Hesitant to shoot it...

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Fat Boy

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Several years ago I read an article (by Skeeter Skelton, I think) describing a time when he acquired a handgun that was considered by most to be a collectible- he was advised, he said that even turning the cylinder would be a bad thing. So, he reported, he promptly gathered some ammo and headed for the range...:what:

I always like that thinking; guns are to be used and enjoyed...

I have recently acquired a S&W 586 that to my reasonably novice opinion is awfully nice; I would rate it at least 95% or better- and while I always professed that I would never own a gun I wouldn't shoot, I am now hesitant to shoot this one-

Frustrating, because I really would like to shoot the gun:banghead:

I know it isn't a high end collectible; I guess I need to reassure myself that shooting it won't damage it any as long as I take care of it; right?
 
Fat Boy

Well unless it's absolutely mint, in the box, with every piece of documentation necessary to prove that this is the exact same condition it left the factory, totally pristine; then yes, by all means, take the gun out and use it for the purpose for which it was designed and built for. Shoot it and enjoy it.
 
As far as I'm concerned, anybody who owns a revolver without a turn line on the cylinder is a firearms abuser and should be arrested.

And he's right -to carry the premium of being "new" they have to be EXACTLY PERFECTLY new with documentation, or it ain't worth squat.
 
The 586 is a beautiful gun and is on my short-list of guns to buy. You did great picking up a quality revolver...now go out and shoot the hell out of it! I hate safe queens!
 
Unless you intentionally purchased an "investment piece," I'd say shoot it until it's a smoothbore. You'll be happier.

Aw, who am I kidding? Investment piece or not it should be fired. Even if a first gen. unturned Colt SAA made its way into my hands I'd shoot it, it just doesn't seem right not to. That's like having a $100K home theater and then not watching any movies.
 
The 586 is not high on any collector's list. Not old, rare or unusual.

A 95% gun will have zero collector appeal if the gun was sought after... which the 586 is not.

Maybe 50 years from now a pristine 586 will excite some collectors. Will you really care at that point?
 
Many years ago the Old Fuff figured out that a few "right" safe queens can go along way toward helping finance the addiction. :cool:

In this case I took a look at my Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd. ed. and looked up the going value on a non-boxed, slightly used model 586.

Turns out to be $525.00 in Exc. condition.

Going back to the 1st. ed. (1996) I find the same revolver, in the same condition, listed at $300.00. So we see a $225.00 increase over an approximate 13 year period. If someone had bought it for $300.00 in '96, and used it carefully so any additional wear didn't show, they could make an easy $525.00 today, and maybe a bit more. That might be described as having your cake and eating it too. :scrutiny:

About three years ago I spotted a .38 Colt Police Positive on Gunbroker. Being such a worthless shooter it didn't fetch a single bid. It was re-listed at a lower price and still didn't fetch a bid - except mine. It was one of the last ones made during early 1942, and was in brand new, unfired condition. The minute I laid hands on it, it became worth 3 times more then what I paid for it, right on the spot. I never fired a shot through it and probably never will. It’s better then having money in the bank when interest rates are so low you might trip over them.

For the record, Skeeters gun was a Colt Single Action Army, case & blue, 4 ¾” barrel, chambered in .44 Special and engraved with ivory stocks. He bought it with every intention of shooting it, and he did. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.

To each is own, but having a few safe queens is one way to get an engraved Single Action – if that’s what floats your boat – without having to spend a lot of money out-of-pocket. :D
 
A S&W586 is a beautiful gun alright, but it is a shooter, not a collectible.
Click to expand...

Maybe yes, Maybe no, but the point is that if you buy wisely and keep at least some of what you buy in the same condition it was when you bought it, you can make money. The money can be used to buy more expensive guns that you might not be able to afford otherwise. :evil:
 
Boy, I have a different opinion.

There are guns to be fired and guns to be held onto and enjoyed for the next generation.

I have 38/44's that have never been turned with the original box and papers. I am not going to shoot them.

I have a 44 Automag that has never been fired and is all original. It would be criminal to shoot it.

Don't confuse the desire to shoot a gun with its collectable value. If you want to shoot one, buy a shooter and if you want to have a nice looker, get it refinished.

Just don't shoot a truly rare and collectable gun. Store it and steward it for the next generation of gun collectors.
 
I have recently acquired a S&W 586 that to my reasonably novice opinion is awfully nice; I would rate it at least 95% or better- and while I always professed that I would never own a gun I wouldn't shoot, I am now hesitant to shoot this one-
Click to expand...

I believe this might fall into the Old Fuff catagory described as "having your cake and eating it too".

Mostly because shooting a 95%-er will still leave you with a 95%-er. In a similar thread, I described my intent as "gently and lovingly used". Provided you don't kick it through a gravel lot you should be able to get a fair amount of use out of it without changing its condition overmuch.

Somebody already gave it a turn line - you might as well have some of the fun.
 
A 95% gun will have zero collector appeal if the gun was sought after... which the 586 is not.
Click to expand...

Maybe yes, maybe no. Smith prices seem to go up whether or not they are a true collector's piece. I can see that by watching prices at my local shops. Everytime I see a 586 it seems like the price has increased a little since the last time....and they don't last long on the shelf.
 
I remember when I was a semi "Knife Knut" and was incredulous as to the number of people who acquired "Safe Queens". I bought knives and used them. I feel the same about guns.

The appreciation on them is never going to be enough to change my life...so I use them.
 
It all depends on whether you'd like to retire WITH your guns.......or ON your guns. I'll bet the difference in what your inheritors will sell it for and the amount of pleasure you'll have NOW won't be much different.
 
There is a grave misconception on the part of some that “collectables” must be relegated to safe queen status and never fired. As a consequence those who believe that each and everything they own absolutely MUST be shot shun anything that might be considered collectable material. I hope this idea spreads because if it does, it provides me many opportunities at they’re expense (collectively not individually that is). :evil:

But then it’s also true that the Old Fuff all too frequently reveals something that he shouldn’t in his own best (greedy) interests, and this is one of those times. :uhoh:

As a general rule a collectable is regarded to be so if its value as an artifact is greater then it would be as a shooter. But as Hawk has observed it is quite possible to eat have one’s cake and eat it. :cool:

If the collectable in question is in absolutely new, unfired condition, and a make and model that has a following, it would be absolutely stupid to take it out and shoot it, but there are some that would be dumb enough to do so.

On the other hand if it has obviously been used and/or fired, and is still in good enough condition so that shooting (with appropriate ammunition) won’t damage it, a few additional rounds are unlikely to hurt. However the owner should always take into consideration that if a critical part happens to break, having repairs made might be difficult and expensive. Minor repairs on a S&W model 686 would be much different then say, on a .38 1902 Hand Ejector, and a model 1877 Colt D.A. could be a nightmare for anyone. Obviously some thought and caution is called for.

I have observed over time that a considerable number of the “shoot ‘um all” crowd often have limited experience and collections because of financial restraints to doing more. They also tend to upgrade by trading in the old toward the cost of the new. This process benefits the dealer more then the buyer because the buyer’s sacrifice is usually additional profit for the seller. However those individuals that have the know-how to buy guns that appreciate – sometimes instantly if the seller’s price was low, can do much more for substantially less cash investment. ;)
 
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