Art, or a tool

[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.

[genwinters]

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

[SwedeSteve]

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]

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]

Tool then you can always pretty them up into art.

[billy]

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]

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

[rdale501]

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]

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]

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]

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]

im eatin cake leemee alone....

[Ferroflame]

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]

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

[lefty o]

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

[rdale501]

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

[meatloaf]

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]

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]

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]

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