Apology is not needed as you are 100% correct.  My site is more of a supplement and even 'archive' of items (some from this site).

I for one am very put out to have them be too cheap to pay for a presence here.  I own two of their rifles and, as a dealer, have ordered several more over the past years, and have an order for two of their most expensive rifles pending right now.  I will be less likely to look to them now than I have been in the past.  This place is valuable to me and is [b]the[/b] place for AR-15's, which is their main business. My future with them will depend upon their participation--or lack of participation--at the Black Rifle Convention.  [:(!]

Ok since this is a somewhat controversial issue I will chime in.

We've worked hand in hand with a number of supporters be it advertisers, dealers, or members to make it easy and fit their situations. Our goal is not to make money (we'll never get rich off this site, that's pretty damn obvious), the goals are simply to create a stable and robust environment and then pack it with information until it's busting at the seams.

Having Edward and I pay for the resources and invest all the time it takes to keep and maintain the site, not to mention expand it, software, hardware, etc is absurd. It's equally absurd to turn the site into a pay only and expect the users to pay for it. This leaves the options of asking for those who make money in the community to help, or to shut things down. (Or take them to the old simple 1 pc environment on a cheap ISP and complain about speed, lack of support, etc)

I for one am enjoying the work and the growth, but lose more than $3000 a month in contract work I could easily be doing. Why? Because it's important to me and to others. One ad in Shotgun News runs roughly $600-$1000 per issue, yet hundreds of people put ads there in 2-3 issues per month. $100 is a drop in a bucket and very reasonable for an advertisement, a forum with full control, and the site's support. (Not to mention targeted sales and promotions to the user base.)

I'm not going to decide for anyone what they should or shouldn't do. The simple facts are that RRA, PO, ASA, Hesse, etc never had any representation in their forums. Those discussions can easily be handled in the Firearms GD with more exposure. As for Olympic, yes they were one of the few who had representation, and yes they were one of the few who took the time and effort to help others and use the site for what it was worth. Why then have the refused to support the site in any way, shape, or form for the it's entire existence???

The question shouldn't be why was their forum removed, but why they aren't a large supporter of the community. Feel free to keep up discussions of Oly products in the FGD as their accounts are still active and they should respond if interested.

I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused to the user base.

Far be it from me to question GB's affairs, but I too am very, very interested in this.  Colt, as a company, certainly is no better than any other.  I do not see them going to any lengths to do squat within the community and would be very surprised to see them "pony up" any monthly fee.  So, if I am not out of line for asking, do they?  

Dealing with Colt is a very slow process. They are obviously a very large company and even hooking up at the shot show didn’t work out, as time seemed to disappear quickly.

All I will say on the subject is that things are being discussed including getting a representative from Colt to deal with their forum and any issues and questions from members.

Although it is not our place to discuss these relationship, those in the industry forums [b]HAVE[/b] offered their support for the site and are all behind it. Several of them have been very slow in finalizing items (usually just in getting us information, graphics, etc!) We're tying up loose ends as we, and the respective companies, find the time.

I'm pretty open about discussing things, but I also know that people have to respect situations they know nothing about and respect that not all business relationships are completed in a day. [=D]

Olympic has chosen to not support the site and thus the forum resources have been removed. (The content has been saved of course!) As with other companies, discussions regarding their rifles will take place in the Firearm GD.

I do try to be honest and open with what I can. I'm not here to harm or hamper anyone's business or relationships. I have stated our stance and the WHY's of this in a previous post. While I don't think I need to justify or explain our relationship with companies like Colt and Armalite, I took the time to respond and try to ease a few minds here that feel that people are being treated unfairly.

The truth is we've taken a lot of TIME and EFFORT to try to handle everyone's issues. We've worked very hard to establish solid relationships and support for those doing business on the site to help insure it's continues success and future. It's not my place to beg a company to support us or to convince them that the users are as important to them, as their support is to us.

I think most (if not all) of the companies and dealers supporting the site would agree that you get out of the site what you put into it. I also feel that we've tried to make things as painless as possible for them to use the site to their advantage, while remaining available to them for support and to improve and enhance the site where needed.

Since we're on the subject, I would ask that people put their faith in, and help support the companies who keep this site running. My thanks to all of these wonderful people and companies and my wish is for their continued success!

You should be a diplomat!  LOL I concur completely.  GB, thanks for your reply, I did not mean to pry into things and overstep my bounds.  My point is, regarding Colt--what have they done [i]in the last 15 years[/i] to make them "special," as mentioned above?  Anyone?  This is more of a rhetorical question.  I am not trying to be a smartass.  They did the "give in and bend over" thing for the anti's to "get along."  Many consider this only a little better than S & W.  BTW, I own two Colt pre-ban AR's and a nice Series 70, and love them.  But, as a company, they are far from "special," IMO.