Sav .250
Member
Different strokes for different folks..................
Super expensive guns and "Safe Queens"
- Thread starter kdunn
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DeepSouth
Random Guy
I understand it, I've seen guns that were so beautiful and had had such craftsmanship in them That I understand why people don't want to take them out shooting all the time. I don't per own any, but it do understand.
I guess I think of it like this, if I had a top of the line Holland & Holland would I take I duck hunting? Um, definitely not. No way I'm going to put it under the water so I can step on it to help me stand back up after I tripped on a root in 16" of water.
Would I shoot it? Oh heck yeah I would, but never enough to make it look well worn. Most of its time out of the safe would be to show of to people that would appreciate it, then we'd go shoot it of course.
Again different strokes for different folks. I'm glad we're all different.
I guess I think of it like this, if I had a top of the line Holland & Holland would I take I duck hunting? Um, definitely not. No way I'm going to put it under the water so I can step on it to help me stand back up after I tripped on a root in 16" of water.
Would I shoot it? Oh heck yeah I would, but never enough to make it look well worn. Most of its time out of the safe would be to show of to people that would appreciate it, then we'd go shoot it of course.
Again different strokes for different folks. I'm glad we're all different.
Some people buy cars and don't intend to drive them.
Within a year or two of the Corvette Pace Car edition selling out, it was extremely rare to see one on the road. I suspect in a few more years we will see dozens popping up in estate sales with less than 1,000 miles on them.
Guns are no different.
Some knife collectors have blades that have never been dulled enough to resharpen. High end $20k knives. At a certain point the object is considered art, not a tool, and it won't ever be used.
The real issue for investment purposes is knowing when to dispose of the item. Re the Vette, sooner might be better than in just a few years. Being extremely rare helps, if there are hundreds on the market or regularly coming thru the auction then values will be lower. Those who collected Broomhandle Mausers remember the bust when China started exporting their supply - prices dropped to half.
Like a $20,000 Rolex in a auto winding display case, some items are never used. That Rolex may sit next to a Patek which is next to an Omega. The owner is quite happy to see them ticking away and might once in a blue moon wear it to dinner. Very few would keep it on to dig a drainage trench for the garage gutterning or wear it thru a weekend carbine course.
That's the other side of the coin - nobody could understand that, either, and would likely express a negative opinion of the dude abusing it as if they had no clue what it was.
Within a year or two of the Corvette Pace Car edition selling out, it was extremely rare to see one on the road. I suspect in a few more years we will see dozens popping up in estate sales with less than 1,000 miles on them.
Guns are no different.
Some knife collectors have blades that have never been dulled enough to resharpen. High end $20k knives. At a certain point the object is considered art, not a tool, and it won't ever be used.
The real issue for investment purposes is knowing when to dispose of the item. Re the Vette, sooner might be better than in just a few years. Being extremely rare helps, if there are hundreds on the market or regularly coming thru the auction then values will be lower. Those who collected Broomhandle Mausers remember the bust when China started exporting their supply - prices dropped to half.
Like a $20,000 Rolex in a auto winding display case, some items are never used. That Rolex may sit next to a Patek which is next to an Omega. The owner is quite happy to see them ticking away and might once in a blue moon wear it to dinner. Very few would keep it on to dig a drainage trench for the garage gutterning or wear it thru a weekend carbine course.
That's the other side of the coin - nobody could understand that, either, and would likely express a negative opinion of the dude abusing it as if they had no clue what it was.
wojownik
Member
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- 2,086
I like this answer.
Some are art, or "statements." Some are commemorative. Some are historic. I personally don't understand taking a high value article, and treating/depreciating it like just any other "tool".
And some are indeed just hyper-expensive tools. I don't fully understand that either ... the Maseratis and Ferraris as a commuter vehicle. The guy who drops off his kids each morning to school in the '$180k Ason Martin. But, if you have the financial means ...
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
If you paid the tariff on an Aston Martin, would you not drive it every chance you had? I would!
AlexanderA
Member
I used to shoot when I was younger. But I haven't been out shooting in many years. I still buy guns. When I do, I have every intention of never shooting them. I have some guns from the 1970's that are unfired and new in their original boxes. Needless to say, these have appreciated tremendously in value.
It's not only the investment aspect, but the collection aspect. To a collector, condition is everything, and shooting a gun inevitably lessens its condition.
Even if I were to start shooting again (a prospect that diminishes with every passing year), I have more guns than I could ever hope to shoot. Shooting, per se, is not what the gun hobby means to me.
It's not only the investment aspect, but the collection aspect. To a collector, condition is everything, and shooting a gun inevitably lessens its condition.
Even if I were to start shooting again (a prospect that diminishes with every passing year), I have more guns than I could ever hope to shoot. Shooting, per se, is not what the gun hobby means to me.
I agree. FWIW, there are tons of firearms that were built with the intention of them being art and remaining NIB. Shooting the hell out of them would immediately decrease the value by many thousands of dollars. Whether or not the owners shoot them is their business.
huntsman
Member
The late George "Bird" Evans inherited a Purdey(shotgun of significant value) he not only hunted with it he modified the stock to fit him better
so yes to some guns are just "tools" and some can appreciate using a finely crafted gun for it's intended purpose.Value is a personal thing and subjective, if one "values" the experience of hunting with a finely engraved shotgun as opposed to just owning and fondling it then I doubt he will regret his actions. Life is for living, guns are for shooting and art is for viewing.
FWIW I consider that whole commemorative thing as a marketing ploy to sell more product.
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buntline
Member
I have a recently inherited Ducks Unlimited banquet gun, unfired, hard case, etc. I have tried to get the two other heirs to take it as part of their share, and it is still sitting in my safe taking up room.
Nobody involved wants something that would be devalued by shooting the first round out of it.
I'll bet old Mike, who won it in the first place years ago at the D.U. banquet and never screwed up the courage to shoot it, either, is sitting up there on a cloud laughing his ankle off at us.
It IS a lovely piece of work, though. .......Maybe a time capsule.......Joe
Nobody involved wants something that would be devalued by shooting the first round out of it.
I'll bet old Mike, who won it in the first place years ago at the D.U. banquet and never screwed up the courage to shoot it, either, is sitting up there on a cloud laughing his ankle off at us.
It IS a lovely piece of work, though. .......Maybe a time capsule.......Joe
newfalguy101
Member
I don't really quite get while other people care what others do to THEIR guns.
Far as I am concerned, you bought it, you own it, YOU do whatever YOU want to do with it ( just stay legal silly!!! )
Far as I am concerned, you bought it, you own it, YOU do whatever YOU want to do with it ( just stay legal silly!!! )
I'm with you here. Most of the commemoratives are duplicate guns with just a little engraving or a saying on them. If that has meaning to you, buy em up. But if I found a commemorative gun I liked, shooting it would only make it more sentimental to me.
So far as you are concerned (including your undisputed right to do whatever you want with your own property). I see no objection, but do you consider that your view should be imposed on others? If not why should anyone else care about what you do or don't?
Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. But my question is why pay extra for what amounts to special cosmetics when they do nothing to enhance how the way the gun will shoot? (This observation is limited to commemoratives).
One time I had the opportunity to visit a trap & skeet range where a number of world-class shooters were getting ready for a coming international competition. I noticed that a rack was filled with very ornate shotguns, but one was very plain. I inquired about it and was told it belonged to a Russian, who at that time was the world champion for this particular event. As he didn't speak English I ask him, through a translator, why he wasn't using a more resplendent gun. His answer was, "because it breaks more birds."
Ignition Override
Member
There is one primary reason.
My son is 26 and so far has little interest in guns, though he seems to have enjoyed it a bit in the past. And now going to be a father. Major distraction while gradually working on a career.
My M-1 Garand Service Grade Special from the CMP has only been put in the safe, never used *by me).
One day maybe my son will become interested in guns. It's one of the reasons I have a second M 59 SKS which is seldom used.
The M-1 is the only real "safe queen".
My son is 26 and so far has little interest in guns, though he seems to have enjoyed it a bit in the past. And now going to be a father. Major distraction while gradually working on a career.
My M-1 Garand Service Grade Special from the CMP has only been put in the safe, never used *by me).
One day maybe my son will become interested in guns. It's one of the reasons I have a second M 59 SKS which is seldom used.
The M-1 is the only real "safe queen".
I've got a Luger that's getting so expensive to replace that I don't shoot it often.
I didn't pay what it's worth, but if even one of those serial numbered parts fails, the value drops by what.. two thirds?
I still shoot it, but it makes me want a 'shooter grade' Luger to have as a range toy and leave my matching number one to be a safe queen. Thing is a shooter grade Luger will run a grand these days.
That said I have spent over a grand on some rifles I use hard. It's a toss up. NOTHING I own hasn't been fired if it can be fired.
I didn't pay what it's worth, but if even one of those serial numbered parts fails, the value drops by what.. two thirds?
I still shoot it, but it makes me want a 'shooter grade' Luger to have as a range toy and leave my matching number one to be a safe queen. Thing is a shooter grade Luger will run a grand these days.
That said I have spent over a grand on some rifles I use hard. It's a toss up. NOTHING I own hasn't been fired if it can be fired.
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highlander 5
Member
The most expensive firearm I have with optics cost me $3k and I do shoot it on a semi regular basis. As for others I don't begrudge the guy that spends the money for a custom firearm just to hang it on a wall and say for all to see or hear "Ain't she a beauty?". So what if he doesn't fire it to him it has the same value as that beat up 30/30 that's a multi generational hand me done.
huntsman
Member
No.
The perceived value of guns and their use(or lack of) is something I find interesting, but as the saying goes to each his own.
I understand the OP's question and curiosity, and it may have nothing to do with envy. When I bought my Springfield TGO1, a friendly old timer at the shop commented that I should shoot a few rounds through it then put it away except for special occasions.
I replied with a smile, "No way: I'm going to shoot the crap out of it."
Like the OP, I don't understand that way of thinking, but it's pretty common. Like the guy that buys a $5,000 Rolex Submariner and never goes near water with it. Nothing wrong with it, but it's not how I do things.
I replied with a smile, "No way: I'm going to shoot the crap out of it."
Like the OP, I don't understand that way of thinking, but it's pretty common. Like the guy that buys a $5,000 Rolex Submariner and never goes near water with it. Nothing wrong with it, but it's not how I do things.
RetiredUSNChief
Member
Guns can be looked upon as works of art in their own right. And, indeed, many are works of art. For those who collect them as such, I say more power to them.
Where else, in a hundred or more years, are you likely to see pristine examples of artistic firearms engineering than from those who chose to keep such examples around?
God bless collectors for that reason alone.
marv
Member
The closest I have to safe queens is my rifles. I can't shoot them and had to retire them after diplopia reared its lovely head.
silicosys4
Member
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- Jun 29, 2012
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I have a few safe queens that I'll never shoot or most likely will never shoot again.
I'll never shoot my late 1880's M&H pocket pistol because its an antique, locks up loose, and is unsafe to shoot with modern ammunition.
I'll never shoot my wartime ppk again, once was enough, and I have other ppk's to shoot.
I won't shoot a NIB chiefs special flat latch I bought because its the only NIB gun I have, and I like having an old NIB gun.
I don't shoot my Colt diamondback much because I fear timing issues, don't have the knowledge to fix it, and probably couldn't find the parts if I did.
I have enough guns to shoot that I don't feel I'm missing out on the few I don't.
Why do I have them?
In the case of the M&H, I just like to admire the action. Its a pretty unique approach.
The ppk is a piece of history that I came across in a pawnshop for a good price,
same for the chiefs special. I'll find another J frame if I want to shoot one.
The diamondback was a steal of a lifetime and will most likely be an investment or trade fodder at some point, and its worth much less either way if it breaks or goes out of time.
Guns are tools but they have other uses besides shooting.
Investment, collecting, interior decoration, trade fodder, tomato stakes, etc..
In the case of very high dollar, mechanically perfect, beautifully machined and engraved guns, personally, the fact that they go bang is pretty mundane and I appreciate them for their uniqueness, which is in the mechanical art involved and not that they will throw projectiles just like any other gun.
of course, some guns cost a lot mostly because they have features that enhance the shooting experience, such as high dollar trap shotguns. In that case the artistry is displayed in it's use, and I couldn't see myself paying that kind of money for a custom fitted shotgun or rifle then choosing not to shoot it.
I'll never shoot my late 1880's M&H pocket pistol because its an antique, locks up loose, and is unsafe to shoot with modern ammunition.
I'll never shoot my wartime ppk again, once was enough, and I have other ppk's to shoot.
I won't shoot a NIB chiefs special flat latch I bought because its the only NIB gun I have, and I like having an old NIB gun.
I don't shoot my Colt diamondback much because I fear timing issues, don't have the knowledge to fix it, and probably couldn't find the parts if I did.
I have enough guns to shoot that I don't feel I'm missing out on the few I don't.
Why do I have them?
In the case of the M&H, I just like to admire the action. Its a pretty unique approach.
The ppk is a piece of history that I came across in a pawnshop for a good price,
same for the chiefs special. I'll find another J frame if I want to shoot one.
The diamondback was a steal of a lifetime and will most likely be an investment or trade fodder at some point, and its worth much less either way if it breaks or goes out of time.
Guns are tools but they have other uses besides shooting.
Investment, collecting, interior decoration, trade fodder, tomato stakes, etc..
In the case of very high dollar, mechanically perfect, beautifully machined and engraved guns, personally, the fact that they go bang is pretty mundane and I appreciate them for their uniqueness, which is in the mechanical art involved and not that they will throw projectiles just like any other gun.
of course, some guns cost a lot mostly because they have features that enhance the shooting experience, such as high dollar trap shotguns. In that case the artistry is displayed in it's use, and I couldn't see myself paying that kind of money for a custom fitted shotgun or rifle then choosing not to shoot it.
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This.
In no way do I envy those with guns that they don't shoot. If anything they should give those guns to me and I'll shoot them and have fun with them and then they can sit around and envy me
It's not about envy or jealousy. I may admire the guns that those folks have, but one day i'll get what they would consider safe queens, then shoot the hell out of em, and then admire them in my own way
I understand this 100%. I'd never shoot a gun that was deemed to be unsafe, however I'd also not buy one that was unsafe either - but that is just because I wouldn't buy a gun without the intention to shoot it.
Why do we collect anything? I have 2 friends who collect guns and have 100s in their collections. One has his assembled in a museum grade display and the other has his hidden and stashed in his basement in several safes. Both love guns. Another friend collects oil lamps; another coins, another vintage photography equipment. I toured a house once that had a thimble collection, some encrusted in diamonds and "worth" lots of money. Personally I have a couple dozen guns and prefer to sell the ones I don't shoot. For me, it seems sad to hide those beautiful guns away. I am blown-away by the engineering and artistry of my guns. Wish I had lots more.
The gun I shoot the most was over $5000.00. It's a pistol. That's chicken feed compared to what some of the guys I know spend for a hard working rifle/scope combinations that they wear out through use. I don't mind shooting guns like those. It's the true works of art that become devalued with use that belong in a safe.
The most expensive firearm that I have personally handled was appraised at a little over $325,000.00. I don't think it is intended to be a range toy.
The most expensive firearm that I have personally handled was appraised at a little over $325,000.00. I don't think it is intended to be a range toy.
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