Cosmetics & Gun Sales

[El Tejon]

In looking over several threads on THR I cannot help but come to the conclusion that people are starting these threads because they found something cool on the Internet. Certainly when I sold guns many moons ago (15 years ago now) I sold bunches of guns to people who were buying on looks.

What percentage of sales is made purely on looks for firearms? What about particular models--TEC9, short barreld rifles, the oversized Ruger or Smith revolvers, etc.?

 

[Lou629]

Having some 'cool' looking polypro. gun isn't what does it for me. The classic walnut & blue steel look is what attracts my eye, but the brand reliability and reputation trumps everything else, then comes looks.

 

[noresttill]

My guns are pretty and functional, though I will never understand the reasoning behind an A4 Ar15 with a 4-rail handguard and 4-Rail gas block. More power to'em

Jesse

 

[MatthewVanitas]

though I will never understand the reasoning behind an A4 Ar15 with a 4-rail handguard and 4-Rail gas block. More power to'em

It's so you can rationalize buying even more gear, because it'd be a shame to put all those mounting points to waste.

Gunculture is pretty gear-centric, for better or for worse. Don't get me wrong, plenty of hobbies are far worse. At least most gun folks at least shoot their guns instead of just stare at them all day.

I'm guilty too. As I've often said, if I spent as much time actually shooting on guns as mucking around the Internet looking at guns, they'd have named a Steel Plate Challenge after me by now.

Now, I'm allegedly focusing on selling off most of my guns and just keeping a half-dozen _really_ nice guns that are exactly what I want. Will see if it works. I was down to four guns just over a year ago, and we all know how that worked out...

-MV

 

[Hypnogator]

Probably a lot more than we realize. Aside from the ladies (not all of them, pax!) who buy a gun because it looks "cute," how many of us have bought a 1911, not because we particularly admire Browning's design, but because it looks powerful and businesslike. Or bought a highpower or Luger because it was "elegant."

Guilty on both counts!

 

[ceetee]

I'm about function, first and foremost. A gu nmight be the prettiest thing in the world... if you're too worried about mucking it up and don't shoot it, or if it shoots like throwing a softball, I'll pass. If I wasn't on a tight budget, I might have a different outlook, though.

That said, a gun is one of the few things in life (like a car, or an airplane) that can combine form and function to the enhancement of both. It's just that pretty seems to cost so friggin much...

 

[.38 Special]

Well, speaking as a double action revolver man, it might be true that just about all my revolver purchases are based on appearance. Most DA revolvers from reputable manufacturers all do about the same thing, which leaves appearance as a (the?) big factor.

 

[2TransAms]

I'm about function, first and foremost. A gun might be the prettiest thing in the world... if you're too worried about mucking it up and don't shoot it, or if it shoots like throwing a softball, I'll pass.

Right! I don't have the cash to scratch up a nice pistol. I have no qualms about getting my Kimber TLE dirty,but I sold an Eclipse because I didn't want to mess it up! Pretty guns are nice,but you don't want too pretty...

 

[rbernie]

I don't generally make the inital purchase based much on looks, but if its ugly it sure makes gettin' rid of it a lot easier.

 

[gezzer]

I'm a dealer I love cool!! Seriously all the gun magazines push guns for manufactures. That's life. It takes thought on what is really needed too buy. Who cares what is needed!

However I am a member of the " gun culture" I buy what I think is cool and what I want, that has NO BEARING on what I need.

My want runs from flintlocks to machine guns. Don't like it Tough.

Come on in my shop what ever your tastes, YOU are your welcome!!