I don't understand his wild popularity in the gun community. Well, actually I do, but more on that later...
First off, there is nothing wrong with his videos. He seems like a genuine, honest, fairly knowledgeable guy that is pretty good at practical shooting. In fact, there is a whole lot to like about his videos.
He has a pleasant demeanor and talks about the guns in a calm, rational, and appealing way. He doesn't wear costumes like a lot of other gun reviewers. No goofy cowboy outfits or tactical ninja attire. Just comfortable Carharts, jeans and flannel.
He gives an honest and very general review about the firearm, shoots a bunch of free ammo, blows up pop bottles and makes plates ring.
Every. Single. Time.
And that's the only issue I have with his reviews; every gun is the same and performs the same and he likes them all the same. Pretty much.
Now, I haven't seen every single one of his videos. But I did watch quite a few when trying to choose a pocket carry pistol and then a GSSF match gun.
He offers very few technical details. He will say general comments about a trigger feeling good or having a good reset, but I have never seen him actually do a trigger pull test to produce actual numbers.
Now, the latest video review of the Sig P365 was probably the best one I've seen of his. He compared the pistol directly to the Shield, G26, G43, and PM9. He used actual calipers to compare dimensions and gave specific differences in weights (though oddly enough, did not specifically say the magazine capacity of the Shield; only the other pistols).
But in that review he did not list trigger pull between all of the guns; focusing instead on size and weight.
And absolutely no mention of accuracy, other than it is good for a pocket gun.
And about accuracy...
He will never ever shoot for group size. In fact, in his video explaining his thoughts on accuracy in handguns, he mocks those of us who do care about minor differences in pistol accuracy. If you could call it "mocking". The guy is a real gentleman. I would rephrase it at "dismissing" those of us who bench shoot handguns.
The video mentioned...
I watched his video on accuracy and I can't disagree with him on his main point that in using a handgun for it's main purpose of self-defense, accuracy has very little to do with it and most modern pistols designed for that purpose are all accurate enough.
But he also said something in that video that kinda' makes my point. He said that everyone shoots every gun differently and that some people will be more accurate with one gun than with another and that they are all just fine for self-defense.
Then why watch his videos? If no one knows if a gun is a good fit for them without shooting it first, then why watch a guy shoot one well and blow up a bunch of pop bottles and make plates ring without going into the technical and engineering and accuracy details about each gun?
If I'm trying to decide on a new truck gun and have it narrowed down to a G19, CZ P10C, VP9C, Creed, and the dozens of other pistols in it's class, what are Hickok45's videos going to offer me to help decide on which one?
He likes all of them and shoots all of them well. So it will come down to the details in trigger pull, weight, capacity, ergonomics, and inherit accuracy; things he typically either glosses over or doesn't mention.
I know why he's popular; he's a super nice guy that gives an honest opinion and does it in an entertaining and everyman kind of way. I just don't find his videos particularly helpful in actually choosing a pistol.
And yes, I know there those who worship him here and will flame me hard and make comments like, "if you think you can do better, then make your own videos..."
Really? Don't be a simpleton. I'm not attacking him, just having a conversation about what I'd like to see in his reviews. I'm sure some day there will be someone who comes along and does detailed extensive testing of each firearm with an appealing demeanor and calm, rational way of getting their point across like Hickok45.
First off, there is nothing wrong with his videos. He seems like a genuine, honest, fairly knowledgeable guy that is pretty good at practical shooting. In fact, there is a whole lot to like about his videos.
He has a pleasant demeanor and talks about the guns in a calm, rational, and appealing way. He doesn't wear costumes like a lot of other gun reviewers. No goofy cowboy outfits or tactical ninja attire. Just comfortable Carharts, jeans and flannel.
He gives an honest and very general review about the firearm, shoots a bunch of free ammo, blows up pop bottles and makes plates ring.
Every. Single. Time.
And that's the only issue I have with his reviews; every gun is the same and performs the same and he likes them all the same. Pretty much.
Now, I haven't seen every single one of his videos. But I did watch quite a few when trying to choose a pocket carry pistol and then a GSSF match gun.
He offers very few technical details. He will say general comments about a trigger feeling good or having a good reset, but I have never seen him actually do a trigger pull test to produce actual numbers.
Now, the latest video review of the Sig P365 was probably the best one I've seen of his. He compared the pistol directly to the Shield, G26, G43, and PM9. He used actual calipers to compare dimensions and gave specific differences in weights (though oddly enough, did not specifically say the magazine capacity of the Shield; only the other pistols).
But in that review he did not list trigger pull between all of the guns; focusing instead on size and weight.
And absolutely no mention of accuracy, other than it is good for a pocket gun.
And about accuracy...
He will never ever shoot for group size. In fact, in his video explaining his thoughts on accuracy in handguns, he mocks those of us who do care about minor differences in pistol accuracy. If you could call it "mocking". The guy is a real gentleman. I would rephrase it at "dismissing" those of us who bench shoot handguns.
The video mentioned...
I watched his video on accuracy and I can't disagree with him on his main point that in using a handgun for it's main purpose of self-defense, accuracy has very little to do with it and most modern pistols designed for that purpose are all accurate enough.
But he also said something in that video that kinda' makes my point. He said that everyone shoots every gun differently and that some people will be more accurate with one gun than with another and that they are all just fine for self-defense.
Then why watch his videos? If no one knows if a gun is a good fit for them without shooting it first, then why watch a guy shoot one well and blow up a bunch of pop bottles and make plates ring without going into the technical and engineering and accuracy details about each gun?
If I'm trying to decide on a new truck gun and have it narrowed down to a G19, CZ P10C, VP9C, Creed, and the dozens of other pistols in it's class, what are Hickok45's videos going to offer me to help decide on which one?
He likes all of them and shoots all of them well. So it will come down to the details in trigger pull, weight, capacity, ergonomics, and inherit accuracy; things he typically either glosses over or doesn't mention.
I know why he's popular; he's a super nice guy that gives an honest opinion and does it in an entertaining and everyman kind of way. I just don't find his videos particularly helpful in actually choosing a pistol.
And yes, I know there those who worship him here and will flame me hard and make comments like, "if you think you can do better, then make your own videos..."
Really? Don't be a simpleton. I'm not attacking him, just having a conversation about what I'd like to see in his reviews. I'm sure some day there will be someone who comes along and does detailed extensive testing of each firearm with an appealing demeanor and calm, rational way of getting their point across like Hickok45.
