Is pretty a bad thing?

[fsarms]

So some may know I'm on the quest for a 9mm. All of my stuff is blued or parkerized. From a combat preparedness standpoint shiny isn't cool. But I just like SS shiny firearms. And if I can afford it why not. Are they more desirable on the resale? Do they hold value better?

 

[Byrd666]

Shiny CAN be a good thing. Particularly in a dark parking garage or alley at night to help deter a threat. I'm just not a big fan of 'em.

Some do and some don't hold here value "better". It all depends on the market, and the buyer.

 

[Sam1911]

As long as "shiny" isn't evidence of over-buffing or too aggressive polishing, it can be a fine thing if it is to your taste. ANY change to the finish can take the cost of a firearm down at resale time, and most likely will. A bad job will do so catastrophically.

I tend to use my guns pretty heavily and eventually they all seem to start to look like it. That's perfectly fine with me, and it is easier to keep a gun WORKING great than LOOKING great, if you're carrying it much and/or competing with it. To me, honest wear is "pretty."

But I'm not so much of a tactical Ted that I can't appreciate the look of a bright stainless gun or flawless blueing, or tasteful engraving, even. Just don't want it for my uses.

 

[Fremmer]

It won't matter for the average person who will keep it holstered until emergency lawful use.

And pretty is always good....

 

[TheGoldenSaber]

I'm the same way, I don't own shiny firearms. I also like the look of some of them, but they would be strictly range/emergency gun. At long range you would look like a dang disco ball lol. Look up Carlos Hathcock. He shot an enemy sniper in the eye by shooting him through his scope because he saw a scope glint. That wasn't even the finish, just the glint from the glass. That was enough to deter me from getting shiny anything that's combat related.

 

[5-SHOTS]

I don't really think a stainless steel or shiny pistol is a problem until it is holstered... When you are going to present it, it means you are already in trouble and a shiny gun is probably the last of your thoughts.

 

[Ignition Override]

Byrd666:
Your comment about a stainless gun being much more visible in a dark area confirmed what seemed to be an advantage.

A potential attacker might be deterred by a gun he quickly notices, even if it is small (?).
At first glance, does a stainless handgun appear to be larger or more powerful etc than a dark blue or black gun of the same size?

 

[Byrd666]

Though it may not appear to be "larger", it does show a would be attacker that you are now in a position to take whatever action might be necessary.

Case in point. Years ago, I had an intruder in my apartment in the middle of the night. I always slept with my Smith mod 66 2 1/2" stainless under my pillow. Though I had been sleeping very heavily, when the intruder entered the bedroom I snapped awake with my revolver in my hand. Assuming he saw the glint off the weapon from the low light coming in from the only window in the room, the intruder was out of my place before I could completely get out of bed. I never fired a round, or even got a target for that matter. He/she/it was just gone. I moved the following weekend, by the way. When I was talking to the cop later, he stated that he had had a similar situation as a young man with much the same result. And I have read about similar endings in various locales with some similar results. Just because "they" could see the intended victim had a firearm in their hand.

 

[Jim NE]

Now I kind of wished I'd got my Ruger in stainless, as black finishes wear thin from holster use. If you carry it a lot, I'd get SS.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I love shiny finishes...Get what you like and disregard everyone else's opinions and theories.

 

[benzy2]

I wouldn't buy SS as a bad guy warning in hopes they run away. I would also question if the bad guy in the situation listed above ran because they saw a glint from the moon light on a pistol from under a pillow or rather they saw movement of any kind and wanted to be gone.

Lots of people seem to suggest you brandish a firearm to scare away threats. I'm not one of those.

Now, if you like SS buy it. There are benefits and drawbacks but if looks matter, pay for the look that is most appealing. I have no issues spending money on what is most desired. If that's SS go for it.

 

[tarosean]

Not all of us like the same color cars. Just as we are not all going to like the same color guns... I've got; black, blue, chrome, SS, nickel, and bi tone, guns myself. Variety is the spice of life as they say.....

 

[Onward Allusion]

I don't like my SD guns to be "pretty". If they're pretty, then to me it's more of a range toy or collectible. I do however, like stainless guns. Maintenance on them is so much easier and one can treat 'em rougher. Get a scratch on 'em and one can buff it out pretty easily. SS also doesn't show wear as easily.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm not one to base the look of my SD weapon on whether or not, it is more visibly intimidating. I think the projectile traveling toward the bad guy produces enough of a message that I have a SD weapon, and I am willing to use it to defend myself.

As for SS firearms, I'm a big fan, especially for my daily carry weapon. But there is certainly a special beauty about a fine looking blue finish.

GS

 

[Mike J]

I have always liked the way stainless handguns look but I never had one. A few months ago I bought a Ruger 1911 that has Rugers low glare stainless finish. I like it but I don't think I would like it as well if it were really shiny

 

[Old Dog]

From a combat preparedness standpoint shiny isn't cool.

Why? Maybe while patrolling the streets of Fallujah in 2004, but seriously, where do you plan on going with a (presumably) shiny holstered and concealed pistol that you'd be in any more danger because your gun is really shiny? One would think that once a lethal force confrontation is initiated, that cat's out of the bag ... do you then become more of a target because your pistol is shiny? Is your adversary going to be shooting at your handgun, or you?

But I just like SS shiny firearms. And if I can afford it why not. Are they more desirable on the resale? Do they hold value better?

It's all about personal taste ... Resale? Stainless handguns have a finish that keeps them looking fresher, new or used, stainless steel costs a bit more. Yeah, they'll hold value more (unless you've got a fine old S&W or Colt revolver with the wonderful old bluing and it's never been fired -- those'll always fetch a premium, but finish wear certainly drives resale value down).

I don't own shiny firearms. I also like the look of some of them, but they would be strictly range/emergency gun. At long range you would look like a dang disco ball lol. Look up Carlos Hathcock. He shot an enemy sniper in the eye by shooting him through his scope because he saw a scope glint. That wasn't even the finish, just the glint from the glass. That was enough to deter me from getting shiny anything that's combat related.

Where do you guys live that you worry about the glint from your shiny handgun giving your position away to enemy snipers?

Gotta start carrying the bright nickel Series 70 .38 Super (with ivory stocks) a bit more ... All my carry 1911s are shiny, either SS or nickel. Got a beautiful Model 19 snubby in nickel, too ...

 

[Redlg155]

SS or nickel plated, especially in two tone can be nice looking weapons. This does not deter from usefulness or functionality one bit. There are extremes however, Pimp daddy gold plated desert eagles are one.

Now if you are in a "hide" and have to transition to your handgun you are already in deep doo doo, so a stainless or blued handgun really wouldn't matter anyway

 

[Ironclad]

Finish is the absolute last thing I would consider when determining the effectiveness of a firearm. Get whatever looks better to you.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

If you get a shiny gun, just be sure the sights suit you. For instance, S&W stainless guns generally have blackened sights, and the sights are easy to see. If you are buying a Ruger stainless Vaquero, the fixed, stainless sights may be very difficult to see in comparison with a blued model. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry about tactical. Concealed carry guns are rarely seen, and unless one is all camo'd up and sneaking in the grass, avoiding detection (i.e. snipers), tactical colored guns are overrated. Many duty cops carry stainless or nickel plated guns, and always have.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I'm not swayed much either way by the finish of a gun. If a certain firearm I want happens to be stainless, fine. If not also fine. That said I would love to nab an HK USP in stainless (they're somewhat uncommon).

 

[Gun Master]

Is Pretty Bad ?

Never ! Pretty is not just the outward appearance . It is preceded by knowledge, testing, and experience . Then one knows what "real" beauty is . After that, looks is not bad . Don't be fooled by a "pretty" piece of junk . Your "fun" or "life" may depend on it !

 

[TimboKhan]

Personally, I don't care for shiny pistols, period.

But if you like them, I wouldn't worry overly about the tactical value. As some others have mentioned, most sd/hd situations aren't going to be impacted in any meaningful way by a shiny gun, and it matters not at all on the range. Literally the only scenario that I could see it being a negative is the sun glaring into your eyes, but that seems like a stretch to me.

I don't abuse my guns, but I do run my pistols pretty hard. A shiny gun would turn into a scratchy ugly gun pretty darn quick in my hands.

 

[.357 magnum]

Really?

You get what you want. Believe me, Shiny, Blue, Red, Green, Pink, or Polka Dot, Is not Going to matter a Frigging Hoot!!! [Pink may be awkward, I know I could not Force myself to get a Pink Grip Gun!!!]

But Back to Reality! What really matters is the Caliber and your Choice of Defensive Ammo and How well you learn to use both! Now Carry on with REAL LIFE problems!

Merry Christmas!

Frank

 

[Zaydok Allen]

All but one of my guns are stainless. I love the look. What ever you like man. Not better or worse than blued or parkerized or anything.

 

[Gun Master]

9mm Quest

So some may know I'm on the quest for a 9mm. All of my stuff is blued or parkerized. From a combat preparedness standpoint shiny isn't cool. But I just like SS shiny firearms. And if I can afford it why not. Are they more desirable on the resale? Do they hold value better?

The answers to your three original are: Correct, yes, and yes . Merry Christmas !!!