How To: Gear Reviews
Reviewing isn’t as simple as one would think. Often, readers assume it’s as easy as getting products in and just throwing opinions up online. It’s far from that. In fact, it takes a lot of time as well as effort to craft a thorough, detailed, objective review.
The process for me starts with an idea. Often I come across products by way of press releases. In addition to working as a reviewer for Guns.com, I also man the product and consumer news portion as a reporter; which gives me the ability to see what’s new and upcoming in the gun and gear world. Other times, I am asked to review items either by the company itself or by members of the gun community.
Once an idea takes form, I contact the manufacturer and request to test and evaluate the product, known as a T&E. In this request If they agree, then we outline the specifics — how long the review will be, how many pictures are included, if there’s video, etc. For gear reviews, this is also where I detail what guns I have available to test with and sizing of holsters.
I’d like to make it clear that with holsters that require specific sizing to ensure a proper fit, I always send the manufacturer my measurements and allow them to select the size of holster for me. This eliminates any sizing errors on my part. Once the specifics are in order, companies ship out the gear to me for testing.
I T&E all products AS IS.
Testing and evaluation for me is an arduous process that I don’t take lightly. I take on the responsibility of providing unbiased, honest information. What I say has meaning to consumers and readers and I know that.
I carry based on instructions sent to me by the company or through their website, Facebook, Instagram, etc. If I am utterly lost on the proper usage, I will contact the manufacturer for clarification. I approach each review from two stand-points: that of a shooter who has been carrying for nearly a decade and from the viewpoint of someone totally new to the world of guns and gear. This creates a full-bodied review that suits both my new readers and seasoned veterans.
The testing process for holsters is a multi-week ordeal where I focus solely on that product. I first begin using either a SIRT training pistol or a blue gun. I carry one of these guns for one week to get a feel for the gear. This helps solidify limitations the holster might have and also ensures that I am safe while testing. During this time I analyze form, fit, function, comfortability and the basic details that start my reviews.
I then move to carrying an empty firearm, usually either the Ruger LC9s or the Springfield Mod.2. I have a bevy of guns and depending on the gear, I might reach back into the safe for something else. Primarily, though, I stick with those two guns. I carry with an empty mag and chamber for another week working on overall carrying and drawing. There are situations in which a holster might perform well under the conditions of a blue gun but when an actual gun is introduced a flaw will emerge (such as sights snagging or holsters sagging due to the weight of the real gun).
Additionally, I look at real world testing. I jog, run, do cartwheels, roll around on the floor and even practice self-defense scenarios to see how the gear holds up. Nine times out of ten this is where the holster is either going to shine or fail and the majority of my opinion will be crafted from these exercises.
I then move onto multiple trips to the range with live, chambered rounds. I practice drawing and shooting with the gear and gun. This gives me practical information on how the gear holds up with the introduction of live firearms.
Sometimes the process takes longer. If I feel I need more time with the gear, I definitely take it. My numbers are not hard and fast but reflect how the holster performs throughout the testing.
Once testing is done, I move on to the actual writing of the review as well as picture/video taking. I strive for accurate and honest assessments based on the gear given to me. There is NO bias, no pre—determined outcome, no personal feelings in the writing of the reviews. I am a journalist first and foremost and I do not allow personal feelings into my reviews or news articles. If a holster is reviewed negatively, it is because it did not perform at the expected level (which is that it safely retains the firearm and allows quick and efficient access to the gun). There’s no bad blood, there’s no malevolence. The reviews stand on the merits of the products.
If there are major issues, I always include comments from the company within the written article to allow them to state their position or opinion on what went wrong. Occasionally, companies will ask to send another holster for a second look. In those instances, I oblige and will update my review based on what I find.
It’s important that my readers and followers understand how I arrive at my conclusions. Trust between writer and reader is sacred and I want my readers to know that I take my position as a journalist seriously.
