if I was writing a handgun article, I'd....

J

Jhp147

New member
Fill in the blank. I've written a couple of articles in a small publication, and am going to try a handgun review. I just know I don't want the standard "this is where it came from, this is how it works/disassembles, this is how it's finely machined and looks, this is how it shoots (obligatory photos of 1 inch 25 yard group/chrono table), this is going in my gun safe" (please continue to buy ads in this rag, dear manufacturer). What would you do differently or mention?

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Shamans emerge whenever certain needs remain unanswered...Mark Levy
 
.....tell the truth.

Those 2 inch groups at 25 yards with the latest and greatest pocket pistol sporting a 2 1/4" barrel are just a trifle silly. I'm not saying its never happened, just that its a heck of a rare pocket pistol that will attain the kind of accuracy I've seen reported.

How about some kind of 'combat accuracy evaluation'? Its pretty easy to take a pistol to the range and shoot decent groups off of sandbags, quite another thing to draw from leather and group shots in some kind of realistic combat drill. That's when ergonomics and sights really get evaluated.
 
You would learn to use the subjuncive mood correctly.

Wrong: If I was writing a handgun article...

Correct: If I were writing a handgun article...

By using the subjunctive mood correctly, you would be better than the usual semi-literate slobs who pen articles about firearms.

Here is a primer (with references to its origins in Old English) on the subjunctive:
http://www.engl.virginia.edu/OE/courses/handouts/Subjunctive.html

Just as there is a correct way to shoot a pistol (the Modern Technique), there is a correct way to write in English, which we all know is the best darn language on earth.

{And, yes, as a former English teacher, I know what I am saying.}

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We have never been modern.
 
Be frank about who the gun fits and who it doesn't. By "fits" I mean both physically and by job.
 
Jack 99-Fortunately, advertising dollars won't come into play, and I will be able to tell the truth....but only to the extent that my opinion is truth.
Trevor-Pardon, I'm public school educated and frittered away my college years working. Seriously, I'll look at your link. I wish that there was some way to explain how ironic your post is, let's just say I am usually the one doing the correcting. Thanks, I'll take any assistance.
RHC-I see your point, but the problem with being frank about who it fits physically and who it doesn't will be kind of a guess except....it fits me or it doesn't. As far as the other part of fit, I have tried to make sure that everything I write is qualified in a manner that expresses that it is my opinion, based only on my experience. I think that the "professionals" go wrong when they try to come across as knowing all the answers. I will try to continue to do as I have, but nobody will actually PAY me for that kind of work. And thanks, by the way. One thing I have found about this writing gig....articles are just something to stick in between the advertisements in a magazine. I never realized how true this is.
 
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