Are we being watched by the gun manufacturers?

[Kentucky_Rifleman]

This may seem like a strange question, but I just posted my second poll earlier tonight, and it's generating a lot of responses. I wonder if any of the large-scale gun or ammo companies ever read our discussions to mine data, get product feedback, look for new product ideas, etc.?

It seems like a natural research tool to me, and I'd certainly be using it if I were in the business of making arms, ammunition, or accessories. Many manufacturers pay independent research firms a lot of money to gather market data. This site and several others offer so much input for free, that it seems likely there are several "professional" lurkers here.

I realize that we aren't necessarily "representative" of gun owners in general, but we do offer a unique window into what I believe to be a large sub-population of gun owners. If we aren't being watched, should we be?


What do you think?

KR

 

[heron]

As often as I see the advisement "contact the manufacturer" here, I don't think they need to watch us . . .

 

[hpluseleven]

THEY are watching.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Are we being watched by the gun manufacturers?

No, or S&W would have done away with the lawyer lock a long time ago.

 

[JellyJar]

I guess I better close my blinds.

 

[Nulzilcho]

http://www.ruger.com/products/2245ReplaceablePanels/index.html

You think?

 

[JEB]

still no single stack 9mm from glock...dosnt look like they are watching to me.

it would be nice if some manufacturers would start reading here and change a few things to meet the sonsumer's wishes (no internal locks, better sights on specific modles,...etc)

 

[Avenger29]

I don't know about THR, but I do know M4Carbine.net is a hot spot for manufacturers (although tending towards the midsize/small scale manufacturers), industry professionals, and others high up in the shooting industry when it comes to the AR-15. I assume several of the same peeps are found at Arfcom, but I don't participate over there.

 

[.378 Wby]

If they were paying attention we would not have had the reloading component shortage.

 

[Wise Lite Arms]

I have selected firearms web forums I visit every day.
If I note anything of particular interest I will bring it to the attention of the people who need to see it.
Sometimes it is an internal concern, other times it might be one of our customers I contact.

Regards,
Richard C. Hamer

 

[22-rimfire]

I would guess that they are watching, but not like you might think. I doubt they pay somebody to sit all day on the internet reading forum threads. Employees probably participate and supply information to the manufacturers.

 

[oldfool]

what 22 rimfire said

but the real decision makers, extremely unlikely the guys at the top much care about what is said on forums, it is not MBAs-R-Us style decision making

 

[JohnBT]

They know what's best for us.

 

[Mr.Davis]

I lead product development for a manufacturer in a different industry, and I can say that without a doubt, we gather feedback constantly by monitoring several relevant forums around the web.

The problem with having an open presence on a board like this one is that you become a lightning rod for every guy on the internet who ever had a problem with your product, your people, or your company. People who have seen you around the forum expect instant responses when they ask you a question on the open forum, and inevitably, if there's an area set aside for that particular manufacturer, 50%+ of the posts will become gripes, and those complaints never disappear from the internet.

That's bad for perception of a brand, so that's why most manufacturers lurk rather than posting. It's accurate to assume at least some of them are listening at least some of the time.

 

[huntsman]

Are we being watched by the gun manufacturers?

If they were the handgun market would be all 1911 and glock

Oh...... maybe they are

 

[loadedround]

They may not have a designated corporate person assigned to watching various chat sites, but I do know that as individuals they do watch and also post. I have spoken several times to an individua who use to post regularly on another site and was a customer manager for a firearm manufacturer. He helped me obtain a discontinued magazine.

 

[kwelz]

It depends on the type of Forum. M4C.net and Arf.com both have a lot of dealer participation. THR, not near as much.

 

[Warhawk83]

I just saw a black helicopter!!!!!!




On topic,I'm sure they would use places like this for data mining. They probably skip over the zombie themed stuff though.

Probably concentrate more on NRA and others for actual demographical information though.

 

[CoRoMo]

Are we being watched by the gun manufacturers?

No, or S&W would have done away with the lawyer lock a long time ago.

Add to that, Ruger would have stopped printing their owner's manual on the side of every firearm they make, Taurus would have made changes to their customer service dept, Kimber would have respectfully fallen on their sword for ever using a MIM part in JMB's design, and Bushmaster would have released the ACR on the date they first stated and priced it the way Magpul intended.

No. They are not watching. Sometimes I don't even think they are listening. But we keep on buying, don't we.

 

[Kingofthehill]

I work for a major Diabetes pump company and we look at forums to see what people are saying about our product and what we can improve upon. We take it into consideration and a lot of features on new models are a result from those forums.

I have no doubt they are looking in on us here too.

JOe

 

[Patriotme]

I don't know if they watch this site but they respond to stuff on www.ar15.com all of the time.

 

[Sniper X]

I'd be more than willing to bet that the Brady Bunch is watching us and possibly sending things they feel are dangerous that we say to the gubment. I also feel other gun hater groups might be doing the same with all gun related sites.

 

[Tacbandit]

They're here... they're there ... there everywhere...

Quote:
"I'd be more than willing to bet that the Brady Bunch is watching us and possibly sending things they feel are dangerous that we say to the gubment. I also feel other gun hater groups might be doing the same with all gun related sites......"

Everybody wave to the B B's......
Ya gotta believe they check in at least periodically... both the Manufacturers and the anti's

 

[Buck Nekkid]

I think that the gun manufacturers primarily monitor the Ping and other golf related sites! For the most part, these guys are more concerned about their swing than their products!

 

[heeler]

Of course they do.
And so do the makers of other products check out websites that are product based whether it's a certain motorcycle make,truck,scope,tool,whatever.
Now on a one on one basis they dont care what heeler has to say or TacBandit etc. but if people love or hate their product because of this or that they listen.

Not to say they make changes because of it and I can't prove this but I can tell you a certain motorcycle maker came clean on a faulty engine component largely due to internet websites proving the problem existed that for two years they acted as if we did not know what we were talking about.