Why the Bling?

[SharpsDressedMan]

It makes me smile that there even exists a philosophy that ornate firearms belong in "museum" like environments. Why would you need to even differentiate between a subdued, "combat" finished weapon and a high polish, ornate weapon, when both are being carried concealed? You don't take them out until you NEED to (or for conversation at the gun range, etc), so what's the problem? They both look the same under a concealing garment. I suppose George Patton didn't know too much about needing to keep his guns simple. Old Blood & Guts understood that you only live once; flaunt it!

 

[Eightball]

It's a personal taste thing. There's certainly a difference between "tasteful" and well-done engraving (and/or gold inlay) and "overboard." Percentage of surface area applied, materials, coloring, styling, level of inlay, etc, all make a difference.

For example: To me, this is both a well-tuned machine, and work of craftsmanship and art (a S&W Schofield No. 3 for sale from S&W's Performance Center, not mine):

As nice as it is, I would still carry it around in a suitable holster. To me, a gun is a tool, but there's no reason that a tool can't bear a bit of "personal expression" on it, or to make something "one of a kind." Or simply to make something special if the firearm was a "celebratory" piece, i.e. a gift upon graduating college, getting married, etc.

That being said, I hate 100% gold-plated, engraved firearms

 

[UglyAllDay]

Well if money permitted it I can see no issue with decking out your firearm. To many people it's a point of pride, and if they want to spend the money on the firearm industry more power to them. I have never heard anyone say the bullet was less effective coming out of a prettied up pistol. If it's serving it's purpose and you can use it effectively do what you want with it.

 

[Big Russ]

I'd have to mirror the same thing Eightball said, I love tasteful engravings and inlays that reflect the classic firearms but all this ghetto pimped stuff? I'll just say it's not my style but to each his own.

 

[Mr.Davis]

A number of people have mentioned "barbecue guns" in this thread - would someone fill me in? First gen gunowner here, so I'm assuming it's just a hole in my gun common sense.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

It's better that you search THR with the word "barbecue", and you will see lots of nice pictures of barbecue guns and holsters.

 

[nulfisin]

The anniversary additions don't cost a nickel extra, at least where I've seen them (CDNN). In fact, they're going for a bit less than the standard Ruger Blackhawks. My anniversary additional .44 shoots like a charm. Y'all can pay extra for the plain version if that floats your boat.

 

[powwowell]

Browningguy. did you really say "cause I feel pretty when I'm wearing it"?

devildog4329, that's what he said. He wears it to "barbecues and formal dinners".

 

[mcdonl]

I agree with sharpdressed man... right now, I could care less what the things look like. I like them to function. I also wear a timex watch. Maybe someday I will care what a gun looks like, but for now they are a passtime, a way to amuse myself. It is just a bonus that they also come in handy as a self defense tool. A big bonus.

Now, all of that being said.... the guns in this thread are very nice and I would love to see them in person, and hear all about them. Very nice indeed.

In the mean time, I will just shoot my cheap, ugly guns.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I'm with Nulfisin on the anniversary Blackhawk. Not only is is a BEAUTIFUL piece of machinery in general, given the fact that Ruger has finally put the warning under the barrel (like Cimarron/Uberti), but the little gold rub in the anniversary marking on the top does't detract for me. This new .44 flat top is shorter, lighter, handier, and better balanced than the Super Blackhawk. It's nice to have a choice from Ruger on these features. I also like the aesthetics of the fluted cylinder.

 

[Ky Larry]

When I see pimped out guns like the tiger striped one, I'm reminded that money does not buy class. I seem to recall a man who bought a beautiful estate home in Beverly Hills and painted it lime green. There's just no accounting for taste.(Or a lack thee of.)

 

[ChefKristian]

You know you want this gun... Notice the weight balancing gold tassel on the grip... The Leopard print is for concealment... This technique was borrow from nature, leopard are perfect hunters you know...And the gold chain strap...

 

[sniper5]

I like nicely engraved scenes on a true collector's piece. However most engraving is not that well done, and not put on really fine arms. And when you do find nice artwork, it's generally unaffordable to the average person. Usually many thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.

 

[TimM]

BBQ Gun

Mr.Davis, Read this link for an explanation on BBQ guns.

http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2006/03/court-guns-and-bbq-guns.html

 

[Isher]

Yes Virginia -

http://www.engravingarts.com/gallery_firearm_engraving.html

There is a very distinct difference between gun bling,

A pimped gun,

A bubba'd gun,

And a work of art. Whether engraved or not.


isher

 

[billsnogo]

If people view guns as just tools, then do they view cars the same way and drive either a yugo or smart car?
I rather drive something nicer looking, and would like to own some guns with some gold accents, or better yet, stainless guns . Or why not just buy a hi-point? It goes bang, no gold accents, stainless or engraving
to each there own....

ps,
if looks should not be important in life, then why do most men like the pretty ladys over the ones that took a beating from the ugly stick.

pss
that DE tiger stripe is way over the edge even for me......

bill (likes simple, but sometimes wants something a little more)

 

[Zip7]

Bling is not just for self defense. Bling is also for plinking.

 

[Backpacker33]

This qualifies as an answer satisfactory to me, and as my best purchase of 2009.

The revolver is a S&W 650. The barrel is marked for .22 M.R.F. Ctg., and it came with a second cylinder for .22 L.R.

The extensive engraving was done by Burt Brooks of Marshfield WI. I've communicated with him to verify it and will be adding a letter from him.

It came with box and tools.

And I paid (brace yourselves) $650 for it. I checked auction prices - "sold" prices. Ones with only one cylinder sold for $650 and up. With two, as much as $1200 and up. None had any engraving. The seller said he shot it, but it must have been a rare event because there's hardly a mark or discoloration on it. Engraving continues around the trigger guard, under the barrel and the bottom of the backstrap.

Check the pix and eat your hearts out. Oh, and "yes," I do shoot it. I don't own a museum.
Backpacker

 

[WaMason]

Im going to step on some toes here, but I almost bought a Taurus Raging Bull, they had one at the local shop for 600, but I couldn't get over the finish on it, and the HUGE logo...

 

[Elvishead]

Why the Bling?

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After hearing about the 50th Anniversary Ruger Blackhawk I was seriously considering purchasing one (or two). That is until I saw the gold stamped lettering on the gun. I love good engraving but just as soon as someone pimps a gun with gold it makes me want to puke.

What is it that makes this bling so appealing to people? I think it really cheapens the look of a gun. This one also makes me angry because a revolver that I would otherwise love, now I can't stand to look at it.

Am I the only one that feels this way?

I don't know, but do you like Big Dog* motorcycles?

Living on a farm, I think kind of like you but not as bad. But I could see my self putting a Roll Royce hood simble on a tractor just to be funny.

 

[boatmanschneider]

I just bought a 50th ann. Blackhawk in .357 and barely even noticed the gold. Nothing a little stove black won't fix.

I prefer plain and simple guns, and that blackhawk fits like a glove and hits where I want.

 

[NMGonzo]

because it makes me smile

 

[BMF500]

This is NOT my gun!!!


I wouldn't be caught dead with this gun, but it is hilarious. This is just like the gun I saw in a pawn shop a few years ago that a bunch of people were drooling over. Meanwhile, just across from the gold tiger striped "deagle" was a S&W Model 14-4 in like-new condition for $330 that the owner said had been ignored for 6+ months; I did give it a home .

Well, you know what they say about beauty being in the eyes of the beholder. No offense to those on THR that might own a gun like this, but my eyes tell me that this thing is fugly! The only thing missing is the pearl grip panels.

I wouldn't consider the gold a the 50th blackhawk to be "Bling". Now that tiger stripe DE is Bling-Bling to the max! Hood Ninja!

 

[jad0110]

I wouldn't consider the gold a the 50th blackhawk to be "Bling". Now that tiger stripe DE is Bling-Bling to the max! Hood Ninja!

Funny thing, I saw another one at a gunshow a couple of weeks ago. Most people took one look at it, rolled their eyes and shook their head.

It actually looks a lot worse in person. The sheer size of the gun, plus the obnoxious color scheme is just pure sensory overload. The kind of thing that makes people puke in their mouth a little bit.

Pimptastic!

 

[Quiet]

I'm contemplating on the 75th Anniversary Browning High Power. Not sure if I want to spend the $$$$ for it.

The non-bling version (the one i'm considering)

The bling version (too much bling for me)