Text of a letter I recently sent to all the gun mags I had an email addy for:
Gentlemen:
Just a list of things for your editorial use.
Peeve #1: I am thoroughly disgusted by the never-ending allegation of some of your advertisers, and yes, even some of your staff, that fluting a rifle barrel somehow magically “adds rigidity.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. When you cut flutes into a barrel, it naturally becomes LESS STIFF. (Stiffness is the proper term.) Yes, a LARGER DIAMETER fluted barrel may be stiffer than a smaller, unfluted one, but it will never be as stiff as the same barrel before the flutes are cut.
Peeve #2: It’s muzzle BRAKE, not a muzzle BREAK. I don’t want a broken muzzle. (And I’m not sure I want a braked one.)
Peeve #3: There is no such thing as measuring a weight of something by volume, i.e., 100 grains (of blackpowder) by volume. Sorry, can’t be done. If you are measuring volume, it is volume, not weight or mass. If it is a substance with a more or less consistent density, one may easily calculate weight from the volume, but one is still measuring volume.
Peeve #4: Optics typically do not “gather” or “collect” light! Scopes, binoculars, etc., only transmit light, with varying degrees of efficiency.
Peeve #5: Dictionaries notwithstanding, the term “civilian,” from the word “civil,” refers to one who is nonmilitary, i.e., civil, or relating to civil, rather than military law or affairs. Non-military law enforcement personnel are civilians, as are all non-military individuals.
Sincerely,....