Are many people more interested in how their gun looks than how it functions

[another pake]

Are many people more interested in how their gun looks than how it functions. Do you think that primarily new shooters, who start carrying, are enamored more by what the firearm looks like rather than what it's capability's are.

Dunno, maybe. My first carry piece looked great. I like nice. But I realized later that it wasn't right for me. I learned and replaced it. BTW my current carry looks great and works great....for me.

I still have my first Harley. Looks fantastic and I ride it a lot.

My wife.... The wife of my youth....

I was attracted (initially) by her beauty all those years ago. Then I became enamored by her capabilities. After 47 years she's more beautiful to me today than anyone I can imagine.

 

[Dframe]

Yes. There have always been "Trend followers" and always will be. Lots of them buy glocks because they "look" wicked.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

No safe queens here!

 

[CraigC]

There really is no reason to look down one's nose or make belittling statements just cause they don't agree. Be happy they are different. Makes the world a much more enjoyable place to live.

I agree and that's the sort of attitude I was addressing. The macho "my guns are tools, made to be shot, not looked at" nonsense we see all the time in this sort of discussion. The attitude that "real" shooters don't mess with fancy guns. It's condescending and it's nonsense. There no reason for either side to look down their nose at the other.

Here's a good example of the kind of gun those guys look down their nose at as "fancy" or "pretty". It belongs to a fellow down in Texas who is a "real" shooter and the sixgun has been used so much it's been reblued two or three times.

 

[Averageman]

Form follows function.
That being said I have a Colt 1991 in the hands of a 'smith right now. When it's finished I will have spent nearly two times the original cost of the gun on its upgrades and new finish.
Sometimes things develop a deeper meaning to you, in this case it was a gun that I bought as I approached my Military retirement. It's never failed me yet. I have the money, so why not?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I agree and that's the sort of attitude I was addressing. The macho "my guns are tools, made to be shot, not looked at" nonsense we see all the time in this sort of discussion. The attitude that "real" shooters don't mess with fancy guns. It's condescending and it's nonsense. There no reason for either side to look down their nose at the other.

I agree. We can have both and who want's an ugly gun? If it works and happens to be fancy, who cares.

Hickok45 had some very good words about shooting guns in one of his videos. Unfortunately I can't recall which one as there are hundreds, but to paraphrase;

There's nothing manly or macho about shooting guns. Anyone can do it or learn how to be a good shooter. Shooting doesn't make you tough or more of a man. It's just a skill like any other.

 

[morcey2]

I know a lot of people who don't really care how a guns looks OR how it functions but do care that it does in fact function. Ergonomics is part of that function.

I, on the other hand, care about how guns look but not in the way that most think. I think the gun should look like it's supposed to. A mosin with a black stock and an AR-15 pistol grip just doesn't do it for me. It's just strange. On the other hand, I really like an AR that looks like an AR. Just like a mosin with mosin with a beat-to-heck stock with a few arsenal repairs. That's how I likes 'em.

What I really care about is how they operate. I'm the kind of person who like so know how everything operates. I started taking apart lots of stuff, much to my parents' chagrin, when I was about 11. I still do it, but it's with my own stuff.

Matt.

 

[can-do-dave]

looking to make it look pretty again

I have an Astra Falcon 4000 fully engraved, it has a nickle finish and needs to be cleaned on the exterior,,,I believe it was manufactured in 1948,,,can anyone give me some suggestions on what to use to clean it?,,,Thanks

 

[Tanshanomi]

I'll admit that I do enjoy guns for reasons other than how they shoot. While I don't think I would ever buy a gun I didn't expect to enjoy shooting, I *AM* a sucker for pretty guns. Looks fall within a whole realm of things I call the "oooh factor" -- unusual configurations, wildcat chamberings, oddball engineering, cool backstories and unique designs all pique my interest. All else equal, I'd rather have a pretty gun than a boring gun, as long as it's not OTT. Guns encrusted with super ornate engraving, for example, don't do much for me.

Okay, so this one is dangerously close to gaudy, but I love it!

 

[Sav .250]

All one has to do is read comments on any Gun related forum.

The constant need to dress up a weapon is alive and well.

The main function of a weapon is to go ..bang. While going so, looking good makes the owner feel better . Just the way it is.

 

[morcey2]

I have an Astra Falcon 4000 fully engraved, it has a nickle finish and needs to be cleaned on the exterior,,,I believe it was manufactured in 1948,,,can anyone give me some suggestions on what to use to clean it?,,,Thanks

It would probably be better if you started a new thread in the "Gunsmithing" section. And, Welcome to The High Road!

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Function and form and both considerations. I think it transcends firearms. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[CoThG]

Do you think that primarily new shooters, who start carrying, are enamored more by what the firearm looks like rather than what it's capability's are.

You perfectly described Kimber and the typical Kimber owner.

 

[Old Dog]

CoThGsaid

You perfectly described Kimber and the typical Kimber owner.

Of course, anyone who'd say this must either have substantial personal experience with Kimbers or just believes what they read on internet gun forums ... Surprised it took 62 posts before someone bashed a particular manufacturer; not so surprised he brought up Kimber.

I AM a Kimber owner (I've owned four); all have functioned wonderfully (100% reliability) and exactly none were bought because of their appearance, unless one construes that due to my undying love for the 1911.

"The typical Kimber owner?" You, sir, have perfectly described yourself as one who subscribes to internet stereotypes.

 

[rszwieg]

My guns must work first and foremost and if they look pretty I won't kick them around.

But if they work I won't kick them around.

 

[Hullraiser]

I've never seen any ugly guns. Some different and unique, but not ugly. I will say that a expensive extra nice looking gun gets a little more care in not beating the crap out of. Not that I use them as hammers, but some do get extra attention to avoid nicks and scratches

 

[C.R.]

Back when I was able to afford more cool stuff I was in the market for a 1911 I found a couple od nice ones one of them was an auto ordenance that was nickle plated wow that was a flashy peice I bought one a lot like it but blued steel,because I felt that on the (Verry small) chance that I might have to use it in some kind of a bad situation I didnt want to be holding a mirror. Chrome has its place,but for a firearm finish I like parkerized

 

[USAF_Vet]

pimpier definition = adj. To possess more bling or gaudy visual effect than other pimpesque items or individuals, to be more pimp, sufficiently pimp to be considered more baller than other pimps, See also Dos Equis guy

That sir, is sig line worthy.

Personally, I'm not an aesthetics guy. I prefer functionality over appearances, especially in my carry and HD guns. Even my knock around hunting guns are pretty plain.

I don't have any guns I'd consider pretty, or pimpin'

 

[alexander45]

Some folk consider guns that don't look like squared up and pointy modern plastic fantastic ugly, I personally like both styles.
it's just like tuners vs muscle cars vs hot rods, some only like one style others like one or two some like em all

 

[larryh1108]

...so this one is dangerously close to gaudy, but I love it!

Bottom line.
It's your gun.
That is all that matters (to any owner).

 

[montanaoffroader]

I'm OK with both. I have a few guns that are just plain ugly and a few that are really beautiful and/or cool (to me).

Most of my guns fall into the "utilitarian" category mainly because that is what I can afford. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate beauty when I see it.

 

[Tanshanomi]

Some folk consider guns that don't look like squared up and pointy modern plastic fantastic ugly

Hmm, I'm much more likely to think of modern polymer-framed guns as homely, compared to classic, sculpted metal. I recently talked to a guy at the range who had a Canik. He thought it was pretty, I think it looks about as attractive as Bill The Cat.

 

[barnbwt]

Obviously more people care about looks, or we wouldn't have near the number of identical "options" out there operating redundantly. Most folks definitely don't care to know how their stuff works, just look at computers or autos.

TCB

 

[Officers'Wife]

I've never seen any ugly guns. Some different and unique, but not ugly. I will say that a expensive extra nice looking gun gets a little more care in not beating the crap out of. Not that I use them as hammers, but some do get extra attention to avoid nicks and scratches

I give for your consideration the Webley Scott...



A handgun that looks like something a junior high metal shop failure would put together. Square stock attached to round stock with features only a mother could love and she would hide it in the closet when company came.

 

[Thermactor]

I think the Webley 455 revolver is way way way uglier. The Scott has a Teutonic manly aesthetic in its boxiness.