[bulltaco]

What is the general feeling about carrying and shooting old/classic pistols such as the Colt Python or S&W K22? I have a Python and feel guilty about shooting it very much. I would love too purchase a '50s vintage K22 for plinking and hunting, but it doesn't seem quite right to shoot a whole lot with such a classic. Am I being too sentimental or are these classics too valuable to use?

[JN01]

I just bought two classics myself, a pencil barrel S&W M&P and a Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless. My view is that as long as they are mechanically sound, you should do what they were made to do- SHOOT 'EM! It gives you a better understanding of why they are considered classics in the first place.

If it was a one-of-a-kind and/or historically significant piece, that might be different.

[.38 Special]

I would love too purchase a '50s vintage K22 for plinking and hunting, but it doesn't seem quite right to shoot a whole lot with such a classic. Am I being too sentimental or are these classics too valuable to use?
If it's unfired I'd leave it that way. If it's fired, use it. You'd have to put several thousand dollars of ammunition through that gun before you used it up. As wonderful and perfect as these guns are, they're not rare, and they deserve to be used.

[Dienekes]

They were meant to be used and appreciated. Unless the thing is NIB or one of a kind, feel free.

If you are looking for an investment, there are more productive ones. If you are holding off shooting it "just because", you are only the caretaker and someone else will eventually own it anyway--and maybe go right out and shoot it. The fact that you refrained from nobility will avail you nothing.

[Standing Wolf]

I carry some of my Pythons every little once in awhile: they get sulky if I leave them in bank boxes and the safe too long.

I forgot to mention: my 1951 K-22 goes to the range with me now and then, too.

[ugaarguy]

I would love too purchase a '50s vintage K22 for plinking and hunting, but it doesn't seem quite right to shoot a whole lot with such a classic. Am I being too sentimental or are these classics too valuable to use?

As stated earlier, if unfired, leave it that way. I shoot my K-22, and enjoy it for what it is: An enjoyable and cheap to shoot rim-fire companion to my centerfire K frames. It has slight blueing wear on the muzzle and sharp edges, but is otherwise beautiful. It goes to the range often and rides in a nice leather holster. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for target competition (if I was that good), nor will I hesitate to carry it as a small game hunting sidearm. Care for them, use them, and enjoy them. I'd rather see these classics in the hands of folks who will shoot them and value them than in collections where they're never fired again. I'd go for it, I think you'll really enjoy it.

[Chuck R.]

I’ve also got a Python and 3 SAAs (one 1st Generation) and a 1923 Luger. All 4 get shot as often as I can get them out. I used the SAAs for CAS, so they’ve all got holster wear and scratches/dings from various shoots. My Python has about 10-15K through it since I bought it new. I’ve carried it a few times hunting, so it too has some scratches and dings.

My CCW gun is a Les Baer that cost a little over $1600, it too has its share of wear. I buy them to shoot, not collect. As long as it’s not neglect, normal wear and tear adds character.

Chuck

[Majic]

Don't buy a NIB or like new specimen. Leave them for the collectors (like me :D ). Buy a shooter, which by the way will probably be cheaper, and shoot it all you want. If it's mechanically sound and been used in the past there's no reason not to continue using it.

[default]

Good question. If I had a clean US&S 1911A1, I wouldn't shoot it, at least not more than a magazine or two a year, if that. If I had a beat Remington-Rand, Colt, or Ithaca 1911A1, I'd shoot it some. If I had a beat and mismatched GI pistol, I'd shoot it a lot (after seeing if there were any small parts in it that 1911Tuner or Old Fuff would pay good money for). :D

After having been shooting for a few years now, I find that I spend far less time admiring guns than shooting them, so I am generally only inclined to acquire ones I can expect to be able to shoot regularly in good conscience. Other people have more "collectorly" inclinations, and more power to them. Don't resent the person who has 35 rare Lugers or 1911s they never shoot - many of them have probably contributed to the knowledge base on the subject that helps others choose wisely and maintain and operate their firearms.

[HuntAndFish]

It's your gun. Shoot it if you want to.

[moewadle]

and I do not feel one bit guilty. I bought a Smith Model 10-5 made in 1975. It appeared unfired and the cleaning brush was still sealed in the plastic bag and the box and papers were with it. I bought it to enjoy and shoot. If it was an extremely rare firearm I would not have fired it but these are not rare. My gun, I will do what I want with it but I will say to clarify...I love history and historical artifacts but in this case I do not feel I am perverting the principle of historic preservation.

[10-Ring]

Shoot it & enjoy it! I've had my Python (circa '67-'68) for less than a month and I've got almost 500 rounds through it...I can't say enough about those vintage Colt revolver triggers! Plus, these guns were made to do what I'm doing w/ them & using ammo loadedjust for them.

[.38 Special]

I bought a Smith Model 10-5 made in 1975. It appeared unfired and the cleaning brush was still sealed in the plastic bag and the box and papers were with it. I bought it to enjoy and shoot.
Thankfully, S&W produced three trillion model 10s that year. So one more or less isn't get to get any collector's hair on fire. :D

[Hobie]

It is a gun, shoot it.

[Baldy]

Got a 1978 Python that sees regular trips to the range and still swallows them mags like there's no tomorrow. Just got a 1976 S&W 19-4 and I use it for my range gun. Love to shoot that old gun. Bought a collectors edition 21-4 with wood box and all. Frist collector type gun I ever owned. It didn't make 24hrs before I was down at the range shooting it. I always said you buy pictures to look at, and guns to shoot. Shoot them and enjoy them.:D

[mountainclmbr]

I have 2 guns I probably would not shoot. One is a Colt New Model Police .36 cal black powder made in the mid 1800's with all matching s/n's. The other is a Sharps Carbine 50/70 also from the mid 1800's. Other than those I would probably try shooting them if they were in good shape.

[PX15]

IMO:

If I BUY it.... I SHOOT it...:D

But that's just me..

What you do with yours is your business.

JP

[Lone_Gunman]

Museums are for guns that are not to be shot.

[Onmilo]

I shoot my 1929 Walther PP .32 fairly regular.
I shoot my 1949 S&W .22 Masterpiece even more often.
I shoot my 1931 Astra 400 at least once a year.
I shot my 1919 Colt 1911 rebuilt in 1935 at least four times a year until I sold it.
What's the hang-up?????

[Flame Red]

Please, please, shoot all your rare and hard to find guns. Each one shot raises the value to us collectors!

[Vern Humphrey]

I carry and/or use the following:


Colt Woodsman (made in 1938)
Colt Officers Model Target (also made in 1938)
Colt New Service (made in 1906_
Colt Model 357 (I carried this gun in Viet Nam)
Colt Detective Special (made in the '60s)

I also hunt with:


My Kimber M82s (one in .22 LR and one in .22 Hornet). They aren't made anymore.
Model 70 Winchester made in 1939
Customized '03 Springfield (made in the late '60s) in .35 Brown-Whelen
M1922 MKII Springfield.

[Skywarp]

What else are you supposed to do with a gun?

[Peter M. Eick]

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/eickpm/single_action.jpg

Here is a 1939 Registered Magnum. One of the original 5500 or so of them. 50 shots, 15 yards offhand with a hot load of 2400.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/eickpm/3844hd_target.jpg

Here is a 1930 heavy duty with 50 shots, 15 yards from it. There are 12 guns with lower serial numbers known to exist but only one that I am aware of that was shipped on the same date. This is one of the earliest 38/44 heavy duties around.

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/eickpm/od_pre_target.jpg

Here is an early 30's 38/44 Outdoorsman with 50 shots from 15 yards. I am still learning to shoot it well.

I view it that reasonable loads these old classics can be shot. You just have to do reasonable loads and recognize that if you bugger them up you have destroyed something so a bit of discretion goes a long way.

[DWARREN123]

If I own it I'm going to shoot it. Just me.

[Axman]

If the moving parts are fairly tight, shoot it a bunch of times.

[TimboKhan]

I am a big fan of "classic" weapons, but my rule is that if I can't shoot it, I don't want it. I suppose there are some exceptions to that rule, especially if it turns out the weapon has some particularly interesting historic value or something, but as a general rule, I want to shoot my guns. Plus, to tell you the truth, I can't afford cherry, unfired "collectable" guns. If you want to carry one, I say go for it. If you are confident with the gun, and you trust the gun to function, then why not? As it happens, my main carry piece is a pretty new revolver, but my main bedside gun is an old S&W .38, a picture of which is included.

[Smith357]

I own very few "new" guns, I prefer the old walnut and blue steel over plastic and stainless. I shoot my 100+ year old firearms all the time. Though I do make special light loads for them to ease wear and tear. I leave the unfired classics to the collectors, and buy firearms to shoot.

[runninmike]

Yes, shoot them. Don't be silly again.

[StrikeEagle]

I am a big fan of "classic" weapons, but my rule is that if I can't shoot it, I don't want it.

That's the way I feel too. If I won't shoot it, I'll sell it.

[aaronrkelly]

Guns is made for shooting......not looking at.

I would really love to have a Colt 1908 in .380.....one day I will. When I do shes getting slid into some leather and riding along with me.

[Jet22]

I read some time ago that if you don't shoot your gun you are just saving it for somebody else to have when you are dead and gone. I hope all my guns are worn out by the time I die. If I get something too nice to shoot, I sell it to a collector and buy 3 more in lesser condition to shoot!!! :D

[MR.G]

I wanted a S&W model 18 for shooting. The one that I finally got was 1967 NIB with original papers and tools. Couldn't bring myself to shoot it for a long time because it was such a nice gun. I instead purchased other .22 guns for the range. Finally one day I decided to shoot the NIB 18, and don't regret it. It is the best shooting .22 revolver I have ever owned. The value of the gun probably went down over a hundred bucks by shooting it, but the experience was well worth it.

[Dr.Rob]

I have a number of pre ww2 firearms I shoot regularly.

Granted I didn't get any of them as 'new' but still, shoot 'em, unless they've never been shot or have some historical significance.

[Black Majik]

If you had a supermodel girlfriend, would you have your "fun" with her or just look at her?

Guns are made to be shot... not to just look at.

[jamz]

If you had a supermodel girlfriend, would you have your "fun" with her or just look at her?


Yeah, but she won't be as valuable after 50 years. :neener:

[Danus ex]

Two years ago, when I graduated from college, I bought my first handgun, a NIB Colt Detective Special. After a lot of research, handling, and shooting, I determined it fit my needs best and simply sought it out like I would any other purchase. I quickly bought a second, also NIB. At $500 each, it was a no-brainer.

All of you revolver collectors should serve me well. While you're currently driving the price of Colt revolvers to ridiculous new highs (my kingdom for a reasonably priced 4" .22lr Diamondback!), you're also keeping them off the market, exposing fewer new shooters to their true quality. When you all kick the bucket, I'll be the one quietly buying pieces from your collections. :)

[GunNut]

At this time in my life, if i won't shoot it, i'll sell or trade it to someone who collects guns.

Now, when my financial situation changes, I will probably buy guns and just set them aside for the future.

Heck, my two year plan is to load up on high cap guns and magazines, just in case.:evil:

Steve

[1man]

Every classic or rare gun I acquire, I shoot! I just found my Sig P220 in 38Super that I've been looking for for 3 years. I'm just waiting on my ammo to get here so I can work it out!

[Gaucho Gringo]

It is interesting how various old guns prices and desireablity goes over ther years. My 1906 Winchester .22 Expert model is an example. My dad gave it to me in the early 60's when I turned 12 as his dad had done for him. Even though I liked the gun because it was mine, I really preferred the long octagon barreled 1890's and 1906's with straight stocks that my friends owned over my 1906 Expert with pistol grip stock, 20" short barrel and nickle plated receiver. I almost traded it for what I wanted nore than once but didn't. Nowadays my rifle is worth between $1500-2000 or more and I can buy a Taurus reproduction of the rifle I always wanted for less than $300.00. It is funny how these things work out in life. A while back I started a thread about whether to keep or sell the rifle and most of the replies said keep it as it is a family heirlom. Fortunately your replies made me realise the error of even thinking of selling such an heirloom. I am keeping it safe and saving my money for the repros of the guns I want. Thank You