Why do you own old guns?

[shotgunjoel]

So of course lots, if not most of us have old guns. Why do you own old guns? Did you buy them new, and they have "aged"? Did you buy them because you found them interesting, because they are unique, mil surp, etc? Are they heirlooms from your family?

For me, I have 2 heirloom rifles from my grandfather, and my great-great uncle. I also have a military surplus M1 carbine. I enjoy it's history and just how handy it is.

So, what are your reasons?

 

[kda]

My grandfather's 12 gauge. No longer safe, so never used but kept all the same.

 

[KevininPa]

Part of firearm history and....

.......they're just cool. I have a thing for break-top revolvers, even though the calibers aren't popular. Used to be cheap till the cowboy action thing took off. So far I have a H&R Sportsman and it's great fun! I passed on a H&R snub in .38 S&W because I had recently purchased something else and didn't feel like spending time in the doghouse. The bluing was in the high 90 percent range, the grips were like new and going for $99 dollars. Long after it was gone, I told my wife about it and how I passed on it to stay in her favor. She smiled, kissed me on the cheek and called me a dumba$$.Said she would've had fun with that as a plinker!:banghead: I'll buy the next good deal, darn it!

 

[22-rimfire]

I have purchased "old" guns because I liked them. I was there with money in my pocket and the gun was there; it was love at first sight.

 

[oneounceload]

Most of mine are better built than the new ones of today

 

[MMCSRET]

With no parameters placed on "old". I have to say that I like old guns because of the hands on production techniques used to build them. New guns are strong, tough, mostly simple and easy to maintain, but they have no soul; as in: never touched by human hands.
Another analogy is that store bought tomatoes never taste as good as the ones grown in a garden.
Just my sense of ownership!!!!!!!!!
I own some new ones, but the old ones are my favorites.

 

[Isher]

Winchester 67a singleshot .22 LR.

Been through three generations.

Still shoots just fine.

4th generation is just a couple years old,

But you know where it is going to.

isher

 

[KyJim]

I'm not sure what you mean by "old." I have "old" guns for several reasons:

1. Many, especially revolvers, are better than today's offerings.

2. One's an heirloom.

3. I have a couple from when I was a kid. I'm getting old, so I guess they are, too.

 

[762minigun]

They are small works of art. With craftsmanship unseen in today's firearms.

 

[Big Matt]

My old ones are preferred because since they are so old, they aren't on any sort of a gov't list or database someplace.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I shot a friend's Model 21 today. It was made early in the 1930s. A trap gun, it has untold thousands of rounds behind it, and will continue to serve for decades more.

My favorite carry gun is a Colt made in 1943. In a couple decades here, it has maybe 10K rounds behind it, glitchless.

A couple 870s here are older than my Spouse of 33 years.

Speaking of Her, the first model Trooper that's her weapon of choice was made in 1958.

All these have something in common.

They work.....

 

[makarovnik]

Yep, because I'm old and have had them for a while.

They are also cool. Big, heavy, classic lines.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Because I am old. Actually, I think they are made better, more interesting, and a challenge (those dinky sights are harder to see, and make them more of a challenge to shoot well).

 

[earlthegoat2]

Simple:

I own old guns because I owned new guns.

I dont want to be that guy but older IS better. Remington and Smith and Wesson are two of my favorite gun makers but I would never under any circumstances own anything of theirs new. I accept that QC has gone downhill and I understand the reasons but it doesnt mean I am going to keep buying from them.

 

[malix]

Historical significance.

Its great to be able own a small piece of history that you can still take out to shoot and have fun with... as opposed to a stamp collection or something that you can only look at.

 

[searcher451]

Quality is certainly a factor; for whatever reason, the older my guns are, the tighter the fit and the better built they seem to be. Would I buy a 1960s S&W-made revolver, for example, vs. one that was made in 1993, or 2003, or 2009? You bet -- every time out, in fact.

 

[Speedo66]

For the same reason people collect antiques: they're cool, well built, and still work well.

Also they have a certain panache you don't get with new guns, or new anything for that matter. Same reason I enjoy vintage autos.

 

[guntech59]

When I look at the date they were made, I feel much younger.

 

[chris in va]

I have a Mosin carbine, dated 1943. Nothing terribly special about it, but I like knowing it may have been used to supress the Nazi surge.

The M1 Garand is on my short list of 'must have' guns in my lifetime.

 

[gym]

Because new dosen't mean better

 

[DammitBoy]

I like all guns but old guns have a certain charm, they are better built, handcrafted, elegant in form and function. Unless you want to spend thousands on a new gun, you can't beat the quality of an old gun.

Then there is the history of an old gun. It's significance at the time it was made and how it was used and who fought with it.

Alsoplustoo - There is just something cool about being able to shoot a firearm that is over 100 years old and still shoots well.

 

[chevyforlife21]

they are made of nice wood and all steel. no crappy plastic to break or get the wrong solvent on.

 

[Cosmoline]

The price, for one thing. Plus they offer features that few new firearms offer. For rifles in particular.

 

[wishin]

I have 10 different long guns and handguns. I would own 1,000 or more if I could afford them. Firearms are a thing of beauty, new and old (except for a few real ugly ones).

 

[Grassman]

For me sentimental mostly, my two oldest guns were my dad's and my grand dads guns. May God rest their souls... I'll never part with them.