Misdirection 101?

[Rhino]

The Washington Times is either trying to portray something as different from what it really is, or they're just displaying their incredible ignorance concerning firearms. I believe it's the latter because I can't see how there's any deception here that could do them any good. The title of the article is "Top 10 handguns in the U.S." But if you read the text, it says, "The most prolific makes of handguns manufactured in the U.S., based on production statistics provided to ATF." Even a modest education is enough to know that production statistics don't give you the top 10 of anything other than production itself. The way the title is written, they appear to be alluding to quality, popularity, sales, or both popularity and sales, but production statistics don't equal any of those factors, unless it's simply a coincidental link. Production statistics can indeed be suggestive of sales or popularity, but they don't truly indicate or prove it unless you can match the production to the market and to the demand. They didn't do that with any of these companies, mainly because it was impossible in most cases. Since many of the manufacturers sell in more than just the US market, their production figures cannot be tied to US sales or demand for their product. And since many companies will sometimes engage in production runs to build stock rather than just a response to demand, their production statistics aren't reliable market indicators. For instance, we saw some manufacturers announce increased production before demand increased because there were indications that legislation to increase gun control was likely to be introduced, and they anticipated more demand in the future. Some manufacturers, particularly the smaller ones, or larger manufacturers with specialty type products that are typically low volume, will often make production runs almost completely independent of market demand. They do that because it's far more cost effective to make one large production run and sell from that stock over time, than it is to make lower volume production runs over greater periods of time. Those of you who remember your economics classes will recall that referred to as economies of scale.
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I should also note that this isn't really a true article either. It's more of a photo gallery with comments. In any case, these are their results:
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10. Glock
9. Kahr
8. Hi-Point
7. Kel Tec
6. Beretta
5. Kimber
4. Taurus
3. Sig Sauer
2. Smith & Wesson
1. Ruger
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I couldn't help but laugh when I saw Hi-Point in a list of the "Top 10 handguns in the U.S."
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Top 10 handguns in the U.S. - Photos - Washington Times

 

[sdprof]

Top, or Bottom, lists can be made any way the author likes. Pick a criterion, or combination of criteria, and run with it.

That's how we can have several lists of "Most Gun Friendly States" that have different state rankings.

Lies, damn lies, and statistics.

 

[fuhr52]

Statistics and criteria can be manipulated to fit what ever agenda that may apply. Don't put much weight in it. Now if we add computer models with consensus, now we've got something important going on and we all must jump on the band wagon. :sarcastic:

 

[mappow]

Lean manufacturing in these times demand low inventory. But when KPI's indicate a possible rise in demand. You make that choice. Unless you're sitting in on the S and OP meeting you'll only gain good numbers when reported my the manufacturers. Until then it's a guess.
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But hay, writers write a story, not necessarily a true story, but a story none the less. Gotta fill those pages with something.