Collector turned Accumulator

[gizamo]

I was sitting down to update my Gunsafe software ( everyone should have that program) and realized that I am no longer a gun collector. My gun accumulation is to nutty to truly call a collection.

Yep, I have the evidence of fits and starts in one direction, then hang a hard right and take-off in another....So that explains the Flintlocks sitting right next to the Fajen stocked 10/22

The thing is, I enjoy them all. Back when I put together a truly great S&W collection, I realized that I couldn't house a bunch of safe queens. That led me down a path to buy and enjoy guns that I could truly use. So the S&W herd got thinned out, and the less then perfect shooters moved in.

And now, the wife is starting to shoot my guns regularly ~ along with the kids and grandkids...And that has caused me to enjoy my guns even more....

Think I was all strung out on the Safe Queens to the point that I couldn't really enjoy them.....and because of that ~ nobody else would......

So now they all are my ~ Safe Kings....

And I'm having the time of my life........shootin' em


Giz

P.S.
You can teach a Grizzley Old Fart new tricks!

 

[Im283]

I have never understood a safe queen. Whats the point of having anything and not using it. Goes for classic cars or classic guns.

Every gun I have gets shot.

 

[bannockburn]

Im283

I've been to private collectors shows where many of the members displayed guns that, if they weren't in private collections, most definitely should have been in a museum somewhere. These are guns of such historical or collectors significance that they probably shouldn't be shot less it impacts their intrinsic value. However, in regards to most other regular production guns, then I would have to agree with you in that if I can't shoot it, I really don't have much use for it.

 

[General Geoff]

To me, a battered and worn 91/30 Mosin Nagant rifle is worth more than an original Colt SAA revolver, because I'm not afraid to shoot the 91/30.

 

[Chipperman]

I have a few safe queens, but most of my guns get fired.

The safe queens are, as bannockburn mentioned are not fired b/c it will impact their value. I certainly do enjoy the ratty guns in part b/c I don't have to worry about scratching them.

 

[Wheeler44]

I have a few 4th and 5th generation Heirlooms. They don't get shot. Well some of them maybe a little, a very little.

 

[Mortech]

I've so gone in the opposite direction , I bought guns I liked to shoot and now I've go to collecting 2nd and 3rd gen S&W exclusively , even to the point where I went to my favorite gunshop with the express purpose of selling 4 non S&Ws and came back with a S&W

 

[22-rimfire]

I started out buying guns I shoot and moved into collecting guns I like. In part, some of the guns I shot became valuable and I retired them. Things change however...

For example, I had a Weatheby Mark XXII semi-auto rifle that I loved to shoot. Weatherby quit making them and I retired it thinking it was now a collector piece. A few years go by and I decided I'd rather shoot it than keep it as a safe queen.

So now I have a mix of things. I honestly can't shoot everything I own from a practical point of view. So I don't. I shoot Colts and Smiths because they are quality guns. I shoot Rugers since that is what I bought them for.

 

[45Broomhandle]

No Safe Queens, And No Shooters Here

I've been down THAT street! Have now set myself some "collecting" parameters for my purchases. Got a lot of work ahead of me getting rid of surplus iron purchased during those "I gotta' have this" periods. Unfortunately, I just happen to like ALL guns - with very few exceptions.

I don't own any gun safes, ergo, NO "Safe Queens." I believe my guns should be out in the open, on display for me and other like-minded idiots to enjoy. Nor do I shoot them. First, poor health doesn't allow getting out to a range, and secondly, don't want to endanger what I consider as "museum" pieces. Another gun nut once told me, "We don't own guns. We are but the caretakers of historical artifacts for future generations." I agree with that assessment.

I'm still trying to kick the habit, to get back to being a collector rather than an accumulator. Being a Gun Nut, it's a terrible addiction!

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[DougW]

Been there, done that. There are no "real" safe queens, but I don't have time to shoot all of them.

 

[hksw]

Yep, I have the evidence of fits and starts in one direction, then hang a hard right and take-off in another....

Eh, who sez you can't have multiple objectives at the same time?

Think I was all strung out on the Safe Queens to the point that I couldn't really enjoy them.....and because of that ~ nobody else would......

I finally figured out that one about 3-4 years ago. Didn't see the point in keeping guns that will never be fired. Unfortunately, I have a number of them that it'll take me some time to get to them. (Too busy shooting the guns I regularly shoot and practice with.)

 

[rbernie]

I have never understood a safe queen. Whats the point of having anything and not using it.

Some guns are for keepin' so that grandkids can have the ability to enjoy 'em. Those guns get shuffled to the back of the safe, since they're more of an investment (albeit not a financial one) than a firearm that fills a current need.

 

[Moonclip]

I don't really have safe queens, I have shot every gun I own before. Thats not easy to do when your collection is in the 3 digit number and you have to feed obscure caliberd guns like 6.5x54ms. However some get put away though I would shoot them if I felt the need to again. Some guns have not been shot for over 5 years.

Sometimes this is ammo related, things like guns in .41mag, when it is range time, something easier and cheaper to feed usually goes instead.

I take it back, I own one gun I haven't shot yet, a .30-40 Krag, I will try to sometime this year.

 

[Old Grump]

Safe Queen

Not exactly but when a gun is no longer standard and a box of ammo costs $70 for 20 rounds it doesn't get shot much. I have two relics I will not shoot but keep in my collection because of nostalgia factor. Both double barrel shotguns with Damascus barrels. Other than that if its in my house it will get shot sometime during the year just so I have an excuse to clean it. What can I say, I like my garden my birds my fishing and guns, love my guns.