Posted: 2/24/2008 2:52:01 AM EDT
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Personally, when it comes to deciding which firearms I like, appearance is usually the first issue. That's one reason I'd rather own an AK than an AR. People commonly criticize me for it, but thats how I am. I'm not LEO or .mil, so in most cases, I'll be looking at my gun, taking it to the range and showing it to other people or keeping it in a case, so having something that's unique and fits my preference (shape, style, color, sound, finish, etc) is important. Conventional styles aren't my thing, so I'll probably be looking into doing expensive custom work on just about one I'll own. Does anyone else here identify with this also, or would you throw those who want not just a gun, but a work of art, into the mental category? |
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I choose my guns in this order, always: 1. Caliber 2. Reliability 3. Ergonomics/Adaptability 4. Aesthetics Every. Time. No different than if I were choosing a cordless drill. Looks are part of it but a very small part. Some of the best guns I've ever owned are by some people's standards fucking ugly. Some even looked ugly to me, but after handling or shooting them they looked better. As a matter of fact, I used to hate the looks of AR's and had to own one before my mind flopped and I appreciated the looks BECAUSE of the function. |
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While I would agree with the "form follows function" statement, I think there are some firearms where attention to appearance was a consideration in manufacture. Take the Colt 1860 Army revolver for example. I still think it's the epitome of the gunmaker's art. I'm sure there're more modern examples, but I just got up and haven't had NEAR enough coffee to get the brain going yet. |
Exactly. Gun-smithing just doesn't seem quite like the art it once was. Everything is so much more utilitarian and bare these days. Things like beautiful engravings and unique touches added by the smith have been replaced by carbon copying and tacticool accessories. |
I agree. I wonder how many people called Patton gay to his face for having an ivory handled revolver? |
LOL Has anyone ever come up with a better looking blue? And while we're on the subject: What's up with that funky "charcoal blue" some of the Italian single-actions are done in? |
I would put them like this... 1. Reliability 2. Ergonomics/Adaptability 3. Caliber 4. Aesthetics Does it shoot? Can I shoot it well? Is it going to kill what I hit? Do I like it? Always remember, you are buying a power tool...not a piece of art to hang on the wall. Unless its specifically a curio, go for function. |
