New firearms blog -- what do you want to see covered?

dakota.potts · October 21, 2013, 12:45 AM

I'm launching a new firearms blog called The Shooter's Report (http://shootersreportblog.wordpress.com/)

So far there are just a couple of articles up, as I am just starting. I plan to do opinion, news, item reviews, etc.

So I thought I would take the time now to see what kinds of things TFL members would like to see me write about! Got a debate about something you want answered? Want to see a particular news item covered? Curious about an item and can't find a review on it?

I can't promise anything (I certainly couldn't afford a Kimber Ultra Carry or IWI Tavor to review, as much as I would love to

) but if I can't write about something personally, I can try to find someone with experience in whatever it is when I know there's interest in it.

The article I'm working on now is called "5 reasons the .22 LR is underrated" and I see we've even had questions about that on the board recently.

Hope a little self promotion is OK here and that you guys have some interesting things you want to hear about.

Thanks everybody!
Dakota

Warrior1256 · October 21, 2013, 06:40 PM

Shooting tips and training articles would be good as well as self defense articles.

Congrats and good luck.

Hal · October 21, 2013, 07:10 PM

Quote:

"5 reasons the .22 LR is underrated"

LOL!
How about a half dozen reasons why it's over rated?

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of the .22lr.
I just don't think it's role is understood.
I believe it belongs in the hands of only very experienced shooters.

dakota.potts · October 21, 2013, 07:44 PM

Thanks guys!

Will be looking at self defense articles, both the training and things one needs to consider about self defense.

Hal, what is it that makes you think the .22LR is overrated? I'm interested to hear your rationale. Might make a good counterpoint to the same article if you can give me some good things to think about

Crazy88Fingers · October 21, 2013, 09:48 PM

A while back at the range I saw an older gentleman teaching a little girl to shoot a .22 rifle. She seemed to be his granddaughter, and I thought there might an interesting story there.

Getting out and interviewing everyday people at the range and learning how and why they got into shooting would be interesting to me. It might also help the perception of shooters in the public eye, since Ted Nugent was apparently elected to be our ambassador.

**Tom Servo** · October 21, 2013, 10:43 PM

This is more a critique on structure rather than content, but bear with me.

Your banner image is nice, but it's huge. On a 1440x900 monitor, it takes up the entire page. Many readers who land on your page won't know to scroll down for content.

I'd also suggest removing the whole right-side column and moving the stuff on the left to its place. With a two-column layout, the text will flow better.

dakota.potts · October 21, 2013, 11:27 PM

Interesting Critiques Tom. As you can tell, I'm new to this! The banner image was actually taken (with permission) from a fellow TFL member who had entered it in a monthly photo contest. I put the site together on a Windows 8 Surface Tablet (my laptop's internet is pretty much busted) so I guess I assumed it would show up fine on another computer. As I haven't logged out of my wordpress account, I assumed the right banner only showed up for me since I was logged into the back end.

Looks like I have more playing around to do!

CrazyFingers, that's a great idea! It would be cool to see if I could get people to send in videos of them talking about why they got into shooting or something like that, and offer prizes for certain ones. That way it wouldn't be limited to just the people I could find at my local range.

Koda94 · October 22, 2013, 02:54 AM

articles where someone used a gun in self defense, cause one of the arguments the antis give me is you'll never need it or they are never used for good. These articles rarely if never make headlines cause the good guys didnt die.

Hal · October 22, 2013, 08:29 AM

Potts..
Sorry - aint going to rehash my reasons yet another time.
I've stated them plenty of times in the past.

dakota.potts · October 22, 2013, 09:19 PM

Koda94,
I was presented a great opportunity today to do just such an article!
http://shootersreportblog.wordpress....ealed-carrier/

Hope it's what you were looking for

Koda94 · October 22, 2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Hope it's what you were looking for

it is.... in a sense, if I had to cite a source to an anti it best not come from an obviously pro gun source. But of course the mainstream media usually does not cover these stories.

here is an example of one in my state that made the local news: http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-no...ooting_de.html

dakota.potts · October 22, 2013, 09:52 PM

Definitely see what you mean. I'll keep an eye on news reports and see if I can't find one from a less biased source than Guns Save Lives. Thanks for the feedback!

Koda94 · October 23, 2013, 12:03 AM

Dakota I realize that doesn't make finding source articles any easier. Nice blog though I like it.

JERRYS. · October 23, 2013, 12:08 AM

practical articles on the everyday man's use of defensive handguns....

sure there are $2000 1911s coming out now and then, but the everyday working stiff gets a J frame or some mini 9mm and goes about his day with that.

real world guns for the everyday folks, in real world living conditions.... most women cannot ccw a Glock 17, many get a mini gun of sorts. not the best but it is what they will carry everyday, not leave it in the minivan....

in spite of a personal preference for bigger guns or calibers, review what a lot of folks actually carry.... in the hot and humid summer.....

dakota.potts · October 23, 2013, 02:24 AM

No problem Koda, due diligence in research leads to more honest content.

JERRYS, I like that idea a lot. I would carry my CZ 75 BD police everywhere if I could, but when I get my license, I'm either going to have to get inventive with my carry methods (especially since I'm 5'10" and 115 lbs) or get a smaller handgun. Maybe even a CZ 75 compact.

In my research, I've gained an appreciation for pocket pistols including the .25s and .32s of the world, even the NAA .22 Mag pistols. When it's all you can carry, it's something and it'll do the job.

Keltec is somewhat local to me. Wonder if I can't work out something to review a P32 since I've wanted one personally anyways. Until then, I'll look into getting guest posters. To be clear, you're talking about realistic sized carry handguns with a low price point - Keltec, Ruger, S&W, maybe even Makarovs and such?

Speaking of which, if anybody has a review or other article they'd like published, it could find a home here. I don't want to promote that too much on other threads, but if you've got something to talk about, I'll always take a look at it.

October 21, 2013, 12:45 AM	#1
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	New firearms blog -- what do you want to see covered? I'm launching a new firearms blog called The Shooter's Report (http://shootersreportblog.wordpress.com/) So far there are just a couple of articles up, as I am just starting. I plan to do opinion, news, item reviews, etc. So I thought I would take the time now to see what kinds of things TFL members would like to see me write about! Got a debate about something you want answered? Want to see a particular news item covered? Curious about an item and can't find a review on it? I can't promise anything (I certainly couldn't afford a Kimber Ultra Carry or IWI Tavor to review, as much as I would love to ) but if I can't write about something personally, I can try to find someone with experience in whatever it is when I know there's interest in it. The article I'm working on now is called "5 reasons the .22 LR is underrated" and I see we've even had questions about that on the board recently. Hope a little self promotion is OK here and that you guys have some interesting things you want to hear about. Thanks everybody! Dakota

October 21, 2013, 09:48 PM	#5
Crazy88Fingers Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2010 Location: WesTex Posts: 958	Re: New firearms blog -- what do you want to see covered? A while back at the range I saw an older gentleman teaching a little girl to shoot a .22 rifle. She seemed to be his granddaughter, and I thought there might an interesting story there. Getting out and interviewing everyday people at the range and learning how and why they got into shooting would be interesting to me. It might also help the perception of shooters in the public eye, since Ted Nugent was apparently elected to be our ambassador.

October 21, 2013, 10:43 PM	#6
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,059	This is more a critique on structure rather than content, but bear with me. Your banner image is nice, but it's huge. On a 1440x900 monitor, it takes up the entire page. Many readers who land on your page won't know to scroll down for content. I'd also suggest removing the whole right-side column and moving the stuff on the left to its place. With a two-column layout, the text will flow better. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

October 21, 2013, 11:27 PM	#7
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Interesting Critiques Tom. As you can tell, I'm new to this! The banner image was actually taken (with permission) from a fellow TFL member who had entered it in a monthly photo contest. I put the site together on a Windows 8 Surface Tablet (my laptop's internet is pretty much busted) so I guess I assumed it would show up fine on another computer. As I haven't logged out of my wordpress account, I assumed the right banner only showed up for me since I was logged into the back end. Looks like I have more playing around to do! CrazyFingers, that's a great idea! It would be cool to see if I could get people to send in videos of them talking about why they got into shooting or something like that, and offer prizes for certain ones. That way it wouldn't be limited to just the people I could find at my local range. __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

October 22, 2013, 02:54 AM	#8
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,295	articles where someone used a gun in self defense, cause one of the arguments the antis give me is you'll never need it or they are never used for good. These articles rarely if never make headlines cause the good guys didnt die. __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

October 21, 2013, 06:40 PM	#2
Warrior1256 Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 156	Shooting tips and training articles would be good as well as self defense articles. Congrats and good luck.

October 21, 2013, 07:44 PM	#4
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Thanks guys! Will be looking at self defense articles, both the training and things one needs to consider about self defense. Hal, what is it that makes you think the .22LR is overrated? I'm interested to hear your rationale. Might make a good counterpoint to the same article if you can give me some good things to think about

October 22, 2013, 08:29 AM	#9
Hal Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 8,563	Potts.. Sorry - aint going to rehash my reasons yet another time. I've stated them plenty of times in the past.

October 22, 2013, 09:19 PM	#10
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Koda94, I was presented a great opportunity today to do just such an article! http://shootersreportblog.wordpress....ealed-carrier/ Hope it's what you were looking for __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

October 22, 2013, 09:52 PM	#12
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Definitely see what you mean. I'll keep an eye on news reports and see if I can't find one from a less biased source than Guns Save Lives. Thanks for the feedback! __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

October 23, 2013, 12:03 AM	#13
Koda94 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Cascadia Posts: 1,295	Dakota I realize that doesn't make finding source articles any easier. Nice blog though I like it. __________________ lightweight, cheap, strong... pick 2

October 23, 2013, 12:08 AM	#14
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	practical articles on the everyday man's use of defensive handguns.... sure there are $2000 1911s coming out now and then, but the everyday working stiff gets a J frame or some mini 9mm and goes about his day with that. real world guns for the everyday folks, in real world living conditions.... most women cannot ccw a Glock 17, many get a mini gun of sorts. not the best but it is what they will carry everyday, not leave it in the minivan.... in spite of a personal preference for bigger guns or calibers, review what a lot of folks actually carry.... in the hot and humid summer.....

October 23, 2013, 02:24 AM	#15
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	No problem Koda, due diligence in research leads to more honest content. JERRYS, I like that idea a lot. I would carry my CZ 75 BD police everywhere if I could, but when I get my license, I'm either going to have to get inventive with my carry methods (especially since I'm 5'10" and 115 lbs) or get a smaller handgun. Maybe even a CZ 75 compact. In my research, I've gained an appreciation for pocket pistols including the .25s and .32s of the world, even the NAA .22 Mag pistols. When it's all you can carry, it's something and it'll do the job. Keltec is somewhat local to me. Wonder if I can't work out something to review a P32 since I've wanted one personally anyways. Until then, I'll look into getting guest posters. To be clear, you're talking about realistic sized carry handguns with a low price point - Keltec, Ruger, S&W, maybe even Makarovs and such? Speaking of which, if anybody has a review or other article they'd like published, it could find a home here. I don't want to promote that too much on other threads, but if you've got something to talk about, I'll always take a look at it. __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.