Black guns are boring...

[Ignition Override]

“Black guns”: not to divert too much…
..but my only black gun

—imported (VZ-58) Czech Rifle’s furniture — was substituted by the reddish “beaver” wood impregnated plastic.

 

[commygun]

Don’t own a single colored or two-toned firearm. If you want to doll it up, that’s what grips are for. And get the hell off my lawn...

 

[Homerboy]

Don’t own a single colored or two-toned firearm. If you want to doll it up, that’s what grips are for. And get the hell off my lawn...

I agree. Grips are supposed to contrast in a stainless gun, but other than that they should be black if plastic or rubber or wood. Even black controls on a stainless gun don’t look right to me.

 

[Ignition Override]

My Walther P99 AS is Not black?

…well then.. it’s very dark and has no color .

My impression was that the OP meant guns with color, which excludes stainless steel.

 

[hemiram]

FDE or any other tannish shade will not be on any gun I ever own. It just repulses me. I love SS, two tone black/silver, and I nearly bought a blue Sig a couple of years ago, but no matter what gun it is, if it's in "burnt bronze" or FDE, it's a no sale, period.

 

[BCR#1]

Black or tan only. Chrome/nickle are too thuggish for me.

Bill

 

[Homerboy]

My Walther P99 AS is Not black?

…well then.. it’s very dark and has no color .

My impression was that the OP meant guns with color, which excludes stainless steel.

My impression was he was talking about the FDE or other colored guns. Basically, anything other than black, blued, or stainless.

 

[gnappi]

Nowadays finish is just about the last thing I look at when buying a handgun, if one is available in a pseudo military wanna be color as well as anything else (like SS, blue, Nitron etc) then I take anything else

So far I only have stainless, blue, Nitron etc. But if I EVER owned pseudo military wanna be color it might be a 5" S&W M&P 2.0 in .40 caliber

Isn't it funny that the M&P is NEITHER? Military OR Police? Wishful thinking over there at S&W?

 

[Trey Veston]

if one is available in a pseudo military wanna be color as well as anything else (like SS, blue, Nitron etc) then I take anything else

But if I EVER owned pseudo military wanna be color it might be a 5" S&W M&P 2.0 in .40 caliber

Why do you think that a pistol in FDE or OD is a "military wanna be"? I was issued a few handguns in the US Navy and US Army, and all were black. I did get a Colt Gold Cup in the Navy when on a certain team, however. But, it was also black.

Seems you are painting people who buy pistols in FDE or OD in a negative light as being "wannabe" military posers. That thought never crossed my mind when selecting my pistols. I just like the way they looked.

 

[gnappi]

Why do you think that a pistol in FDE or OD is a "military wanna be"? I was issued a few handguns in the US Navy and US Army, and all were black. I did get a Colt Gold Cup in the Navy when on a certain team, however. But, it was also black.

Seems you are painting people who buy pistols in FDE or OD in a negative light as being "wannabe" military posers. That thought never crossed my mind when selecting my pistols. I just like the way they looked.

Nope, did I SAY that? Show me! No I did not!

I'm painting the GUNS as military wanna be... (Did you READ the part about M&P? Maybe you missed that?) You're suggesting the people are "wanna be" which is what anti gunners do, assign people to the object.

 

[pairof44sp]

White firearms seem more sanitary, and they don’t spook the snowmen

 

[Electricmo]

Guns should be made of metal and have wood grips or stocks. Pic your color.

 

[Ignition Override]

pair0f44sp:

I liked your use of the word "snowmen" regarding the white Sig. Very appropriate word for today's masses of Very delicate people.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of color.

 

[Homerboy]

Why do you think that a pistol in FDE or OD is a "military wanna be"? I was issued a few handguns in the US Navy and US Army, and all were black. I did get a Colt Gold Cup in the Navy when on a certain team, however. But, it was also black.

Seems you are painting people who buy pistols in FDE or OD in a negative light as being "wannabe" military posers. That thought never crossed my mind when selecting my pistols. I just like the way they looked.

Before 9/11, the military issued black weapons. 20 years in the Middle East and FDE colors began to come along. Look at the pistols entered into the new pistol trial. All FDE. Special Operations guys with the FDE rifles. Yeah, there were the occasional pink or purple guns marketed to women and children (ever see the pink Cricket rifle?), but for the most part, guns were blued, black, or stainless. There is no doubt the guns coming out in FDE were due to the military going that way, and then as time went in, other colors came along.

But I see a FDE gun, and I immediately think “military wanna-be”, just like I do when I see a guy with tactical pants and boots walking around. I know that doesn’t apply to everybody, but it certainly does for many. No different than the S&W Model 29 being popular after Dirty Harry, or the Beretta 92FS after Die Hard and Lethal Weapon.

 

[CNobbe]

I like stainless 1911s, 226s - metal framed guns. Don't mind black Glocks, Walthers, etc, etc, etc. It depends on the gun. I have a little Colt Mustang XSP with a black slide, black poly grip I thought I'd hate, but have really grown to appreciate.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Before 9/11, the military issued black weapons. 20 years in the Middle East and FDE colors began to come along. Look at the pistols entered into the new pistol trial. All FDE. Special Operations guys with the FDE rifles. Yeah, there were the occasional pink or purple guns marketed to women and children (ever see the pink Cricket rifle?), but for the most part, guns were blued, black, or stainless. There is no doubt the guns coming out in FDE were due to the military going that way, and then as time went in, other colors came along.

But I see a FDE gun, and I immediately think “military wanna-be”, just like I do when I see a guy with tactical pants and boots walking around. I know that doesn’t apply to everybody, but it certainly does for many. No different than the S&W Model 29 being popular after Dirty Harry, or the Beretta 92FS after Die Hard and Lethal Weapon.

Dura Coat came out in 1986. Cerakote came out in 1884. I’m not sure about Brownell’s Aluma-Hyde
, but I think it first hit the market before Cerakote.
Duck and Turkey hunters have be putting cammo on their guns for years. I remember back in the 80s that cammo tape for guns was very popular.
The military does change its cammo pattern based on the major areas of operations. Back in the 70 they were still using OD Green. Some special units did have camouflage , but camouflage on infantry weapons were not the norm.
This photo is from the Vietnam war, most likely taken in the 70s. You can see green tape on the handguards that the soldier on the left is holding.


Back in the 80s the camouflage film dipping became popular and many of the manufacturers started offering it as a standard finish on many guns.
Marketing plays a big part with all companies and the gun industry is not different. To help increase sales to women, gun companies started adding grips in pink and light blue. Later they started offering guns with finishes that were targeted at women.
Cerakote and Dura Coat had been offering different colors for years as aftermarket colors and it wasn’t that long before gun companies started offering those finishes on their guns.
Before the 90s green camouflage colors were big sellers, but then the fighting in the Middle East started. So after 30 years of soldiers coming home from the sandbox, FDE has become one of the most popular colors.
The gun industry is just offering what people want. If they weren’t making money on colored guns, they would quit making them.
Times change. I remember when wood and blued steel were the majority of the guns on the shelf. Now synthetic and colors are seen everywhere.
The majority of the ARs sold are black, but there’s a huge market for after market for colored parts.
How boring would this photo be if all the guns were black?


I see nothing wrong with colors on guns, out side of the standard wood and bluer steel. For thos that don’t care for the new colors, most gun companies still offer basic black.

 

[Homerboy]

Dura Coat came out in 1986. Cerakote came out in 1884. I’m not sure about Brownell’s Aluma-Hyde
, but I think it first hit the market before Cerakote.
Duck and Turkey hunters have be putting cammo on their guns for years. I remember back in the 80s that cammo tape for guns was very popular.
The military does change its cammo pattern based on the major areas of operations. Back in the 70 they were still using OD Green. Some special units did have camouflage , but camouflage on infantry weapons were not the norm.
This photo is from the Vietnam war, most likely taken in the 70s. You can see green tape on the handguards that the soldier on the left is holding.
View attachment 1009484

Back in the 80s the camouflage film dipping became popular and many of the manufacturers started offering it as a standard finish on many guns.
Marketing plays a big part with all companies and the gun industry is not different. To help increase sales to women, gun companies started adding grips in pink and light blue. Later they started offering guns with finishes that were targeted at women.
Cerakote and Dura Coat had been offering different colors for years as aftermarket colors and it wasn’t that long before gun companies started offering those finishes on their guns.
Before the 90s green camouflage colors were big sellers, but then the fighting in the Middle East started. So after 30 years of soldiers coming home from the sandbox, FDE has become one of the most popular colors.
The gun industry is just offering what people want. If they weren’t making money on colored guns, they would quit making them.
Times change. I remember when wood and blued steel were the majority of the guns on the shelf. Now synthetic and colors are seen everywhere.
The majority of the ARs sold are black, but there’s a huge market for after market for colored parts.
How boring would this photo be if all the guns were black?
View attachment 1009487

I see nothing wrong with colors on guns, out side of the standard wood and bluer steel. For thos that don’t care for the new colors, most gun companies still offer basic black.

I'm aware Duracote and Ceracote came out in the 80's, but it wasn't common to see them. I don't recall every seeing them. They catered to a very small niche, and I know they do a matte black finish. And there's a reason for them, anyway. Better corrosion resistance and to restore beat up guns. So lot's of those customers weren't looking for colors.

Hunters and camo? Sure., Makes sense since they're trying to blend in with their environment.

Sure, the items sell. Lots of gun related items sell. I'm just talking about the mindset of why they are being sold. It's either "just because I think it looks cool". I don't agree but to each his own.

Or it's "This is what the solders use and I want that". I'm cool with that, too. Just not my thing.

The M9A3 was immediately off my radar until they came out with a black version.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

Depends on the gun (I voted accordingly).

*S&W 39/58/6900 series, generally stainless.

*My Ruger P89, stainless

* Makarov: blued parkerized OR stainless

*CA Bulldog: Blued

*Any Ruger revolver: Stainless

*My Windicator: Blued

*Browning Hi-Power: Blued w/ wood grips

*1911: Parkered

I could go on and on, but these preferences just reflect how I think, depending on the gun.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I'm aware Duracote and Ceracote came out in the 80's, but it wasn't common to see them. I don't recall every seeing them. They catered to a very small niche, and I know they do a matte black finish. And there's a reason for them, anyway. Better corrosion resistance and to restore beat up guns. So lot's of those customers weren't looking for colors.

Hunters and camo? Sure., Makes sense since they're trying to blend in with their environment.

Sure, the items sell. Lots of gun related items sell. I'm just talking about the mindset of why they are being sold. It's either "just because I think it looks cool". I don't agree but to each his own.

Or it's "This is what the solders use and I want that". I'm cool with that, too. Just not my thing.

The M9A3 was immediately off my radar until they came out with a black version.

People buy for all types of reasons. The ones that want retro ARs are spending a lot of money just to have their gun look like what was carried in Vietnam.
Myself, I really thought I was going to like OD Green, but it really didn’t do it for me. I then tried the gray color and was not impressed. I wasn’t excited about FDE but it grew on my .

 

[Kleanbore]

Curious as to how many folks are fans of colored pistols.

Yet the subject line speaks of black guns being boring.

I fined stainless most durable, but sometimes boring. I could really like a durable finish that looks like blue steel.

and, of course, wood, stag mother of pearl...

 

[The Last Outlaw]

But I see a FDE gun, and I immediately think “military wanna-be”, just like I do when I see a guy with tactical pants and boots walking around. I know that doesn’t apply to everybody, but it certainly does for many. No different than the S&W Model 29 being popular after Dirty Harry, or the Beretta 92FS after Die Hard and Lethal Weapon.

I have a P365 with a FDE grip and a black slide. Also have a little Rossi .22 rifle in FDE. I am not a "military wannabe", I just like the way they look. To each his own, we are blessed with many choices, I say if you like colored guns, buy them. If not, there are still plenty of classic choices.

 

[Homerboy]

I have a P365 with a FDE grip and a black slide. Also have a little Rossi .22 rifle in FDE. I am not a "military wannabe", I just like the way they look. To each his own, we are blessed with many choices, I say if you like colored guns, buy them. If not, there are still plenty of classic choices.

I said many go for them because they're military looking, not all. But I agree, buy what you like and I will do the same.

 

[rust collector]

For me, it's more a matter of whether I like the gun. I do try to avoid guns finished to look like toys or pimp accessories, but otherwise any durable finish/material will work. Two-tone 1911s are fine, but I tend to avoid a completely shiny gun because I generally don't want to attract attention.

 

[Spats McGee]

I didn't vote, because there's not really an option that fits my opinion. I guess it depends on the pistol (or other firearm) for me. Some examples:
1. "Traditional" (wood and steel) pistols (1911, BHP, etc) -- I definitely lean towards parkerization and similar, flat finishes. That said, @WC145 's blued, melted 1911 is absolutely gorgeous. I don't generally care for the two-tones, but they don't bother me. I like some of the stainless ones, but still lean towards flat finishes, like brushed stainless.
2. Polymer pistols - I don't go in search of colors other than black, but there are some colors that I think look fine, like FDE or olive. Like with 1911s, I don't really care for two-tones, but it's not a deal-breaker. I wouldn't pass on a good deal just because the pistol was two-tones.