Gun Mags (and not the ones you put in your gun)

[DirtSailor]

I went looking for a magazine on guns the other day and was a bit surprised at how many there are nowdays. I am assuming that "Guns and Ammo" is still the big kid on the block, but can anyone recommend a good magazine? One that isn't a shill for gunmakers and has good teck, accessory, etc info in it?

Thanks for the help.

[69Mach1]

Guns and Ammo is a given, but for serious gun porn, subscribe to GUN's magazine and American Handgunner. If you're really into Black Rifles check out Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine.

[56Chevy]

Guns and Ammo is a given, but for serious gun porn, subscribe to GUN's magazine and American Handgunner. If you're really into Black Rifles check out Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement Magazine.
American Handgunner is a good one. I like it a lot.:thumbsup:

[uzigalil]

I read Small arms review

[Toolbox X]

Small Arms Review is the absolute best. Period.

[ZRX61]

HOW GUN MAGAZINES WRITE ARTICLES

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.

I sent the machine rest back to the factory to see if they can fix it, and we need to replace the shooting bench for the nice people who own the range. I'll be off for the rest of the day. My ears are still ringing. I need a drink.


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.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

LOL......
:laugh: :rofl2:

[Quiet]

:laugh:

[Schlamoo]

Now that was funny, and sadly, pretty accurate.

[acaligunner]

I like 'SWAT' Magazine, Also 'Guns & Weapons for LE'.

I guess I also need to pick 'Guns & Ammo', Since I grew up on it, I believe that is the first mag I ever read. :D

acaligunner

[Guns R Tools]

I get Gun-Tests. It's a small magazine. They don't take in any commercial advertising as far as I know.

There is no fancy photo work. It's B & W with some basic photos.

[ke6guj]

I read Small arms review
Small Arms Review is the absolute best. Period.+2 on SAR. Subscriber since day one.

[Toolbox X]

HOW GUN MAGAZINES WRITE ARTICLES

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.

I sent the machine rest back to the factory to see if they can fix it, and we need to replace the shooting bench for the nice people who own the range. I'll be off for the rest of the day. My ears are still ringing. I need a drink.


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.

That is spot on!!! Never have I read such a perfect description of normal gun mag writers! You made me laugh out loud.

That is exactly the reason Small Arms Review is the best. They have none of that biased BS nonsense. SAR articles aren't trying to sell anything.

[randy]

Take everything you read in all the rags with a grain of salt. I know of one guy that writes a monthly article for one of the mags that says don't believe what you read.

[nooner]

Take everything you read in all the rags with a grain of salt. I know of one guy that writes a monthly article for one of the mags that says don't believe what you read.That also holds true for everything from the news media, books, the internet, your buddy, the dude down the street, your best friend from 6th grade, your cousins mothers uncles friends girlfriends daughters boyfriends father who is an expert on everything, etc., ad nauseum.

As far as that goes I am happy with my subscription to American Handgunner.

[Casual Observer]

Reminds me of the Rugar LCP.

Nothing but RAVE reviews in all the national magazines.

Less than six months into production Ruger issues a recall. ;)

[Axewound]

on the throne right now

Guns and ammo
Tactical Weapons, i like this one.
Small Arms Review
SWAT
and of course playboy

[topgun7]

I am surprised no one recommended "Shooting Times". I think it is an excellent gun magazine.

[Vacaville]

Reminds me of the Rugar LCP.

Nothing but RAVE reviews in all the national magazines.

Less than six months into production Ruger issues a recall. ;)

Ruger's not doing well with their latest semi-auto introductions, is it? My latest magazine had a small guns round-up and still included the LCP, raving about how great it is. Funny how the .380 went from being underpowered to more than adequate for self-defense in a span of about 6 months.

My subscriptions are Guns and Ammo, Guns, Handguns, and American Rifleman (NRA). I pick up copies of Rifle Shooter, Surplus Firearms, and of course, the Buyers Guides whenever a new one comes out.

[Toolbox X]

The articles in Shotgun News are actually pretty decent.

[CSACANNONEER]

American Rifleman, Shotgun News, Very High Power are the three I read most now. I have many years worth of old Muzzleblasts and Muzzleloaders that are always fun to reread.

[Ford8N]

Take everything you read in all the rags with a grain of salt. I know of one guy that writes a monthly article for one of the mags that says don't believe what you read.

Me too. That's almost the exact words the guy told me. He also confirmed to me that "money talks" in the gun writing business. Personally I like the older mags, no worry about legal liabilities. I'm always looking for the magazines put out by Phil Engeldrum like Pistolero, Popular 22's, Guntests, ect. Those mags were quite entertaining and the reviews didn't sugar coat a turd.

[xrMike]

I am surprised no one recommended "Shooting Times". I think it is an excellent gun magazine.I just saw this thread, but yeah, I like Shooting Times also. Good mix of hunting/tactical/battle arms reviews, highly technical articles on reloading, etc. I like it a lot and just renewed my subscription.

[Turbinator]

Another vote for Gun Tests, American Handgunner, and Guns Magazine. The latter two have great photography (that guy Ichiro Nagata does the photos, I think), and they feature the Ayoob Files, which I always find interesting. I generally shy away from anything from Peterson Publishing, the guys who do Guns & Ammo, as I just don't find the content to be as good as the other mags. Shotgun News is always good, but recently the issues have gotten smaller and thinner. Gun List is still out there but I haven't picked up an issue in a long time.

One thing not discussed, Japanese put out some really nice full color magazine / books about firearms - these are called simply "Gun" and have awesome photos. Of course, most of us might have trouble reading the articles, so I bought these in the past *only* for the stunning photography.

Turby

[dragonbait1a]

Gun Magazines used to be my downfall, I'd buy them all. Now I only read American Rifleman (Who believes there is no such thing as a bad gun), Guns (rarely) and American Handgunner. American Handgunner and Guns (published by the same company) have loudly proclaimed that they do not take "heavy" ad placement (a Ruger ad in a Ruger article for example) and do not take editorial comment from manufacturers. They also have some fun writing (John Connor for one)

guns and Ammo took a "lets look pretty" design about 5 years ago. coupled with "This month's gun is the greatest!" and pointless articles, I've stopped buying them. G&W for LE was actually my first gun magazine purchase (with a Sig 551 on the cover, I couldn't resist) and Combat Handguns by the same publisher but they also have never met a gun they didn't like. With mediocre writing, I only pick one up if it has an article on some wicked cool gun.

All above are personal opinions, YMMV

RGB

[rorschach]

I subscribe to SAR and Gunlist. (sorry, gun digest now)

I like American Hangunner, Combat Handguns and GWLE.

[DANGERCLOSE]

SWAT
guns & weapons for law inforcement
special weapons for military and police
tactical weapons
combat tactics, surefire
tactical guns and gear, guns and ammo
soldier of fortune

[jumbopanda]

Magazines are mostly useless since I can find all the info I need online.

[Toolbox X]

SWAT
guns & weapons for law inforcement
special weapons for military and police
tactical weapons
combat tactics, surefire
tactical guns and gear, guns and ammo
soldier of fortune

You would really like SAR.

[Turbinator]

Magazines are mostly useless since I can find all the info I need online.

Bingo - exactly why I am going to let my Shotgun News subscription lapse.

Turby

[ke6guj]

You would really like SAR.
he definitely would.

check out some of the past articles from SAR, http://www.smallarmsreview.com/Sample_Articles.htm

[DirtSailor]

Magazines are mostly useless since I can find all the info I need online.

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I like books & magazines. I would prefer to print out a long online article than read it straight from the screen.

Plus it's hard to drag the computer into the toilet.

[ImOverHere]

The only one I subscribe to is Gun Tests.

[aplinker]

where's xnewyawker?

[gunboat]

Handloader, Rifle, american Gunsmith , and one I no longer get, the Gun Report ---- no longer interested in the latest whizbang weapon -- After 40 years they have all repeated themselves several times anyway --- There must have been 100 articles or more extolling the virtues of the latest surplus weapon found in some sunken ships hold. Of course, stalins fingerprints are imbedded in the stocks of most of them --