P97
Member
I shoot everything I have. Shooting and cleaning them keeps them working. I have some made in the early 1900's.
When does it become too nice to use?
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LkWinnipesaukee
Member
Being a kid.........when you bought it with your own hard earned money
(that is, your daddy bought it and you paid the electric bill for a few months
)
(that is, your daddy bought it and you paid the electric bill for a few months
)dragongoddess
member
There is a Python at the gun shop that I wouldn't shoot. It's so perfect I wouldn't want to take the chance of damaging it. It would definatly be a safe queen.
A gun is an object that can be decorated like anything else, I know some people are master engravers and put a lot of time, skill and effort into decorating gun to a point where it becomes "art". But to me it still a gun first and I would shoot it.
RH
RH
Zundfolge
Member
I can't imagine owning a gun I'd never shoot, but I can think of quite a few guns I want to own that even though they would make good carry pieces I would NEVER consider carrying (an HK P7M10 comes to mind).
I've got a few guns that are somewhat collectable ... now I don't take them to the range every time and shoot them, but they get shot once in a while.
I guess the only reason I'd own a gun that I wouldn't shoot is if it was of some particular historical importance (like one of Patton's Colts or something).
I've got a few guns that are somewhat collectable ... now I don't take them to the range every time and shoot them, but they get shot once in a while.
I guess the only reason I'd own a gun that I wouldn't shoot is if it was of some particular historical importance (like one of Patton's Colts or something).
deadin
Member
I guess if some of the skeet/trap shooters can shoot their $15,000 - $20,000 Perazzi's and such, taking a chance of turning a $15,000 -$20,000 collectible Colt C&B into a pile of junk with a catastrophic failure isn't beyond reason. I wouldn't do it, but some do.
I wouldn't do it, but some do.Lone_Gunman
Member
If you are just going to look at them, an admission ticket to a gun museum is a whole lot cheaper.
Always remember, guns want to be shot.
Always remember, guns want to be shot.
The Old Fuff has worked both sides of the street for fun and profit.
In evaluating a purchase I ask myself, “does it have any potential as a collectable, and if so, how much.” Having done my homework I look at what it is, what condition is it in, and do I have anything else where the sum of the two pieces would be more then their individual value. At the same time I’m thinking, “as a shooter, how good would it be?” In many cases to be collector grade the gun must be like new, and new-in-the-box is even better. If that is the case, and I choose to buy it, it will become a safe queen, and I will eventually sell it for more (sometimes much more) then I paid for it. Here the object is to make money – that can be turned around to buy more guns. Money may be evil, but it’s handy to have around.
On the other hand, if the gun has little or no collector’s value, and is unlikely to ever have, at least in my lifetime, then it will be evaluated as to its prospects as a shooter. I often look for guns that have problems that I can fix, but be purchased at a substantially reduced price. When it comes to being a tightwad nobody, and I mean nobody can beat out the Old Fuff. In this context new guns seldom interest me because they represent paying the most for the least. I can do much better buying like-new used ones, or damaged goods that I can repair.
Two examples: Recently I won at auction, a Colt Police Positive revolver chambered to use everybody’s favorite cartridge – the .38 S&W (not Special). Not exactly a hot collectable, and certainly not a likely shooter. Had the Old Fuff lost his mind? Well not quite...
The gun was to all appearances unfired, with at least 99% of its original finish. The serial number indicated it was one of a handful that were assembled in 1942 during World War Two. Given its condition and the story behind it I can probably double my investment.
About the same time I picked up an S&W K-38 Masterpiece for peanuts because it only had about 70% of the original finish, look doggy, and had aftermarket rubber grips. Shoots like a house afire though. Tight as a bank vault and a first class tack driver. The grips were quickly taken care of, and the missing finish doesn’t matter.
Like I said, the Old Fuff works both sides of the street...
In evaluating a purchase I ask myself, “does it have any potential as a collectable, and if so, how much.” Having done my homework I look at what it is, what condition is it in, and do I have anything else where the sum of the two pieces would be more then their individual value. At the same time I’m thinking, “as a shooter, how good would it be?” In many cases to be collector grade the gun must be like new, and new-in-the-box is even better. If that is the case, and I choose to buy it, it will become a safe queen, and I will eventually sell it for more (sometimes much more) then I paid for it. Here the object is to make money – that can be turned around to buy more guns. Money may be evil, but it’s handy to have around.
On the other hand, if the gun has little or no collector’s value, and is unlikely to ever have, at least in my lifetime, then it will be evaluated as to its prospects as a shooter. I often look for guns that have problems that I can fix, but be purchased at a substantially reduced price. When it comes to being a tightwad nobody, and I mean nobody can beat out the Old Fuff. In this context new guns seldom interest me because they represent paying the most for the least. I can do much better buying like-new used ones, or damaged goods that I can repair.
Two examples: Recently I won at auction, a Colt Police Positive revolver chambered to use everybody’s favorite cartridge – the .38 S&W (not Special). Not exactly a hot collectable, and certainly not a likely shooter. Had the Old Fuff lost his mind? Well not quite...
The gun was to all appearances unfired, with at least 99% of its original finish. The serial number indicated it was one of a handful that were assembled in 1942 during World War Two. Given its condition and the story behind it I can probably double my investment.
About the same time I picked up an S&W K-38 Masterpiece for peanuts because it only had about 70% of the original finish, look doggy, and had aftermarket rubber grips. Shoots like a house afire though. Tight as a bank vault and a first class tack driver. The grips were quickly taken care of, and the missing finish doesn’t matter.
Like I said, the Old Fuff works both sides of the street...
...if I have no intention to sell, then I will shoot it...I will do my best to treat it carefull, preserving it's beauty, but it will get shot...I don't buy for investments...and since I cannot preserve ME, all material posessions get less conseideration....I have no relatives with guns to bequeath to me, so that doesn't matter...it would be a gun for me, so I buy guns fore me to enjoy and shoot...easy to understand isn't it?..I shower daily, so no aroma is coming from me...
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deadin
Member
Do I detect a slight stench of hypocrisy here?
Great Aunt Matilda gives you a verifiable unfired WW1 Luger.
I will offer you $5,000.00 for it. However, if you fire it, I will only pay $1,000.00
Are you going to stand behind your words and take it out and shoot it, or sell it to me?
If you are wealthy enough that you can blow off $4000.00 just to fire it, we can always raise the stakes and make it an early Colt SAA, say $20,000 Vs $5,000 or something even more pricey.
My point being that there are guns that are just too nice or too valuable as collector pieces to shoot. You would be better off selling them and buying lesser gun for shooting. But that goes against the philosophy of “Guns are made to shoot, so I will shoot them”
Dean
Great Aunt Matilda gives you a verifiable unfired WW1 Luger.
I will offer you $5,000.00 for it. However, if you fire it, I will only pay $1,000.00
Are you going to stand behind your words and take it out and shoot it, or sell it to me?
If you are wealthy enough that you can blow off $4000.00 just to fire it, we can always raise the stakes and make it an early Colt SAA, say $20,000 Vs $5,000 or something even more pricey.
My point being that there are guns that are just too nice or too valuable as collector pieces to shoot. You would be better off selling them and buying lesser gun for shooting. But that goes against the philosophy of “Guns are made to shoot, so I will shoot them”
Dean
browningguy
Member
Here's one I've never shot, I've also got a plain blued model that I shoot all the time. Renaissance grade Browning 1910/71
Jamie C.
Member
Being the crazy type ( and having a mean streak ) I'd fire the Luger.
Hell, I've never fired a four thousand dollar bullet before... and seeing the look on Deadin's face would probably be worth it all by it's self.
For me, there's no such thing as a gun that's too nice to shoot, a car that's too expensive to drive, or a woman that's too pretty to.... Well, you get the idea.
J.C.
Hell, I've never fired a four thousand dollar bullet before... and seeing the look on Deadin's face would probably be worth it all by it's self.
For me, there's no such thing as a gun that's too nice to shoot, a car that's too expensive to drive, or a woman that's too pretty to.... Well, you get the idea.
J.C.
deadin
Member
It probably would be.
(But it might not be the one you expect )How about the $15,000 loss on the Colt? Or seeing as how that's very unlikely to happen, it's easy to say you would.
Dean
Jamie C.
Member
Dean, given the ungodly amount of money people are known to spend doing all sorts of silly things, I think I'd quite easily "blow" even 15 or 20 grand if it were a case of me not having to actually cough up the money myself.
Now, if I were going to have to pay that much to shoot it, well, that's another matter.
Besides, unless I've got intentions of reselling the gun, it has no real value at all except for what I assign to it. And given that I don't own guns for the purpose of resale... *shrug*
J.C.
Now, if I were going to have to pay that much to shoot it, well, that's another matter.
Besides, unless I've got intentions of reselling the gun, it has no real value at all except for what I assign to it. And given that I don't own guns for the purpose of resale... *shrug*
J.C.
Jamie C.:
Looking at it from my perspective, folks like you are very useful. Every time someone takes a mint collectable and degrades it by shooting, the remaining ones (including mine) become worth more to some big-spending collector. Since collectables are usually, if not always, discontinued models the number in collectable condition is limited and as the number goes down the remainder become worth more.
So shoot away...
Looking at it from my perspective, folks like you are very useful. Every time someone takes a mint collectable and degrades it by shooting, the remaining ones (including mine) become worth more to some big-spending collector. Since collectables are usually, if not always, discontinued models the number in collectable condition is limited and as the number goes down the remainder become worth more.
So shoot away...
Heavy Metal Hero
Member
I'll take a reliable, ragged beater gun that can save my life to a $5000 queen safe. Beauty is in use and function, not looks.
I'd hate to have a high grade 1911 that I was using for self defense confiscated by the constabulary because I had to use it, and have them keep it for years until the case came to trial...maybe get it back as new and maybe trusty-rusty beat up in the holding cage. Probably want a reliable beater for that duty.
Guns are tools
I think of them as tools, and all my tools get used. That's why I buy them. However, if I was fortunate enough to find a Bren Ten in any shape, it would be difficult for me to just "plink it" as I'd worry about ruining the value.
But then again, what value is it to me hidden away in a safe. For this reason, I don't buy these guns as of yet. I have been considering getting some rare finds for the longterm investment since I see 10mm prices rising and I've only been watching them for a year or so.
Other guns, I doubt it, I've got too many other hobbies and better things to invest my money in like my home that will provide a better long term return.
Because if I don't feel comfortable shooting it, it will reside in a safe place and simply appreciate as my investments do.
jeepmor
I think of them as tools, and all my tools get used. That's why I buy them. However, if I was fortunate enough to find a Bren Ten in any shape, it would be difficult for me to just "plink it" as I'd worry about ruining the value.
But then again, what value is it to me hidden away in a safe. For this reason, I don't buy these guns as of yet. I have been considering getting some rare finds for the longterm investment since I see 10mm prices rising and I've only been watching them for a year or so.
Other guns, I doubt it, I've got too many other hobbies and better things to invest my money in like my home that will provide a better long term return.
Because if I don't feel comfortable shooting it, it will reside in a safe place and simply appreciate as my investments do.
jeepmor
Richard Simmons
Member
I used to shoot everything but now that I've acquired some older stuff, mostly S&W that is NIB or LNIB I tend to admire them and shoot my other stuff. I mean why shoot a 40 year old S&W J frame that hasn't been fired since it left the factory when you've got something just about like it that has some honest wear already? Different ways to enjoy different things
beardxxxd
Member
Sounds similar to a mid aged man buying a vette and never taking it over 3k on the tach.
Shoot it like you stole it, or so the saying goes.
Shoot it like you stole it, or so the saying goes.
If it's an oddball gun, check around before you shoot it.
I picked up a very cool Remington 51 pistol (kinda sorta looks like a PPK) which has a separate breechblock which is known to be fragile. At about 100 rounds, sure enough, it cracked. Replacements, *IF* you can find them, fetch around $100. So now I have a safe *er* parts queen.
Afterwards I read that while they are nice to look at, DON'T shoot them, for that very reason.
I picked up a very cool Remington 51 pistol (kinda sorta looks like a PPK) which has a separate breechblock which is known to be fragile. At about 100 rounds, sure enough, it cracked. Replacements, *IF* you can find them, fetch around $100. So now I have a safe *er* parts queen.
Afterwards I read that while they are nice to look at, DON'T shoot them, for that very reason.
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