Why get a gun if you won't shoot it?

Status
Not open for further replies.
If I was to somehow acquire (most likely an heirloom) a rare-ish firearm, say a Broomhandle Mauser with the stock, and it was in near-perfect condition, I wouldn't shoot it.

I'd buy a bunch of ammo and stripper clips for it, and keep it clean/oiled, but shoot it? Nope.

Well, maybe once, just to ensure it worked.

Maybe a second time to check accuracy.

:D
 
There are lots of good reasons, IMO, for owning guns that you won't fire. I have my dad's LEO pistol from his days on the force and can see no good reason to shoot it; I have plenty of pistols with no sentimental value attached to them that I can take to the range, and I don't want to take even the slightest chance that something bad would happen to this one, given its advanced age. I own some antiques that have been in the family for years and years, and there's no good reason to shoot them, either; they haven't been fired in well over a hundred years -- why start now?
 
Why get a gun (new or used) if you won't shoot it? :confused:

Because I like to have more guns to shoot then I might otherwise. :scrutiny:

Most of the "I only buy to shoot" guys get all of the guns they'll ever have by buying them with out-of-pocket cash. That means that whatever they have - or will ever have - is limited to whatever amount they can spend at a given time.

Or to get a new gun they trade in an older one to a dealer, and take a loss because the dealer won't give them "best value" for what they have. Nothing like getting ripped off going both directions.

Not the Old Fuff. Over a long time he used his knowledge to pick up buys - often guns he had absolutely no use for - because he knew they were underpriced and he could sell whatever it was for more. The profit went for buying more guns that he did want. On some occasions he literally doubled his money! :evil:

Quality guns are usually expensive, and if one is smart and doesn't refuse to pick up "good buys," they can reduce the amount of out-of-pocket money the "I don't buy anything I don't shoot" guys have to spend.

This being the case, it's highly likely that whatever they buy, I'll buy for less - and sometimes it's far less. :neener:
 
There are lots of good reasons, IMO, for owning guns that you won't fire. I have my dad's LEO pistol from his days on the force and can see no good reason to shoot it; I have plenty of pistols with no sentimental value attached to them that I can take to the range, and I don't want to take even the slightest chance that something bad would happen to this one, given its advanced age. I own some antiques that have been in the family for years and years, and there's no good reason to shoot them, either; they haven't been fired in well over a hundred years -- why start now?
Click to expand...

You are very lucky with your legacy of firearms.

My question is more to the acquisition of guns a person does not plan to shoot.
 
Not the Old Fuff. Over a long time he used his knowledge to pick up buys - often guns he had absolutely no use for - because he knew they were underpriced and he could sell whatever it was for more. The profit went for buying more guns that he did want. On some occasions he literally doubled his money!
Click to expand...

Some of us do the same thing..........just that we shoot them before we sell them for a profit or trade up to something else. Most guns were designed to be shot, and IMHO, it is a disservice to them to lock them away without ever puttin' a round down the pipe. Yes there are some antique firearms and family heirlooms that are the exception, but for the most part "collectors" never realize their investment from "collector" type guns. Most of the time it's the widow and her new boyfriend.
 
bushmaster1313 said:
Why get a gun if you won't shoot it?.....Can anyone explain why people buy mint guns that they will not shoot?
Click to expand...


Because I can afford to do so.....and it irritates those with class envy who believe in wealth redistribution.
 
How does one explain a natural attraction?

I have collected mostly militatry arms for over 50 years.
Most are shootable, some I just "take care of."

I got some Jap swords, but have not cut off anybody's head lately.

I did two combat tours in RVN and have not hunted since.

I allow hunting on my property and will help you drag in a deer.
I just don't care to hunt anymore.

This subject comes up about every two weeks.

A real dead horse involving freedom to do as one pleases with one's stuff.

I have an original 1860 Army I am going to fire in about an hoiur.
 
I love watching an antique or coin auction where some 100+ year old whatever goes for an insane amount of money. Rarity is the key to these investments. Don't think your pristine state quarter set will pay off for your grandkids. Too many. Same problem with your NIB glock or bushmaster. Go ahead and shoot them. If something is odd, rare, or has a special pedigree, then a collector or investor has a good reason to keep it. Unfortunately, I collect some things that nobody else finds valuable but that makes it a hobby not a job.
 
I thank goodness for the 'collectors'. Not only do they preserve history, they spend their time becoming experts and understanding the details. If not for them I would not be able to google and figure out what this means:

FN 1922, nazi marked, made mid 41'
Click to expand...
 
Some of us do the same thing..........just that we shoot them before we sell them for a profit or trade up to something else.
Click to expand...

I may or may not do the same, but if the gun is truly "like new, and unfired," I probably won't - as that can reduce the value, which I don't want to do if my intention is to move it and make a profit.

Most guns were designed to be shot, and IMHO, it is a disservice to them to lock them away without ever puttin' a round down the pipe.
Click to expand...

Here we strongly disagree: a firearm is a piece of machinery with no feelings whatsoever. It doesn't go sit in the corner and cry because someone hasn't taken it out and shot it. Those who for whatever reasons don’t shoot a new gun are not committing some kind of mortal sin, and in no way doing the gun any disservice. You may care, but the gun has no feelings and couldn't give a hoot.

I've been watching an auction. One lot was an ordinary .22 pump-action rifle made by Winchester back during the late 1950's or early 60's. It was brand new, unfired, in the box with papers, tags, and whatever it came with. For the last 50 years it has sat in someone's closet without a round going down the bore. And because it remaining unfired the seller - who ever it was - saw it sell for over $2,000.00!!

Part of the reason is that most people who bought these rifles did go out and shoot them, and usually tossed the box. Because of this a boxed, unfired example is almost impossible to find. You may not understand, but someone spent two-grand to get it because the original buyer didn't do what you advocate. :uhoh:
 
a firearm is a piece of machinery with no feelings whatsoever. It doesn't go sit in the corner and cry because someone hasn't taken it out and shot it. Those who for whatever reasons don’t shoot a new gun are not committing some kind of mortal sin, and in no way doing the gun any disservice. You may care, but the gun has no feelings and couldn't give a hoot.
Click to expand...

Sheese.....I never said I saw a gun cry because it wasn't shot.:rolleyes: I just said IMHO, it was a shame to not use a tool for the purpose it was intended for. My belief is, if you want a gun/car/motorcycle just to look at, you may as well just buy a picture. Again, if someone wants to buy a new gun and sit on it, hope it appreciates in value more than a CD or the stock market, it's no skin off my back. That's a privilege we have in America, and I'm happy for it. Just don't continue to insinuate that those of us that do shoot all our guns are just stupid and shoot them cause we paid way more than they were worth. Knowing gun values does not take a brain surgeons mentality, Besides, according to the internet, EVERYBODY doubles their money on EVERY gun they've ever bought/sold.....haven't you noticed?

I collect things myself. Old camera's, arrowheads, old carpenter's tools(mostly router and custom made single purpose planes). I don't expect them to make me a lot of money, I just think they're cool. Again, if folks want to collect guns for the same purpose, hey good for them. I'm glad they can afford it. It's just not what I'm into. I'm into SHOOTING my guns....plain and simple.

I've been watching an auction. One lot was an ordinary .22 pump-action rifle made by Winchester back during the late 1950's or early 60's. It was brand new, unfired, in the box with papers, tags, and whatever it came with. For the last 50 years it has sat in someone's closet without a round going down the bore. And because it remaining unfired the seller - who ever it was - saw it sell for over $2,000.00!!

Part of the reason is that most people who bought these rifles did go out and shoot them, and usually tossed the box. Because of this a boxed, unfired example is almost impossible to find. You may not understand, but someone spent two-grand to get it because the original buyer didn't do what you advocate.
Click to expand...

Oh, I understand, the principle is quite simple .......but I wager that the one that sold the gun and realized the profits was NOT the original buyer. I'd also wager that the original buyer did not buy it with the idea to stash it in the closet with hopes that he'd make money on it. Again, odds are it was the widow and her boyfriend, and the're now using the money for their new condo in Arizona.
 
Quote: Rembrandt
"Because I can afford to do so.....and it irritates those with class envy who believe in wealth redistribution."

funny :)
 
Last edited:
Guns are meant to be shot and I won't own one I wouldn't shoot. There is also no such thing as one that is "too nice" to be used as intended.

It's your money and your guns to do with what you wish. What I take issue with is "saving" minty or valuable guns for collectors. As if their purposes are more noble than another's. If it's yours and you wanna shoot it, shoot it.

All with a complete lack of "classy envy" or belief in wealth redistribution. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
i can see and appreciate both views but if i buy a toy i want to play guns or otherwise. to some the joy of NEW outweighs or is better tan the joy of bang
 
I don't in my present state of lower middle income. I steer away from collector grades because I'd rather have a few to shoot than one to look at.

However, if I ever get ambitious and earn too much money, I'll gladly invest some into rarities just so I could stare lovingly at them. Certain kinds of metalwork strike me as art and having some classic examples of it in unblemished, or of the best condition available, would be enjoyable.
 
I have an 1888 Merwin Hulbert 5 shot .38 that I'll never shoot. I'm sure if I found ammo for it the gun would work, but I'll be content to just show it off occasionally. But I did trade off my Mossberg 500 Cruiser because I couldn't see letting it gather dust next to my bed.
 
Because its a free Country. And we are allowed to indulge our interests in whatever legal way we choose.
 
A real dead horse involving freedom to do as one pleases with one's stuff.
Click to expand...
Because its a free Country. And we are allowed to indulge our interests in whatever legal way we choose.
Click to expand...
These two pretty much sum it up.........

If I happen to have a gun in the pile which I've never fired, it's nobody's business but mine. ;)
.
 
Investment and pride of ownership are the two primary reasons for purchasing firearms with no intention of firing them.,
Commemorative Winchester rifles are a good example of this.

At one time it seemed Winchester was cranking these things out at a rate of one new model every other week but people snatched them up as soon as they hit dealer shelves.

Some people bought these weapons hoping to cash in at a later date and some bought them simply because the rifle commemorated some person or event the buyer could relate to.

These guns are quite common on the used market today but to realize any great appreciation of value they must remain new, in the box, unfired, with all the goodies that came with the gun at point of sale.

Fire a few rounds through the gun and lose the box and papers, a commemorative Winchester is worth no more than a standard used plain jane rifle and sometimes the commemorative in fired, used condition will bring even less
 
Can anyone explain why people buy mint guns that they will not shoot?
Click to expand...

Because they believe some time in the future they can sell it for more than they paid and in the meantime they get pride of ownership and they came hold it.

Just because it’s not MY thing doesn’t mean I think less of those who do it, just like those who own multiples of a certian type of firearm (i.e. 1911’s or pump shotguns) I don’t understand it but so what.
 
The same reason a person buys stocks, bonds, mutual funds,and real estate. All my guns are shooters,but I understand investing. Look at it this way. In 1975, I could buy all the 3" Pythons I wanted for less than $300.00. I could buy a 1969 Road Runner for $2000.00. I could buy a 5 bedroom house for $50,000.00. This was before the $ was "Carter-ized."
 
"Can anyone explain why people buy mint guns that they will not shoot?"

Sure.

#1. They're nicer to look at than a pile of greenbacks.


I have enough guns to clean, so maybe I'll start collecting.

One of my favorite plinkers is a Colt WWI Repro. I haven't put it in a holster, but I shoot it. One mag is still sealed in paper.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
WA residents, which shop to sell my gun to?
Replies
17
Views
4K
Gordy Wesen
G
P
  • Locked
Why do they throw the gun/Frightened women won't shoot
Replies
21
Views
1K
Redlg155
Redlg155
CLP
  • Locked
Firearms on coins and stamps
Replies
9
Views
1K
paramedic70002
P
Y
  • Locked
Ruger Single Six New model "1976" or "new" ?
Replies
13
Views
3K
Rodentman
Rodentman
B
  • Locked
Have you hit the limit in acquiring guns of a certain type?
2
Replies
47
Views
2K
BADUNAME30
B
Back
Top