Would you feel guilty shooting a "collectible"?

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BigJimP

New member
No, I don't feel guilty shooting a "collectable" gun if its new in box with papers and all that.....

Its value in my collection is relevant only to how I perceive it....and I shoot it, and take care of it, and enjoy it. I wouldn't enjoy just having it ...and letting it sit in the safe.

In the last several years I've purchased a number of older guns, S&W revolvers new in box with papers, etc...model 66's, model 27's and 29's...and while they may not go to the range every week...they go reasonably often. I know its blasphemy to a lot of guys ...but I don't keep the boxes and papers either.../ but then resale value isn't my concern....its a hassle to keep all those boxes --and I have no interest in the presentation boxes, cardboard boxes, etc...

and I don't care if I paid $1,000 or $ 1,500 ....or $ 3,000 plus for the gun....I treat them well ....but I shoot them. If I didn't do that, I would not enjoy them.

I'm heading to the range later this afternoon...and in my bag is a Wilson Combat 1911 I had made about 7 yrs ago in 9mm ...nice gun -- and I'll run a bunch of tactical and reload drills with it in and out of a good horsehide leather holster - I shoot it a lot ( about 6 boxes a week as a rule )......and I have a Freedom Arms, 4 3/4" octagaonal barrel single action revolver, 5 shot, large frame in .357 Mag that I had made for my birthday about 18 months ago ...../ combined insured replacement value on the 2 guns is around $8,000....but I love shooting them every week !

http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82010&d=1339790943

http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82267&d=1341002367

Wilson all stainless Protector 9mm.jpg
 
O

Old Stony

New member
I own a goodly number of firearms...some very collectible old Winchesters, etc....I would shoot any of them. But I'm too old to not enjoy my firearms and to keep them as just investment. Shoot them all and have fun while you can !!
 
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seeker073180

New member
So would you guys pass on a an as NIB, leave/save it for the collectorrder and then wait on a "regular" that might be cheaper? I mean a box and papers would pay for a good bit of ammo. I mean, if I buy, I'm shooting it also...
 
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SaxonPig

New member
I'm laughing at this one. Over the past 45 years I have shot so many guns that were unfired when I bought them that I have lost count. I never looked for safe queens but sometimes one fell into my grubby paws and it was immediately put to work. I shoot my guns.

Hell, I used to pack a S&W Registered Magnum as my carry piece. How's THAT for using a collectible?
 
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Bluestarlizzard

New member
So would you guys pass on a an as NIB, leave/save it for the collectorrder and then wait on a "regular" that might be cheaper? I mean a box and papers would pay for a good bit of ammo. I mean, if I buy, I'm shooting it also...
Click to expand...

I would say if you find a NIB that's the better deal then an ex safe queen or someones shooter, go ahead, buy and shoot it. Other then that, wait and find the shooter, rather then spend the extra when you're not going to benifit from it.
 
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jmr40

New member
Very, very few guns are true collectables that would have the value significantly reduced by firing. Almost any gun that has been used lightly will bring virtually the same as one that has never been fired.

There are a few exceptions, but not many.
 
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Hawg

New member
I used to pack a S&W Registered Magnum as my carry piece. How's THAT for using a collectible?
Click to expand...

This 1926 third model S&W made in 1930 was easy 95% or better when I got it. I'd say closer to 98.

 
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alex0535

New member
I shot a 101 year old 1911 U.S Navy Colt with a 4 digit serial number before we fully realized it's rarity. Only fired 3 rounds. It preformed flawlessly.

The popular idea is that this example is so old and rare, and they did not have the best heat treatment that shooting them is not advised. It might survive a few rounds or it might survive thousands, but when it breaks its value drops to a small fraction of what it was worth before. Other rare examples probably demand a similar train of thought.

I will probably go my entire life and not shoot an older or rarer 1911, and I think I can be ok with that. :cool: Nothing like holding a loaded century old piece of Colt/WW1 Navy history in your hands, pulling the trigger and putting all 3 round on target.

We do not own any guns we have not shot. Does that answer your question about my thoughts on NIB/Never Fired?
 
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myusername

New member
OK - here's a specific.

Would you shoot a Winchester 94 "Golden Spike" commemerative (gold plated) from the 70's?

I paid $500 for it nib but without the "spike" that was included with some.

But a New Winchester 1894 .30-30 costs over $1,100 (Buds).

I'm somewhat inclined to just have myself a gold plated deer rifle!

What would you do?
 
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alex0535

New member
^It will be worth a couple hundred dollars less if you shoot it. You might find someone to pay 600-700 for it unfired NIB.

If you ever plan to sell it, might be in your better interest not to shoot it. If you plan to keep it for the foreseeable future and are fine with a 200 dollar drop in value then go out and shoot it.
 
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KyJim

New member
I generally believe in shooting my guns. I do have some that are more "safe queens" than anything else simply because I have other guns. I bought two previously owned but unfired Colt Detective Specials with Colt letters that remain unfired. I just haven't overcome fear of the big KaChing! its going to cost me if I pull the triggers. Plus, I have a Colt Cobra and a Colt Agent to carry and shoot.

They're not to everyone's taste:

 
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Tad_T

New member
I don't sell my guns.

I don't trade my guns.

I shoot them.

I clean them.

I take care of them.

Someone else can worry about what they are worth when I am gone.
 
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FrankenMauser

New member
I own a semi-auto handgun that was #8 off the assembly line for public consumption, from what turned out to be a very short production run. I have shot it plenty, done some 'garage gunsmithing', and it still retains its value.

I own a Ruger that was #38 off the assembly line for the model. I shoot it regularly. It is now (used) worth almost twice what I paid for it in 2010 (NIB).

I used to own a factory prototype Mossberg. I shot it regularly, did a quick refinish on it, and still traded it off for nineteen times the value of what I originally paid. :D


If you know the market for the firearm in question and don't overpay to begin with, firing it may not matter at all.... ;)

Either way-
Buy what you want. Don't worry about what it might potentially be worth to someone else in the future. What's it worth to you?
 
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