beater

[mcc1961]

Why do they call the pistols beaters?

[arkmaker †]

Just means banged up a bit. Maybe a scratch or two or three, but usually working condition. Last beater I had was a 65 Ford Falcon. Not much to look at and if you weren;t careful, your feet would fall thought the floor pan, but ran like a top!
Rich

[JEBert]

A Beater is one that has been knocked around and generally beat up enough that you couldn't get a good price for it when you go to sell it.  Folks want them because you can use them for parts or for putting a lot of TLC into it to fix it up and the owner won't ask too much for it.
Cheers,
Jerry