For the forums I like natural light and using an interesting background such as a zebra skin or other animal skin.

I'm not all that good at it myself. Need to learn the skills and get appropriate lighting.

For an advert I would use a plain background to highlight the gun better. Use several lights to remove shadowing. Use a tripod if you have one to take precise focussed clear photos.

Modern LED lighting gives pretty white light so avoids the yellowing of older lighting systems. Use of a flash will also help take out some shadowing. May cause reflections though. Good photographic lighting often uses diffuser screens to remove reflections.

Offset the firearms on a flat surface using a dowel or similar to place the firearm in a better perspective.

Hopefully some of the guys here can chime in.

Curl has many good photos on his website so hopefully will contribute some ideas.