Collector's Item vs Shooter

[JCooperfan1911]

I own a Remington Nylon 66 .22 rifle and enjoy shooting it a whole lot.

But prices have been climbing for years on this discontinued gun, and lately when I mention I actually regularly shoot my Nylon rifle people have warned me to retire that "collector's item" and buy a more modern gun.

I think there comes a time in every guns life where the value and collectiblity come into play. Where what was one just a shooter, or even a straight up truck gun beater, attains so much value that it becomes tough to keep using it in that capacity lest it get damaged or wear out, which hurts the "collector's value".

Anyone else have an old gun they like to shoot but hesitate because of this?

 

[gobsauce]

Do Mosins and SKSs count?

 

[theotherwaldo]

I have a number of old .22 rifles that may or may not be collectible.
I am not going to demote them to wall-hanger status simply because someone might want to collect them.
My guns are for shooting.

 

[AK Hunter]

I own a few collectable military surplus rifles but I still shoot them on occasion & not anywhere as hard as I once did.
Now they may get to the range about once a year & I shoot toned down hand loads through them but they are still fun to shoot.

 

[Archie]

I have a number of collectable guns. I shoot most of them, but not obsessively.
The only reason I would buy a 'new' gun to replace a collectable is to upgrade my collection. So I would sell a collectable gun only if the price would help finance a 'better' collectable. My using guns (I have a few of those as well) are the ones a trust and use well. Unless offered 'stupid' money (high above even collector's price), I will not sell any of those.

 

[GAF]

IMHO If it was new in the box I would not shoot it, but other than that I would continue to shoot it.

 

[earlthegoat2]

A good gun is a good gun.

To heck with what other people think.

Collectors have been ruining it for users since humanity started.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Anyone else have an old gun they like to shoot but hesitate because of this?

Never been a consideration on any of mine beyond whether or not to fire a *new-in-the-box* gun and then also the conditions under which I'm going to shoot. Otherwise, I figure "fire-away!" With care.

Todd.

 

[JR24]

No, I'm not blessed to own anything that's actually collectable.

I have a few sentimental guns, but they were given to me to use and I'll give them to my kids to use when it's time.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have some guns that are over a 100 years old. I still shoot them.

 

[BreechFace]

I say guns are meant to be used. Now on older collectible pieces, make sure maintenance is performed (buffers, recoil springs, wear items, etc.) and maybe download loadings for them.

Guns look better being used than hanging on walls.

 

[CapnMac]

warned me to retire that "collector's item" and buy a more modern gun

Most of 'those' people have exaggerated notions of how frequently "parts" break on firearms--which would be a bind for an OOP rifle like a N66. Mind, there are several parts warehouses with all manner of replacement parts, too.

Now, I probably 'baby' my Marlin Camp45 a bit more than is mete. But, nothing in my safe is "retired."

 

[gyp_c2]

Not any more. All the guns I've had are/were collectors items at some point. NIB 66 & 629, etc.
Paid so little for them when new, crying would be in order.
Then again, I'd never have had the pleasure of opening a new box and using those guns!

 

[Spats McGee]

I'm a terrible collector and I know it. I figure if I've been shooting it for years, whatever 'value damage' will be done to a gun has already been done. The only thing I have that might be worth 'real money' is a Series 70 Colt 1911 that I haven't shot since having it restored, and I have every intention of shooting it. Yes, I know that restoration can damage the value, but this thing was in very rough shape, and I always intended to shoot it.

 

[jmr40]

It depends on the gun. I'd shoot that one. I might not use it as a hunting gun used in harsh conditions where if could be dropped or stolen from my truck. But at the range I'd use it.

 

[reddog81]

I like nice older guns. 75% or more of the guns I bring to the range would be considered collectible by someone. They've all been shot before and will continue to be shot.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I have some guns that are over a 100 years old. I still shoot them.

My 1869 production .50-70 Trapdoor is 150 years old and fully patinaed from western service, but in outstanding mechanical condition. Chambered for a readily processed center-fire cartridge, there is no reason NOT to shoot it with period appropriate loads.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Another take on the whole affair is that I have deliberately sold guns of significant intrinsic value as I knew I'd likely be hard on them and regret the *abuse* later.

Also taken this tack with motorcycles, cars & trucks.

Though, sometimes - you just have to *go there*. You should hear the unsolicited goof-balls comment on the trailer hitch on my Buick GS Stage I. I revel in the lamentations of their women,

Todd.

 

[CraigC]

.....people have warned me to retire that "collector's item" and buy a more modern gun.

Generally speaking, people are really weird about collectibles and the value of firearms, real and perceived. Still trying to understand the psychology behind it.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Another simple joy for me is to take a collectible gun out of its practical context.

Hunting with my DCM Garand, coyote hunting with my Winchester or I.B.M. carbine.... Trap or actual hunting with my Model 11 Aerial Gunnery Trainer.

Things like that.

Todd.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ive got a few which I keep primarily because looking at and playing with them brings me joy, but they arent much fun to shoot.

Mostly snubby revolvers.

 

[dh1633pm]

Nope. If I collect it, I better be able to shoot it.

 

[SundownRider]

Funny thing is, no gun is made to be a collectible. They are made to be shot and used as such. Why does one gain such status and another does not? I fully understand production numbers and scarcity, and demand being higher than supply. But to not use a tool in the manner it was designed because it might lose value is intrinsically ironic. I have 4-5 “collectible” firearms, but they are to me enjoyable. I will not abuse them, as I do not abuse any of my guns, but I won’t stop using them due to
imaginary collectible status.

 

[Rockrivr1]

If I own it, I shot it at one point or the other. Should I not enjoy shooting something that has seen more history then I have? If it breaks I'll see what I can do to fix it. Otherwise it's in the rotation to be shot when the inclination hits me. There are guns I have in my collection that just don't interest me as much as others so they don't get to the range as often. I'm not one to sell unless I have too so if anything guns that aren't interesting can be put up as trade fodder for something that does interest me.

 

[gunlaw]

I’d shoot it. Remington made a lot of these and were supposed to be indestructible. It’s probably been shot so much that any further use won’t effect the value. Have fun with it.