Why do you own old guns?

[NoirFan]

Ok, maybe the user name gives it away, but when I pick up a S&W 36 snub or Ithaca 37 riot gun, I think of fedora-wearing tough guys scurrying through rain-slick Chicago streets with suspiciously bulging overcoats. I think of the seductive silhouette of a deadly dame against a frosted glass window. I think of a bottom desk drawer sliding open to reveal an revolver, a half-empty bottle of rye, and a tarnished badge. And if we're talking real life images, how about Border Patrolman Skeeter Skelton, Treasury agent Eliot Ness, and NYPD detective Jim Cirillo?

I mean seriously, how can modern weapons compare with that kind of imagery? When I hold a Glock, I think of... I dunno, a Tom Clancy video game?

 

[Officers'Wife]

As an owner of a couple 'antiques' it's for the link to history. Great grandfather's old carbine traveled a long way from a saddle boot in Montana to gun cabinet in Kentucky. While it can't tell it's story, I remember those I've heard.

 

[sprice]

i own them because they were: a. given, b. fun, c. liked it, d. cheap, or e. all of the above

 

[huntsman]

My "old guns" are inherited and the ones I bought while newer are still old, even the ones I bought brand new.

 

[armchairQB]

because they dont have all these gizmos that supposedly prevent stupid people from killing themselves, better known as "safety devices."

 

[azyogi]

they were new when I got them, how they got soo old while I remain as fresh as a daisy is beyond me. ahh ya well they don't make them like they used to

 

[mljdeckard]

I have two that my grandfather carried hunting when I was a kid.

 

[Hammerhead6814]

Mostly to see the look on people's faces when they out-shoot some modern Wal-Mart rifle. One in-particular favorite was when I witnessed my brother's 1903 Springfield put to shame a Wal-Mart bought Remington 700 in .30-06. What makes this special is that the guy said "It's an interesting rifle, but it's not a shooter anymore".

The 1903 put every round within two inches of the X, on every target. The Remy 700 managed one five-shot group out of eight within two inches of a 0 ring on a similar target. Jake was shooting iron sights, Wal-Mart was shooting with a Leopold scope. Targets were at 100 yards btw. That's the maximum range at Pigeon Hill.

Sure, things like that are rare. But boy is it fun when it happens .

 

[Crash_Test_Dhimmi]

My great uncle, whom I am named for, fought for the British in WWII.
I wanted something with some history on it, to hang on the wall, so my son can have a connection to the past, and a healthy fascination for history and respect for firearms.
That is why I have a Lee Enfield no 4 mk1. Made in 1943.

 

[wgaynor]

I don't know how you define old, but the oldest I have is a m91/30 that is marked 1942. I bought it because I needed a cheap deer rifle and the prices of SKS's have gone too high (I'm fairly poor). Since then, it's been a love affair. The flame out the front end is impressive, and the accuracy was a huge surprise.

Haven't shot a deer yet, but took care of a coyote with it.

 

[Morgo]

Biggest reason I would buy an "old gun" is because it can't be bought new anymore, most times it would still be close to new anyway for me to buy it used.
I have some from new that are now old and some that have been passed down through the family.

 

[rondog]

Old guns are groovy. Ain't nothin' like 'em.

 

[U.S.SFC_RET]

The majority of the collection I have are old military. All still shoot better than I do with the exception of an M1 Carbine.
I have an 1841 Mississippi rifle made in 1847. She is the oldest.

 

[loose cannon]

i love old smith and wessons because the triggers are the best or can be made that way with ease and they dont have the stupid internal lock.

i still enjoy useing and carrying glocks as well,but,to me a glock is a machine that will effectivly protect you from one or more oponents in a extreme situation.a smith revolver is a piece of art that will do the same in most situations.