Would you shoot this?

[kidneyboy]

I just picked up an unfired Winchester model 94 classic octagon barrel 30/30. Serial number puts the manufacture date in 1965. I'd rate the condition as 98 or 99. The inner workings are spotless. I don't think it's a collector piece and it isn't pre 64 but it is really in excellent condition.
My inclination is to shoot it but I'm collecting opinions anyway. So far, the don't shoot it crowd is ahead about 60-40.

 

[DocRock]

No reason at all not to shoot it. Millions of them were made. There’s nothing particularly collectible about it but it’s a great rifle. So enjoy it.

 

[Aletheia]

I would shoot it because it's a gun.

 

[loose noose]

What Doc Rock stated.

 

[Dale Alan]

I would live for today and enjoy shooting it .

 

[ericuda]

Doc nailed it. What are the reasons to not shoot it. I would shoot steel this afternoon.

 

[Dunross]

Shoot it.

 

[Bolson]

Shoot...but first pics.

 

[snowman357]

I will not own a gun I cant/will not shoot.

 

[d2wing]

I've got guns older than that, that I shoot.

 

[bigpower491]

Very early 1900s saddle ring, unfired.....probably not

 

[MechAg94]

I doubt I would have spent the money to get an unfired rifle that old. I guess it depends on if you want to resell it at some point in the future. Unfired condition might increase the value. If not, then enjoy it.

 

[jmr40]

I can see some collector value with that gun. But it won't bring much, if any, more money if it has been shot a bit vs still unfired. Especially if you don't have the original box and other papers. I probably wouldn't use it as a truck gun, but I'd probably shoot it and maybe even hunt with it under milder conditions.

 

[LoonWulf]

Shoot it

 

[BigBore44]

Choot’it.

 

[Dr T]

If you intend to keep it, then shoot it.

 

[George P]

I will not own a gun I cant/will not shoot.

I disagree; I have a few that were my dad's old service revolvers that I might put 1 cylinder through every other year but otherwise a 90year old Colt is not something I want to take a chance on breaking when I have other guns more than capable of being fired regularly.

 

[Terry G]

The first thing I do with a new gun after cleaning it is shoot it. This way I'm not tempted to make a safe queen out of it. If it's been fired it's no longer a Virgin anyway.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

For me, the reasons I personally might refrain from shooting a gun are when it is 1) something of extreme historical significance, like the specific M1917 Alvin York used to win his MOH, or 2) something interesting, quite rare and possibly dangerous to shoot due to age and fragility.

That Lorenzoni repeating flintlock belonging to Louis the XV comes to mind:

https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/53211-1-402/

Oh, and another exception is something like the over-decoraged Tiffany revolvers, which were never intended to be fired and would probably suffer damage to the decoration with even one shot:



I'm unlikely to ever own anything in these categories -- the OP's Winchester also doesn't fit.

That said, it's his gun. He bought it, so what he does with it is his business. Shooting a gun isn't abuse if you do it right -- in fact, it's what guns are made to do. But nobody says you have to shoot a gun you bought if you don't really want to.

 

[swg1]

I'd shoot it.

But then again, I'm prone to tear open collector grade ammo and shoot it too. You know to establish a base line for comparison. That was one spendy day at the range shooting that original Remington blackpowder 43 Spanish,...

 

[garandsrus]

I have the same rifle and enjoy shooting it even though I have other 30-30’s. Mine wasn’t shot much either and probably has been shot more since I got it than the previous 60 years. I had to replace the front sight to get it to shoot point of aim with cast loads.

 

[Steve S.]

You will be a dead guy (someday) that did not shoot his nice 94 - what is that worth?

 

[troy fairweather]

Post 64 shoot the heck out of it.

 

[alsaqr]

Shoot it.

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I've got guns older than that, that I shoot.

Like the man says, I have a rifle made pre-1846. With "historical significance". I not only shoot it, I take it on a hike once in a while. A curse upon any great-great-great-great grandson or grand-daughter who sells it, and I hope I have "devalued" it for them. !!!!