[Quilbilly]

I have been trying to get my wife shooting for a while now and she does come to my favorite shooting spot with me out in the Olympic National Forest sometimes. She wants her own gun but has pretty much decided that it has to be pink.

I can make any gun pink with Duracoat so selection is not a problem. The main problem I have is that in looking at pistols with her, it is pretty clear that she does not care at all about the quality of the pistol, only the looks. I would like to see her get a Ruger .22 and not a Walther P-22 because the Ruger is a far better pistol for not much more cash. The other thing is that our first kid is on the way in about 8 months. I would think our daughter would think a pretty pink gun would make a pretty good toy (not that it would not be locked up, but it would still look sort of like a toy).

I will probably just talk to her more about it and if she really insists on getting the pretty pink Walther, I will just insist on getting the Ruger for my next gun and hopefully she will see why function is always better than form. At least she wants to come shooing now. A pink hi-point would still be better than no pistol at all!

What are your thoughts on pink guns? Or any color for that matter? I have been guilty of not liking firearms because of looks but compromising functionality, longevity and accuracy for looks just isn't cool. I guess a Mark II in pink would be pretty much the worst looking pistol ever though...

[UKJ]

Great to hear that your wife wants to take up shooting. Trying to get a woman to change her mind once it's made up, is one of life's greater challenges, so I wish you the best of luck.

The only advice I can put forward if she's dead set against the Ruger is to try and meet her half way on the pistol - either suggest a Beretta Neo, which is a fine .22 and comes trimmed in pink or suggest a Browning Buck Mark with pink grips and a pink holster.

If that is a non-starter, try and convince her that a stainless or chromed handgun would go well with her jewellery. :)

Again good luck.

[geronimo509]

convince her that a stainless or chromed handgun would go well with her jewellery.

I am in the same boat, but mine is listening to me about quality over looks. But she also wants a pink gun. I've actually been trying to get her to consider chrome or SS with pink pearl grips. The jewelery line might screw me though, because she might want more lol.

Ps. she's just my girlfriend at the moment, so she probably listens to me more now than she will once we get married

[patrick526]

I think, it would be better to get what she really wants. Put it this way, a pink gun is better than nothing and pink guns would go better inside ladies bag. :)

[HippieMagic]

Doesn't S&W stick pink grips on anything you ask them to? I know they have a Ladysmith option for some of their guns.

You could stick Hello Kitty stickers all over a glock and be like "AWW Baby look what I made you!"

...it could work...

That or give her a pepto colored hi-point and I guarantee she won't want a pink gun anymore. I have seen quite a few pink rifles though and most are very well done. I know one girl with a pink AK-47 that looks nice. You just have to look around for them. Your chrome with pink grips is more than likely your best option... I know a LOT of really nice/girly grips for 1911s exist. I am sure others do too...

[rbernie]

it is pretty clear that she does not care at all about the quality of the pistol, only the looks.That's because she has no other barometer to use. She has no experience, and does not understand what details are important. We all were like that when we started. Guys tend to gravitate towards BIG and SHINY or BLACK and not pink, but it's the same thing.

First order of business, IMO of course, is to NOT buy her anything of value until she's actually been shooting a few times. My wife went from 22LR to 9mm very, very quickly. My wife also liked the Kahrs in the showroom because of the diminutive size/weight, but quickly found that she was much more comfortable SHOOTING the BHP or the Sig P6 due to their larger 'presence'.

If somebody wants a pink gun and that's what makes them feel a connection to it - paint it pink.

[Duke of Doubt]

Bernie is on the money. So long as her gun is reasonably reliable (a few misfires/misfeeds at the range aren't the end of the world), comfortable and safe, if it's cheap, let her have it. Then nudge her gently up to bigger and better guns. One day, she may even want this:

[kludge]

There's a company that come to the Indy 1500 every time that has pink barrels and grips for Ruger Mark III's.

Can't remember the name for the life of me... Pac-Lite also has custom colors.

[DHJenkins]

My wife has a P-22 and loves it (she also has a P99).

Unfortunately, she hates my Ruger Mark III. She doesn't like the grip, the size, the weight, etc...

You're better off getting her what she wants. Once she starts shooting more, then she'll start to appreciate 'better' guns.

[EHL]

My wife is the same way. All she cares about is the looks. Forget about form, function, or reliability. That's why her fist pistol was a Kel Tec P3AT, because it was "cute". I went along with it because it wasn't a .22 and was at least a .380 acp. The "cuteness" of the gun quickly ran out when we took it out shooting. That little beast gots some bite and she didn't even want to shoot it anymore. Within a few months she broke down and wanted an XD 9 sub compact. She loves that gun. I'm glad she finally "got it". Now she's bugging me for either duracoating her XD in pink or buying a new pistol all pink for her.:rolleyes:

On a side note, my gunsmith told me that he duracoated 4 or 5 revolver snubs pink. He sold all of those in just a few hours at a gun show as quite a few ladies just fell in love with the cute pink revolvers.;) Go figure.

[Kleanbore]

Somehow this discussion conjures up a sound image of "They're ivory. Only a New Orleans...". :)

[DammitBoy]

http://www.hellinahandbasket.net/BARBIE1%20%282%29.jpg

http://www.newsgroper.com/files/legacy/pink-gun.jpg

[James T Thomas]

Can you obtain that MkII in stainless? The dark blue "looks" more sinister in the eyes of some.

And then, purchase some pink, or paint pink, some aftermarket grips.
You can always switch the grips when you use the pistol, later.

[jackstinson]

Your wife WANTS to buy a gun and all you are concerned with is that it's not the one you would pick? Count your blessings that she wants her own gun and let her pick the one she likes best.

[Toyoda]

Who cares what color it is, just get her shooting.

My wife has a pink 10/22 and wants a pink pistol, to go with the rest of her guns that arn't pink.

[JHK94]

My wife loves my old MKI; if nothing else, maybe get her to shoot both before you pick one out.

[Dr.Rob]

I know this woman that wants a pink Glock... she's worth buying it for too.

Sometimes guys, it has NOTHING to do with what WE want.

[Rellian]

If I bought my wife a pink gun she would kick my a$$!

[Eightball]

What are your thoughts on pink guns? Or any color for that matter?Anything that gets more folks on "our" side is fine by me.

Granted, I'm not married....but it would seem to me that if your wife wants ANY firearm, even if it's pink--and buying her that firearm may determine if she becomes one of "US" vs. hating your hobby, then buy her the pink one.

It does NOT matter if it's not what you would pick--let her decide for herself. You've offered your opinion and probably explained things to her. If buying her a pink Walther rather than the "perfect" Ruger helps make her into a "gunny", that's all the better. From the pink walther, mayhaps you'll be able to "graduate" her into something better.

Though, I would agree with rbernie here--get her shooting first.

I know this woman that wants a pink Glock... she's worth buying it for too.This sentiment seems to me to be the way of looking at things. Don't get too caught up in what the item in question may be, but think about who the person is that you're buying it for, and what it may mean down the road aways. There's a girl I know that wants a BAR and a Desert Eagle; and if things wind up going how I hope them to, then I have *no* reservations about buying either for her....though I'm sure it'd be weird to buy the Eagle from a store and say "it's for my [insert preferred term for S.O.]"

[mfcmb]

As a seasoned husband and parent I'd venture to say:

You can advise, but she gets to choose.

If she want's it pink, paint it pink.

If your daughter can get her hands on it, you're not practicing adequate gun safety -- regardless of the color.

IMHO, FWIW, YMMV...

[ArmedBear]

And I want guns in really expensive walnut or rare maple.

Elmer Keith liked his guns all engraved, even if they were going to get banged up in the field.

Form matters a bit to all of us; even "purely functional" is a form.

I'd tell her that she should get the best gun, and you'll DuraCoat it however she wants.

It may not be your taste, but as long as she doesn't get a crappy gun just because it's pink, you can have both form and function.

This grip could be made of the cheapest birch. But I'd rather have it look like this:
http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/images/revolver/Revolver%20Pix%208.jpg

[JImbothefiveth]

I guess a Mark II in pink would be pretty much the worst looking pistol ever though... Hey, if that's what it takes.

I would get a quality gun and then paint it. (Maybe using duracoat)

[Pizzagunner]

I am glad that my wife like old school looking firearms, but really, we are a joint enterprise here. I don't tell her what she can and cannot shoot and I get the same treatment.

[vicdotcom]

It took me 10 years to get my wife to try playing billiards and pool with me. She wanted some junky cue and I wanted to get her something custom like mine that she could use for a lifetime.

She ended up with Hello Kitty on her cue from a flea market lol BUT she learned to love the game and within a few months wanted to try better cues and we ordered her a custom and classic looking cue.

If I tried to force her to use something she didnt enjoy, she would not have learned to love the game.

My recommendation is to get her the pink one. Let her learn to love shooting then spend the cash again to get something she would appreciate better at a later time.

Will it cost more? Sure will. Your basically buying 2 guns. But she will enjoy it more and WANT to shoot more. Then after she's hooked, take her shopping again.

Same applies with kids and fishing poles. Get the cartoon ones they want most first, then switch to something better.

[Isher]

I can't get this strategic concept out of my mind, hilarious as it may superficially seem........

OK.

Bad guy situation.

I'm 6'2" typical Nordic (Danish, actually),

A fairly big guy.

So it goes down and I pull and level a hot pink semiautomatic.

I have a hunch that might slow down the BG for a nanosecond

Or two, just to figure our WTFIGO.

(What the f is going on?)

It possibly could give me the edge.

People hesitate when faced with the entirely unexpected,

That much I know.

It is hardwired psychological blowback.

Not trying to hijack this thread.

Anyone else have similar strategies?

isher

[Quilbilly]

Alright I guess tomorrow we will go look at some. I saw a pink p-22 at Wades a couple months back. Maybe I will surprise her with it. I owned a p-22 for awhile and they really are not that bad. She even shot a couple mags through it. Thanks for the advise guys. Who knows, I may be teaching my daughter to shoot with it eventually!

[vicdotcom]

Who knows, I may be teaching my daughter to shoot with it eventually!
There you go! Now that is looking at the big picture :)

[Duke of Doubt]

Isher: "Anyone else have similar strategies?"

Years ago I owned an Intratec Tec22 Sporter.

Thing looked like a toy to begin with, and you should have seen it when I was finished. Orange plastic muzzle cover, ugly silver hobby paint, sci-fi kid's stickers, et cetera ad nauseum. It was a real gun, with high-capacity detachable magazine, but now it looked like some kid's cheap toy. I left it out on the coffee table for months and not one single visitor commented or picked it up. I was going to play "gotcha" with an anti, but I eventually realized I don't invite antis to my home. Finally I sold it to a guy who I sold on the idea of "hide in plain sight." Real reason I dumped it was unavailability at tolerable cost of additional magazines which, being plastic, eventually would wear out. Otherwise I'd still have it lying around.

[jackstinson]

Tec22 Sporter......Real reason I dumped it was unavailability at tolerable cost of additional magazines which, being plastic, eventually would wear out.
I thought that as well...until I learned that Tec-22 magazines were made by Ramline. The current Ramline 10/22 30-round double-stacks are the same as the original Tec-22 magazine (with a Ramline logo). The Ramline 25-round single stack and 50-round double stack are also the same basic design. The main issue is the little "nub" on the left feed lip which aids in ejection. Butler-Creek, Eagle, etc magazines don't have that nub....Ramlines do. I didn't sell my pre-ban Tec-22 Scorpion, I just bought a few new Ramline 25-round single stack magazines and have fun with it :)

[harmon rabb]

who cares. just get her shooting. buy her a quality gun, throw some pink grips on it, and be done.

[RDF]

What does the color matter? We all have preferences. At least if she chooses a dorky gun despite your best advice; no one will confuse it with one of yours :)

Ralph

[JSmith]

My wife saw some person at the range with a pink pistol and nearly died laughing.

On the other hand... some time back I was discussing gun ownership with an "anti" who took a position that ran something like: would you people still want them if we took your manly black guns away? "You can have any gun you want as long as it's pink."

I told her I don't care what color it is as long as it blows big holes in stuff.

That, apparently, was not the right answer.

[Kayback]

JSmith, I run pink grips on my 1911 every so often.

The guys at the range all get a good laugh. I don't see how colour detracts from the functionality of the gun.

My fiance shoots my 1911 with or without the pink grips.

KBK

[JSmith]

As has been said, previously... if you can hit what you're aiming at, all else is insignificant.

Personally, I think a pink S&W .500 magnum would be something to see!

[Cannonball888]

I love that Aerosmith song.

Pink it's my new obsession
Pink it's not even a question
Pink on the grips of my revolver, 'cause
Pink is the problem resolver
Pink it was love at first sight, yea
Pink when I turn on the maglight, and
Pink gets me through a tough gunfight
And I think everything is going to be all right
No matter what I do tonight

[Mags]

I think it would be bad..s to have a S&W 500 with pink grips then i want to see the guy that picks on your pink gun.

[TimboKhan]

If she likes it, then I say godspeed.

Personally, I have always wondered why there isn't more color in the gun world. I mean, occasionally you will see a benchrester with a painted stock or something, but it seems for the most part we have relegated ourselves to black, blue and silver.

Of course, we have all held our breath at the recent, and scandalous, addition of Desert Brown and OD green to our color selection, but c'mon... OD Green and Desert Brown are just one step above gray in the boring color department.

[Restorer]

In some cases (like this one) form IS function. It depends on your perspective. To the manufacturer, the function of the color choice is to attract the attention of a consumer who would ordinarily not consider your product for purchase. It translates into a benefit to the user in that it renders the purchase and initial use of the object more palatable, with experience leading to familiarity and expertise. At that point the value of other features of the gun become equal to or greater than the value of color selection, so as her discernment matures a pink .22 might lead to a black .45 or an orange .357.

If she's happy with the gun after learning to use it she'll be open to buying other guns made by the same company...keep it in the family, so to speak. This process is also known by the phrase "...the camel getting its nose under the edge of the tent; soon the whole camel is inside."

Thus, to the manufacturer the form (color) has a function...it sells guns.

From your perspective, the color choice leads her into another interest and activity to share with you. Again, the form has a function.

Lesson for the day...buy her what she wants if she can shoot it OK. Thus endeth the class.

I don't usually ramble like this, but my visit to the ER today netted 9 stitches in 2 fingers and the pain meds are talking. My lesson for the day...put the blade guard back on the table saw. Kickbacks are a b***h.

[RDF]

At one point I wonder if someone is going to raise the issue about toy guns. The police have encountered problems in the past where someone painted the bright yellow/red muzzle plugs of toy guns black and were confused in thinking it was a real gun. Vice Versa?

[jason97496]

My wife wanted a pink handgun also. I took her in to look at Charter Arms, Pink Lady. She decided she liked the feel of the Smith and Wesson .38 spl. and bought it instead.

Two weeks later she still wanted a pink handgun. We came home with a pink Sig Sauer Mosquito. The next day my daughter and I went back and she bought one as well.

[Janos Dracwlya]

If I bought my wife a pink gun, she'd hit me with it. She threatens to hit me any time I point one out to her in the store. A pink gun is not for her. She likes pretty wood for the grips and polished metal.

On the other hand, if a pink gun will get your (anybody else) wife, daughter, sister, female friend, etc. past their fear of guns and into shooting, well, just make sure it's a decent one and then by all means buy it for them. Or buy them whatever else would work.

If more of the men of previous generations had been more conscientious about teaching the women to shoot, in my opinion, we would be facing a much weaker anti-gun movement today.

[TrickyDick]

I bought my wife a Charter arms pink lady just so she could have her own gun. But I would like for her to goto a gun shop and just fiddle with some guns, and get excited like i do when it comes to shooting. But she likes it, it's just she needs to work on her aim. to be fair, its a snubby and shes a beginner.

[BluEyes]

My Mother didn't like pink guns when we were in Cabellas some time back "Why do they sell that?" Kinda funny, my Dad and I had to remind here that companies only sell what people buy.

OTOH, my g/f was shopping for a .357 carry piece and the dealers at the gun show kept pulling out pink .38's. :rolleyes: Then she told them that she shoots a .44 mag. :D She hates pink, but has liked some of the purple guns out there!

[esquare]

Just buy her the gun that she wants. Take her to the shop and have her hold them all as that makes a big difference. Then, if she wants a p-22 in pink, don't hesitate to get it (preferably as a surprise given after a nice Friday night date).

Frankly, if it's a reasonably reliable gun (and it seems like this is a range gun) don't stand in the way. You can always sell or trade it for something else down the road.

As for the color, it would make no difference to me. We all have our preferences to blue, stainless, parketerized, green, etc. Pink is no different. As far as having a new born, congrats! But, it doesn't make a difference either. He/she needs to be taught what is a real gun vs fake, and that shouldn't be based on color.

So, don't wait - go get it!

[bwsmith2850]

My daughter got pulled over to the gun rack by a pink youth .22 rifle & took up shooting because of it. If it gets her into the sport, pink works. I like better guns but my first was a cheap .22. It got me shooting. I traded up as I learned more & could afford it. She probably will too.

We all choose form over function from time to time. I made a set of purple heart grips for a .45 because my girls saw the wood when I was browsing online. There was nothing wrong with the originals. Do engraved grips work any better than plastic? I have elk grips that don't do anything that the wood ones didn't do just as well.

[EddieNFL]

Thoughts on Pink guns and form over function

Ever pay attention to women's shoes? Looks trump comfort.

[6x6pinz]

what ever it takes to get them out shooting. If there happens to be a more functional gun on the table while you are working on her gun, she will put together that shooting is more fun then messing with a gun all the time.

[LHRGunslinger]

Color don't matter. Quality don't matter. What makes her happy is what does matter.

Explain that gun X is more reliable than gun Y for Z reasons. Even though gun Y is prettier than gun X. In the long run though getting her whatever will put a smile on her face is the right choice.

Worst case scenario is you get gun Y and she finds she doesn't like it so you take it back and sell it for gun X.

[seal]

i personally dont like the toy looking real guns. i have seen anodized solid blue and solid red which to me means trainer weapon not real gun. if its your personal fire arm and you customize it well maybe thats one thing. i guess it would be like my camo jobs on my guns.

[Marshall]

Ps. she's just my girlfriend at the moment, so she probably listens to me more now than she will once we get married

You can bet on that! :p

[Shadow 7D]

can of spray paint can do wonders
or let her buy a $99 pink 'beauty''
then ask if she would prefer a gun that actually works.

[Zerodefect]

I have been trying to get my wife shooting for a while now and she does come to my favorite shooting spot with me out in the Olympic National Forest sometimes. She wants her own gun but has pretty much decided that it has to be pink.

I can make any gun pink with Duracoat so selection is not a problem. The main problem I have is that in looking at pistols with her, it is pretty clear that she does not care at all about the quality of the pistol, only the looks. I would like to see her get a Ruger .22 and not a Walther P-22 because the Ruger is a far better pistol for not much more cash. The other thing is that our first kid is on the way in about 8 months. I would think our daughter would think a pretty pink gun would make a pretty good toy (not that it would not be locked up, but it would still look sort of like a toy).

I will probably just talk to her more about it and if she really insists on getting the pretty pink Walther, I will just insist on getting the Ruger for my next gun and hopefully she will see why function is always better than form. At least she wants to come shooing now. A pink hi-point would still be better than no pistol at all!

What are your thoughts on pink guns? Or any color for that matter? I have been guilty of not liking firearms because of looks but compromising functionality, longevity and accuracy for looks just isn't cool. I guess a Mark II in pink would be pretty much the worst looking pistol ever though...

I'd let the wife get watever she wants. The Walther isn't a bad gun. Anything that gets the wife into guns, or anyone started, isn't too bad of a thing.

I wouldn't worry about the kid and the pink gun. Since the gun will be properly secured, it's color shouldn't matter anyway.

[Sevenfaces]

Congrats on the incoming baby, my wife is 6 months away.

I personally find pink guns to be not only tacky, but irresponsible in the sense that it does make them look more like toy guns. I can see how a pink pistol would appeal to a woman, I suppose a diamond encrusted one would too, but I think ultimately the right gun is the one she is most comfortable shooting, and carrying. The real question is "Is she willing to pull the trigger when it matters?" if the answer is anything other than "Yes" I would wait to educate/train her more.

[postalnut25]

^^^^^^^^^^^

Pink guns are irresponsible and look like toys? Might want to ask my ex-wife about that. Her Julie Goloski M&P9 rides to work in her duty belt every day as a deputy. Bet she could out shoot you with it, too.

I shot expert in the Corps, and she could shoot circles around me. Bet my daughters with their pink AR don't think it's a toy, either.

If a woman thinks a pink gun is the right gun, it is. Us guy's opinions just don't count when they want something.

[TexasGunbie]

You can google someone name Tori Nonaka.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnI0BMqQ8e4

Here is a link of her using a Glock 34 purple slide at her shooting competition. I think that in general a purple gun is good for the ladies, but if you happen to be shooting with friends, you can tell your friends that purple is a color suited for a king.

If you must color your gun, and especially doing it for the wife, then maybe going purple is a compromise.
Google image with the keyword purple guns, and most will agree it looks a lot better than pink.

[Stasher1]

First, I say buy her whatever she wants and Duracoat it pink.

Second, I strongly urge your wife to speak with her doctor about the effects of loud noises and lead exposure on an unborn child. ;)

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=103012
http://www.globalbioweather.com/loud_noise_during_pregnancy.html
http://iweb.tntech.edu/cpardue/pregnant.html
http://www.womenhunters.com/pregnancy-tracy.html

[hso]

Stasher1 is right on target.

Find out what fits, have it customized to whatever color(s) desired. Enjoy.

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

I bought my wife a pink camo Walther P22 about a year ago. We have had no problems at all with it. Most people call it crap because they A. expect it to eat everything B. Don't clean it or C. Have a prejudice because they "have heard" it was a crap gun. If she likes how it feels. Get it. Stick with CCI Mini Mag and you'll never have a problem. The second gun I got my wife was a Ruger 10/22 and a Tapco Intrafuse pink stock. This is a great rifle that "will" eat everything. Good luck man.

[ritepath]

Women are naturally geared towards looks of items...that's how we ended up with a blue Nissan Xterra. My wife wants a pink set of furniture for her AR. My daughter told me last Saturday "Daddy you have to buy me that pink gun at Wal-Mart" and she's 8. My neighbor has a pink PT111 because it was pink. Women see something and it's form over function.

[sniper5]

Just finished mounting the reddot on my wife's new (and first) rifle: A Ruger 10/22 with a Royal Jacaranda stock. She HATES pink and plastic and loves dark woods. Her handgun is a 6" GP100 with small Lett grips with Wenge inserts I made myself. She loves the dark bold figure in the wood. Fell in love with the Jacaranda laminate colors. Not too masculine, but not sissified either. She laughs everytime she sees a pink gun.

[BluEyes]

I personally find pink guns to be not only tacky, but irresponsible in the sense that it does make them look more like toy guns. .

Pink toy guns? Really? I've not been combing the aisles of "Toys 'r' Us" lately, but I've seen far more black toy guns than pink.

I do see the argument against red/blue as those colors are used for training "guns" and could conceivably result in a mixup.

[The Captain]

I bought my wife a Black P22. She loves it. I told her I could get pink if she wanted. SHe chose black.

Yes I know there are better defensive rounds that a 22lr, but she won't shoot my .40 or .357. She will shoot the 22.