Buy a gun and not shoot it?

[bustedmp]

If I had funds to just buy firearms to collect them and never shoot them, I still don't think I could not shoot them. I have a P1917 military rifle chambered in 30-06 that made in 1918, and I shoot it everychance I get. Actually it is the best shooting rile I've ever had. It will shoot whatever ammo I feed it.

[CJ_56]

I've bought a few guns that weren't shot less than 10 times or in some cases less than 5 times. I always love finding guns like that. I bought a Savage 12 LRPV that some idjit thought didn't shoot well. His problem was he didn't have enough sense to break it in. I'm not talking about those complicated shoot once, run 6 patches, stand on one foot, pat your head and rub your stomach, run another patch, shoot 2 rounds, kind of break in routines. I'm talking about shooting a gun enough to knock the burrs off. It took about 100 rounds for that rifle to get broke in and wow does it shoot like a dream now. The guy actually thought it wasn't accurate so he didn't shoot it. Silly rabbit. Guns are for shooting.

I know that rifle hadn't been shot 10 times. It didn't even have powder residue in the nooks and crannies. You can always tell how many times a gun has been shot by looking in those impossible to clean spots for residue.

I bought a S&W 629 from my brother that had been shot 6 times. The original owner bought it and never fired it. He bought one box of ammo and still had it when he sold it to my brother. My brother shot it 6 times. I got the rest of that box of ammo from my brother. I shot it up in the first hour I owned that revolver. I have shot it several hundred times since then. I'd shoot it more but I have other babies that need attention too.

If people want to buy a gun and test fire it to make sure it works then keep it for self defense knowing it will work or maybe they just want to look at the thing either way that's their business. I just hope they have the decency to offer the gun to me when they get ready to sell it.

[Grapevinebill]

I have 2 that haven't been to the range. One is something I bought thinking I could flip it and make some profit off someday and the other is a commemorative 25th anniversary edition of the Beretta M9. That one is still in the safe and comes out to be fondled and cleaned every couple of months. But out of the 15 hand guns I own those are the only 2. All others are shooters, and are used as plinkers, CCW's or HD guns.

[Rugermanws]

Originally Posted by pickenup

OK....OK....I admit it.
I do have a gun I have never shot, and probably will never shoot it.

Well at least you won't have to buy alot ammo for this one. I'm thinking one round should get the job done.

[rogertc1]

As a big time collector I have a lot I have never shot or ever will.

[Archie]

I know some folks buy guns they never shoot. They are investments and kept in pristine, original condition; usually in a safety deposit box.

To me, this is sort of like Marxist economics; I understand all the words, but it just seems - wrong.

[PA_RIFLEMAN303]

It drives me nuts when people buy guns and don't shoot them. If you take away the candy coating, a gun is a tool and it was designed to be used. I don't care how rare it is, how valuable it is or what brand name it is. It is a gun and its purpose is to shoot and if it can not or one will not shoot it, it ain't worth a damn thing.

That is like buying a $600 Dewalt nail gun and not using it because it is a $600 Dewalt nail gun.

use it or give it to someone who will.

[Bill DeShivs]

I have a lot of guns I haven't gotten around to shooting, but very few that I wouldn't shoot.

[TheGunClinger]

I have only one gun I havnt shot. Someday maybe I will take a shot or two.

[ozo]

I really like that one clinger.....
Invite me to shoot it with ya..?????

[ozo]

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

I have a lot of guns I haven't gotten around to shooting, but very few that I wouldn't shoot.

Howdy DeBill......
Haven't seen ya 'round lately.....
was just thinking about you yesterday.....
Everything alright down on the Delta?

[rogertc1]

I have over the last 40 years accumulated over 250 guns. They are all displayed in my gun room. I have not shot perhaps 50% of them. No desire.
Have a Savage 99 B Take Down coming in I just bought that needs work on it's stock or maybe new stocks? It is a project gun. Even got 20 roiunds of 303Savage comn for it. I don't meed it. just want it. Will I shoot it? Maybe not.

[Bill DeShivs]

Ozo-
Things are fine down here. And you?

[Hammerslagger]

Usually most persons buy a gun to shoot. However, such is not always the case; nor should it necessarily be so.

Some persons buy very fine guns, that have maybe 80% even 95% of their monetary value wrapped up in engraving, precious metal inlays, and fine wood. They use them just like the would use a "plain Jane" (entry level) model of the same gun. They do not abuse them; but they do use them. Such persons, typically have very large disposable incomes and accumulated wealth.

Twenty years ago, I encountered a man with a very early "named" Weatherby ("Sweet Adeline") built on a FN Commercial 98 action. It was heavily engraved with significant gold inlay work. It had also been hunted with, all over the world, for about 40 years. It showed the wear typical of heavy use but not abuse. Apparently the owner enjoyed having a piece of artwork that actually did some work. Certainly, nothing the matter with that.

This same man related a account of an incident he witnessed at an upscale fly-in Western US hunting operation that had its own gunsmith/knife sharpener who could put a proper shaving edge on most knife blades. He related how a wealthy Texan handed the GS a new in box and very rare hunting knife to sharpen. The GS explained the situation and balked on doing the work. The Texan got very angry and advised the GS that he did not give a "rats rump" about the rarity or value of the like new, now rare knife, that his Daddy gave him as a 12 year old boy. It was his property, he was there to hunt and use his knife; and the GS was going to either properly sharpened it or the Texan would try to sharpen it himself.

More recently, I encountered a similar incident involving a 99% condition "Sweet 16" that the new owner wanted modified for screw-in choke tubes. The GS absolutely refused to do the work. Some property owners simply do not care about devaluing a piece of property that they want to use; and some persons, like the "Sweet 16" GS, will not do devaluing work.

My own unsolicited advice is usually not to shoot guns that are purchased as collectible investments.

Many of such guns are old enough to be subject to age (precipitation) hardening of structural parts. Shoot it and have a part crack; and you will loose big bucks in an instant. Some guns (and other things) that are no longer in production, and are very rarely encountered in 100% or "NRA Perfect" condition, will be devalued by anything that changes its condition from the way it was packaged at the factory.

If you have always wanted some very rare and valuable gun to actually use and shoot, today; then "go for it". But, "go for it" fully informed as to the likely costs of doing so.

[skullfr]

there are some I feel that shouldnt-classic,high value commeratives.I shoot what I have as I dont collect for value .I have pocket knives I dont use as these are collectibles and stay in a case.I have a beautiful case mammoth ivory stockman I just look at and a pocket worn case that is my daily carry.

[sting75ray]

I have to admit that I am guilty when it comes to buying guns and not shooting them. As of now I have these that were only test fired at the factory but I will never shoot them.

Ruger 50th anniversary Ruger 22 auto

Ruger NRA 22 auto

Ruger 50th 357 Blackhawk

Ruger 50th 44 Mag Blackhawk

Ruger John Wayne 44/40 revolver

Winchester 1892 John Wayne 44/40

Ruger 40th anniverasry 10/22

Ruger 9/11 10/22 New York 89 of 500 made

[Xaiver56]

Update : First of all, thanks to everyone for the comments, and I do agree that there are some firearms that can be collectables and should not be shot. I of course would not buy those.

Wife and I did make it to the range and the Colt SSA is a dream to shoot. Here is a pic of the wife having fun...



She really enjoyed the new Colt and dialed it in quickly. The most fun we had was afterwards during her cleaning of the gun. She typically does't like cleaning, but this firearm inspired her to do some serious care. We both sat around our desk and cleaned our respective firearms and while I helped guide her along the cleaning her enthusiasm was hard to ignore. She treats this gun with the utmost respect.

I spent some time shooting this beautiful firearm:



I have wanted an HK USP for the past couple of years and it was great to finally shoot one that was my own. This has an amazing crisp trigger that begs to be shot.

[Hawg]

There's some guns I wouldn't own period but If I would own it I would shoot it. I'm the type that would shoot an 1873 Colt in pristine unturned condition with serial number 1.

[PA_RIFLEMAN303]

Originally Posted by Hawg

There's some guns I wouldn't own period but If I would own it I would shoot it. I'm the type that would shoot an 1873 Colt in pristine unturned condition with serial number 1.

damn straight! and have a blast doing it.

[Mr_Shamrock]

I also believe a gun is a tool that should be used. I can appreciate these fancy commemorative guns, but will never own one. I have been in and around the motorcycle and automotive repair business my entire life and it cracks me up when these gold plated wrench sets come out and guys go crazy over them, spend a bunch of money on them, and then put them in drawer never to be used. I can understand the not using it part it's just the initial purchase that makes me scratch my head.
I bought a guys gun collection a few years ago and in it was a Beretta M9 Special Edition set - it was immediately sold. So I can understand not wanting to devalue something that has collector appeal, but spending 2 or 3 times what it is worth because someone engraved a date on it and put it in a glass case just isn't my style. To each their own, but I personally will leave the shiny wall hangers to the rich folks.