Starting new website for firearm owners, need some help from THR'ers

[223_AR]

I have been coming up with a concept for a firearms website that will contain alot of good information with all around aspets of gun ownership, everything to saftey tips to cleaning, repairing and etc. I would like to compile a data base of sort of indiviual firearms with pictures as well as a synopsis of the gun anything from the groups the owners have shot to problems or lack of problems they have incountered with the firearm. This is where i am asking if THR.org community would like to share pictures with me of there firearms as well as there feelings towards the firearm and can bulid my database for my website that should be up and running quite soon. It would be a great honor to showcase some of the fine firearms owned by some of the fine visitors to this website.

Sincerly 223_AR

p.s. i am not running ads or anything that will bring money into my pocket with the site, just a sort of hobby within my main hobby.

 

[Thegungal]

A well run catagorized firearms review site sounds like a fine idea.

If you do it right and have both fill in the blank scores (say 1-10) to get statistics people can use, and have a place for user reviews...it would rock. You would probably have to throw out a certain amount on either side of the bell curve to get close to a real review.

It could become a gospel site for firearms in a short amount of time.

 

[223_AR]

Hoping to do just what you said, just hoping i can get some assistance from firearm owners in the review process.

 

[Thegungal]

Again, I think it is an awesome idea. I have thought about it a little myself.

What I have though of is this.

Have a website with a large archive of firearms. Along with technical information. It would be catagorized by brand and model. No need to get obscure at this point. Start with modern firearms. If it works well, you can grow it.

Create a photo album for each model in which people can post pics of their own of that model. Have everything "pre set" more of a chain form to fill out. (accessories and modifications)

Then have a user review system. That is also a in this preset form (It means you can compile usful data)

How many rounds (_______)
How many on average rounds until cleaning (_______)
What brands of ammo (Check all that apply and have a list)
What brands work
What brand dont
how many FTF per 1000 rounds

You get the idea...the more specific you get the better it will be. Have a box at the bottom for comment.

Kind of like an amazon.cXm review system for guns...but the trick is monitoring the users and using a bell curve system to throw out the highest ratings and the lowest ratings. As with all things you will have the kool-aid-drinkers and the detractors, you need to find those who are as unbiased as can be. It is hard but you can get closer.

It would be one heck of a site if done well. It needs to be complex and informative but simple to use. If it had a forum with it, it would not take long before it was one of the larger gun boards....again if it is well run.

The one thing that I have not figured out is how to give weight to certain peoples posts. For example...I have a range. I see thousands of guns every month, I keep them running. I rent dozens of guns that get higher round counts through them than 99% of than most ever could/would fire in 10 life times. I have a pretty good idea on what guns last the longest on average and what guns need the least amount of work to keep them running. Do people like me have more to offer than the guy who says "I have one "Brand XXX" and it is great" What about an agency armorer? He may know what 1000 of one or two brands are all about and the truths about them...but what about the other brands? That person doesnt know about those with the same authority he does the brands he works with. What about someone who owns a gun shop but not a range? He sure fixes a lot of guns and has a good idea across the board but does he know round counts? I guess I am trying to say, whose opinion means what and how do you apply some form of weight to that.

 

[223_AR]

I really like your ideas, i am gonna try to come up with a draft of what that would look like on the site, and then post it to see what you think. thanks for the interest and helping me out.

 

[mnrivrat]

Realize this could be a massive undertaking ? - but I have to agree, it would perhaps be a nice place for people to go to, to get reviews on firearms that are done by owners, rather than industry spokespeople.

I don't think you will have much trouble getting people to share photo's and or opinions. I just think the opinions can drive reality in circles sometimes, and don't know the best way to deal with that aspect.

 

[JKimball]

The one thing that I have not figured out is how to give weight to certain peoples posts.

Thegungal,

That's a good point. Maybe if people need to register on the website in order to post or rate guns, you could include a brief survey during the registration process that would identify their "weightiness." That could then be factored in on any of their ratings. Theoretically it might be done subtly enough that they wouldn't guess the purpose. That might help to discourage wannabees from manipulating the survey. Or do you want people to know that professionals and people with a lot of experience are weighted more? Do you want a big star next to someone's name so people pay attention, or are you just thinking of weighting the statistics?

Alternatively, you could have separate categories for the ratings:
1. Owner's ratings.
2. Dealer's/gunsmith ratings.
3. Ranges that rent this gun ratings.

That would allow people to determine for themselves on whom they are more willing to rely.

 

[MPanova]

Have you checked out www.gundirectory.com ??

 

[223_AR]

I have seen gundirectory.com it is nice, but i am looking to build a more personalized directory of firearms, with user pictures and reviews along with news, whats new, etc. etc. etc. etc.

 

[Thegungal]

Gundirectory looks nice...it is close but not quite what I have in mind. Thanks for the link though!

 

[223_AR]

I am having problems putting together a form for filling out and posting the firearms directly when people visit the site, for now i would like to get some firearms from THRers along with a synopsis of the firearm and create a database that way and work my way into getting a fill out form going. I have some friends that really know what they are doing with things of this nature and i have some knownledge but would like to get the site up asap and then work out the kinks as i go. If possible if you would like your firearms showcased on the site you could post a picture in this thread along with the synopsis and i can save that information and put it into html form for my site. Any takers?

 

[docfubar]

If you have something like surplus rifle with proper disassembly instructions for modern guns. That would be nice.

 

[223_AR]

Docfubar, that is a great idea, i apprecaite the input, any other idea's would be great. As well as pics and info.

 

[Mannlicher]

I have misgivings. Reading anecdotal gun reviews written by folks that in most cases, do not know that much themselves about guns, might be misleading. I don't see it as being of much value.

 

[brashboy]

There are a lot of sites like that, from Chuck Hawks to you name it. One that is a lot of fun is the Box O'Truth site - fun to read and they obviously have a ball o'fun doing it.

 

[skinnyguy]

How about a link to every state's .gov website page that lists "gun laws and restrictions" or similar? (provided of course they are available)

Not to be a grammar nazi, but if you are going to do a website, have somebody proofread it before opening the page to the public. If I came across a sentence like this,

This is where i am asking if THR.org community would like to share pictures with me of there firearms as well as there feelings towards the firearm

I would close the page without reading any more, no matter how informative or well-designed.

 

[223_AR]

How about a link to every state's .gov website page that lists "gun laws and restrictions" or similar? (provided of course they are available)

Not to be a grammar nazi, but if you are going to do a website, have somebody proofread it before opening the page to the public. If I came across a sentence like this,
Quote:
This is where i am asking if THR.org community would like to share pictures with me of there firearms as well as there feelings towards the firearm

I would close the page without reading any more, no matter how informative or well-designed.

Of course, i dont proof read my posts, however a website would be another story.