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It's widely accepted that the 1911 has soul, and the Glock 17 doesn't.
Is it because one is metal and the other plastic?
A Beretta M9 is metal, but I don't think it has soul.
It's not because aluminum vs steel.
The S&W Model 59 has soul and an aluminum frame.
It can't be because of mass production because they made a shit-ton of M1911A1's between 1941 and 1945.
It's not caliber, there's many 9mm's with soul.
I think it's the plastic.
Though my M&P 2.0 Compact is hitting very close to having soul from how magically good it works for me.
Far closer than it's full sized predecessor.
I think you are on to something. :^). I also think Walnut and Blued Steel have more appeal than a synthetic molded product, regardless of how well the firearm functions. Maybe its the Craftsmanship and Time it took to get the metal products tuned up ?
ReplyDeleteThe same with gun holsters and knife sheaths. The difference between leather and synthetics causes me to reach deeper in my pocket when it is time to buy the leather product.
jrg
It seems like the difference between the guns you consider to have soul and the ones you don't is primarily when they were designed and possibly by whom. Perhaps guns had soul in the past but since we now live in a godless world they no longer do. Or perhaps some designers inject the soul into their masterpieces.
ReplyDelete-swj
It's probably ineffable.
Deletethere are "pretty" guns, collector guns, ugly guns (kel-tec and hi point), and ass kicking let God sort them out guns... soul or not, I want the ass kicking gun because it just works... plastic or metal, I don't care... panzer guy
ReplyDeleteAn object gets 'soul' or 'spirit' when it excels or fails. Due to attention from humans, of course. We put or activate power in the objects.
ReplyDeleteThink Shinto. There are spirits, kami, everywhere. In a particular rock that is noticeable. In a sword. A place. A building. A bowl. Even just a piece of worked leather. Put enough of one's soul into it to make the object special (for good or ill) and said object will 'come to life.'
Ever talk to your car and it works better? Or talk nice while cooking? Empowering the spirits of the objects we create.
We work on things to make them better. By working on them, fiddling with them to make them work better, adding better parts, cleaning them, taking care of them, we make the objects come alive.
I've been in 'dead' vehicles before. Same, same. I've had a car that was cursed and hated me, no way to scientifically prove it but that bitch bit me any time it could (friggin 89 Chrysler Imperial pos grumble grumble...) I've also had and have cars that just work well when talked to.
Same with guns. You play with one, you can detect it just... feels right. You work with it more, you pamper it, it purrs when you run it.
I think there’s an element of industrial design involved as well. I’m not saying St. Browning of Ogden was on par with Raymond Loewry, but he seemed to incorporate esthetic principles along with the ergonomic in his designs.
ReplyDeleteGaston didn’t. His designs have been purely utilitarian, the very definition of form following function.
I submit that an M9 is somewhere in between.
Does good industrial design impart soul? Maybe… Beans is right, it’s got to be a fundamentally successful design to start with, but good esthetics on top of sound functionality might just be the ticket.
DWW