Collector's Item vs Shooter

[bannockburn]

I buy them to shoot them, not to "collect" them. Only had one gun like that; my Colt Combat Commander as done up by Colt's Custom Shop. And then I didn't hesitate to shoot it because it might be a collectible someday; instead I thought it was too nice looking to want to use it! It took a change of ownership and then a bit of wheeling and dealing to get it back and start shooting it myself!

 

[FROGO207]

Anything I own will be a shooter. Not drop it on a rock pile and kick it use but, used as it was intended. Have several old "collectable" firearms that I use at the range or hunt with regularly. Several pre 64 winchester 1894's that I hunt with regularly for one example. Just dont try to destroy them and enjoy the history you make with them all.

 

[Riomouse911]

I only have two designated “collectibles” in my mish-mash of firearms in the safe; both are DU banquet guns my Dad won at auction years ago and ultimately gave to me. (I know the 870 was from the early 1980’s, the Beretta came sometime after.)

The first is a Rem 870 3” 20 Ga with high gloss bluing and fancy stock. The DU engraving is understated, just a bit of gold fill “scroll and script” on the receiver.

The second is a Beretta A303 3” 12 Ga with gold accents, high gloss bluing and a really fancy wood stock. This one came with a case and choke tubes that the 870 didn’t come with.

Of these two the 870 is the one I’m most likely to shoot.... but I probably won’t because I have a BPS 20 ga if I need to use a pump 20.

I’ll probably never shoot the Beretta either, it is really too nice to ding up.

I have guns that others may deem collectible, but I’ll worry about that some other decade as I’m shooting them all now.

Stay safe.

 

[Waveski]

I had a few handguns that qualified as collectible ; Luger , P.38 , and a Femaru among them. Last winter I sold off the safe queens off to finance a hot rod , a '54 Chevy pick up with a '74 front end and drive train. Great fun , and people smile when they see it go by. That makes me feel good , more than knowing what was languishing in the safe did. The profits from the sales were considerable.

The only remaining one I don't shoot is a very nice Colt Official Police from 1947 ... I'd hate to have to try to find a gunsmith for that one. But - now that I think about it , it's too good a shooter to sit in the dark. I'll give the old Colt a whirl soon.

I'd shoot that Nylon. It's a .22 ; the risk is pretty low.

 

[whisler]

I paid $50 for mine new in the box (close-out) and now I see prices from $275 to 350 at shows. Mines been shot and will continue to be shot as long as I am able.

 

[CraigC]

I've long used this particular gun as an example but never took a picture of it until recently. It's not a collectible but it was relatively expensive. Back in 2005 I had a cancer scare. While it turned out to not be cancer, it was still not a fun experience as it cost me a lot of money and it still could've been disastrous. My life flashed before my eyes as it often does and I decided to splurge on something I had wanted for a long time, a really nice side by side shotgun. I knew I couldn't afford one of the big name British game guns so I settled on a pre-owned Merkel 280 28ga with Briley .410 inserts that I found on Gunbroker. Cost me the same as a new one would have, albeit with a less nice case and no inserts, which was right at $4000. I've always taken great pride in being able to hunt with this fine little thing and even got excited when I saw that I was starting to wear the case colors off the frame from carrying it. A stronger urge in me than "too nice to use" is "too expensive not to". So I do and love every minute of it.

 

[Howland937]

If it were a life changing amount of money your gun could potentially be worth, then I'd take that into consideration before letting it eat.
As long as $400 isn't life changing, then shoot it. If it breaks and loses half it's value, you're out about a months worth of cable tv.

 

[loneviking]

The collectibles I wouldn’t shoot would be either those tied to a person or event in history. Or, the heavily engraved with silver and gold commemorative/special edition guns.

Everything else is fair game for regular range trips!

 

[AMraider]

I don't consider myself a milsurp "Collector" but more of a "Gatherer." I acquire them to shoot them. I do understand the ones that have collected some really rare and hard to find items and don't wont to fire them. I'm not sure if I could resist the temptation to shoot.

 

[Bazoo]

I'm a shooter, I shoot and modify my guns. Got a winchester 94, made in the 70s. They are not as valuable as a pre 64, but growing. I felt no remorse for adding sling swivels and shooting nearly 1000 rounds through it thus far.

One thing I do, is collect spare parts for all my guns. The common things like firing pins and extractors.

 

[DoubleMag]

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.

Now THAT sounds like good advice, and splitting things down the middle

A good gun is a good gun.

To heck with what other people think.

Collectors have been ruining it for users since humanity started.

I respectfully disagree as simply collecting is one very viable functions of 2A advocacy. And a GREAT hedge against inflation !

Funny thing is, no gun is made to be a collectible.

...shoot them, not to "collect" them. Only had one...

And there are various other comments on collecting.

Just as we all shoot at a target and therefore we are ALL target shooters, if we have more then one firearm and hold on to them for any specified length of time, we are in fact, collectors.

Some ppl shoot at clay birds, other 3d, others regular printed targets, some use paper plates...
Some ppl have fine O/Us, some ppl have rarer pistols, some have a ''simple collection'' i.e. a 12ga pump, a 22LR rifle, 2 pistols.

Yet those are examples of target shooters, and of collectors

 

[film495]

I have a few older family guns that might be considered collectible, but they are and have always been shooters, now they are just older. I find I take better care of firearms that come out of the safe and get fully serviced and fired.

 

[Armored farmer]

I cant think of a gun that i would buy, and not shoot.
A horse that I wouldn't ride,,a guitar that I wouldn't play......
I'll stop there.

 

[Speedo66]

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.

Similar, sold my vintage ‘67 Corvette roadster with 52K miles because I felt like treating it harshly was a crime.

But guns, I have no problem shooting my WWII Carbine, or the original 73 I recently sold.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I've long used this particular gun as an example but never took a picture of it until recently. It's not a collectible but it was relatively expensive. Back in 2005 I had a cancer scare. While it turned out to not be cancer, it was still not a fun experience as it cost me a lot of money and it still could've been disastrous. My life flashed before my eyes as it often does and I decided to splurge on something I had wanted for a long time, a really nice side by side shotgun. I knew I couldn't afford one of the big name British game guns so I settled on a pre-owned Merkel 280 28ga with Briley .410 inserts that I found on Gunbroker. Cost me the same as a new one would have, albeit with a less nice case and no inserts, which was right at $4000. I've always taken great pride in being able to hunt with this fine little thing and even got excited when I saw that I was starting to wear the case colors off the frame from carrying it. A stronger urge in me than "too nice to use" is "too expensive not to". So I do and love every minute of it.

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Gorgeous gun and so glad it turned out to be not cancer and that you got through it. God bless you sir.

 

[CraigC]

Thank you sir!

 

[Riomouse911]

I cant think of a gun that i would buy, and not shoot.
A horse that I wouldn't ride,,a guitar that I wouldn't play......
I'll stop there.

I’m in the same boat, I couldn’t imagine not shooting a newly purchased gun the first time I can get out and try it. To me it’s like Christmas morning X2; the first morning is the purchase...the second morning is the range trip .

Now I don’t have any horses but I do have a few guitars that I’ve bought and haven’t played...that’s ‘cause I bought them for the autograph rather than the instrument . (The exceptions are the Grey Yamaha Bass from Michael Anthony of Van Halen and the Sunburst Fender Strat from Chris Duarte on the left side of the wall, both were played before being signed .)



Stay safe.

 

[CapnMac]

but I do have a few guitars

You need a "gun room" for your guitars []
Some serious dollars on that wall, just think if a kid got a hold of one ? []

 

[Armored farmer]

I’m in the same boat, I couldn’t imagine not shooting a newly purchased gun the first time I can get out and try it. To me it’s like Christmas morning X2; the first morning is the purchase...the second morning is the range trip .

Now I don’t have any horses but I do have a few guitars that I’ve bought and haven’t played...that’s ‘cause I bought them for the autograph rather than the instrument . (The exceptions are the Grey Yamaha Bass from Michael Anthony of Van Halen and the Sunburst Fender Strat from Chris Duarte on the left side of the wall, both were played before being signed .)

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Stay safe.

The only thing I have autographed is a watercolor painting by Buck (Newly) Taylor. He was at the Denver stock show, and my sis bought it for me, and he signed it.

I did visit with Charlie Daniels for about three minutes at the Executive Inn at Owensboro, Ky. I was honored buy the man's coffee.

Both of those guys a fellow firearms enthusiasts btw.

 

[Riomouse911]

Charlie D certainly loved firearms .

He was a good man for sure.

Stay safe.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have one gun that I kind of baby now. It is the first rifle I got for Cowboy Action Shooting. A Winchester 94 Trails End .357 magnum. I have replaced the Link 4 times and the Carrier twice because I shot the heck out of it. Getting parts now is really hard so it wears a new link and carrier and it’s still just as accurate as it ever was. It’s the most accurate rifle in pistol caliber I have ever shot. I still shoot it but it won’t be used in CAS any longer unless there’s a side match I can use it for. I also take it to the range once in a while.
It may sound a little dorky but this is my very favorite rifle. Lots of folks wouldn’t give one of these a second look on a gun rack. SASS shooters shun ‘em and that’s fine with me. That means out there somewhere is a good “Parts Gun” just waiting for me to come along.



Oh, I forgot. Out of all my guns I do have one I consider to be a “Collector Piece”.
It’s a Davis Derringer…it “collects” dust.

 

[Riomouse911]

You need a "gun room" for your guitars []
Some serious dollars on that wall, just think if a kid got a hold of one ? []

I have a couple worth a bit.. A BB King, Eric Clapton and a Sir Paul McCartney top the list.

I will say they need to be kept out of my hands. I’d be guilty of assault on good taste and eardrum battery if I played them...I’m not very good with stringed instruments.

Stay safe.

 

[J-Bar]

Shoot it until that collector walks up with so much cash you can’t refuse. I’m betting it will be a while.

 

[ms6852]

I do not have that dilemma . I do not believe in "collectors" guns. If I can not shoot it I do not want it. I thoroughly enjoy shooting my 52C Winchester, my Remington 513T, and my colt python. Have been offered a lot of money at the range for them too. I am planning on refurbishing my python and do not really care about the collectors value, just how I feel.

 

[Neo-Luddite]

A used Nylon 66....their reliability approaches legend; doesn't it? If it were new in box I'd let it stay that way. I am careful with our family heirlooms but I do shoot them. I don't say, use my Aunt Yoshi's Colt 1903 pocket as an EDC...but I DO shoot it and carry if for special occasions (in this case, when Xmas shopping each year). My late 55 almost new M-1? Range only. My early 44 M-1, reparked, regassed/barreled?----I'd run that rifle through hell for ****s and giggles. To each his own at the end of the day.