Warden Callaway Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 1.6 million plus subscribers, 411 million views. A couple of things I notice right off is that his video is kept simple. Mostly done from start to finish without editing. I pull up other videos covering the same topic and I'm blasted in the face by obnoxious loud music and wild graphics. I'm usually done watching in the first few seconds. Then the vedio is chopped up into many subliminally short bursts it's impossible to see any detail. Hickok45 may mis-speak now and then but he has a well rounded knowledge of the gun he's reviewing and has done some research to add history and detail without overburden the topic. I speculate his years of teaching has built up his skills at explaining stuff. I've watched other unboxing videos where the person doing the review clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. I watched part of an instructional video on the disassembly of a cap and ball pistol. It was 18 minutes long. He kept rattling along - mostly off topic - so I kept fast forwarding. It was 9 minutes into the video - static shot of the pistol on the desk top - before he picked the gun up and knocked out the barrel wedge. And he did that off camera. Then he pulled the cylinder off - again off camera. When he said, "This is as far as I take them apart.". That's when I gave him the boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 It's fun to watch him ring the 80yd gong with 3" barreled pistols. :o :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Pete SASS #42168 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 He is amusing. Often flakey, sometimes dead wrong but amusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Crowe Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 He is just a good guy from Tennessee and someone that you would be happy to spend time with. "Down to Earth" as we say in the South. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackrabbit Joe #414 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 He's an outstanding individual whom is very interesting to listen to whatever he's conversing about. He's amusing and puts on a great time in doing whatever. JRJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 Mary watches his videos and enjoys them. He shoots steel that rings and gets knocked down. He blasts things like plastic bottles filled with soft drink. And she waits for the laugh at the end when they play the slow motion replays. I have to admit, we don't watch many of the tactical reviews. I have as much interest in tactical as I am with a brick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Wyatt Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Enjoy his stuff. Have watched so many of his reviews that I almost feel like I know him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Must not be too popular, I've never heard of him! Now I'll have to check him out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Ron Wayne Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 He is for real :-) Down to earth real guy like you and me :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoDrawers Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 For the jokes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopalong Mac McLin Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 He is very knowledgeable and, when he misspeaks, a note is posted on the video pointing out the error with a correction. He often compares a gun to similar guns produced by competitors and gives you pros and cons for each. If you are on the fence, this enables you to make a more informed decision. He usually disassembles each handgun he reviews and reassembles so that you can actually see what he is doing. This is extremely helpful. Before I make a decision to purchase a particular gun, especially handguns, I check to see if Hickok has reviewed it. Overall his videos are informative and just plain ole fun to watch. He has the perfect private range. He does ramble a bit from time to time but most of his videos are excellent. All that said.....he is also a very humble, nice person. I met Hickok and his son at the NRA convention just walking through the exhibition hall and had my picture made between the two of them. .... they appeared to be very genuine folks and they are both HUGE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Dog Jack, SASS #77862 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Must not be too popular, I've never heard of him! Now I'll have to check him out. Me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin Gun For Hire Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 What's not to like. I am a subscriber and watch 99% of his vids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowhand Bob, 24229 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 He is cool and easy to listen to, never controversial or argumentative. Anyone who talks down the mans ability with a gun based on the fact that he is shooting a huge variety of recreational style targets better get off their high horse. Few self swollen yokels who are locked into the local this or that single style of match shooting will be as versatile as he is!!! Top notch entertainment for old gun lovers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpaw Gringo, SASS # 74217 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 Because I like others wish they had a range like that in there back yard and got free ammo from Federal.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 He's a good guy who supports the 2A and tries to be impartial when analyzing and demonstrating a product. I see him from time to time around the community where we live and he is really just a regular guy. He's gracious and polite and you'd never know that he's an interned sensation from bumping into him at the post office or grocery store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Solo Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 If you are curious about a gun he can teach you a lot. For me there are two attractions. First, he clearly enjoys shooting steel. Second, I am envious of his make shift range. Some people are just lucky. Most of his competitors shoot paper at commercial ranges. He shoots across a hollow filled with cool targets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusta B. Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 And, unlike 99% of TV, you can believe a very high percentage of what he says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 We also subscribe to Duelist1954, Capandball and Forgotten Weapons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VICIOUS, SASS#8014 Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 just a dude enjoying what he is doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Money Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 "....I pull up other videos covering the same topic and I'm blasted in the face by obnoxious loud music and wild graphics. I'm usually done watching in the first few seconds...." Ain't that the truth!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Key Hay Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Cause he's got a friggin awesome shootin gallery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadeye George Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 He comes off as he could be anyone's brother just having fun in the back yard. As mentioned above, he doesn't rely on slick entry graphics, dancing text and obnoxious music meant to attract 15 year olds who are out to learn about the latest fad. I've never seen him too far off base on any subject he is talking about and would ask those who think he is way off base or often wrong to possibly post a link to one of his videos where he is indeed wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Crowe Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 He reviews all types of guns including CAS firearms. He has been a cowboy action shooter in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Why is Hickok45 so popular? It only takes a few rounds down range to make him chuckle. He just loves to shoot and passes on the enthusiasm to his viewers. And he shares the same joy I have, blasting watermelons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramblin Gambler Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Must not be too popular, I've never heard of him! Now I'll have to check him out. I had heard of him and don't particularly like him. But I didn't realize how popular he was until last week when I decided I wanted to buy a particular type of hearing protector from amazon and most of the top reviews mentioned they got that one because Hickock45 used it. His videos aren't horrible, but I think he could use a little more editing. For instance, it really bothers me when he does something unsafe. I know we all occasionally do unsafe things while shooting, but he's making a video and he could easily set a better example by shooting the scene again when he does. Back before youtube changed things up to where you need a google+ account to comment, I called him out on a couple of things and he got nasty with me then deleted my comments. "I've been shooting for 400 years and I don't make mistakes blah blah blah". As you can imagine, that left a bad taste in my mouth. Like almost everyone else, I am all kinds of jealous about his range. I also have to admit that when I've been looking for info on a particular gun, he seems to have some of the best videos. I usually only look for review videos if I can't find anyone who wrote a good article, but once in a while, I just have to see a gun in action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexBrandon Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Looks like he is a retired English teacher from his wiki page, which is funny, cuz English teachers are usually liberals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Douglas Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 I've enjoyed his videos for a few years now. For the most part, things he has liked and disliked about a gun are the same things I notice when handling one for the first time. I generally have the same preferences as he does except I'm not a Glock lover. Since I found out about him, I've generally watched his video before making a purchase due to the fact that my taste in guns generally align with his. I actually enjoy the fact that he doesn't edit out his ramblings/mistakes. In my opinion, it keeps his videos on more of a personal, friend to friend kind of feel. I prefer that over all the tacticool, let's try "insert stupid, unsafe action here," loud, obnoxious videos that are out there (like the one where they shoot off thousands of rounds through an AR to try and make an uper have a catastrophic failure... not something I would attempt outside of a controlled environment). It's like visiting a range with an uncle, father, or grandfather. That, and I'm jealous of his "compound." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Douglas Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Looks like he is a retired English teacher from his wiki page, which is funny, cuz English teachers are usually liberals. I think that's more true of teachers that were "educated" (I prefer the term liberally brainwashed) within the last 20 years or so. Judging by his appwarance, he was educated more than 20 years ago. That and those wrong opinions probably weren't too popular in Tennessee when he started teaching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooting Bull Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Me too Oh please, do you even use indoor plumbing yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolan Kraps, SASS # 24084 Life Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 1.6 million plus subscribers, 411 million views. A couple of things I notice right off is that his video is kept simple. Mostly done from start to finish without editing. I pull up other videos covering the same topic and I'm blasted in the face by obnoxious loud music and wild graphics. I'm usually done watching in the first few seconds. Then the vedio is chopped up into many subliminally short bursts it's impossible to see any detail. Hickok45 may mis-speak now and then but he has a well rounded knowledge of the gun he's reviewing and has done some research to add history and detail without overburden the topic. I speculate his years of teaching has built up his skills at explaining stuff. I've watched other unboxing videos where the person doing the review clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. I watched part of an instructional video on the disassembly of a cap and ball pistol. It was 18 minutes long. He kept rattling along - mostly off topic - so I kept fast forwarding. It was 9 minutes into the video - static shot of the pistol on the desk top - before he picked the gun up and knocked out the barrel wedge. And he did that off camera. Then he pulled the cylinder off - again off camera. When he said, "This is as far as I take them apart.". That's when I gave him the boot. I've wondered the same thing for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Dodge Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 He's ok, but I not my favorite. He's too general most of the time. My favorites are Duelist1954 (bottom dealin' mike) and capandball from Hungary. They do a better job with history as well as technical specifics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted April 6, 2016 Author Share Posted April 6, 2016 I'm watching many of the Forgotten Weapons videos. Many he just displays, explains the mechanics and history but sometimes he actually fires some real unique guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Nelson Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 It's fun to watch him ring the 80yd gong with 3" barreled pistols. :o :D I think that's the secret of Hickok45's success - he's having fun, and it's infectious. With all the gritty "you gotta be prepared for the WORST or ELSE!" gun channels on Youtube, it's nice to see someone who's just put having a good time on a home range most of us can only dream of. And that boy of his working the camera is as solid as a rock. I thought he was using a tripod until I saw him follow Hickok one day. Whenever I take an interest in a gun I look to see if Hickok has made a video of it. I wouldn't consider what he does to be a review because he almost never mentions deficiencies, but I'm curious to see if it looks like it's easy to operate and shoot. 'Course Hickok tends to make it all look easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted April 6, 2016 Author Share Posted April 6, 2016 At the time I started this topic, Hickok45 had 1.6 million subscribers. I just noticed he is approaching 2 million. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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