GTA Challaneges, expectations, and direction [2025-03-17]

[GTA-Airgunner]

Good morning airgunners!

First of all, thank you all for being part of the GTA.  With all the other options out there, i.e. social media, other sites, etc., I appreciate your membership and presence here on the site.

I first joined the GTA some back before 2008 or 2009.  I'm not sure if this account has my actual "start date" or not, but I've been around for a while.   Social media was getting off the ground, and private websites like AirgunWeb.com (where I started all my airgunning work) were still a viable means of promoting airguns.  But sites like the GTA were the "go-to" platform for getting information on airguns.  A lot has changed since then.  With social media like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, along with the advent of more airgun-specific forums, the available options for newcomers and old-timers to get their airgun fix has grown exponentially.  It's easy to be number one when you are the only "real" source of information.

But it's not only the availability of information that's changed.  Airguns have evolved over the last 20 or so years. I joined the GTA needing to learn how to get more FPS out of my Crosman 2240 and how to modify my Gamo Hunter 440 with a new trigger and replace the spring with a gas ram.  While those are still worthwhile endeavors, the need for that specific type of data has lessened dramatically.  We have modern airguns now which mostly seem to just work.  The need to go through hours of tuning and tweaking does not seem to be the norm anymore.  As an airgun tester, I can happily state that 95% of what I take out of the box, at any price point, generally performs as expected.  That was NOT the case some 15 to 20 years ago.

So the question is, where do we go from here?  How we get our information has evolved.  Airguns have evolved.  Has the GTA evolved to meet the needs of modern airgunners?  I would argue that we are falling behind.  But I don't want that to be the case anymore.  Setting aside the platform (i.e., the software that runs the GTA) and the presentation of materials (how we visually make our information available), I would like to see the GTA focus on the information important to airgunners.  It's the information that matters most, not how pretty it is when we look at it.  So I'll ask you all, as members of the GTA, what's missing, and what are you doing to fill the need?  It can't be just up to me, can it?  The structure is there. As day-to-day airgunners, what are you doing to contribute to meeting the needs of the community?  I realize that old-timers long for the "good old days" of the GTA, but the rest of the industry doesn't live there anymore, and neither can we if we are to survive and thrive.   So again, I'll ask, what's missing from our airgun information, interactions, or discussions?  If the most active board on the forum is the "back room," then we have a problem.  Where are the new discussions on new airguns, features, tips, instructions, etc.?  How can I help make it easier for us to engage with each other and create new relevant conversations?

I took over the GTA back in 2022 and then had some fairly difficult health challenges.  2025 is a new starting point for me going forward, and as some know, I'm taking the GTA very seriously. I didn't acquire the GTA to see it grind down to nothing.  I purchased it because I believed in what it stood for when I was a new airgunner.  I want to see that flourish again.  As I seek to move the GTA into a more modern and stable platform, my goal is to make the change in 2026; we can't just sit around and wish for better.  WE have to make it better.  I'm only one guy wearing a lot of hats.  My GTA hat is one that I wear, and I'm here every day, looking for ways I can make the site better, easier to navigate, easier to use, etc.  But without new, relevant information about new relevant airguns, we will continue to struggle. I need you all for the latter part.

So I'm asking you all for your help.  If we focus on what used to be without considering the changes in society, technology, and the industry, then our days are numbered.  However, if we can consider where we are, where airguns have changed, where society and technology have changed, and take in the big picture, then maybe we can not only see the GTA gain relevance but once again become the premier source for all things airguns. Will you join me?

Cheers
Rick

[avator]

Well said, Rick.
Change is hard to accept for us older folks.. remember when we thought our parents just didn't get it? And they agreed. What is this long hair and loud music? What happened to the local roller rink. sock hops and drive ins?
I feared that video games would be the death of outdoor activities. But thankfully airgunning is still holding it's own. That is why I try to share what I can with kids I run into along with their younger parents.
We have an annual wild game cook camp here locally (not a half mile down the road at the Harbin Center). It's a Father and Son event. Bring, cook and share what you harvested. I always go and share what I know about airguns. When I find a kid that shows interest, and with the Father's approval, I'll give him one of my yardsale/2nd hand airguns that I grab when I find them.
The point is in the sharing. You can not come to our house without experiencing something airgun... it's just what we do. The GTA is a HUGE part of that.
Change is inevitable.. without it we will just become part of the past.
Like you said... one man can't do it. We need all of our members to participate. I don't care if it's just what you shot today, what you ordered today, what you cast today... what you hit or what you missed... share it.

[GTA-Airgunner]

Thank you for the comments. 

I will post more in tomorrow's Boss's Corner post, but here's what I believe to be the case. When the GTA was founded, the need for detailed information on how to get guns to shoot straight was critical. The industry is not there anymore. We need to move to talking about our experiences with our airguns, sharing the good and the bad, what we shot, how we shot it, our results from shooting it, etc.   

If we focus more on the experience vs the mechanics (generally speaking), then I think we will be heading in the right direction.

Cheers
Rick

[avator]

Rick..
There is still plenty to learn and share with the newer stuff at the entry to mid level range. For example.. look what many are doing with the 3 Pinty offerings. Guys like THammer are all over these things improving and sharing his mods. Look at the guys like the other Troy (Engineer) and what he is doing with his 3D printed high capacity mags at Big Air Precision. He is all about taking a sample from a member and reverse engineering them to make a better than OEM product then offering them to the masses.
Subscriber with his moderator designs both internal and external and sharing the files for folks to print or have printed for them.
It's all here.. we just need to get folks involved.
Someone suggested an all BB gun gate. We gave them that and it is being used and growing. So what if BB guns ain't for everyone... they are for someone... obviously.
Entry and mid level is where the meat is.. not many can afford the $2 - 3k guns but everyone can afford the entry to mid level. We don't look down our noses at these folks and quite frankly, I'm not comfortable where they do. This, IMHO, is how we remain "a cut above the rest".

[GTA-Airgunner]

Hey there,

That sounds great, and I'm sure the info is needed for the enthusiasts.  But we also need mainstream information, which is far more basic.  I hope that we can continue the one while building the other.  I started out with entry-level gear, and I agree that's where we should focus our attention.  It's certainly my current goal.  I will still show more expensive gear, I was just shooting my Huben K1 .25 today for a video, but very few people start there.  They start with Daisy, Crosman, Barra, Hatsan, etc.  Just showing how to get the most out of affordable gear without needing to reengineer it would be a good place to start.

Cheers
Rick

[avator]

I get it... if I could afford those big boy toys I would probably be there too. But, there are many more like me that can't... or won't.
But that don't mean we need to rule out the big boys. 

[Bicycleman]

Permit me to add a little to the pot and give it a stir.
I hunt with the guns I have.  That is the way it has be all my life.  I had/have good and inexpensive guns that work well and are accurate and dependable.  The latest two are Air Venturi Diana Stormriders in .22 caliber.  Some consider these rifles to be entry-level.  That is okay with me.  They are doing the job of killing squirrels because they are about 90% dependable the way I use them.  (My Marauder .25 is better than 90% dependable with its Bushnell scope.)  I have one Stormrider in wood and one in synthetic/plastic.  If I do my job, they will kill squirrels out to 40 yards or more.  Both rifles have Bushnell scopes <--- which some consider entry level also.
I could be driving a Mercedes - if you know what I mean.  I would enjoy having the Air Arms S510 XS Xtra Superlite Hunter Green.  But I can't seem to convince myself to take such a beautiful rifle into the canyons and rocks where I hunt.  My synthetic Marauder .25 has many scuffs and scratches from crossing the fences and bumping into the rocks.  So IF I were to sell it someday, you will see that it has 'been there and done that' without being abused - just used.
I want to mention that two of the three Stormrider have a design flaw that has caused me grief.  The gauge block has NO rubber o-ring below the gauge.  Once I have removed and replaced the gauges, they have developed a leak in two of the three rifles I had/have.  [I have not removed the gauge on #3 yet - but I expect it to have the same problem.]  I have tried silicone grease.  I have tried Loctite along and with grease.  I have tried Loctite with pipe adhesive.  I have tried pipe adhesive alone.  I have tried silicone grease, Loctite, and pipe adhesive together.  I have had the best results from Loctite alone covering the entire threaded area of the gauge; but there is still a slight leak.  Anyone buying a Stormrider needs to expect the rifle to leak after the gauge is removed and replaced.
I bought the Marauder Synthetic GEN II .25 from a buddy in Louisiana.  I knew the rifle from the time he bought it and I shot the rifle shortly after he got it.  I have used the Marauder since 2019 for squirrel hunting.  I have made kill shots on squirrels over 50 yards away a few times.  It is an above average rifle in my opinion.  I think it is well made, dependable, air economical, and attractive too.  Heavy?  Oh yeah, it is heavy. <--- That is the only drawback with this rifle.
I will briefly mention the springer rifle I had.  I don't get along with those springers/gas piston rifles. 

Rick, If this post needs to be moved to another gate, I am cool with that. 

[Struckat]

Hello Gentlemen,

I have been pondering on this for a while now and will attempt a coherent response.

Covid reignited my love for airguns and I ended up here. At that time the content was more pertinent to where I was at the time. Meaning anything other than a 1986 1377 and a crappy springer were completely new to me.

I wanted to learn about PCP and quickly realized I was not ready for all that. Based on the budget springer in my possession, I was scared off of budget PCP.

I continued to read and learn. I came for the Darkside, but always ended up reading about German springers.
I had heard of Diana, but not HWs.
Well it wasn’t long before AOA had my money and I had a box of pure joy, a HW30.
Down the hole I went. I did buy a 1300 from the custom shop, and wore it out in 3 months.

The 30 lead to a 95 and learning to fix the various HWisms that plagued that particular gun. I didn’t want warranty, I wanted to learn and this was the perfect place.
Motorhead in particular. I would take what I could literally from his words, and then figure the rest of what he would elude to.

I would visit AGN from time to time to read pcp threads and laugh at some of the arguments while trying to absorb.

But I always came back here as it feels like home.

Still determined to pcp, I stalked the classifieds of both sites looking for a deal on a pcp that I could never pay full price for. And one that I wouldn’t have to mess with in order to shoot.

I found an AA 500 deep in the classifieds here on GTA. $500, oh come on? It was still there after months of watching. I can only surmise that it was because he had a very low post count and the gun itself was not the latest a greatest.

Well I bought that one and fell down the hole.
It is spectacular! I would easily pay full price for another…but intend to stay married.

Next was to get one I could tinker with. Inexpensive and not strait up China. Crosman is about it. At least if you was easy access to parts.

Again, GTA educated me on the new pcp thing.

I am rambling I  know, but my point is in agreement with Bill.

I really feel the focus needs to be on growing air gunning by welcoming and educating the new people. I like AGN, but the flavor is much more…advanced? Maybe not the right word. The place can be intimidating and hostile at times, but tend to stay out of that.

GTA, get a new look/platform, but stay true to your roots. There is a lot of fixen that needs to be done to some of the entry level products and that is critical to keeping people interested.


When I bought my first springer I had done no research. I hated it and stashed it away not to be seen again for 15 years.
GTA can help keep that from happening to others who may just walk away and never come back to airguns.

[avator]

Hello Gentlemen,

I have been pondering on this for a while now and will attempt a coherent response.

Covid reignited my love for airguns and I ended up here. At that time the content was more pertinent to where I was at the time. Meaning anything other than a 1986 1377 and a crappy springer were completely new to me.

I wanted to learn about PCP and quickly realized I was not ready for all that. Based on the budget springer in my possession, I was scared off of budget PCP.

I continued to read and learn. I came for the Darkside, but always ended up reading about German springers.
I had heard of Diana, but not HWs.
Well it wasn’t long before AOA had my money and I had a box of pure joy, a HW30.
Down the hole I went. I did buy a 1300 from the custom shop, and wore it out in 3 months.

The 30 lead to a 95 and learning to fix the various HWisms that plagued that particular gun. I didn’t want warranty, I wanted to learn and this was the perfect place.
Motorhead in particular. I would take what I could literally from his words, and then figure the rest of what he would elude to.

I would visit AGN from time to time to read pcp threads and laugh at some of the arguments while trying to absorb.

But I always came back here as it feels like home.

Still determined to pcp, I stalked the classifieds of both sites looking for a deal on a pcp that I could never pay full price for. And one that I wouldn’t have to mess with in order to shoot.

I found an AA 500 deep in the classifieds here on GTA. $500, oh come on? It was still there after months of watching. I can only surmise that it was because he had a very low post count and the gun itself was not the latest a greatest.

Well I bought that one and fell down the hole.
It is spectacular! I would easily pay full price for another…but intend to stay married.

Next was to get one I could tinker with. Inexpensive and not strait up China. Crosman is about it. At least if you was easy access to parts.

Again, GTA educated me on the new pcp thing.

I am rambling I  know, but my point is in agreement with Bill.

I really feel the focus needs to be on growing air gunning by welcoming and educating the new people. I like AGN, but the flavor is much more…advanced? Maybe not the right word. The place can be intimidating and hostile at times, but tend to stay out of that.

GTA, get a new look/platform, but stay true to your roots. There is a lot of fixen that needs to be done to some of the entry level products and that is critical to keeping people interested.


When I bought my first springer I had done no research. I hated it and stashed it away not to be seen again for 15 years.
GTA can help keep that from happening to others who may just walk away and never come back to airguns.

Great post Kurt.

[Struckat]

Thanks Bill.

The marketing of the site is very important (form a recently fired marketing guy LOL).

Meeting the customer’s needs is key in everything.

[Struckat]

Another suggestion.

I shop the classifieds regularly both here and AGN.

The GTA classifieds are difficult due to the posts never going away after the item is no longer available. Likely a software issue?

I did benefit from this when I bought my first pcp. I found my Air Arms s500 for $500,10 pages deep among all the “sold” and “na” items. Still can’t believe my luck.

My hunch is that may limit people posting items for sale here? Maybe…
Maybe a nonissue when you move to a new platform.

[GTA-Airgunner]

Hey there.

I need to talk to DEZ, who handles the classifieds.   I believe he's supposed to be deleting them or dealing with them in some way. 

Thanks for the heads up.

Cheers
Rick

[avator]

If a seller does not report the sale of the gun to DeZ then there is no way for him to know the gun has been sold. When the seller reports the gun as being sold DeZ marks it as such and moves it to the archive section of the classifieds. I have never seen Dez take more than a couple short days to do this. Usually during the same day.
Posts in the classifieds are limited to a certain number of days before they can be "bumped" back to the top of the page. This is to insure new listers have equal time near the top of the page. If there is a glut in listings it is possible for an older listing to fall down the list before being eligible for a "bump".
It's a pretty good and common plan.

[splitbeing]

The kind of mentorship provided by long term members here s our most valuable resource. A springer can be hard to shoot, even out of the box, and a pcp still needs tuning, some trigger work, and maybe a recrowning or barrel swap. Kind of like an AA or NA meeting, GTA grew up without money and still is the most friendly to everyone from a monetary standpoint even with some advertising, which tends to include mostly snall businesses developed by airgun enthusiasts.  Bells and whistles are best kept to mijimum so the mentorship and mature writing for which GTA is known are the standard held and the standard sought. Thank you for the chance to humbly chime in and glad you are in a healthier place, Rick.

[Struckat]

If a seller does not report the sale of the gun to DeZ then there is no way for him to know the gun has been sold. When the seller reports the gun as being sold DeZ marks it as such and moves it to the archive section of the classifieds. I have never seen Dez take more than a couple short days to do this. Usually during the same day.
Posts in the classifieds are limited to a certain number of days before they can be "bumped" back to the top of the page. This is to insure new listers have equal time near the top of the page. If there is a glut in listings it is possible for an older listing to fall down the list before being eligible for a "bump".
It's a pretty good and common plan.

I realize that if one sells and nothing is said about it, it will stay there like nothing ever happened.

I am referring to all the ones marked “Sold” or “N/A” which is most of what is there. Blowing them away would reduce the clutter…if possible.

[avator]

Not sure what you're looking at Kurt, unless it's the archives. I only see one listing in the main classifieds marked "found" that could be moved to the archives.
https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?board=33.0

Now, if you are referring to the archives, that is up to the seller to relist it in the main classified area when the time expires. Many of those sold and were never reported as such.

[ezman604]

I have to rely on members reporting their ads to me when an item is sold or traded. I have no way otherwise of knowing when an item is no longer available. When an item is sold or traded, I mark it as such and move it to the Archive. So be SURE to report your ad to moderator when the items(s) are no longer available.

[avator]

Note rule 7 in the rules. It's been there for years. 

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=79167.0

[airgunaut]

GTA members share a ton of info and photos of their tinkering projects. I consider this a real asset to the site even though I have only done basic maintenance on my guns. It's great knowing these people are here and happy to share. It manifests the spirit of the old Internet days, when virtually nothing was commercial.

And I agree with Kurt on the sometimes "intimidating and hostile" atmosphere at AGN.

[splitbeing]

GTA members share a ton of info and photos of their tinkering projects. I consider this a real asset to the site even though I have only done basic maintenance on my guns. It's great knowing these people are here and happy to share. It manifests the spirit of the old Internet days, when virtually nothing was commercial.

And I agree with Kurt on the sometimes "intimidating and hostile" atmosphere at AGN.

Moderation and tinkering. There's a motto right there!

Time is a funny thing. History repeats is one way of putting it. Time working in loops is another. As the internet further unfolds, an appreciation for moderation, decency, and patient writing may be returning. A driver otherwise than commercialism may also signal the same.