Do you modify your guns strictly for functionality or appearance too?

[agksimon]

I have an M&P9c, an M&P Shield9 and an M&P22 and the only alterations on them are fiber optic sights, trigger work and a laser on the Shield. I believe that anything that will make your gun more functional is worth it to me, for carry and competition. I have never been one to paint the lettering, install laser etched rear slide covers or anything to cosmetically personalize my guns, as I consider them to be tools and not in need of cosmetic alterations. I'm curious as to whether I'm in the minority on this, or if others look at it the way I do.

 

[APS]

Carry guns get functionality upgrades where appropriate but that's it. Non-carry guns don't get embellishment. I'd rather buy ammo.

I will say that I have two identical TC Contender pistol barrels one in 22LR and one in 22WMR and you can't tell which is which without trying to read the small caliber marking. I have been tempted to put white in the lettering but haven't gotten around to it.

 

[M29since14]

They're all toys (jewelry?) until that unspeakable incident comes along when you desperately need one. Thankfully, for most of us, it will never happen. I like to make my guns work better for me, if they seem "deficient" in some area (like my aging eyes can't see the sights), but hanging "Smile - Wait for flash." stickers and/or other such foolishness on a deadly weapon has always struck me as a little...

That said, I will confess I rather like the AR dustcovers I see that have "Infidel" laser-etched on the inside face of them. I don't own any, but they do appeal to my odd sense of humor, I guess.

 

[B3500]

Guess I don't understand why the OP is concerned enough about the topic to bring it up?

No different than it is with people's daily driver. Some folks put all kinds of (sometimes very expensive) adornments in to them and others won't so much as have a bumper sticker on them. Does not change the outcome, it's still a daily driver.

One example I remember was a kid who must have really wanted a rear wing on his car so he fashioned one out of 2x4s and mounted it to the trunk of his old beater. Not my style and it did not make me think less of myself for not having one, but it did give me a laugh.

If people want to they are going to personalize their things. After all it's theirs, not yours. It's up to you if you want to do any of these things to personalize your things to your tastes, or not.

 

[RobzGuns]

I have 'painted' the serial numbers on All our firearms. Not as bling, but so we can read them easily.
My Wife & I do both have G26s, so I painted mine, so I can easily tell them apart.

Functionally... All of our pistols have remained factory stock...
Not for 'Legal' reasons, but because we would rather learn each pistol, rather than modify them.

 

[DocSunShine]

I have all mine stippled and undercut and none of that fancy pattern ****. I stipple for better purchase on the gun, no BS stippling, no coloring or anything Gucci.

 

[timn8er]

Both my Shield & my 40c have gold lettering, polished barrels, & the 40c has a stippled back strap. I don't consider this "jewelry" in any way. I really don't see why anyone cares what someone else does to to their own firearm, & it doesn't make it any less utile, or lessen the effectiveness in any way. Its just a bit of personalization.


*In the OP's original post, making changes to the appearance of a firearm was referred to as "adding jewelry", which is why its mentioned that way in my post above, which is in it's original state. That'll teach me not to qoute a post when replying to it!*

 

[tat2dchad]

Both.

i bought a gun for a reason but that doesnt meant it cant look good to.as long as the pretty doesnt effect the function...to each their own.
just like a car....you add rims,tint, etc. or clothing... or pick your topic.

it can be both at the same time. i dont care if you dont like my gun or the way it looks....lol i got 15 reasons to say its fine! ( that was a joke )

 

[agksimon]

I wasn't trying to belittle anyone here, just wanted others opinions on how far they go in altering their guns.
I changed the title and posting to reflect that.

 

[tat2dchad]

I wasn't trying to belittle anyone here, just wanted others opinions on how far they go in altering their guns.
I changed the title and posting to reflect that.

if that was in regards to my post and the "you" you was in general and not person specific

sorry if it came across that way

 

[Rastoff]

For me it's all about function over form. Nothing wrong with aesthetics, but function first. Anything that has even a remote possibility of reducing the functional reliability does not go on the gun.

 

[k31scout]

I like all black and no stipple no white lettering. If I add grip material, it's black. My sights glow green after dark, that's it. I see nothing wrong with jazzing a pistol up and it shows pride in ownership. Some people like tattoos but they're not for me either.

 

[bolson]

I like to personalize stuff, guns included, but that said function comes first. I've put TFO night sights on my shield, a ndz extension on the mag as well as an engraved rear slide plate also from ndz. The latter serves no real function other than to personalize it, but its subtle and not too blingy. I've thought about doing the letter fill thing, I think some of 'em look good, but its not really me.

 

[dajogejr]

Functionality for SD/HD. Whatever I can do to be a better and more accurate shooter, be it sights, trigger work, etc., functionality.
Obviously, more important is practice and technique...

Looking for a target only/IDPA pistol next.
It'll probably look a little prettier....

 

[steve462x0]

My guns all look stock, minus the APEX triggers, but I have not and would not have fancy machining done to them, to me that would suit no purpose. Sights are not dress up things they are functional items.

 

[Harkrader]

Check out some of Clint Smith's carry guns. *I* like 'em! Just can't afford them.

 

[Bkreutz]

Functionality only, I shoot over 50K rounds a year between practice and competition. Nobody (including me) cares what the pistols look like. It's all about points and time.

 

[Ranger98]

I have made cosmetic as well as function changes to most of mine.

 

[JasonM]

Functionality for me. Pretty is as pretty does. I've seen way too many things from guns to motorcycles and cars that have way too much time and money spent on appearance instead of making them actually work well. Perhaps it's because I'm an engineer and not in marketing that I think this, but it's pretty easy to tell if a person, vehicle or gun is "all show and no go."

 

[macdab]

Yes, both cosmetic and function upgrades on about half of them.