Beauty is in the eye …………..

[Lumberjack]

When I was a boy most air rifles looked like rifles. They were generally long and thin with a metal bit at the top and wooden bit at the bottom. Yes, I agree ….. for many that was regarded as bland and boring.

I’ve just had a wee browse on line and (wow) IMO there are some ‘ugly’ offerings out there now.

I get the function over form concept, I know that variety is the spice of life and I also know that beauty is I the eye of the beholder .... but maybe some designers should have avoided the ‘liquid lunch’ that day.

[Martynt]

I know what you mean. Like something out of Star Wars a lot of them.

There is something pleasing about the lines of a BSA Cadet!

[Trumpetier]

Agree, some luck bloody awful these days. Ohhhh, I'm getting old

[Jonjon79]

They're not all bad - I had a Cricket with a synthetic stock that worked very well.

But, you just can't beat a nicely figured bit of walnut and some blued steel.

[Phil Russell]

When I was a boy most air rifles looked like rifles. They were generally long and thin with a metal bit at the top and wooden bit at the bottom.

I think that sums up how I regarded them .. no thoughts of beauty at all; just a 'thing' to generate fun. By 'boy' I am relating to about 10 years old. By the time I was about 17 I was lovingly polishing the stock on my (I think) Webley Ranger and caressing the metalwork with an oil cloth.
Cheers, Phil

[angrybear]

I get the function over form concept, I know that variety is the spice of life and I also know that beauty is I the eye of the beholder .... but maybe some designers should have avoided the ‘liquid lunch’ that day.

Ah bullpups, the Warthogs of the rifle world

[Daveo]

Just got a fx wildcat and I think that gun slot perfectly in this post.
I think it's ugly put purposeful.
In all honesty I don't give a rats ass what it looks like as long as it shoots straight.
The fx impact though what were they thinking?

[Daveo]

Or some of those evanix ???

[Daveo]

But, you just can't beat a nicely figured bit of walnut and some blued steel.

Even on a hunting gun?

[Rob-Ontarget]

The first proper rifle i owned was an air arms jackal so i embraced ugliness at a young age..
I could also show you a photo of my ex wife to prove the point!!

[GrandadG]

Agree, some luck bloody awful these days. Ohhhh, I'm getting old

I agree with that!
Especially AA S200's........I think you should get rid!!!!!

[rhyslightnin]

Even on a hunting gun?

Yep.. infact weirdly all my hunting guns including the huntsman classic which is the best bit of walnut I own, are walnut (not all blued though). & My only pleasure gun (not used for hunting) is a laminate 77. Which is blued!..., not even really sure what I was trying to say now!! Lol. Yes to walnut & blue on hunting guns!!! Lol.
Synthetic is just a bit weird if you ask me...

The manufacturers already have the perfect alternative to walnut & beech & that is laminate I think.. in greens, browns & grey. Its really stable & almost completely impregnated with wood treatment making it really waterproof, (& if it isn't it can't be hard to make it so!) & If the colour is an issue then just stain it darker.
As op says it's just personal preference.
Rhys