Picked up a new one today, W/ unexpected problem...

[BigShep85]

I went to pick up a new one today from a private seller. I was told it was like new but for the price i had my doubts, and of course I was being mislead....it was nicer than any new from the factory revolver I have ever seen. It is an early 1990's S&W 629-5 pre-lock never been shot, never been dry fired, cylinder has never been turned for 15 years the original owner who bought it new had never had this gun out of his house. It doesnt even have a turn ring on the cylinder, there is not one stray mark anywhere and I was utterly amazed at first the self control of this guy..200 rounds of ammo came with the sale and all of it new in the box and he had never been tempted to fire the first round and second at just the beauty of it there is not one scuff one scratch nothing. The only time he had ever had it out was to wipe it down with flitz, and the finish was a bright mirror. It had all the original paperwork and box to accompany it.
NOW... I am a person who likes to use his guns to shoot and carry, this is part of the fun for me but I can not even bring my self to even fathom shooting this gun. I hate the thoughts of letting someone hold the gun afraid they will pull the hammer back and start a turn ring (the cylinder is as flawless and glass smooth as any other part of the gun). I would like to get some opinions on this. Does anybody elso do this? obviously I do now but I would have never dreamed of it before. This is the first time I have ever had this problem:banghead:
What have I done to myself?

 

[Stainz]

It's condition - for it's age - is rare - not the gun. As the Cajun 'gator hunting brother would say,

"Chooot eet... chooot eet!"

Stainz

 

[MMCSRET]

I have a Colt LWE Commander in my safe that I got for a good price complete with box and all, I treat it the same way you do. I picked up a S&W Highway Patrolman (Model 28) dated 1958 a couple years ago. It had never been fired, I couldn't bring myself to fire it so it went to market and I doubled my money and bought a Colt I felt free to use. Last month I came across a S&W Model 624, box and all, dated to 1985, couldn't find it in Blue Book, they don't list 3" RB, TS. They list SB 4 & 6". I thought Lew Horton, sure enough, Lew Horton confirmed that it was a special production run for them in 1985.
Yeah, I understand your situation, I've got a couple of other Colts that I treat the same way. It's part of our community affliction!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bullet Bob]

If it's been polished enough to look almost like nickle, it's no longer original condition to a collector. Go ahead and shoot one of the finest .44 magnums ever made.

 

[motorcycle-charlie]

i would shoot it, consider it a good investment, and just keep it clean and lookin nice.

 

[mooner]

I cannot imagine having a nice gun like that and not shooting it. Wouldn't early 90's be a 629-4???

 

[CraigC]

Good Lord, it's not a NIB 1st generation Colt SAA. Take it out and shoot it! As stated, its condition is rare but not the gun. Very few things made in the last 50yrs are sacred. Life is short, enjoy your new S&W. I bought a brand new in the box 24-3 about two years ago. Paid a pretty penny but was tired of waiting for a deal. It had languished in its box for nearly 30yrs. First thing I did was swap the grips, take it out and shoot it.

 

[Waywatcher]

If it's been polished enough to look almost like nickle, it's no longer original condition to a collector. Go ahead and shoot one of the finest .44 magnums ever made.

+1

If it's been flitz'd, it's not a collector anymore.

Not trying to burst bubbles, but flitz can also erase cylinder turn lines, carbon rings on cylinders, and other various marks...

 

[Guillermo]

I would not hesitate on my way to the range.

It's not a 3 inch python NIB.

It is a no-longer-new-condition (due to the polishing) 44 from the Clinton years.

 

[CraigC]

Not trying to burst bubbles, but flitz can also erase cylinder turn lines, carbon rings on cylinders, and other various marks...

Well, that's certainly true. It really depends on the model. If it's a standard bull barrel 629, it probably has been polished. However, the stainless Classics and DX models came from the factory with a bright finish.

 

[Bullet Bob]

Some S&W stainless guns were polished more than others depending on the years made, but the only one I remember (always chancy, I admit ) being brightly polished were the edition called "MagnaClassic".

 

[CraigC]

Wonderful! Those Magna Classics and the DX models are some of the best S&W ever produced.

 

[cal01]

Lucky find! I, too, would shoot it. To me, a beautiful old revolver that shows evidence of years of careful use and loving care is prettier than a safe queen that rarely sees the light of day. There are exceptions, but most guns were built to shoot and I like to let them fulfill their promise!

Cal in TX

 

[BADUNAME37]

Some people have lots of money and they have a large warehouse full of vintage cars. Some have lots of guns that are still like new.

I have neither, however, I can say that every gun I have ever purchased I took out and shot, then shot again, then more, then more, to the point where the gun still looks good, however it doesn't look like it just came out of the OEM box from the factory. You know?---I wouldn't even care for something that is functional yet I decide to keep it as a display item.

If I want to see display items, I will go to a museum, as for that gun, I would be the guy making the first BEAUTY-marks on it!

 

[gearhead]

If you had bought it new from a dealer in the early '90s, would you have kept it NIB or would you have fired it?

I thought so. Now go enjoy it.

 

[T Bran]

Sell it to me ill gently fire a few and sell it back to you ( some restrictions apply offer not available in all states my definition of a few and yours may vary ) .
SHOOT IT and ENJOY
T

 

[Beat Trash]

You have 200 rds of ammunition daring you to go to the range.

 

[JEB]

but if you dont pull that hammer back, you'll never know just how sweet that SA trigger really is....


tempting ain't it?.......


personally, i would shoot it........a LOT!

 

[franco45]

It's a gun!! Shoot it.

 

[montanaoffroader]

Shoot it, you KNOW you want to!

 

[BigShep85]

I feel the same way you gentlemen do.

It is driving me crazy just having the gun and the ammo together. I dont know how the man made it 15 years withou firing a shot, I have made it one day and the temptation is insane. I have some pics I took last night, maybe this weekend I can get outside and take some better pictures.

 

[BigShep85]

more pictures

.......

 

[motorcycle-charlie]

NICE LOOKIN MACHINE YOU GOT THERE! looks clean....maybee a little too clean..it might be time to dirty it up a bit.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't have a gun I WON'T shoot.

I do have guns I DON'T shoot.

Only you can make the decision.

 

[CraigC]

Definitely not a factory polish. Just looks like somebody got carried away with the Flitz. Definitely no reason NOT to shoot it either.