Sould I let her shoot it.

[mokin]

Take your wife and the Colt to the range and make it a big date. Have fun. Tell your wife what an occcasion it is.

 

[oldbear]

Shoot it, and when you do remember all the fun you and Dad had together shooting the other one.

 

[Jim NE]

He's my problem with unfired weapons - you never know for certain that they actually work! Even though it's unlikely that a colt quality revolver wouldn't work new out of the box, it would be nice to know how WELL it works. There may come an unforeseen time or circumstance when you'll actually need to use that weapon.

Having said that, have you actually researched the value difference between an unfired and a lightly used gun of your model? Could be there's not enough difference to worry about.

Also, keep in mind - your Dad is the guy who bought it and kept it unfired all those years, and HE'S the one suggesting you actually go out and use it. Seems he's come to the same conclusion that many others have: it isn't worth owning if it isn't worth using. Jusy my opinion.

 

[Nushif]

[...] she made a comment that a larger handgun was on her mind, that is when my dad said, "I have a 38 that might be just right", today he handed me the colt.

Sounds like it's not your choice to make. He gave the gun to her.
It's a nice gun and a collector's piece. It's also *her* nice gun and collector's piece.
My wife would deaderize me with great pain if I ever posted about "screening" how she uses her guns.

 

[Doug Add]

Take Dad, and the wife out to the range. He gets first shot.

Excellent suggestion!

 

[sideways]

Sounds to me like Dad give to your wife to shoot. I think you maybe go against his wishes if you don't.

 

[dbro822]

Well it is going to be a shooter. I have always enjoyed shooting, and to not shoot the colt in my mind would not honor the makers. 7.62 Nato, I like your idea, that being said my wife, my dad, one nice little colt and I have a date. As far as a collector I think I like to collect firearms that put a little bit of a smile on my face, and shooting them has a way of doing that. Add to the fact that it might do the same for the wife is a good bonus.

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[oldfool]

keep wife (she sounds like a keeper to me)
send dad (along with any guns he owns)
I will take him shooting
any/all of 'em

 

[sixgunner455]

I found a very nice, LNIB S&W recently. I put it on layaway and I'm paying a lot more than I ever expected to for a S&W. Either when my tax return comes, or I finish selling a couple of other things, I fully intend to shoot the snot out of it, and carry it every chance I get. When one of my kids inherits it, I expect that it will have quite a bit of finish wear.

Except under great duress, it is a gun I will never sell. What is it? A fairly common K frame, a 3" Model 13-3. Not as unusual these days as an unfired Diamondback, but they're made to be fired. It's what I enjoy most about them, myself - guns are for shooting.

 

[4v50 Gary]

What your father said. It'll bring you and wife closer together.

 

[robctwo]

I bought a nib S&W 19-3 4" this past year. Paid around $800 for it. Someone bought it and kept it brand new for me from 1972. Bless their hearts. I've put new springs in it, buffed and polished the interior and put a few thousand rounds down range, mostly .38 Specials. It is a dream to shoot. It will be in excellent shape for my kids when I'm gone.

Your Dad did just that for your wife.

 

[Mac2]

+1 on what 7.62 Nato said. Make a family thing out of it at the range. Making money on a NIB is not what your Dad intended. Go shoot it, take good care of it, and you weren't gonna sell your Dad's pistol anyhow. Enjoy it for what it is.

 

[LHRGunslinger]

Shoot it till it don't work no more.