Poll: Thinking About Creating A Mobile Social Media Application For Firearm Enthusiasts?

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This idea has a snowball's chance in hell of getting anywhere with lifelong gun owners. The idea works for non-gun folk who have become interested in arms in the last 4-5 years after the Newtown shooting brought gun rights under the spotlight. Hundreds of new companies popped up to capitalize on the newfound interest by millions of Americans who didn't know their bubblegum from a hole in the ground. The kind of people who are so new to guns that they say "clip," and "which is better? 9mm or .45?" How many of these companies were start by entrepreneurs who didn't know what SAAMI was before they decided to start pumping out ammo that blew up dozens of customers guns in the first year? (Looking at you, gorilla)

With the way technology has permeated our lives these people think that watching magpul videos on youtube is a substitute for training, and that somehow expertise somehow wears off through the computer monitor. I'm not so smug in my position that I think there's a hierarchy in the gun owning community. I don't think new shooters should shut their mouths when their elders speak, but I do think that expertise comes from hard work, discipline, and humility.

You want a list of ranges in the area? Google. It's not like there's too many of them to count. You want a list of FFLs, and some reviews? Google, or yelp. You want an app that tells you how your shooting day went? Mantis X. Beyond that, I think you're wasting your time and effort.

The tough part about talking to Oregon Quartermaster is his reticence.

 

[EPS]

Well if you guy's go to the new guy forum you will see he just joined Saturday and he's 21 year's old OK he's enthusiastic I'll give him that go for it kid you never know but the good thing about this site is it's mostly people from the north west there are people on here from all over but most of them have lived in the north west at one time or another

 

[ZacharyKhan]

Oh I think he has heard that same reply multiple times lol

I have, indeed. I've also answered it multiple times. Maybe read the thread?

*hint: It's not about the app having similar (or even identical) features to NWF or any other online forum. It's about providing the service on a native application, with modern user interface/user experience-oriented design flows. A native mobile application allows for much more interaction, on a much more consistent basis, with an exponentially better experience, than a browser ever will. The end-to-end experience of the network would be much more intuitive.

Dosent this already exist?

I downloaded this app a year ago or so. Never signed up but looks like what you want to build.

https://m.facebook.com/Gun-Squad-App-971181642929171/

Looks interesting, but to be honest I wouldn't consider that a proper app/execution of an app. All I got from their Facebook page was a couple military-vibe photos. No info about the application, what they have to offer, link to download, etc.

With the way technology has permeated our lives these people think that watching magpul videos on youtube is a substitute for training, and that somehow expertise somehow wears off through the computer monitor. I'm not so smug in my position that I think there's a hierarchy in the gun owning community. I don't think new shooters should shut their mouths when their elders speak, but I do think that expertise comes from hard work, discipline, and humility.

You want a list of ranges in the area? Google. It's not like there's too many of them to count. You want a list of FFLs, and some reviews? Google, or yelp. You want an app that tells you how your shooting day went? Mantis X. Beyond that, I think you're wasting your time and effort.

The point is to not have to visit Google, surf through 5 links, then visit Yelp, read 10 reviews after a bunch of annoying ads to sign up, etc.

Read my response to @EPS above about the point on user experience. This drives traffic on a mobile platform.

Including everything you mentioned, and more, into a single application with superior user experience is not only more efficient but it's more intuitive, making it ultimately a better alternative for the end user.

 

[Velzey]

I still think its a great idea, especially if you can opt out of the personal details. But I wouldn't, I don't have anything to hide, i'm an FFL holder and if I could use the app to communicate with other FFL holders nationwide that would be cool.
Right now you use google for everything, and guess what they are already compiling all your personal details

I would love to have a single app that would have everything compiled into one...
Google gets old after awhile, dead links, pop ups etc

 

[ZacharyKhan]

I still think its a great idea, especially if you can opt out of the personal details. But I wouldn't, I don't have anything to hide, i'm an FFL holder and if I could use the app to communicate with other FFL holders nationwide that would be cool.
Right now you use google for everything, and guess what they are already compiling all your personal details

I would love to have a single app that would have everything compiled into one...
Google gets old after awhile, dead links, pop ups etc

I couldn't agree more. There is SO much data about you already in Google's database, Apple's, Feds, etc. The app wouldn't require anything more than a username and password. Further info would be at the user's discretion.

 

[EPS]

I still think its a great idea, especially if you can opt out of the personal details. But I wouldn't, I don't have anything to hide, i'm an FFL holder and if I could use the app to communicate with other FFL holders nationwide that would be cool.
Right now you use google for everything, and guess what they are already compiling all your personal details

I would love to have a single app that would have everything compiled into one...
Google gets old after awhile, dead links, pop ups etc

Like go for it if you can do it than do it I myself can't design a tackle box that the gear don't get mixed up LOL so what I say don't really matter lol I got to get off site MEATEATER is on check ya later

 

[ZacharyKhan]

Like go for it if you can do it than do it I myself can't design a tackle box that the gear don't get mixed up LOL so what I say don't really matter lol I got to get off site MEATEATER is on check ya later

I work as a software engineer working on production applications at scale. I've built many applications of my own, all of which are social networks (i'm enthusiastic about the social networking niche). I am no guru by any stretch of the imagination, but I certainly believe I am qualified to build this out, private beta test amongst NWF members and launch to the app store.

 

[Misteramax]

I still think its a great idea, especially if you can opt out of the personal details. But I wouldn't, I don't have anything to hide, i'm an FFL holder and if I could use the app to communicate with other FFL holders nationwide that would be cool.
Right now you use google for everything, and guess what they are already compiling all your personal details

I would love to have a single app that would have everything compiled into one...
Google gets old after awhile, dead links, pop ups etc

An app that updates with sales promotions, discount codes, new inventory arrivals, ect. Would be neat.

There ya go Zach. Lol sell apps to lipseys, rsr, crow shooting supply, ect.

 

[Quartermaster]

I have, indeed. I've also answered it multiple times. Maybe read the thread?

*hint: It's not about the app having similar (or even identical) features to NWF or any other online forum. It's about providing the service on a native application, with modern user interface/user experience-oriented design flows. A native mobile application allows for much more interaction, on a much more consistent basis, with an exponentially better experience, than a browser ever will. The end-to-end experience of the network would be much more intuitive.



Looks interesting, but to be honest I wouldn't consider that a proper app/execution of an app. All I got from their Facebook page was a couple military-vibe photos. No info about the application, what they have to offer, link to download, etc.



The point is to not have to visit Google, surf through 5 links, then visit Yelp, read 10 reviews after a bunch of annoying ads to sign up, etc.

Read my response to @EPS above about the point on user experience. This drives traffic on a mobile platform.

Including everything you mentioned, and more, into a single application with superior user experience is not only more efficient but it's more intuitive, making it ultimately a better alternative for the end user.

I don't NEED someone else's review to begin with. It's not as hard as you claim it to be anyway.

 

[Joe13]

I think the OP is asking the wrong crowd.

I'd estimate 75% of the members here don't even use apps.

If your over 30 opening a new browser page and looking up something is pretty easy as we didn't grow up attached to the internet so smartphones are already a luxury. Or we just ask on here and get a dozen people responding within an hour or so.

Velzey has a good need for it as an FFL but the rest of the crowd would prefer locals only for the most part imo.

Just being blunt and not confrontational.

 

[Misteramax]

I think the OP is asking the wrong crowd.

I'd estimate 75% of the members here don't even use apps.

If your over 30 opening a new browser page and looking up something is pretty easy as we didn't grow up attached to the internet so smartphones are already a luxury. Or we just ask on here and get a dozen people responding within an hour or so.

Velzey has a good need for it as an FFL but the rest of the crowd would prefer locals only for the most part imo.

Just being blunt and not confrontational.

Yeah...I basically use the internet for looking at what my next gun purchase is and porn. Yup... I'll say it

 

[ZacharyKhan]

I think the OP is asking the wrong crowd.

I'd estimate 75% of the members here don't even use apps.

If your over 30 opening a new browser page and looking up something is pretty easy as we didn't grow up attached to the internet so smartphones are already a luxury. Or we just ask on here and get a dozen people responding within an hour or so.

Velzey has a good need for it as an FFL but the rest of the crowd would prefer locals only for the most part imo.

Just being blunt and not confrontational.

Over the course of the coming years, more and more people will join the firearm enthusiast community - who also are technologically inclined. It may be a ways ahead of the curve, but eventually, I believe firearm enthusiasts will embrace a platform that caters to them (without being weary).

Good point, though.

 

[Misteramax]

I got it...Why do all my good ideas happen when I'm drinking? So, the apps called guns and boobs. You receive pictures of women with guns and the gun is blurred. If you guess what make and model she's holding, receive a discount at said ffl's near you who support guns n boobs.

 

[ZacharyKhan]

I got it...Why do all my good ideas happen when I'm drinking? So, the apps called guns and boobs. You receive pictures of women with guns and the gun is blurred. If you guess what make and model she's holding, receive a discount at said ffl's near you who support guns n boobs.

..there may be some scalability issues involved

 

[EPS]

Like I said in my other post the good thing bout this site is it mostly PNW but any gun friendly web site / app or whatever you call it can't hurt the more the merrier right but your going to get confused info because when you start mixing up all the states with each one having different laws lol OH THATS RIGHT WE HAVE THE CONSTITUTION THAT SAYS THE THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED so basically all States should have the same gun laws except CALIFORNIA F?#$ THEM

 

[Joe13]

At this point I would personally build your app and launch it - then you will have something to promote and grow.

 

[Boboclown]

I said maybe. Make the app, launch it, and see where it goes.

Personally, all my apps are just games to waste time so I may not partake in it, but some people might.

 

[EPS]

Like I said go for it kid if you can do it do it do I sound like a Nike add JUST DO IT

 

[EPS]

But remember if you do and you make millions of dollars I want my inspiration cut like we will start the negotiations at 10% and go up from there lol

 

[nammac]

Yeah...I basically use the internet for looking at what my next gun purchase is and porn. Yup... I'll say it

I thought looking at new guns was porn