Stupid question - What is a pretty gun?

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Pretty guns is indeed a subjective matter.

I hold Glocks as 'ugly'. I find them ugly because they are boxy, seem to be stamped out of other things, have too many corners and edges and when held, feel like a small section of furring rather than a pistol. Others find them beautiful because they function well.

I find (older) Smith & Wesson revolvers beautiful. The lines are smooth and flowing from muzzle to butt. They are machined from steel and fitted together to perfection. They are graceful and have 'soul' as well as engineering. And they function well.

The M1903 Springfield has graceful and flowing lines, much more so than the M1917 Eddystone. The Springfield is a bit more accurate, where the Eddystone is stronger and probably able to endure more mistreatment.

To me, good looking revolvers and classic 1911 pistols are reminiscent of Jaguars; Glocks and SIGs remined me of Jeeps.

Most agree the Luger is a classic, good looking sidearm. The Broomhandle Mauser is less universally accepted as nice looking. The Python is always an impressive looking revolver, and most everyone things the Colt SAA is gorgeous.

However, you will have the finer decisions for yourself. This is America!
 
Webley and Enfield revolvers. :D

Well-figured wood. Deep bluing. Kept clean. Minimum of "embellishment"-- I've never liked unnecessary engraving, gold plating, brass on the outside of the gun (unless it's a Henry or somesuch), ivory or horn or whatever.

Then again, well-used (yet internally sound) guns that have holster wear or other finish missing, dinged and stocks, slightly bent sling retainers, bluing that's turned to a warm brown patina, and capable of 1 MOA offhand... there is beauty as well.

I guess, then, that what I'm trying to say is a pretty gun is a Swede Mauser. Stunning quality, frighteningly accurate (I'm better with a Swede thatn I am my AR-15), and absolutely gorgeous.
 
I love Glocks, but there's no denyin that they're ugly. My 26 is certainly ugly. Maybe extra ugly cuz it's small. In fact, my H&K USP45C is also butt-ugly. Doesn't change the fact that it's a great gun. And my KelTec P32? Ugly little sucker. Now, pretty would be a well done 1911. Even the ugliest of the 1911s (Llamas, early SAs) are prettier than the above. Colt Gold Cups and Kimber CDPs are quite gorgeous!

Other "pretty" guns are:

Colt Python
Original Ruger Redhawk
Weatherby Mark V
Ruger Red Label
Ruger KMK-512
FAL with wood furniture (Oh yes it is!)
Dan Wesson revolvers
T/C Contenders (wood furniture)

Certainly not a complete list, just a few.:D
 
I think it has a lot to do with how old you are, and what you grew up admiring.

I think the Thompson-Center Contender pistol is an exceptionally good looking gun, BUT I also think that Glocks look better than 1911's, and that AR's and well-put-together AK's look better than Ruger No. 1's and most bolt rifles. I also think a Volvo S40T5 with the sport package or a nicely done CTS-V looks better than any classic musclecar, the current Dodge Charger in R/T or SRT trim looks better than the '66-'74 Chargers I've seen, and the current Shelby Mustangs look better than the original.

Ducking and running for cover... :D
 
I agree with Ben. My grandfather had his WWII 1911 nickel plated to make it look better... That was in the 50's. I grew up around autos and grew to like Glocks. I actually think they look great.

As for a pretty gun... I guess I don't own any. If it shiny, I am not usually interested.

I saw a post on here a couple of months ago of a true pretty gun. It was a Taurus PT92 with gold accents... actually... see if this works:

http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=8&category=Pistol

That would be a pretty gun....
 
It's the build quality. the fit and finish.
Anything that is made with old style craftmanship, like beautiful gloss bluing, damascus steel or rust bluing.
A gun you would always be carful of, to admire its qualities and have it act as a reason for you to study the heritage of design and history of its use.
Something that you would never cease to enjoy just looking at.
Something you could imagine handing down to another generation, knowing that it would be always protected from the elements and wear, by its owner.
When I visited the NRA museum I could have stayed all day looking at the old flintlocks. I felt like the person who's job it is to restore and take care of all those historical pieces was one of the lucky people of the world.
 
Well said Boomerang. For me, it's the older S&W's and pythons. Exceptional design, style and craftsmanship. There's something about a deep blued revolver that gets me every time I see one.
 
The Mauser C96:

C96-5_.jpg


The coolest looking pistol, ever.
 
I have to say that my definition of "ugly" or "pretty" partly depends on how ergonomic a firearm is, PLUS how well it works. By that standard, both a Vickers MG and a Glock is fairly pretty; they're both accurate, easy to use, and stone-cold reliable.
 
Polished blue, a touch of brass, nice wood.

Here's what I said about my 1858 Remington on one of our threads recently:

Dam fool that I am, I couldn't resist buying the gun because of its Siren-like song and its Helen-like beauty and its Loren-like body.
Click to expand...

And I don't have a single practical use for it. Not a one.

[homervoice]
Hmmmmmmm...... Remingtonnnn.... argle argle argle...
[/homervoice]
 
I quite like some of the choices nominated, but to me none of them qualifies as "pretty" - well-designed (some of them) and possibly elegant, but not pretty.

This is what I call a pretty gun - in fact most of what this bloke Peter Hofer makes would qualify:

hw_cont.m53p12i2.jpg

hw_cont.m53p12i1.jpg

hw_cont.m53p12i9.jpg
 
In addition to Clipper's choices I would choose the following:

Colt Python
S&W Model 10 4 inch barrel (pencil or heavy)
S&W Model 686
Remington 870 Wingmaster
Benelli Montefeltro
 
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. that being said. I find that a nicely figured wood stock and a blue job so deep and rich that it looks as if you could see threw it are real beauty in a firearm. all one color or flat black or blue are ugly to me. Craftsmanship is another part in beauty or a firearm. Look at any H & H double and you have to admit they are beyond good looking. fit and finish are more things on the top list of what makes a good looking firearm. Just because it is engraved does not make it look good. Take a look at this engraving job and tell me that looks good.

pix1191190096.gif

pix1191190049.gif

pix1191190018.gif

pix1191189924.gif
 
Pretty guns to me mean beautifully engraved side-by-side and O/U shotguns.
Some rifles are awfully good looking, also, like some of the gold engraved Henrys, most Marlin 336's and Remington 700 CDL's.
In pistols I like the looks of (but not necessarily the shooting of) the 1911's and ruger G100's.
 
Though I don't have one currently the prettiest rifle is the Winchester Model 70 Featherlight.

But like most things, people pick their weapon of choice first then declare them pretty afterwards!
 
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