It seems that the era of the “neat gun” is over. Today, guns made by regular gun companies are all business. Even some of the single action .22’s are cerakoted these days! That may be great for profit margin and market share, but does anyone really look at such a gun and picture handing it down to their grandkids? Or coveting one 20 years after they stop making it?
When I was young, there were many neat guns on the market, mostly made a few years before I was born, and still readily available. Some were still being made while I was growing up as well. They weren’t the latest and greatest, but they had an appeal that transcended mere function. Guns like the Beretta 70, 71, 85, and 86. The Colt Detective Special, Woodsman and New Frontier .22LR. Smith and Wesson Bodyguards (the real one) and Kit guns. Ruger MKI, MKII, Security Six, and Speed Six. The great Browning 1903. Even the Soviet Nagant revolver. There are many more but you get the idea.
I know what you are saying, “Those guns aren’t “neat”, they are just earlier versions of what are now more refined guns.” Yeah, they weren’t all perfect. And yes, some were made obsolete in some ways by the stuff that replaced them. Nonetheless, those guns had the feel of an older generation, some with blue steel and wood stocks before plastic and high-tech coatings took over completely. Some weren’t the easiest to take down and clean, you had to actually work with them a bit and learn their idiosyncrasies.
Some old soul gun owners still look for and cherish these types of guns. I like them and use them but I admit, I don’t usually carry them. I certainly could though and they would do their job. In the years to come, do you think the next generation of gun owners will feel the same about the polymer wonders that we all use today? Will people seek them out as fun guns to cherish and manipulate? Take them on hunts with their kids? Hard for me to see that happening, but I guess we will find out.
I think the neat gun niche has simply changed to the “neat and expensive” niche. Look at the Alien and some of the custom guns coming out of Europe. Made in smaller batches, for exclusive clientele, or at least aimed that way. Or the TT line of modded guns and similar. Probably the only major player left doing sort of neat guns is SIG, but it seems to be almost a running joke with what their idea of neat is.
You may be right. I’ve never handles an Alien, but time will tell. I do think think that reasonable prices are essential, otherwise they won’t gain widespread acceptance. The Manurhin revolvers are a good example, I think. very neat, but too expensive to be widespread popular.
I think HK is the only exception to this rule- I still find the USP and P30L for instance gorgeous and heirloom guns, but I mostly agree. I sorely miss when S&W made semi-auto metal framed guns. Innovation comes with risk, and we live in the most risk-averse era in American history
No doubt! I love the USP and the P30, but the P2000 has really impressed me lately. Thanks for the comment!
I’m a fairly young guy, but many of the new designs simply don’t interest. The plastic guns certainly are high quality, reliable, accurate, but I’ve yet to find one that elicits the same feelings of joy and pride of ownership of an old, heavy steel gun.
I agree, though I have to admit that pride of ownership has usually escaped me regardless, probably a personality defect of mine. My weakness seems to be guns that have high build quality, but often not as great performers as some of the newer stuff, lol. I had a Beretta 87BB early on in my life and boy I wish I had that back. It didn’t shoot well though, and spit powder at you regularly, lol.