Guns with "Soul" (or presence, or character, or personality, etc...)

[Harvey/ Ga]

I have several "soul guns". My dad's Winchester M-70 target in 30/06 and my first target gun, a Win. M-52D for starters. I've shot the M-70 for many years in the NRA matches at Camp Perry. The M-52 has fond memories of local smallbore matches that I shot and the 4-H kids that also shot it and discovered the fun of shooting.

Then there's the Mannlicher-Schoenauer M-1903 carbine in 6.5x54 that reeks of hunts long ago, and the Elk that a friend shot with it 2 years ago.

A S&W M-37 that another friend wants to sell reminds me of the steel M-36 that was my first carry gun in the late '50's. I may buy it myself

Hmmm...could not send another pic of the mannlicher..just the wrong selection of sights...

 

[Old Dog]

Pretty much how I feel about my bone-stock nickel Series 70 Gov't Model (classic, unspoiled lines, nothing extra, just pure functionality yet somehow so aesthetically stirring), my Winchester Model 70 Featherweight (deep bluing, cool fleur de lis checkering and schnabel forend, handles like an extension of my body), my S&W Model 19-4 (the balance, the beautiful finish) ...

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I have a few like that as well and it's hard to put into words for me. You did an excellent job in OP so I won't try to improve on it. It's usually at this point that I consider giving it a name.

 

[Archaic]

Whoever said Savage 99 hit it spot on. My dad has 40+ guns, I have 20+ guns, my brother probably has over 100. When dads gone, that 99 is probably the only thing my brother and I would fight over . . . I'll let him have it, eventually.

 

[BlackMagic308]

I think that "alive" feeling is why I like military surplus rifles so much, but I won't take one that has been refinished. Every ding tells a story.

 

[Quoheleth]

Smith revolvers.
Specifically, Smith N-frames.
Specifically, blue Smith N-frames.
Specifically, my Smith N-frame, 25-5.

View attachment 148920

Q

 

[CH47gunner]

Fully agree with most any older model S&W revolver.
My Pre-Model 28, 5 screw, Highway Patrolman - if she could only talk.

Bruce

 

[ojh]

Mauser C96 Broomhandle.

I know the history of the pistol, and it sends shivers down my spine. It was bought by a countryman from a German soldier during our Civil War. In WWII, it fought against the Russians and twice returned home with a fallen warrior. Over 60 years it sat quietly in a safe as a heirloom of a friend's family. Now, because of our draconian gun laws, they could not keep it any more. So a bought it, with a solemn promise that if they ever have the opportunity to legally get it back, they will.

 

[BlackMagic308]

OJH: I hope you or someone else has compiled and written down that history. That is the best part of old guns, the stories they can tell. Sometimes I wish they could talk.

 

[ExTank]

Hey Mac, nice to see you "over here."

All of my guns have "soul," at least to me, because all of mine "speak to me" on some level: aestetic (and yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and all that), performance, craftmanship, history, etc.

I look at some guns, and wonder why anyone would put that ugly sucker in their collection, but then I see or hear its owner talk about it, and just figure, "It speaks to him." Which is good enough.

 

[antiquus]

My S&W's have character - "rely on me, I can be trusted". The Walther P1 definitely does - 'I mean business'. The CZ-82 I own and the PA-63 I sold to a good friend who will cherish it definitely have it. My boyhood Model 72 is an old friend, it sits in a place of honor. 16ga shotguns have character, they were all grandpa would use and how he fed himself as a boy. The LCR my wife now owns has a young character, lively and fun, like a young friend. The LCP I bought to replace it not so much. The MK III just wants to shoot.

 

[Malamute]

Is this sort of what you meant?

 

[utahvaughn]

guns with soul

Thank you my friends.I never knew anyone who felt the way I do about a faithful honest firearm.

 

[doc2rn]

All of my old snake guns from the diamondback to the python, yup the action is so smooth I have only ever owned one like them, a S&W model 10.

 

[CraigC]

To be honest, I've probably culled most of the guns I felt were soul-less. I keep a Springfield XD in the truck and carry a S&W Bodyguard .380 'because' they're soul-less tools but that's about it.

 

[dagger dog]

If guns could talk what a tale they could tell , I have a couple that I could set down and listen to for hours on end.

It would be like the 13 year old grandson listening to his 93 year old grandfathers stories!

 

[chris in va]

No doubt, my SA Garand. Mine came with all these divots in the stock, found out later it's where the soldier would pound the rounds into the clip before loading.

 

[woerm]

.32 1903

Blued with 'Ivory' grips.

Sort of feels like you'd be at home on the Serengeti or at the door to a speakeasy.

It feels at home in the hand.

woerm