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broommaster2000 · Moderator

What are the most important questions one should ask while making a review?

A lot of these things are really personal. What do you think is important about an airgun?

Feel free to add.

Is my air rifle:

How much Power? (Obvious, should be question number one if you're a real bloke and also tells a lot about what the rifle will do)

How Accurate is the rifle? (Also has some to do with the next questions)

Easy to use? Is operating it streightforward? (Some rifles can be a bit of a fiddle to shoot)

Is it Hold sensitive? (Some rifles just aren't)

Does the grip suit you? (Very personal, some rifles a a b!tch to hold)

How much for Cocking effort? (I've cocked PCP's that required more effort then a Webley Patriot)

Is there any extra work involved? (Pumping? Maintenance?)

Does the rifle/pistol do what it should do? (Basically what it comes down to)

I'm sure there is more. Wink

Roy · Veteran Member

For me, balance and weight matter also.

Jaxom · Senior Member

Warrenty? If it breaks, who will cover what needs to be fixed and for how long?

We all like to be unique. Just like many other things in life, we love to personalize our belongings. What kind of accessories are there for this particular ag. Who makes them? ect.

How consistant is the quality of the manufacturer? Even the well known brands have "lemons" from time to time, which are either discontinued or a "B" version is made correcting the problem.

Buster Bodine · Veteran Member

Is it ambi? If not, how well suited is it for LH use?

What kind of sights are on it? Are they adjustable? If so, do the click adjustments click firmly into place? Does the zero tend to wander?

If it comes with a scope, how good is the scope? Does it zero easily? Does it hold the zero? Are the optics clear and crisp?

What does it cost? How does the rifle stack up against well known models in the same price range?

Does it have any innovative or unique features or just features not normally found on an AG in this price range?

How does it stand up to the elements? What kind of stock? Wood or synth? If wood, how well finished? How good is the wood to metal fitting?

I've written a lot of reviews over the years for different companies (never any on AGs) and gotten a lot of free stuff. (Knives, DVDs, "tactical" gear, other cool stuff)

I have some rules though.

1. I don't write puff pieces. If the item is garbage, I'll send it back to the maker and very politely say "Thanks but no thanks" By doing this, I avoid having to write a negative review but still manage to retain my credibility with both makers and customers.

2. If the item is good stuff, I'll write up the review and be perfectly honest. If there are flaws, I'll point them out. If there's something that I just don't like but isn't necessarily a problem, I'll point that out as well and make sure it's clear that this is just my preference and not a condemnation of the product.

3. I go out and USE the item. Lots of pictures of the product before, during, and after use. Let folks see how the product stands up to good hard use. Not abuse, just putting the product through it's paces and seeing what it can do.

4. Above all, details, details, details!

Write a few freebies like that, get them posted online at a popular/busy website, let the manufacturers see it, and who knows? Free stuff may soon be headed your way too! Laughing

donwalk · Veteran Member

how would i 'review' an airgun? Shocked

quality of workmanship, operations, durability, performance, materials incorporated, ease of use in all areas, purpose driven design and cost.

overall product performance in relation to cost of same...the more you pay, the more you expect to get. (as an example: the more you pay, the more accuracy you expect to get, right?) Wink

most accessories and aftermarket accessories, such as scopes, lasers, butt pads, bipods, etc., are of a 'personal' taste so they're not quite as high on my priority list as the over all performance, design and price of ANY arm i select.

warranty is also VERY important in my selection. in fact, probably one of the most important factors; the last AG i purchased has a lifetime (limited) warranty...IMO, that is a vote of confidence from the manfacturer that his product is indeed a good one and he will stand by it.

BBGun Bob · Veteran Member

when I returned to adult air guns sheer power was my main interest.
But it did not take long to figure out with out accuracy all the power in the world ain't worth a poop unless you can hit what your shooting at.
As my interest grew so did my thinking.my priority's also changed!
Having tried Springer's,PCP's,pumpers and CO2 guns and rebuilding everyone to my liking.
In my opinion accuracy from the factory and quality build are number one.
A stock can be modified/changed to fit anyone,weight can be added or removed to balance a rifle.
I have also found my return to springer's is the way to go for me.No tanks/pumps to carry around(PCP's),no pumping between shots(pumpers)
and no worrying about a seal leaking or a low bulb(CO2).
Since buying my last rifle a month ago (HW97K) I think I found a little heaven in air guns.
Quality? Yes ! Ease of operation? Yep ! Just grab its favorite pellets and go,accuracy?OH MAN this baby will part frog hairs.

Good Question Broom !
BBGun Bob
SE Mich USA