Value beyond Collectability: Guns you'd never let go

[NWCP]

The Winchester Model 69A that was my dad's first rifle. He taught me to shoot with it and then gave it to me when I turned 11. I've since trained my wife and my youngest son to shoot with it. My son will get it when I'm gone. Then there's my Grandfather's Model 12 12GA and my dad's model 12 20GA shotguns that will stay in the family. As for weapons that I've acquired over the the years I'm not so sure. I've always preferred HK, German built Walthers, Colt Mustangs and Government .380's, Brownings, and my CZ hunting rifles. I would like my wife, sons, brother, brother -in-law and son-in-law to pick a rifle and pistol that they like and sell off the rest. I have a few custom made holsters that are as valuable to me as the pistols I carry in them built by Matt Del Fatti that should stay with their respective pistols. Too bad that we can't take them with us. Should heaven have a shooting range there are a couple I'd enjoy plinking with for an eternity.

 

[230RN]

Laugh if you will, but it's my RG-22 in .22 short. First handgun, bought it from a department store with no paperwork, just proved up on my brand-new Colorado residency, having come from NYC three months before.

There are others I'd never sell, but that one is my touchstone for freedom, before GCA'68.

Terry, 230RN

 

[Art Eatman]

I have a bit of a different perspective. I'm 78, and my son looks like he'll be permanently in Germany. (All things considered, he's got a really neat deal, there.)

So, for me, it's a case of which guns mean the most, as I sorta wind down the collection.

Keepers, as long as possible: My father's bring-back M1 Carbine which he toted on D-Day. My very-early production little Model 12 in 20-gauge. An SAA in .44-40, 1903 vintage. I have others which won't go away anytime soon, but these are keepers.

 

[Silent Bob]

My Colt 1991, my Browning Vigilante HP, even my S&W 642 that has been my constant companion for a year now, and have become incredibly fond of. Forget leaving these guns to any hypothetical heirs, I want to be buried with these three guns.

 

[Ryanxia]

Good thread, although it's been asked before in the past it's always interesting to see the different responses.

While I'm extremely fond of my Mosin Nagant over even my $1,000 guns there's no real sentimental value. However I do have a 1922 Colt .32 hammerless that was my late Godfather's, he carried it through WWII (not issued but as the story goes took it with him when he left). It was given to me along with the original box It is in excellent condition and I try to take meticulous care of it.

 

[Orion8472]

I have a Ruger Mark II Government Target Model pistol that I won't be getting rid of. Crazy accurate and will run pretty much any ammo you care to put in it.

Maybe my 10/22, only because it is only fundamentally one.

I know my guns aren't that impressive as some of the others on here. I don't have any old guns, or guns passed down from my dad.

 

[asia331]

My late Dad's M1911A1 from Army service in WWII

 

[m1dbob1944]

My father gave me a K-31 when I made the honor roll in H.S. He also gave me Remington-Rand .45 ACP from 1943.
There are 3 rifles that aren't impressive but I did a lot of wood work to them and minor gunsmithing: M1Garand, Ag42B and an FN-49. Would like to pass them on and keep them in the family

 

[scchokedaddy]

Guns to stay

First 2 guns my dad gave ne at age 11, bolt action Remington 22 and 20 gauge wingmaster, killed my first deer with the shotgun. Later I got his 870 12 gauge. My first centerfire which is also first gun I bought on my own. Then I have an Escort pump, a 1148 20 gauge, and a 1100 16gauge my wife bought me. Next would a Double Auto, a Standard weight A5 16 gauge and an A5 magnum as well as a XP 100 in 221 Fireball. These were all given to me by a very close friend, who just recently passed away. The rest of my collection can go if nee be, but these are kinda special. Sorry for the ramble, but well you know.

 

[scramasax]

I've had to let go of more guns than I like to remember as most of us. The two guns that are not going anywhere are both rvolvers. The first is my dad's Colt python 4". Hordered it new from the Colt custom shop in the '60s to shoot on the reserve police pistol team. I don't remember the date on the receipt, but do remember It was delivered to Ace Hardware invoice from Colt $96.38 custom target tuned from the custom shop. It has never had anything but .38mrwc loads fired in it and is still 100%.

The other revolver that I will never get ride of is an A factory engraved S&W mdl.57 4". This gun has custom McGivern sights, Bearhug grips and a tuned and timed action. Yes I shoot and carry it.

Cheers,

ts

 

[sarge83]

Grandfathers Colt Frontier Scout revolver he gave to me before he passed.
70 series Colt LWT Commander the first handgun I ever bought and a S&W model-36 with 3 inch barrel, nickle chiefs .38spl. my father in law gave to my wife.

 

[huntsman]

I have 3 inherited, 2 Winchesters and a Colt of what I bought 2 Brownings would be added to the keep pile.

 

[Dentite]

I don't understand being buried with them.

I have a couple sentimentals that I inherited and I'd rather have my sons get the enjoyment out of them as I have rather than rotting away in a box underground.

Think about the kids! And if you don't have kids to pass them down to you can adopt me.

 

[22-rimfire]

I had the opportunity to have a few of my father's guns after he passed, but my brothers needed them more and quite honestly, I didn't associate any particular sentimental value with any of them. My firearm accumulation is far better overall and more diversified.

A 22 rifle I learned to shoot with.... I can buy another just like in better condition... a deer rifle or three... have all I need.... shotguns.... same deal.

 

[Agsalaska]

Unfortunately all of my family guns were stolen by a worthless a-hole out of my uncles barn when I went to college. My dad had passed and mom didnt know what to do with them. So my uncle offered to put them in his gun safe in the barn. He had a party on a friday night and took a horse down to Texas A&M vet school on Saturday. He came back Sunday and his barn had been broken into and the safe was gone. They must have used a pallet jack and flatbed because it was a big old safe. Devastating to all of us. We had all of the serial numbers but not a single gun has shown up. That was 1995. Included in that were all of my late fathers guns from when he was a boy and a 1911 presented to my grandad when he retired.

Speaking of grandpa he had a Luger he took from a German officer right after Hitler died. He and another soldier sat on a hay bale when it started moving. Two officers quickly surrended. He sold it to a gun dealer in 1991 before moving into an old folks home because he was senile. He meant no harm but it did hurt my dads feelings a lot.

Other grandpa had a revolver her carried in WW1 that is on another side of the family. I am always putting a plug in for it but dont see those cousins much. They are probably dumb enough to sell it. I am sure it is a Colt Officers of some kind. Probably a 1917 and 45 Colt but I havent seen it in 20 years.


So, with that long post, My only sentamental guns are ones I have bought.

My S&W 44 mag from when I lived in Alaska. Lots of memories with that gun. Even thought I have no real use for a 44mag now that I am back in the lower 48 I wont let it go.
A Taurus snub nosed 38. I know that sounds wierd and I have told its story a couple of times lately. But it is the most accurate pistol out to about ten or fifteen yards I have ever shot. And it doesnt matter who shoots it. It is freakeshly accurate. I know it was not engineered to be but thats what makes it so cool. In fact the only time it ever gets shot anymore is to prove it to someone who doubts me. So far it has not disappointed.

 

[rajb123]

probably a spanish 20ga SxS that is soo sweet and which has taken lots of game.

 

[mdauben]

I have two handguns that I recieved from my father. One at least has no real collectors value, but to me its a priceless reminder of my father. I would never sell either one.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Any of the many guns given to me by my father. I'm very fortunate in that he has given me a number of guns over the years out of his own collection. Someday I'll write a post about all the guns I've been given since I was a kid. Most don't believe it.

 

[SwampWolf]

I am fortunate enough to have accumulated a lot of very nice firearms over the years (and have regretted getting rid of more than a couple over that time period ) but the one "untouchable" is the Winchester Model 67 single-shot rifle that I received as a Christmas gift from my parents in 1957 when I was fourteen years old. The big caveat is that the little .22rf rifle is destined to be given to a certain Grandson on a Christmas day in the not so distant future.