Guns are tools?

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jacob2745

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I have always been kind of curious about this premise. I have heard several people on here say that their guns are merely tools, and that it doesnt matter what they look like as long as they function properly. It is not uncommon to see pictures of guns that look like they were "rode hard and put up wet."
I would say that i am fairly financially stable. So, if there is something i really want i get it (with approval from my better half of course). With that said, im still not exactly thrilled when i notice a new blemish on one of my guns. I work hard for what i have. So, when i spend a large amount of money on something i want to take care of it. My carry gun for instance, i understand its going to get knicks and scratches, but i still do my best to take care of it. It is sort of like a vehicle. It is something to get you from point A to point B. Basically a tool, but i would say that probably 99% of people care what it looks like.

Thoughts
 
Sure, guns are tools, they're instruments.

Of course, some people elect to neglect (or even abuse) their property forgetting that old, but very true, wisdom, "If you take care of your equipment, it'll take care of you."

The converse also applies as many will eventually find out.

I do as you do- I take care of my stuff, regardless of what it function it serves, and I am much happier for it.
 
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I don't think most people are talking about deliberately abusing their guns, but if you carry/use them on a regular or daily basis (as you would other tools) they will show it.

For most, there would also be a difference between that engraved, ivory stocked Python and a run of the mill polymer auto.

Personally, I can appreciate show pieces, but really have no use for safe queens. With my Glock or stainless S&W revolver, those inevitable little dings are much less painful.
 
I care about their appearance as well, including the appearance of my "real" tools, such as wrenches, saws, drills, et cetera. I have always felt that the condition of tradesman's tools is a reflection of his attitude toward work. It has been my experience that real craftsmen take pride in their tools and their workshop.

I like taking care of my tools; to wit, I'd not use a screwdriver to chisel concrete, nor would I use my Colt to nail up a poster or mend a fence.
 
Golfer- That old saying, "sometimes asking for forgiveness is better than asking for permission," will get you in trouble eventually.
 
If you saw my polished tools in my toolbox, you'd swear they were never used (they are...a lot). You see my carry gun, you'd probably thing it sits in a safe all the time.

I also don't subscribe to the theory that if you own a truck, it needs scratches and dents (except in the bed without a bedliner). My truck gets filthy, gets used, then gets clean right afterward. I can't be seen driving a filthy vehicle.
 
Guns are tools. To assign any other title does them, and their owner, a great disservice. As a tool they provide a reflection of the owner. Some people have shelves and drawers full of beautiful tools at home, others, let their tools roll around in the back of their pickup. Skilled professionals and advanced hobbyists have well maintained and well used quality tools. They bear the marks of application that so many times draw a detailed affectionate story, from its owner, of experience gained. At the Range, Competition or Camp the gun owners are often easy to divide into the groups which they belong after just a few moments of listening and observation. We have all had those experiences. So, is a gun a tool? Without a doubt, capable of doing nothing if not telling about who owns it, just learn to "listen" to it tell it's story.
 
Fire arms are tools.... but like my first boss in construction told me "If you take care of your tools they will take care of you" so take care of them as best you can but dont fret over a scratch or scuff. A gun with a scratch will still protect your family
 
SouthernYankee said:
They bear the marks of application that so many times draw a detailed affectionate story, from its owner, of experience gained.
Click to expand...

Well, you had me on everything except the "affectionate" part. :D

For the dings on my guns, I wish I could erase the event that caused the ding or scratch.

For the dings on my hand tools, that just goes with making money with them. I use them until they wear out then I replace them as needed. I'm sure many military and police think of their guns like I think of my hand tools.
 
Abuse is one thing. Normal wear and tear is just experience and has a charm of its own. Additionally, it has no real bearing on how the gun was cared for. Draw a pistol 1000 times, it's going to have holster wear, y'know?

Some of my guns are tools, some are toys, and some are treasures. I can't help but think that pigeonholing them into one category is short sighted and far too serious for my tastes.
 
Guns are weapons, not tools. Tools are designed to perform work. Guns are designed to kill.
Except for target guns, which are designed to put small groups of holes in paper.
I'm not a fan of any finish wear on a gun, but I realize it's unrealistic to expect a finish to remain at 100% over a lifetime of carry/use.
 
Unquestionably for some, guns are... well, just tools. This is not to say that they shouldn't be taken care of, or that ordinary wear is a matter of serious concern.

But then we have collectors, that want to keep their collection in as "like new" condition as possible, and keep them stored in a safe. This seems to aggravate some, who insist that all guns, regardless of age or condition, MUST BE SHOT!!! Because THEY WERE MADE TO BE SHOT!! and if they are not they somehow suffer.

Collectors tolerate these kinds of guys because if they happen to shoot a gun with a collectable value the net affect is to make those held in perfect condition more valuable. They do question the bulb-wattage between the ears of someone who would deliberately take a firearm with a real or potential collector's value and reduce its worth by shooting it. But then, people do have the right to do dumb things...

The Old Fuff has both, and he's made enough off of the collectables to substantially support his shooting habits - which is something the "I shoot everything I own" crowd never seems to accomplish. They remain in hock to the company (gun) store forever... Incidentally my "shooters" look it, but you won't find any signs of abuse. They are indeed tools, and usually the best I can get. I have known some men that carried hardware with well worn (finish) wear who were not to be fooled with, as they were both fast and accurate.
 
Guns are tools, just like any other tool. I do like my guns to look good, although I realize that with use they will start to show it at some point. However, I'm like that with all my tools. I like to keep my tools looking good too, so I'm no different in that aspect.

Perhaps I'm weird in that aspect, but usually I'll clean my tools when I'm done using them. Obviously I don't go overboard, but I clean the grease, oil, grime, and whatever else off of them. I do the same thing with guns. I clean my guns anytime I shoot them.
 
TimboKhan and I agree.

A gun is a gun. There aren't one or two categories.
Military guns are "tools" and they get cared for when able.
Comp. guns are toys fun to play with. They are kept functional
Inherited guns
First guns
Investment guns.
Ugly guns
Pretty guns
Historic Guns
ad infinitum
Whatever makes the owner smile.

Chocolate cake? Apple pie? A piece of highly decorated wedding cake, that's been in the freezer for 18 yrs?
Whatever makes you smile.
 
They are tools, but there's nothing wrong with pride of ownership. My carry gun has some dings on it, and I try to avoid them when possible, but they are inevitable. I don't purposely drag it across concrete, but I don't expect it to stay LNIB forever.
 
Nail guns are tools too and perform a similar task, just from a lot closer. There are people who abuse them and people who take great care of them.

I used to baby my guns, because I also worked hard for the money I bought them with. I've found that if I baby my tools, I won't want to use them. I've instead taken the mindset of buying them to use them, and using them will result in having them look used. I don't abuse them mind you, just use them and also maintain them so they will continue to work. A scratch here and there isn't going to keep it from working.
 
Like everything there are levels of what people care about. My car is a tool for example. It's a 2006 Hyundai. It's paid for, and it does a job. Literally yesterday I noticed that somebody side-swipped it and took a good bit of paint off the left rear-fender (had to have happened when it was parked). My reaction was basically "Meh, that sucks. Oh well it still drives.". Now consider if that had been a carefully restored 1967 Mustang. I wouldn't have had the same reaction :).

Put simply, some tools are for just getting a job done, and as long as they function they are fine. Sometimes though a tool or a machine is more about form over function. That's fine too. Doesn't mean they don't get used, but for the most part highly custom guns, cars, or anything DO tend to be more about the aesthetics rather than function (otherwise there are far cheaper alternatives that perform the same function).
 
Of course they are. Tools are vital for livelihood. Not something u just throw around, but something you respect with an understanding you can't get the job done without them. I guess much of this depends on where and how you were raised. Like I said around here, they are tools and very special tools.
 
If you were raised a soldier you would call guns weapons, but if you were raised a farmer or rancher we call them tools. What would we need weapons for? Lol
 
Tool - A device or implement, esp. one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the definition fits for guns. I tend to be more careful with my guns and other power tools than I did things like wrenches and screwdrivers, but they are still tools.
 
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