Gun collectors vs. skill collectors.

[RDCL]

Practically speaking guns are tools, yes....but some of them just happen to be works of art in spite of that fact.

....I happen to prefer older guns and those guns (nice vintage blued ones) are not JUST tools......I prefer to think of them as precision instruments with highly refined craftsmanship from days past. Why not preserve them when an easily replaceable new gun carrying a warranty can be shot instead.

There is nothing at all wrong or waste full about keeping "safe queens". I've often said before that simply owning a fine firearm simply for admiration & reflection is a tremendous pleasure in itself........much like rich folks that spend thousands of dollars for a painting to hang on a wall, the pleasure of ownership IS the reward, only I'd rather look at a fine firearm than a painting.

My cordless De Walt power drill......now THAT is JUST a tool.....a tool and nothing else. I could care less if it gets a scratch on it as long as it works. There's the difference.

 

[303tom]

Really , what does it matter , I have a bunch & all but a few are shot.

 

[youngda9]

TS is most certainly looking down his nose at collectors of various items(guns, cars, guitars). Not sure if it is due to jealousy ($) or something else. People enjoy different things. Some enjoy driving their sportscars(shooting guns), and some enjoy their beauty and just want to admire and show them off.

To each his own. I will defend their right to do either with their firearms. I will not judge or look down upon someone for how they handle their hobby.

 

[JohnBT]

"who bragged that his guitar"

He only has one guitar? I on the other hand have numerous guns in a variety of conditions.

Ever see some of the guitars that Clapton auctioned off from his collection? He was a collector and a player (obviously). Heck, ever see some of the ultra high end shotguns Clapton auctioned off?

 

[pockets]

Everyone 'collects skills'....that is the nature of life.

Sure, some folks concentrate on specific shooting skills. There are subdivisions among those people too. Are defensive pistol shooting skills better to have than long-range rifle skills? Fast draw skills better than...well.....it just goes on and on and on and on......and on.
Whatever floats their boat, but don't whiz in my Post Toasties about my own personal preferences.

I own several dozen long and hand guns....some get shot often, some now and then, some rarely. I do not consider myself a collector of guns or specific gun skills. I am an 'acquirer' and I enjoy what I acquire. Why should I care what anyone thinks of that?

I own a lot of guitars. Some are just duplicates of my 'stage tools' and don't get played often....they just sit as back-ups to guitars that get sweated on and beat on. I have an early 50's Gibson acoustic that I rarely even touch...it was my first guitar.

I have friends who gladly pay $1,800 for a 2" long slot car made in 1967 and would never dream of cracking open the box to let in '2011 air'. I have other friends who run the crap out of the same type of slot car. I have a few hundred vintage slot cars and still don't consider myself a collector. It's just a way to relax....so are guitars, guns, science fiction modeling, and all the other things I do to enjoy life.

Like Bill Murray said, "It just doesn't matter".

.

 

[Shrevy]

If that means sawing six inches off the barrel of an antique Mauser to make it easier to handle he will do that also.

I don't disagree that guns are tools. I will shoot everything I own, but consider myself a collector as well. The above quote does show some level of ignorance about the collecting market though. Maybe it is used just to get a rise from the collecting community. I say that because...if using a gun as a tool is the only reason one has to have a gun (which is fine, I have no problem with that) why would you destroy the collectible value of an "antique Mauser" which very likely has a value well in excess of a modern gun that will do the same job. If practicality was the aim, the most practical course of action would be sell the "unmolested" Mauser, buy a modern "tool" to do the job and pocket the monetary difference or buy ammo. I collect stamps as well. I wouldn't send a letter by using an inverted Jenny stamp (as was done in Brewster's Millions).

Swap out a Mosin Nagant 91/30 for "antique Mauser" and the above sentence makes more sense. In that sense, cutting up a $90 gun might get you a tool cheaper than buying a modern firearm to do the same job. There are some in the collecting community that would read what I just wrote as blasphemy for even a $90 Mosin Nagant. I personally wouldn't do it, but that wouldn't bother me. We're all part of the sport and there is room for everyone.

 

[spartand003]

I shoot all my guns (except for the Saiga, but when I get it glorious shooting for Mother Russia will be had!!!! ), but some are tools more than others. I definitely am a "musician", to use OP's analogy, with my Ruger 10/22 as I shoot and use when hiking much, much more than my other rifles. I appreciate my Mauser and Mosin more for their engineering and handle them more, but I am nowhere near as skilled with them than my Ruger. So for me it just depends on the gun. My Ruger is more of a tool than my other rifles, and therefor I am more skilled with it.

 

[Loosedhorse]

He looks upon people who treat guns as shiny trinkets with disdain

Then he would be no friend of mine. Folks who treat other gunnies with disdain (because they like "black rifles," or handguns, or dress up in funny cowboy gear, or whatever) and feel they know the "right" way to appreciate guns? I'll sit at the other end of the bar while they laugh about folks like me. That's fine.

What would we all think about a guy who took a 50% original finish 1880s Colt SAA...and decided to grind off the old finish and Parkerize it, because "that'll be better for field use; guns ain't for lookin' at, you know"?

I don't mind the dings that "'working guns" get with honest use; but for some guns, honest use is keeping them oiled and safe, in order to show folks how things used to be.

Spoken as a collector, hunter, and graduate of several nationally known "skills" schools. Enjoy guns how you want.

 

[09corvette]

I have collected guns most of my adult life. I do hunt some but wouldn't say I'm an avid hunter. I have seen guys use their hunting guns as tools to beat brush out of the way. I wouldn't do that with my gun. Most of these guys don't care what their guns look like they just want the to shoot well. I don't fault these guys for how they treat their guns. That is what they want to do and that is how they use them.

I, on the other hand, keep my guns looking good. When I open my safe I want to admire my collection. That isn't to say that I don't shoot them or carry them.
When my son and I go to the range I like to ask him what he feels like shooting and he usually picks 2 or 3 pistols that he wants to bring with us. We don't shoot every gun every time we go but we do shoot every gun we have. When we get home we spend some time together cleaning the guns we used.
Having a nice looking gun doesn't have to mean that it's a safe queen. It might mean that you use it but take care of it too.
I enjoy collecting and shooting guns. They are a big investment and I like to take care of them too.

 

[oneounceload]

He looks upon people who treat guns as shiny trinkets with disdain

Sounds like he suffers from an extreme case of wealth-envy.

I know a gent who loves to shoot his 1911's and his one-of-kind European shotguns- and he has many of them; however, he collects Lugers and never shoots any of them

So what? Some folks have more disposable income and some can appreciate some things as collectibles or works of art - and some can't. To each his own.

 

[sirgilligan]

I shoot, but not a lot because I live in the city now. When I go home to Kentucky we shoot. Last time there, 300 rounds of 9 mm, 500 rounds 22LR, 50 rounds .357...

When I see anything that appears to be mistreated, neglected, or abused, I don't like it. A gun with scratches and dings in the stock, that happens. I try to avoid it when handling, cleaning, and transporting a gun, but when it is in use and you bump something, it happens. However a gun that is not properly maintained, that is different.

My brother is the hunter. I do hunt, but he lives for it. We both go for precision and accuracy. For instance, there are carbines that shoot 2 - 3 inch groups at 100 yards and that is the capability of the gun. If there is a carbine that shoots one ragged hole at 100 yards, we prefer that gun. The statement, "3 inches hits a man size target" doesn't mean much to us. We shoot ground hog sized targets.

I am picky about dings and dents. Doesn't matter if it is my mountain bike (with around 8000 miles on it, with no major dings), my car, or my guns. I can tell you every dint on my car or truck and when I first noticed it, and usually what caused it. And I especially don't like dinging myself up!

I will buy a gun because it is pretty. Is that wrong? Nope.

So, which is the "better" or "right" gun owner, me or my brother?

p.s.

My brother is always saying, "You going to shoot it or look at it?" I say, "I don't know."

 

[Creade]

I used to be one of those people that loved "Collecting" AKA hording.

But now I have come to the conclusion that although I love so many of them, there is no point in keeping so many unless they are definitely being used, a family heriloom, or absolute investment pieces.
(By investment pieces I do not mean a $500 milsurp rifle that may be worth $800 someday)

I have one piece that breaks this rule, and it is one of the earliest manufactured Colt 1911s. I have shot it, though it sits in the safe these days.

 

[Mike Sr.]

"If that means sawing six inches off the barrel of an antique Mauser to make it easier to handle he will do that also."
=================================

I am a little bit of all the elements 'suggested' but I would not 'chop' an antique just to make it 'fit'...I'd find a market and use that market to find another to 'fit'

There are boundary's I will NOT cross.

 

[leadaddict]

I agree that it is a matter of degrees more than an either/or kind of thing. If I were to rate my own gun owner leanings I'd break it down like this:
(using the catagories from Stiletto above)
Hunter - 25%
Competitive shooter: 0% - (Though I'd like to get into it.)
Practical shooter (training): 40%
Recreational shooter (plinker): 30%
Gun collector: 5%
If I had the money for it I'd love some pieces that are 'too nice to shoot'. Right now I enjoy shooting too much to spend the money on something I wouldn't shoot. Some day...

 

[2ndAmFan]

All my guns are shooters. Some I shoot less than others but I am not a collector. I don't have any safe queens. I don't see anything wrong with people who collect guns they don't shoot any more than I see something wrong with those who shoot their guns. If I could afford it I would have a nice collection of guns I don't shoot, but under the circumstances I shoot them all. None of my business whether someone saves or shoots their guns. Their choice.

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

I enjoy both shooting and collecting firearms. I would shoot more often but it costs me ammunition, gas to get to the range, and time off from work.

My guitars on the other hand cost nearly nothing to play and I can do so without the time commitment.

 

[Smokey in PHX]

I have done both. At one time many years ago I had around 20 Commeorative Mod 94 Winchesters. Fortunately I sold them at the right time. I have several guns I have had for years that I have not fired but I have just not got around to using those guns. I basically use all my guns for hunting or target practice.

But to each his own. Some collect and some shoot. I don't see a problem either way.

 

[Lone_Sheep_Dog]

Guns are works of art, not just tools.
I'll scratch a screwdriver or wrench without worry. A gun is not in that category.

 

[huntsman]

What would you think of someone who bragged that his guitar was still in perfect mint condition, still in the box it came in, and had never been played except at the factory for testing?

You might think that this was some guy with nice guitar but you would NEVER think that he was a musician.

Some gun people are just like this, they collect guns but they hardly ever USE them.

There’s a place in the middle between the billybob modifiers and the NIB crowd and that’s where I am. I use my stuff but don’t abuse it, my 2004 MIA Fender jazz bass looks new out of the box yet I gig it every week.

Guns can be used and still maintain their value, sure you’ll get character marks but I’ve never felt the need to butcher a gun for one extra duck or rabbit as I’ve always just hunted for sport as apposed to sustenance. But I do know guys who your friend reminds me of (but I don't consider them hunters) truth be told these guys are all about killing and will do anything to achieve their goals.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Jorg hit it right in post #4. There are many ways to enjoy firearms and no way is the wrong way.
All of my guns get shot, but then again, I don't have any valuable antiques either. The only reason I'm not a collector is because I'm to broke to be one. I love the old west and the guns used in the old west and when I'm financially able, I will collect guns from that era. And you can bet your rear end they won't get shot.
I probably wouldn't get along with your friend very well. I have an aversion to closed minded people.

 

[parsimonious_instead]

Right now I own one of pretty much every gun I've dreamed of owning.
Sure there's some cool stuff I'd like to have but the "must haves" are out of the way.
Now I'm shifting my scarce gun dollars toward accessories (not silly tacticool stuff, but things like higher quality cleaning supplies, extra magazines, etc), ammunition for practice, and training.

 

[FourTeeFive]

I take care of everything that I own in order to get the most life out of it. And I certainly take care of all of my firearms to help retain their value should I want to trade or sell them. That said, I do treat my AK's a bit differently than a fine old pistol. Nature of the beast I suppose...

 

[Fishslayer]

What would you think of someone who bragged that his guitar was still in perfect mint condition, still in the box it came in, and had never been played except at the factory for testing?

You might think that this was some guy with nice guitar but you would NEVER think that he was a musician.

Some gun people are just like this, they collect guns but they hardly ever USE them.

Then there are people like my friend who is an accomplished competitive shooter and master hunter. He swaps and trades guns all the time but his guns are strictly tools that are used as an extension of his ability. He could care less if they get a little bit scratched up or the finish is worn as long as they are accurate and dependable. He might even wrap the grip of a pistol with grip tape or spray paint the sights black if it helps him to hit the target any faster. He is totally objective driven and his objective is to be a better shooter and if that means replacing fine English walnut with black plastic that holds up better in the duck blind he will do it. If that means sawing six inches off the barrel of an antique Mauser to make it easier to handle he will do that also. He looks upon people who treat guns as shiny trinkets with disdain because he knows that he can actually USE his tools.

He is a skill collector, not a gun collector. Which are you?

 

[Finprof]

Collecting vs. shooting

Just because you hunt and/or shoot with a gun doesn't mean that it has to be beat up. If you take care of things you can still use them and thay will still look good. Go to a trap field and you will see Krieghoffs with 100,000 rounds through them that look new.

One of my friends' parents were at my Mom's house and noted that I had left a brand new shotgun there. It was a Mossberg 500 that I bought in 1964 and killed my first deer, first dove and first quail with, and many more to follow. It was my only shotgun until after I graduated from College and was my rainy-day "beater" after that, but I took care of it and it still looks new.

I didn't "collect" it but I won't sell it even though I bought a few more guns since then and don't use it hardly at all now.

 

[beatledog7]

Like many of the responders, I am both a shooter and a collector. And I have firearms that reflect that I am both. But I have zero guns I've never shot.

I'm also a musician, and the same situation applies there.