Art, or a tool

turner · 04-14-2008, 08:45 PM

People have many reasons for buying and enjoying rifles. Some like to shoot them, some like to look at them. Some use them as tools to hunt with and some buy them to admire the way they look. I have a deep rooted interest in rifles, particularly, big game rifles. And, I'm curious to know what some of you all think about them. Are they tools with which to shoot VERY small groups in far away targets or with which to harvest game animals?.... Are they specifically selected artifacts that we also use to pursue our inborn desire to hunt, or perhaps pieces of art so dramatically and intricately built that we can only preserve them in a manner that they may not be damaged.
I'll admit to being someone who enjoys the way a rifle looks...as much as how it performs in a certain hunting scenario. I do have a special place for "pretty" rifles, but understand completely that this is NOT "why" or "what" rifles were meant to be, period.
There are no wrong answers here, only info for those of us who care to know how others enjoy those very special things we do as well....RIFLES!!

Thanks.

genwinters · 04-14-2008, 08:56 PM

both, the use of the tool is an art form in my opinion

SwedeSteve · 04-14-2008, 08:57 PM

I love well built, beautiful rifles! They are an art form to me. I have shot every rifle I have owned, and repect them as being a wonderfully ingenious tool in the correct hands. Rifles can be both, as can be most weapons in my opinion. Form vs.Function.

Magnumsrule · 04-14-2008, 09:06 PM

I would think of them as tools first and art formes second. Mainly becuase unless you had money to burn you would not just buy a rifel for the stock.

Sins-of-Mosin · 04-14-2008, 09:48 PM

Tool then you can always pretty them up into art.

billy · 04-14-2008, 10:01 PM

well built machinery has a beauty the maker never intended.
some firearms makers use materials and techniques to enhance that quality.
others use the decorative arts as an end unto itself.

Windwalker · 04-14-2008, 10:06 PM

I would consider them a tool first but I enjoy looking at beautiful weapons.

rdale501 · 04-14-2008, 10:34 PM

Well built and beautiful.......art or tool.......everyone is going to have a personal view. You use it for what you bought it for........it is yours.

elmer fudd · 04-14-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turner

People have many reasons for buying and enjoying rifles. Some like to shoot them, some like to look at them. Some use them as tools to hunt with and some buy them to admire the way they look. I have a deep rooted interest in rifles, particularly, big game rifles. And, I'm curious to know what some of you all think about them. Are they tools with which to shoot VERY small groups in far away targets or with which to harvest game animals?.... Are they specifically selected artifacts that we also use to pursue our inborn desire to hunt, or perhaps pieces of art so dramatically and intricately built that we can only preserve them in a manner that they may not be damaged.
I'll admit to being someone who enjoys the way a rifle looks...as much as how it performs in a certain hunting scenario. I do have a special place for "pretty" rifles, but understand completely that this is NOT "why" or "what" rifles were meant to be, period.
There are no wrong answers here, only info for those of us who care to know how others enjoy those very special things we do as well....RIFLES!!

Thanks.

Wow thats a deep paragraph. i think they are a tool to get food!

rdale501 · 04-14-2008, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmer fudd

Wow thats a deep paragraph. i think they are a tool to get food!

Now thats food for thought.

Ferroflame · 04-14-2008, 11:27 PM

I look at rifles as a combination of human inginuity (sorry for spelling!), and historic landmarks...

I say historic lands marks because to me, it really marks when man came out of our primative ways and became much more civilized...

With the discovery and mass use of gunpowder, we eventually came out of the Dark Ages and into the Renassance, which was, in my oppionion, the most civilized period in our entire history.

I also say Historic Landmarks because with each rifle comes a unique story behind it. A history. It serves as a reminder that things don't just apear for the sake of being there. Every gun has it's use. From the .22 Short to the .50 BMG, there's a purpose. No gun is useless.

And that's where my brain stops.

>_< It's Midnight...

I'm tired...

I'm Hungry.

Ask Billy for something really deep. I'm too sleepy.

billy · 04-14-2008, 11:30 PM

im eatin cake leemee alone....

Ferroflame · 04-14-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy

im eatin cake leemee alone....

I knew you'd have my back bro...

Goodnight. Maybe my SKS will magically fix itself in the morning...

mitch_mckee · 04-14-2008, 11:34 PM

I consider shooting to be a martial art. I consider it an extension of my mind, body, and will.

lefty o · 04-15-2008, 12:25 AM

i love a pretty gun, but if it wont shoot, its a turd.

rdale501 · 04-15-2008, 12:55 PM

I consider shooting to me mathmatical. It is geometry in motion.

meatloaf · 04-17-2008, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch_mckee

I consider shooting to be a martial art. I consider it an extension of my mind, body, and will.

Hey mitch are you a martial artist? I feel the same about shooting. Some guns are art some are tools and some times the art is in the way the tool is used.

ghost_raven · 04-17-2008, 02:11 AM

I think meatloaf said it very well.

The reason a person picks a rifle has to do with self-image and with personal interests. I personally have a liking for military rifles, partially because of the history many of them carry, and partially because of propaganda others use against them backfiring and making me more interested... lol. For me, I mostly just like to target shoot. I'm not morally against hunting, but I feel no particular need to since I live in a big city with grocery stores all around. I like how guns feel in my hands and the kick when I fire one. I guess it's a little bit of an adrenaline thing. On that same note, I try to select guns that would be functional in real life situations... or SHTF situations... as well as being fun and fitting my "image."

mitch_mckee · 04-17-2008, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meatloaf

Hey mitch are you a martial artist? I feel the same about shooting. Some guns are art some are tools and some times the art is in the way the tool is used.

Yes. A weapon is just a tool, like a paintbrush, until an artist takes it.

It's the artist, not the tool that makes the art.

GlockMeister · 04-17-2008, 02:39 AM

I'd have to say both art and a tool. Tool wise, you can obviously use it to protect yourself. As for art, it is drawn and designed before it is made. They have beautiful curves to/on them. Some even have beautiful colors on/in them. They can be customized, color wise to be an extension of the owners personality.

Even the other aspects of a gun has art form to it, in my book. Take the reloading side of it. Finding the right mixture is and of itself an art form. lol

04-14-2008, 08:45 PM	#1
turner Banned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tn Posts: 623	Art, or a tool People have many reasons for buying and enjoying rifles. Some like to shoot them, some like to look at them. Some use them as tools to hunt with and some buy them to admire the way they look. I have a deep rooted interest in rifles, particularly, big game rifles. And, I'm curious to know what some of you all think about them. Are they tools with which to shoot VERY small groups in far away targets or with which to harvest game animals?.... Are they specifically selected artifacts that we also use to pursue our inborn desire to hunt, or perhaps pieces of art so dramatically and intricately built that we can only preserve them in a manner that they may not be damaged. I'll admit to being someone who enjoys the way a rifle looks...as much as how it performs in a certain hunting scenario. I do have a special place for "pretty" rifles, but understand completely that this is NOT "why" or "what" rifles were meant to be, period. *There are no wrong answers here, only info for those of us who care to know how others enjoy those very special things we do as well....RIFLES!!* *Thanks.*

04-14-2008, 08:57 PM	#3
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 12,116 Images: 1	I love well built, beautiful rifles! They are an art form to me. I have shot every rifle I have owned, and repect them as being a wonderfully ingenious tool in the correct hands. Rifles can be both, as can be most weapons in my opinion. Form vs.Function. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

04-14-2008, 09:06 PM	#4
Magnumsrule Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 601 Blog Entries: 2	I would think of them as tools first and art formes second. Mainly becuase unless you had money to burn you would not just buy a rifel for the stock. __________________ Cartridge Group Like to discuss cartridges? Join HERE!

04-14-2008, 09:48 PM	#5
Sins-of-Mosin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: IL Posts: 194 Blog Entries: 3	Tool then you can always pretty them up into art. __________________ Leave me alone I am not an angel yet. [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g3...13/themets.png

04-14-2008, 10:01 PM	#6
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 13,846 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 154	well built machinery has a beauty the maker never intended. some firearms makers use materials and techniques to enhance that quality. others use the decorative arts as an end unto itself. __________________

04-14-2008, 08:56 PM	#2
genwinters Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Plymouth, MI Posts: 310	both, the use of the tool is an art form in my opinion

04-14-2008, 10:06 PM	#7
Windwalker Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 3,926	I would consider them a tool first but I enjoy looking at beautiful weapons. __________________ America: Love it and protect it or leave it

04-14-2008, 10:34 PM	#8
rdale501 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 409	Well built and beautiful.......art or tool.......everyone is going to have a personal view. You use it for what you bought it for........it is yours.

04-14-2008, 11:27 PM	#11
Ferroflame Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 427	I look at rifles as a combination of human inginuity (sorry for spelling!), and historic landmarks... I say historic lands marks because to me, it really marks when man came out of our primative ways and became much more civilized... With the discovery and mass use of gunpowder, we eventually came out of the Dark Ages and into the Renassance, which was, in my oppionion, the most civilized period in our entire history. I also say Historic Landmarks because with each rifle comes a unique story behind it. A history. It serves as a reminder that things don't just apear for the sake of being there. Every gun has it's use. From the .22 Short to the .50 BMG, there's a purpose. No gun is useless. And that's where my brain stops. >_< It's Midnight... I'm tired... I'm Hungry. Ask Billy for something really deep. I'm too sleepy.

04-14-2008, 11:30 PM	#12
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 13,846 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 154	im eatin cake leemee alone.... __________________

04-14-2008, 11:34 PM	#14
mitch_mckee Banned Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,085 Images: 3	I consider shooting to be a martial art. I consider it an extension of my mind, body, and will.

04-15-2008, 12:25 AM	#15
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,027	i love a pretty gun, but if it wont shoot, its a turd.

04-15-2008, 12:55 PM	#16
rdale501 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 409	I consider shooting to me mathmatical. It is geometry in motion.

04-17-2008, 02:11 AM	#18
ghost_raven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 408	I think meatloaf said it very well. The reason a person picks a rifle has to do with self-image and with personal interests. I personally have a liking for military rifles, partially because of the history many of them carry, and partially because of propaganda others use against them backfiring and making me more interested... lol. For me, I mostly just like to target shoot. I'm not morally against hunting, but I feel no particular need to since I live in a big city with grocery stores all around. I like how guns feel in my hands and the kick when I fire one. I guess it's a little bit of an adrenaline thing. On that same note, I try to select guns that would be functional in real life situations... or SHTF situations... as well as being fun and fitting my "image." __________________ The First Amendment defines America, the Second Amendment defends it.

04-17-2008, 02:39 AM	#20
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 6,154	I'd have to say both art and a tool. Tool wise, you can obviously use it to protect yourself. As for art, it is drawn and designed before it is made. They have beautiful curves to/on them. Some even have beautiful colors on/in them. They can be customized, color wise to be an extension of the owners personality. Even the other aspects of a gun has art form to it, in my book. Take the reloading side of it. Finding the right mixture is and of itself an art form. lol __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!