To shoot, or not to shoot...
- Thread starter centurion94
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lobo9er
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good info about the '96 all stuff I didnt know. I still say shoot it. Its been in the family and will stay there. so shoot it, replace the barrel down the road if you have to. (not sure how rare a barrel would be to get) Thats my feelings. I shoot and hunt with some of my grandpas guns and it makes the hunts that much more meaningful and memoriable. Would it be possible to replace the barrel now and save the original? Have been thinking of doing that with a stock on my 37. save the old one and beat up an aftermarket.
lobo9er
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Pictures would be nice. There is some history there for sure. But I am of the opinion that the best way to experience the heritage is to shoot the rifle in a way that does not risk damage. Gunny check for sure, then shoot with safe ammo, maybe consider lead bullets for easy barrel treatment if necessary.
I have the same feeling when I see a P-51 Mustang in pristine condition sitting in a museum. It needs to fly!
Dan
I have the same feeling when I see a P-51 Mustang in pristine condition sitting in a museum. It needs to fly!
Dan
Shoot it and hunt with it. Think about (and thank) your Dad and your great uncle very time you pull the trigger. I shoot all of my inherited guns (that are safe to shoot), and hope that my son does too, one day.
Shoot it! You don't have to abuse it, just go hit a few paper plates. I have my Grandfathers winchester 97 and believe me, it's hit several clays in it's day since I've had it. Makes me smile when I do take it out.
lobo9er
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Rail Driver
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I also have a Pistol with a very similar history, it is now pretty much a safe Queen, however I have shot it. There are several boxes of ammo for it on the shelf, as well as dies. I'm not opposed to dragging it out to shoot with the youngsters in the family, or those with a special interest. Why own one that you can't shoot? Take her out, develop a few memories of your own.
If it is or could someday be an extremely valuable rifle than i would probably not shoot it. Even if it is a family heirloom you never know if one day you may be in dire need of money the gun could provide. If shooting that specific gun appeals to you buy the closest thing you can to it of little value.
I have an old Win model 94 from my grandad. It's in very good shape and i have shot it before but probably never will again.
I have an old Win model 94 from my grandad. It's in very good shape and i have shot it before but probably never will again.
The only guns I can see not shooting are valuable collector pieces. For guns that may be somewhat common, but have a large degree of emotional value, I'd shoot it like it was designed to be shot. Sure, there may be some memories attached to them, but there's also a chance at making many more! I used my grandfather's rifle(Marlin 336) to shoot my first deer @ 13. He passed on the year before i was born. I'm sure he'd rather the rifle be used than gather dust in the back corner of the safe, and while I didn't get a chance to know him, I like to think he would have been proud, and just may have been there with me that day, helping me make the shot. Regardless though, I have a hard time possessing guns and NOT shooting them. Luckily my tastes run more along the lines of practical than safe queen. But the older guns i do possess...the aforementioned marlin, his 62A Winchester, etc.....get shot. Not every day, but they are maintained in good working order and I'd be fine with shooting any of them at any time.
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