Buying A Classic Gun And Shooting It

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bulltaco

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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?
 
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.
 
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?
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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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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?
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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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
I bought a NIB and shot it

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.
 
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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.
 
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.
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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
 
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
 
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.
 
IMO:

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

But that's just me..

What you do with yours is your business.

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

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.

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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.
 
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