Are Looks Important?

[WildBill]

It's a female thing.

Looks are not important as long as they have a good personality.

[WildBill]

The flip side of that is that I despise things that are gussied up to look like something they have no hope of being — like rice rocket cars with all the ground effects body panels and a loud exhaust can, but no motor or suspension to back it up with. I like the look of a heavy barreled bolt rifle, but if it won't shoot, then it's as useless as ... well, something useless. I would rather have a light barreled rifle that shoots sub .5 MOA than a heavy barreled rifle that shoots 1.25 MOA.

If you put loud clothes, spiked high heels, excessive make-up and a garish wig on a floozy, she is still a floozy.

"It takes a lot of money to look this cheap." - Dolly Parton

[cougartex]

Looks are not important as long as they have a good personality.

[seniorshooteress]

How come some of you folks think a Glock is "ugly". I think the little bricks are rather cute.

[Dad24GreatKids]

How important is the look of a firearm to you? I won't buy a handgun that does not appeal to me in its appearance. A weapon should feel good in hand as far as fit, but it has to look good to me as well.

On a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest value, where are looks in your initial considerations?

I bought my first handgun about 15 years ago. At that time looks would have been a 3 or 4. Today looks are a 1 or 2. As many people have said, these are tools. Function & reliability are the most important things to me. If it looks good too, that's just a plus. Appearance also seems to increase the cost which isn't appealing.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Since there are so many brands/models of guns that shoot
well, I think that looks are important in the gun that you choose
to carry.

I tend to like older, squared off cars that don't have "bar of soap"
aerodynamics. I tend to like guns that are kind of "square" also.

A 1911 is a classic angular pistol that is very appealing.
I like XD's because they are kind of blocky, yet appealing.
Taurus Milleniums also have the "squarish" thing going on.

Glocks are OK-looking in the slide area, but the grips have an
unappealing angle and they look like they melted in the sun.
A G26 may be the most concealable model, but only its mother
could love its looks.

Beretta PX4 Storms are way too rounded off looking. Part of
that is intentional to avoid anything catching on
the holster or concealment garment during the draw, but it
just doesn't float my boat.

SW M & P's have kind of a homely looking grip.

The funny thing is that I have held PX4's and M & P's and they
feel very good in my hands. But the looks aren't there.

Just my 2 cents' worth.

SIA

[Beiruty]

I found my P30 to a be beauty, surely it is not a full of carvings like some $90,000 shotguns, but the finish is holding up very well with daily carry in a smartcarry.

[.45mac.40]

I like them Pretty .... and, able to dance !

XDs
Kahrs
1911s

Mac .45 >>>>>> # %%% #

[USA1]

Looks are high on the list for me with reliability coming first.

To me there's just something about a nice revolver with custom grips.

[threoh8]

I want a defensive pistol to be instantly recognizeable as such and downright ugly from the wrong end to boot. That might be just enough to stop something.

One of my favorites in that regard is my father's old Webley MkI .455. The short cylinder lets anyone around front get a good view of whatever pumpkin rollers are loaded. It LOOKS like a fighting gun and a mean one at that.

The 1911 isn't quite as menacing to my eye, but it is recognizeable. I make sure the crown is kept nice and shiny, to emphasize the size of the bore, just in case.

I won't disqualify a working gun for goofy looks. I will if it looks like a toy.

[rm9792]

Look down the 1/2" barrel of my 1911, you can actually see that 350g .50GI hollowpoint staring back. Quite menacing. unfortunately the gun is so heavy I rarely carry it.

[The Annoyed Man]

The design itself should be pleasing to the eye, sure - like a sleek 1911. Life's too short to own an ugly gun.

The looks of the finish - nope, doesn't matter to me, as long as it's still capable of protecting the steel. Gimme holster-worn park or bluing and idiot-marks galore - doesn't bother me in the slightest.

One of my favorite pics (no, not my pistol):

Now that there is a sexy pistol.

You've seen a couple of my 1911s. Not showy, but definitely having character. I'm not completely indifferent to the condition of a gun's finish, but a great trigger trumps all. Give me a 1911 with no finish left and a perfect trigger any day of the week over a perfect finish and a gritty trigger.

[Bennies]

I think glocks look good. There I said it. I know I have issues.

[USA1]

I think glocks look good. There I said it. I know I have issues.

I commend your bravery.