[StainlessSteel215]

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most concerned about looks/appearance of a semi auto and 1 being more concerned about performance, dependability/accuracy....where do you fall?

I say this because in my years poking around Youtube, web forums, interacting with gun-friendly friends and even hanging at my local gunshop....Ive seen and heard so many different gun personalities over the years. Some folks can pick up a used gun with a horrible finish, chewed up grips, scratch marks and excessive holster wear etc and it DOESNT EVEN PHASE THEM. They are looking strictly at the mechanics and performance of the gun.

Me, I admittedly lean slightly towards the looks/appearance side of a gun when making a purchase and put myself at a 7. I simply couldnt live with a gun that shot straight but was butt-ugly! I can deal with minor scratches and holster wear.....but I do have my line that I wont cross based on my personal preference of its appearance. I think some pistols out there are absolutely stunning pieces of art and go beyond self defense (aka safe queens).

Now, obviously there are new guns out there that look absolutely STUNNING and give the best of both worlds in terms of performance.....but for the most part I am seeing who prefers the visual appeal of a gun over the raw performance. Its a tricky question, be honest!

[drvsafe]

I'd say about a 5 for my 1911, and a 3 for my other firearms.

Regarding my 1911, I loved the look of the all black and minimal SS accents of the SIG Nitron; it was the reason why I chose that particular model from SIG. I would have ended up with a Para or similar model also all black if I didn't get the deal I got on my SIG 1911. I have become a true die hard fan of SIGs for their quality however, not for their looks. My P229R is a bad ass pistol and it happens to look cool as well. My Beretta 84FS was purchased at the time based on price and capacity. My PWS MK114 was strictly purchased based on spec, since it's an AR they mostly all look the same anyway...

[JTJ]

Probably about a 3 or all I would have are 1911's, Hipower's and maybe a CZ. The closest thing I have to a 1911 is my Sig 238 and I shot one first. IMHO it is the best small 380 out there. I would like to shoot a 938. Lets face it, anyone who buys a Glock or XD is out for performance not beauty.

[orangello]

Originally Posted by JTJ

Lets face it, anyone who buys a Glock or XD is out for performance not beauty.

Truth, my XD45 is freakin olive drab; it was my first firearm that wasn't stainless or blued, also my first tupperware.

For me, it's about how it feels in my hand. I bought a CZ75b in the only finish they make that makes me consider having a working firearm coated. It's duoton-black slide and black plastic grips with that funky goldish finish on the rest of it. Heck, those are USM colors, gaggity gag. But it is sooooooo comfy to hold and to shoot. It was also a trade-in they let me buy for $400.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoQz3sbdQk3QANGqJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBlMT Q4cGxyBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1n?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimage s.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dcz-75b%2Bsatin%2Bnickel%26_adv_prop%3Dimage%26va%3Dcz-75b%2Bsatin%2Bnickel%26fr%3Dyfp-t-701-17%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D72&w=533&h=369&imgurl=ha mmerbackguns.com%2Fimages%2F01104.jpg&rurl=http%3A %2F%2Fhammerbackguns.com%2Findex.php%3Fmain_page%3 Dindex%26amp%3BcPath%3D49_645_646&size=24.9+KB&nam e=Semi-Auto+%3A+Hammerback+Guns%2C+Safes+%26amp%3B+Access ories&p=cz-75b+satin+nickel&oid=1f688dff2504ae97ae450527afc85 930&fr2=&fr=yfp-t-701-17&tt=Semi-Auto%2B%253A%2BHammerback%2BGuns%252C%2BSafes%2B%2 526amp%253B%2BAccessories&b=61&ni=96&no=72&ts=&tab =organic&sigr=128l3qsbv&sigb=14bfp0kck&sigi=113cek cr9&.crumb=..9dWz/1JyW
pic from teh web

Now the Bersa Thunder .380 that i had did have a beautiful flat nickel finish that i loved, and that "james bond" profile...gotta get me a replacement after Christmas.

[StainlessSteel215]

Originally Posted by JTJ

Probably about a 3 or all I would have are 1911's, Hipower's and maybe a CZ. The closest thing I have to a 1911 is my Sig 238 and I shot one first. IMHO it is the best small 380 out there. I would like to shoot a 938. Lets face it, anyone who buys a Glock or XD is out for performance not beauty.

Ehhh not quite, thats the beauty of this is that I think looks & appearance in guns are very subjective. For example, I think my Glock 26 Gen3 is far from ugly. In fact I think its a very nice looking, sleek little compact pistol.

1911's are another story in itself. The original blued Colt 1911 was plain jane and nothing spectacular but still strikes many as a beautiful gun.

[hardluk1]

None because of the appearence, only bought to fill a need. My first semi-auto was a KT pf-9 , that should be proof enough. Good for a few years till a smoother shooting pistol came along cheap. CW9 kahr. Never had a interest in a prudy handgun just practical.

[mountainskytop]

Try the looks of the Ruger P95, the Bersa Thunder9 UltraCompact Pro, of which I own and are awesome in performance and looks PLUS I intend to purchase the Bersa BP9CC also in 9mm. Check them out!!!

[locutus]

Zero. Nada.

That would be a very lame reason for selecting a weapon.

[stoppingpower]

About a 7... i dont own a high point

[Tackleberry1]

I can't put a ratio to it. It's gotta look good enough to spark interest but it also has to run perfectly to be considered.

I've see some beautiful ornate old world percussion pistols that I appreciate but have no interest in owning.

I've also seen and fired mainstays of modern reliability such as GLOCKs but I only shot them because a buddy brought his to the range and would never have touched something that ugly of my own accord.

Heartstrings are funny that way....1911's, Hi Powers, CZ's "all steel units"...

I guess you could say the gun on my hip has got to meet the same criteria as the lady on my arm...Ready to go whenever I need her and sexy enough to make the other fella's want to touch her...

Tack