Suicide weapon

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poe_9999

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A guy I met the other day has a colt 1911 that he is looking to sell/trade at a reasonable price. I have always wanted a colt 1911, but I have never seen one at a reasonable price when I had money to spend. The guy then told me how he came into possession of the pistol. His brother-in-law bought it 30 years ago and used it to commit suicide. So his in-laws gave it to him because they wanted nothing more to do with it.

What do you guys think? Would any of you guys buy a gun that was used in a suicide? Your feelings please…

The whole thing just kinda makes me feel weird, not creeped out, just weird.
 
Remember, the object is neutral, the user and uses made thereof determine the good and the bad, purely at the hands of the person acting.

The user and the bad use are long gone.

I also don't subscribe to the theory of premium values (even so slight) of "blood guns", weapons either used in battle with confirmed kills, or law enforcement pieces known to have saved the life of the user. The history is in the humans, the object is no more and no less special because of its history of use.

I reluctantly concede to the "premium" value of famous prior _owners_ of particular firearms.
 
I could not have one that I knew was used in a suicide. I would think about that fact every time I handled it. It would lessen the joy that a fine gun brings me. Not worth a bargin to me anyway.
 
For me, those "blood guns" reinforce the idea that this chunk of metal in my hand is a deadly weapon and should be treated with the proper respect and safety. I wouldn't have a problem with such a gun as it would serve to remind me that it is not a toy. It also makes me think of the person who used it. Did the user of an old war relic protect himself with it and make it safely home or did he fall to the enemy? Did he fall emptying the gun into his foes or was he caught in an ambush without a chance?
But are "blood guns" worth extra money? No, I don't think so.
 
I would buy the gun. If when you get it you get creeped out then turn around and use it to get one that does not have the past of said gun.
 
I collect milsurp rifles - including Russian and Japanese and Nazi arms that were probably involved in terrible things.

I think of it as sort of like adopting stray dogs and giving them a good home. They don't know their owners were bad. They aren't bad. They just belong where they are wanted.

Yes, that sounds very weird, but hey...

So if you don't want it, I'm interested!

Oh, yeah, that earlier poster made a good point - be sure to check it for pitting, blood is basically salt water and it just eats steel.
 
I have to agree with Grump on this one.

It is an inanimate object nothing more nothing less.

So someone misused it, so what.
 
I could not have one that I knew was used in a suicide. I would think about that fact every time I handled it. It would lessen the joy that a fine gun brings me. Not worth a bargin to me anyway.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly.
 
I collect milsurp rifles - including Russian and Japanese and Nazi arms that were probably involved in terrible things.
Click to expand...

Those were my thoughts on the subject too. There are firearms out there that have been used in things far worse than suicides. And millions of us in America pay for them each and everyday. If it is a good deal, and you want that particular model, go for it. Like someone else said, if it really creeps you out, trade it.
 
The weapon is just a tool with no memory or soul. It doesn't bother me at all to shoot a weapon that was used in a suicide, BTDT. It was returned to the family and has since been passed down.
 
I was offered one, once, years ago. I declined only because of very close association with the mans brother. Other than that, I wouldn't have had a problem with owning the gun.
Mark.
 
Pilgrim, you response was right there. I always like it when someone injects a little brevity to a serious situation. I was not expecting your quick minded response. Good show. :)
One thing to remember, a 1911 is not a house. You are under no obligation to disclose anything about the firearms past. I say get that bad juju out of the safe, and trade it in at your gunshop, or list it on Gunbroker. Use the proceeds to fit your fancy. It's not like your relatives wouldn't understand this.
 
premium values (even so slight) of "blood guns"
Click to expand...

I have never heard of this before. Is there really a premium market out there for weapons that were used to kill someone? I googled “blood guns” but didn’t find anything related. I find it rather sick that someone would petal a gun at an inflated value because it was used to kill a criminal.
 
I have never heard of this before. Is there really a premium market out there for weapons that were used to kill someone?
Click to expand...

Yup, mostly with military rifles. A k98 or an Arisaka that has 'Blood pitting' could bring a premium price. Unfortunately there is no easy way to tell the difference between blood pitting and pitting caused by bubba leaving the rifle in the corner of his barn for 20years.
 
I own a couple of M-1 Carbines. One actually saw service in WW II. While the second one was likely used in Korea. I would be surprised if they did not kill someone. My conclusion is that the gun is just a tool. I don't really know for sure and I don't care. As they say, guns don't kill people, people do. I can see the family of the suicide not wanting it around anymore but you didn't do it. An inanimate object is not to be feared in a case like this. Don't worry on it. My nephew fell off some rocks in Turkey a number of years back and died. I don't blame rocks for his death. Neither do I think you should blame the gun.
 
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