The National Geographic Channel premiered another gun show this week, Family Guns, or something like that. Plot is about the goings-on at International Military Antiques (IMA) in New Jersey. I expected more from National Geographic, but the plot line was lifted straight from Pawn Stars, except it was all gun-related stuff. In fact, I think Pawn Stars is more interesting, other than for the gun content.
I randomly caught that one a night or two ago.
I agree it's very contrived, like most of them. I do like they cover weapons that are interesting, but they're pretty light on that part and long on the father/son dance. they said dad spent $5 mil accumulating all this stuff then they argue over an $8,000 gun to pay the mortgage? with 3 warehouses packed to the gills (supposedly) with military guns and they have to have one of his prized flintlocks to sell? Come on. Shouldn't they be the largest military weapons parts dealer on Earth? Maybe they are, I'm not a military collector.
A 2nd for Mythbusters, which really tests firearms legitimately (at least Adam and Jamie, the build crew is a bit cavalier at times). I really want to re-test the shooting of locks though, the only one I think needs some methodology adjustments.
I think the good of them is if it gets people to a range where they can then hopefully learn responsibility and get them into shooting sports or carry or defense.
The bad is that some of them like Sons of Guns are pretty fast and loose and give the wrong impression, and that the shows have become so contrived with personal friction fiction they're hard to watch.
I just about can't watch American Guns, it's SO contrived. FWIW Red Jacket lost their Mfg license some time ago when ATF did an audit and receivers came up missing. They said they were destroyed when damaged in manufacturing, which is likely, but they didn't keep their records accurately. ATF hates that. So their fast and loose attitude cost them their license. Apparently for the show they use the Red Jacket name but the licenses are held by another company and Red Jacket is a bit of a front for the real owners.