Do you like "Pretty Guns"?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Alte Schule said:
To me my nickel plated 1974 vintage S&W Chiefs Special Is the definition of pretty.
Click to expand...
Absolutely! That little beauty defies what I said earlier in this thread about how I like some pretty guns, "but not for usin'." I like that pretty "nickel plated 1974 vintage S&W Chiefs Special" a lot, and if it was mine, I'd definitely "use" it once in a while. Heck, I might even carry it when I'm going for "dress-up.":)
 
LoonWulf said:
I really like pretty guns, and id be willing to spend the money on them if i had it....for now ill settle for drooling on my keyboard when @Offfhand posts pictures.

I can also promise now, that when I CAN afford a pretty hunting rifle, im gonna use it same as i do my others.
Click to expand...

What would be the point to NOT use it?

If I decide to go get that Perazzi, it will have some nice engraving and it will get shot.....a LOT!
 
George P said:
What would be the point to NOT use it?

If I decide to go get that Perazzi, it will have some nice engraving and it will get shot.....a LOT!
Click to expand...
I totally agree!

Some people would be upset about causing damage or ware to a decorated or very pretty firearm..... And while I disagree with that particular opinion and will usually note the fact that if I own it I'm going to use it ....
I also think that everyone has a right to enjoy their firearms as they please.....tho, I'll also say that the true safe Queens that never come out to be admired do kind of bother me.....
 
CapnMac said:
I like them just fine. Even admired more than a few. I don't own any, but, that's circumstance rather than design.

I would not say no to a BBQ or Court gun, were one to come my way at a reasonable price. I'd sort out suitable leather or a case for one, if one came my way.
Click to expand...
My dad has a pretty decent collection, with several guns that have appreciated well beyond the $1000 range. He's never paid more than about $600 for one because that's a hell of a lot of money to working class stiffs like us. Up until a few months ago, I carried my most expensive gun purchase daily. Now it's 2nd. Point being,we use the best we can afford.
If I could afford to go drop several grand on a firearm and still have gas and grocery funds, damn straight I'm going to use it. 3 grand is pocket change for some folks...just not me. If I ever get to the point it is, then I'd run a pretty gun the same way I run my homely ones.
 
I’ll take a Ruger over a Dan Wesson any day of the week. I want cry if I drop my Ruger. Might shed a tear over that Dan that just hit the concrete. I like pretty guns like to look at them. Just don’t want to own any.
 
kimberkid said:
I've been buying guns for 40+ years, and the last 10 or so I've acquired a taste for engraved guns and I've got a few but not many, they come at a price that's usually not for the faint of heart

Henry Golden Boy
View attachment 1010710

1957 Colt National Match
View attachment 1010852


View attachment 1010856

Kimber K6s Combat
View attachment 1010713
Click to expand...
I really like the look of the Golden boy. But the others don't do it for me.
Color case hardened done properly is my favorite. I like the hunting scenes engraved on shotguns. I also like polished stainless with wood and rubber grips.
 
I lied. I do have a couple of nice, not super fancy, but nice shotguns. One is a Beretta BL-3 20ga that has decent wood. I think they quit making them in 1973. I had custom choke tubes installed by Ballistic Specialties. Then there is a little Italian made Verona 501 made by Isadoro Rizzini. It is a 2 barrel set, 410 and 28ga. Haven't shot it in 5 years. I'll take some pictures next time I need to list some guns on GB.
 
I vote the op has the right idea, his old Colt NM is shootable art.

I own many many guns and some are quite nice, but quality trumps quantity in this case. In hindsight I wish I’d bought far fewer, been more selective, and spent far more for each.
 
I have friends buying some really nice Italian sxs's and o/us, don't know why were pushing 70 and field work will soon be limited, but damn they're nice!
I have a Colt Sauer .270 that made a trade for
30+ years ago....a Ruger Red Label 20ga I think?
It is beautiful by any standards.....walnut to kill for, ivory, gold inlays and topped with a Leopold 3×9 glass.......put 10 rounds through it to sight it in and hasn't left the safe since! I really need to sell it but its hard to part with!
 
I appreciate pretty guns, but have no desire to own them. To me, pretty is as pretty does. I like good looking utility which includes most things from classic blued steel and walnut to kevlar and stainless. I can spend more time than my wife likes in a gun museum enjoying finely crafted works of art, but that doesn't translate into a desire to purchase one. I do like @bannockburn's engraved Remington revolver.
 
I have a decorative chrome Luger that is definitely pretty, and given to me by a good friend. It shoots amazingly, when I shoot it.
index.php
 
I admire the skill it takes to create the finely engraved firearms. It is truly a work of art when done right. That said I have very little interest in them outside of looking at them. I like to use my guns not collect them. I would rather buy more guns/ammo/shooting/hunting stuff with the extra money than pay for the fancy engraving.

Shiny guns, like polished stainless and chrome plated guns just come across tacky to me in most cases. I am fond of flatter finishes on my guns.
 
mcb said:
Shiny guns, like polished stainless and chrome plated guns just come across tacky to me in most cases. I am fond of flatter finishes on my guns.
Click to expand...

I used to hate them and they had no appeal to me whatsoever, but lil by lil over time they have started to grow on me. Especially smaller concealed carry guns. When Bannockburn posts pictures of his nickel plated Commander I get it. Same with others, when it's the right gun, it looks appropriate. But you're right, on some guns it just looks tacky awful. I also never liked the two tone G19's that used to be pretty easy to find 10 or so years ago, I wish I had bought one when I had the chance to do so. I don't know what a two tone 2nd Gen 19 goes for these days.

mcb said:
I admire the skill it takes to create the finely engraved firearms. It is truly a work of art when done right.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. Same goes for really nice stock checkering. I never really admired the stuff or paid attention to the nice blues and checkered walnut up until a lil while ago, now I stop and smell the roses so to speak, taking the time to admire the wood grain and fine detail in the engraving and checkering. I had a beautiful 870 wingmaster with a beautifully engraved reciever and beautiful checkered walnut stock that I bought and simply dismissed it as a "gun for duck hunters" and since I don't shoot ducks I sold it for what I paid, $200. Mint condition. I really regret that. It was a beautiful gun and should have kept it.

My taste in guns are evolving slowly and I admire all types now. There isn't anything wrong with a "pretty" gun, especially if it has some scuffs and dings here and there.
 
DustyGmt said:
I used to hate them and they had no appeal to me whatsoever, but lil by lil over time they have started to grow on me. Especially smaller concealed carry guns. When Bannockburn posts pictures of his nickel plated Commander I get it. Same with others, when it's the right gun, it looks appropriate. But you're right, on some guns it just looks tacky awful. I also never liked the two tone G19's that used to be pretty easy to find 10 or so years ago, I wish I had bought one when I had the chance to do so. I don't know what a two tone 2nd Gen 19 goes for these days.


Absolutely. Same goes for really nice stock checkering. I never really admired the stuff or paid attention to the nice blues and checkered walnut up until a lil while ago, now I stop and smell the roses so to speak, taking the time to admire the wood grain and fine detail in the engraving and checkering. I had a beautiful 870 wingmaster with a beautifully engraved reciever and beautiful checkered walnut stock that I bought and simply dismissed it as a "gun for duck hunters" and since I don't shoot ducks I sold it for what I paid, $200. Mint condition. I really regret that. It was a beautiful gun and should have kept it.

My taste in guns are evolving slowly and I admire all types now. There isn't anything wrong with a "pretty" gun, especially if it has some scuffs and dings here and there.
Click to expand...

Don't get rid of that 870 TB you just got!
 
I do like pretty guns, I don't like heavy engraving, light and tasteful is ok. I really like highly figured wood stocks and deep bluing that you use to see on old Smiths and Colts.
 
Rubone said:
As much as I appreciate the skills of engravers I have never had any urge to own an engraved gun. But I don't like tattoos either.:D
Click to expand...
I’m not into tats for myself either however when I see one on an attractive young woman it makes me think she can make bad decisions all by herself! ;)
 
George P said:
What would be the point to NOT use it?
Click to expand...
I never understood that either. Every gun I posted above has been in a holster, even the brand new one I haven't had a chance to shoot yet. I've carried that Open Top every year since I had it engraved.

Back in 2005, I splurged on a Merkel 28ga double. Not the high end British gun I really wanted but something really nice within economic reach. I remember getting excited the first time I noticed that the finish on the fences was starting to wear from handling. For me, it is an honor and privilege to be able to impart wear on such a fine firearm. The thought of NOT using it never entered my mind.

IMG_0305b.jpg

I also didn't spend $600 to put a fancy walnut stock on my 541 only to leave it at home.

Remington%20541%2003.jpg

Remington%20541%2004.jpg

I waited a long time to find a really nice commemorative Winchester .38-55, to hunt with it.

Winchester%2094%20Legendary%20Frontiersmen%2001.jpg

Same for this Winchester 63.

Winchester%2063%2001.jpg

This hand built flintlock cost me nearly $3000 and I've hunted with it every year since. The only real issue is finding time to use them all.

Hogan%20Flintlock%2001.jpg
 
I like pretty guns in a museum and not in my safe. I prefer "ugly" working guns that I can shoot without worrying about a scratch
 
  • Like
Reactions: mcb
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Larry Ashcraft
  • Locked
Friends of the NRA fundraiser, 25 Guns!
Replies
0
Views
1K
Larry Ashcraft
Larry Ashcraft
thomis
  • Locked
would you sell a gun to buy a gun?
2 3 4
Replies
84
Views
2K
oneounceload
O
C
  • Locked
Potomac Arms - Alexandria, VA
Replies
15
Views
6K
SapperLeader
S
T
  • Locked
WalMart w/guns near Austin?
Replies
2
Views
328
texas bulldog
T
R
  • Locked
Gun price question
Replies
5
Views
615
Ricky T
R
Back
Top