[mpd8488]

Doesn't matter whether it's gun rags, car rags, tool rags, or anything. I enjoy reading them, but I don't count on their opinions for any of my purchases because my needs and wants are different than the reviewers.

[Yunus]

I think American Rifleman is worse than others. I don't think I have ever read a negative review from them.

[Dillinger]

I haven't bought a gun magazine since I have been going to SHOT to be honest.

When I was overseas, I bought everyone I could get my hands on, just to say current, and in that role, they were priceless.

As a source for a gun purchase? Definitely not. I have read WAY TOO MANY glowing reports about this factory weapon shooting incrediable groups only to see one in the shop a year later for a complete overhaul.

I think forum information, if from respected members, is far more valuable than any gun magazine could ever be to a consumer.

JD

[cpttango30]

Like me you have to take it with a grain of salt.

[NGIB]

Originally Posted by Dillinger

I think forum information, if from respected members, is far more valuable than any gun magazine could ever be to a consumer.

JD

Loved the caveat JD, now all we need is a ready reference list of "respected members"...

[slowryde45]

I don't subscribe to any of the mags, but occasionally I will buy one or read it while the wife is shopping in the store, if there is something that interests me in it - or to keep up with any of the latest tactikool ninja accessories that may have come out. j/k

As for the reviews, I will browse them to see the features of the item, if there isn't one locally that I can fondle to find out

But as far as purchasing, that is based on my experience while fondling the item, or by renting one at the range, shooting someone else's, doing research on the net/factory site, etc. - but final decision is based on how I feel with that particular piece, not by hearsay or by any writer's opinion.

Just the way I roll.

[Mark F]

I don't waist my time or money on magazines...