Why Are New Guns Ugly?

[gbw]

deleted

 

[inSight-NEO]

I am just curious, aside from those who hate rails and such, what exactly makes current guns ugly? Seriously, have things changed all that much...aside from polymer frames and *gasp* rails?

To me, you either like all black, all chrome (or polished stainless), or a combination thereof (throwing in OD green and dark earth tones in the mix). Further more, why complain about it? If you want "old school," then buy used. If you refuse to buy used, just get used to the fact that weapons have evolved.

 

[Mike OTDP]

Ugly sells these days. It's "tactikool".

Although if you want a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship, take a look at duelling pistols. You can't tart up ANY cartridge gun to come within hailing distance of the work of the Manton brothers or Robert Wogdon.

 

[kmrcstintn]

You guys listed Glocks as being pretty bad, but that pales in comparison to the Beretta PX4 "Storm". Really? A gun called a "Storm?" It looks like a prop from a low budget science fiction movie. Same with their CX4 Carbine. It looks like something from the Halo video game series. I can't take them seriously. I know, bad idea because IT IS A GUN. But that's how stupid they look.

well...I own a PX4 'Storm' and I like the aesthetics better than its predecessor the Beretta Cougar which became its distant cousin the Stoeger Cougar; you are partially correct pertaining to the CX4 Storm and sci-fi; it was shown on a regular basis on Battlestar Galactica, but it was a steady series than ran 5 years...not a low budget movie;

back to the PX4...comfortable, accurate, reliable, low recoil, durable, exceptional, etc, etc; works and works and works and works...it may look ugly to you, but it does its job and does it well

 

[owsi26]

The Walther PPS is a (relatively) new gun, and it's far from ugly; it's quite elegant, in fact -- at least in my opinion. As the great man said, almost accurately, "Beauty is in the eye of the gun-holder."

Ditto on the PPS. I have one in .40 and I can't keep my hands off of it! So thin, small and light weight yet it feels great in my hand.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Take a Whitney wolverine

compare that to a Neos or a walther p22

It's not the rails that bother me, I have a number of guns with rails, HOWEVER, I have also been some one who had 5lbs of sh.. on the rails because they came with the job, just like the M-4.

It's the pointless "accessories" that kill me, I hated lugging them when I was in the service, why would I do that now, a good scope, like an ACOG on the flat top, great, surefire, laser and hand grip, had it, and in the end of the day, it gets to eh, what ever.

Look, most people aren't snipers, rangers, swat or special forces, and if you want to waste your money on that, OK, but quadrails just make my hand hurt, but that's my bad, I should have worn my sniper gloves...

The other side is that I also don't see the point of 90% engraved shotguns, unless it's to make the point that you can afford to scratch up a $20,000 weapon.

I think the PPSH and BAR are pretty guns, I like the Baby browning, and for whatever reason think that the Polish Random is prettier than the 1911.

In aesthetics it's all a personal choice.

 

[inSight-NEO]

Ugly sells these days. It's "tactikool".

Hmm....I guess you either dig the bat mobile (I use this reference loosely) or you do not. Personally, I dig it.

Oh, and why the hell is "ugly" automatically associated with "tacticool"? Is a weapon considered "tacticool" simply because it is all black and has an accessory rail? Please....

My P220 is all black and is equipped with a rail; it also happens to be the most ergonomic and accurate handgun I have ever wrapped my hands around. Oh...and I think it is far from ugly.

 

[thorazine]

Maybe I'm just getting old

Quite possibly.

I'm just the opposite -- I tend to favor new over the old.

 

[FirearmsEnthusiast]

Anyone see that new DAO Colt 1911 now that thing is ugly

 

[Grey Morel]

Holy generalities Batman!

 

[maksim]

This isnt pretty.....

This is....

 

[RETG]

Ugly is about as subjective as you can get. What you call ugly may appear beautiful to another person. And even if a person thinks a particular handgun is ugly, I bet you would change your mind if someone used that 'ugly' handgun to save your life.:banghead:

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

And even if a person thinks a particular handgun is ugly, I bet you would change your mind if someone used that 'ugly' handgun to save your life.:banghead:

'Hey man, thanks for saving my bacon back there, I thought that guy had me!"

"No problem."

"Sure am glad the cops were quick about hauling your piece off as evidence though, I was about ten seconds away from painting the sidewalk lunch colored..."

 

[gallo]

MCgunner,

Excellent signature line.

 

[Gryffydd]

I have seen some pretty nice looking Hi Powers, but that is one butt ugly gun, no two ways about it.

 

[Heljac]

It's not always an old fart thing. Im only 20 and I think most of the guns coming out these days are pretty ugly, especially the polymer guns. But that won't keep me from owning or using one if it works. But as far as nice looking guns, you can't get much prettier than a c/96 Mauser "Broomhandle". And on the other side, I think guns like the Charlton Automatic Rifle look nice, so my definition of what's aesthetically pleasing is all over the place.

 

[c919]

SD is not a beauty contest!!!

And that's the bottom line (when it comes to SD guns).

I am currently employing my plastic in ways that work for me: S&W M&P15X (General HD), PPS (CCW), Beretta PX4 (around the house) and a Glock 21 (bedside). Sure, none are a beautiful as a Remington Rand or a pre 64 Winchester '94, but they all look good enough to save my life.

And BTW, I think all of my plastic guns have a certain aesthetic appeal in one way or another (especially the PPS ).

 

[Bovice]

This thread isn't about function, we're all pretty sure that the ugly ones will work. We're just saying they're ugly and we aren't inclined to add them to our collection.

 

[RS14]

MCgunner, what is that thing -- and how does it work?

Dardick revolver. Apparently it could be converted to a carbine. In many ways, a very weird gun.

 

[Random Discharge]

Why are new guns ugly? Perhaps because the more aged among us own older guns, and that is what we are used to?

 

[CajunBass]

The ones I think are ugly are new revolvers. Especially the ones with full length lugs under the barrels and unfluted cylinders.

Semi-Auto's don't matter too much to me. All steel or polymer, it's just what it's made out of. I own both, and like both.

 

[Hokkmike]

My rebel friend, ugly is in the eye of the beholder!

 

[Gryffydd]

Especially the ones with full length lugs under the barrels and unfluted cylinders.

Say it isn't so!


Or do BOTH conditions have to be met?

 

[Shadow 7D]

So then since nobody can decide on ugly, can anybody decide what pretty is?

 

[ForumSurfer]

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder for sure. If that weren't the case, many more of us would be single!

I usually don't find a gun too aesthetically pleasing unless it's a bolt action rifle or a 1911. I own several firearms I feel are ugly, including a Glock.

I have no idea why, nor would I admit it in public but I find the Px4 to be gorgeous. I would buy one if they didn't put that safety on the slide. I'd rather have it on the frame, up for "safe" down for "fire"...as it should be IMO.