In an age where nearly anyone with a smartphone and a little confidence can become a “content creator,” the internet is overflowing with gun channels, instructors, and influencers claiming to be firearms experts. For gun owners looking to learn, improve, or make purchase decisions, this tidal wave of advice can be both a blessing and a minefield. The hard truth? Not everyone offering gun advice online knows what they’re talking about. Spotting the difference between a genuine expert and someone playing the part is critical – especially when your safety or skillset is on the line.
The Illusion of Expertise
Just because someone has a high-definition camera, slick editing, and a tacti-cool wardrobe doesn’t mean they’re qualified to teach you anything about firearms. The visual presentation may be professional, but it doesn’t guarantee substance. Many popular personalities online are just savvy marketers. They’ve figured out how to look the part – tactical vests, mirrored sunglasses, and aggressive catchphrases – but when it comes to actual skill, background, or credentials, they’re running on fumes.
Watch for Overcompensation
Some of the loudest voices are the least qualified. When someone constantly brags about being an expert, shows off credentials without context, or aggressively defends their knowledge without openness to debate, that’s usually a red flag. Real experts don’t need to flex. They teach calmly, focus on fundamentals, and acknowledge that there’s always more to learn. If someone is shouting that you should trust them because they “know what they’re talking about,” ask yourself: would a true professional really need to say that?
Fabricated Backgrounds and Stolen Valor
Unfortunately, fake resumes are more common in the gun world than most people realize. There have been cases where individuals built massive online followings while claiming military service, law enforcement experience, or elite training they never actually had. Eventually, their stories unravel – sometimes after they’ve sold thousands of dollars in classes, gear, and merchandise. That doesn’t mean every former soldier or cop is automatically qualified to teach civilians, but it does mean you should be cautious when someone’s entire authority hinges on unverifiable pasts.
Entertainment Doesn’t Equal Expertise
Some gun channels are fun to watch but shouldn’t be taken as serious sources of education. That’s okay – entertainment has its place. But problems arise when these influencers blur the line between content and instruction. They may look like they know what they’re doing, but that doesn’t mean their advice is sound. If a channel’s focus is mostly on flashy range stunts, excessive gear worship, or clickbait drama, take their training advice with a grain of salt. There’s a huge difference between making viral content and making shooters safer and smarter.
The Social Media Instructor Trap
Many “trainers” today don’t run schools, teach classes, or even shoot that often. They just make content. They might call themselves instructors, but when you ask where they teach or what students they’ve worked with, the answers get vague. Some of them have never led a real training class in their life. Others rely on regurgitating what they’ve seen in other videos without fully understanding the material. They’re chasing likes, not developing shooters. Always ask: do they teach in the real world – or just in the comment section?
Influencers for Hire
Even legitimate experts can fall into the trap of being mouthpieces for the brands that sponsor them. When someone is constantly promoting a specific brand of ammo, optic, or firearm, it’s worth asking whether it’s an honest opinion or a paid endorsement. That doesn’t automatically make their advice bad, but it does mean there’s a bias at play. If they never mention downsides, never test other products, and never offer criticism, they’re not reviewing – they’re marketing. And it’s up to you to separate the sales pitch from the training value.
Quiet Professionals vs. Loud Performers
The real experts online often don’t shout the loudest. Their production might be modest. Their videos may not have viral numbers. But the content is packed with useful, clearly explained, and experience-backed material. They talk like instructors, not actors. These folks tend to be articulate, measured, and respectful of their viewers’ intelligence. They don’t overhype gear or make absurd claims. They teach. Their knowledge is practical, their experience is real, and their advice holds up under scrutiny.
The Ego Problem
One of the easiest ways to spot a fake expert is ego. If every video is full of chest-beating, if they shut down opposing views immediately, or if they refuse to admit they’re ever wrong, they’re not doing it for the right reasons. Real educators thrive on helping others grow. They know that being wrong sometimes is part of being honest. If someone seems more focused on proving they’re right than providing value, you’re likely dealing with someone who cares more about status than safety.
What Genuine Expertise Looks Like
A true expert doesn’t need to tell you they’re one. You’ll recognize it in how they communicate. They reference real-world experience without overinflating it. They provide context for their advice and explain not just what to do, but why it works. They’re honest about limitations – of themselves, of gear, and of certain tactics. They encourage questions and respond respectfully. And when they don’t know something, they say so. That humility is often the clearest marker of someone you can trust.
The Comment Section “Instructors”
Some of the worst offenders don’t even make videos. They live in the comment sections, jumping from post to post telling everyone else how wrong they are. These “experts” often claim vague credentials – like being a “tactical instructor” or “firearms consultant” – but can’t name a single place they’ve worked. They’ll argue endlessly about which caliber is best, or why a certain gun is garbage, but if pressed for details, they get defensive or disappear. Most of them are just regurgitating content they’ve watched, with no real trigger time of their own.
Experience vs. Expertise
It’s also important to distinguish between having experience and having teaching ability. Just because someone has been in a firefight or carried a gun professionally doesn’t mean they know how to translate that into civilian self-defense or instruction. Some people have years of experience but can’t explain a concept clearly to save their life. Others might have more modest backgrounds but are gifted communicators who can help others learn and grow. Don’t assume that a stacked resume automatically means great training.
Stay Skeptical, Stay Smart
The internet is an amazing resource – but it’s also full of noise. If you’re serious about becoming a better shooter or a more informed gun owner, you owe it to yourself to vet the people you listen to. Don’t fall for the production value, the ego, or the hype. Pay attention to how they teach, how they respond to criticism, and whether they’re truly here to help or just looking to build a brand. In the world of firearms, bad advice can have deadly consequences. Choose your mentors wisely.
And when in doubt, remember this: the more someone insists they’re an expert, the more likely it is they’re not.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.