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Gun Changes in the Last 50 Years

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  • Appearance of Guns

    • Classic blued finish and wood grain stock

      Votes: 22 81.5%
    • New style pistols with stuff hanging off everywhere

      Votes: 2 7.4%
    • New style rifles, Star Wars look-a-likes

      Votes: 3 11.1%

    • Total voters
      27

    m5215

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    Sep 3, 2018
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    People that like beautiful wood and blue steel are slowly fading away. The beautifully blued revolvers from Colt and Smith & Wesson of the 1960's-1980's are something to see. Us old guys like the classic and beautiful guns. Today's market is for tactical fantastic plastic guns. Yes, I have plastic guns and like them a lot. I've said it before and it was misunderstood by some but, there is no pride of ownership in these new plastic guns.

    A new Corvette is superior in every way to a 1967 Corvette. But the 1967 will bring about 3 times the cost of the new one. Why? Because there are still a few people out there that appreciate the design and workmanship that went into the old and outdated things we used to be able to buy.

    I hear ya on all that. Several things surprise me concerning the changes (and lack of change) concerning firearms over the years...

    The popularity of plastic... Kudos to glocks marketing machine years ago that somehow convinced a lot of people that plastic was better than metal. After buying a glock and then selling it shortly thereafter I am still trying to figure out what is great about plastic other then firearm manufacturers having a higher profit margin on them because plastic is cheaper than metal.

    The popularity of the 1911... A very old design which (in my opinion) was inferior to Brownings own Hi-Power which is what I replaced my 1911 with, which in turn was inferior (in my opinion) to the Beretta 92FS, CZ-75, and SIG P226 which I replaced the Hi-Power with. I never heard a clear explanation on what warrants all the special interest in the 1911. If I recall my history correctly John Browning himself was not very happy with the 1911 design or the .45 ACP round either.
    Capitol Armory ad
     
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    45tex

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    I like to use my guns. While I still like old school blueing & pretty wood the new guns take use better.
    When was the last time anybody fawned over a Gen1 Glock? Never, its stuck in the drawer with a bunch of plastic holsters that don't work well.
    I know someone will dig one out now and claim its as great as a 1911 made 1911. But you will still be wrong.
     

    Texasgordo

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    May 15, 2008
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    I'm not too crazy about blued guns and wood stocks. There are a few in my safe but I prefer a stainless pistol or revolver plus a scary black rifle.



    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
     

    Maverick44

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    If we're going by appearance, old blued guns with checkered walnut stocks/grips are hard to beat. Guns like the 1911 or the S&W 29 are gorgeous, and are still some of the most beautiful guns out there. Classic custom Mausers and beautiful made SXSs fall into the category as well. They have a certain spirit to them. They're more than just tools, they have character and a story to tell. There will always be room in my safe for blued steel and wood.

    What the modern era has given us are guns focused more on function than anything else. The budget bolt actions can outshoot most old guns by a considerable margin, the handgun are more reliable, lighter, and hold more ammo, and the kind of the modern guns, the AR-15 is customizable to an obscene level. Modern guns are the best tools available to us. There will always be room for them in my safe too.

    It doesn't have to be an either or thing. I'll carry the new stuff and trust my life to it, and I'll shoot the old stuff and put holes in target or meat on the table. Today, you have more choices in guns than at any other point in history.
     

    benenglish

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    I never heard a clear explanation on what warrants all the special interest in the 1911.
    I've shot enough 1911s and been instructed in 1911-focused classes enough times so that, even though I don't own one, I recognize that the design has certain ergonomic advantages. It requires adaptation but if you commit to it, it works with the anatomy of the human hand in a remarkably repeatable fashion.

    That's the reason I'll buy one someday. It's a nearly perfect offhand target pistol for any cartridge that kicks more than a .22.

    Of course, if someone were to give me a SIG P240 in .38 before I get a 1911, I doubt I'd ever bother with the 1911. :)

    How's that for some appreciation for old-school tech?
     

    zackmars

    Free 1911 refinishing
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    I'd wager if the gun industry went back 50 years, the people who want to have that again, would not be very happy once they realize how good it is now.
     

    bgw45

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    I can remember how great it was to get an old Rem 700 to sub moa at a 100 yards. Several off the shelf rifles shoot .6 moa at 500 yrds and beyond.

    To me it's function over form. I'm an old f@%t but I'll take the new stuff.
     

    45tex

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    I'd wager if the gun industry went back 50 years, the people who want to have that again, would not be very happy once they realize how good it is now.
    50 years ago was pre-wonder nine. The fine old days when whatever you paid for your Colt 1911, you had to double the price if you wanted it to shoot anything but military ball ammo
     

    zackmars

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    50 years ago was pre-wonder nine. The fine old days when whatever you paid for your Colt 1911, you had to double the price if you wanted it to shoot anything but military ball ammo

    Yup. The AWB really kicked the 1911 industry into high gear. Custom work started to be implemented in production guns


    The AWB really changed the gun industry. Overnight nearly everyone wanted an ar15 and a high capacity modern pistol since the government said they shouldn't be able to have one.
     

    Geezer

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    Yup. The AWB really kicked the 1911 industry into high gear. Custom work started to be implemented in production guns


    The AWB really changed the gun industry. Overnight nearly everyone wanted an ar15 and a high capacity modern pistol since the government said they shouldn't be able to have one.
    The greatest marketing and selling tool ever devised, tell them that they can't have it.
     

    oldag

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    The popularity of the 1911... A very old design which (in my opinion) was inferior to Brownings own Hi-Power which is what I replaced my 1911 with, which in turn was inferior (in my opinion) to the Beretta 92FS, CZ-75, and SIG P226 which I replaced the Hi-Power with. I never heard a clear explanation on what warrants all the special interest in the 1911. If I recall my history correctly John Browning himself was not very happy with the 1911 design or the .45 ACP round either.
    The 1911 remains popular because over many decades it has proven to be reliable and sturdy. The 1911 has a natural aim, which personally I have never found in a tupperware gun (others may feel differently). And the .45 ACP has also proven to be an effective round.
     

    oldag

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    In a non-AR rifle, I vastly prefer blued finish and wood stocks. To my eyes, the synthetic stocks are ugly.

    I view the AR rifles as purely functional and just accept that the stocks are ugly.
     

    TheMailMan

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    The 1911 remains popular because over many decades it has proven to be reliable and sturdy. The 1911 has a natural aim, which personally I have never found in a tupperware gun (others may feel differently). And the .45 ACP has also proven to be an effective round.

    Plus, your dog can chew on it and it still works, and if all else fails you can beat someone to death with it.
     

    benenglish

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    In a non-AR rifle, I vastly prefer blued finish and wood stocks. To my eyes, the synthetic stocks are ugly.
    I disagree. There are plenty of non-AR synthetic stocks that aren't ugly. Some are quite striking.

    gettyimages-9153161722.jpg
     

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    mortdooley

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    Jul 25, 2008
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    I have an AR because it is a light recoiling rifle shooting ammo that is cheaper to buy and reload than full power hunting rounds. The plastic guns are more utility than style and I have some strictly because they fill a defensive role. The light rail is a major selling point for them. When I manage to go to Gun Shows I am looking for older, discontinued firearms that I like, I generally don't give the new stuff much of my attention.
     

    m5215

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    The 1911 remains popular because over many decades it has proven to be reliable and sturdy. The 1911 has a natural aim, which personally I have never found in a tupperware gun (others may feel differently).

    Would the Hi-Power not also match this description?
     

    grumper

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    Lots of designs from the past 50 years are classics in their own right. AK, HK roller locks, P210, Uzi, Sterling, Lugers, etc... Those are considered antique designs and classics now.

    The elmer fudd wood and steel guns pre-dating those aren't old school, they are methuselah guns.
     

    Glenn B

    Retired & Loving It
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    I disagree. There are plenty of non-AR synthetic stocks that aren't ugly. Some are quite striking.

    View attachment 184400
    Do you mean the shooter or the rifle as not being ugly? As they say there is no accounting for taste; I guess everyone has a different taste even in rifle stocks. Now don't get me wrong, while I would prefer a really nice walnut stock, the rifle in that pic might be an excellent piece and I might not mind having one or something similar. It's just that a bright red stock is not my thing - zombie apocalypse green maybe but just not bright red with what I am guessing is supposed to be a snow leopard scene on it.
     
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