Dave T,

Not sure exactly why you're asking, but it's a good question. After all the answers here, some of which were very good (for me), all of which were right for those who posted them, I'm still not sure exactly who is and who isn't a collector. That's OK.

I only buy guns that I can shoot. I mean it. That said, I do appreciate new-looking guns in the S&W boxes of my youth. I have a few guns which I try to preserve as well as possible, keeping in mind that even NIB S&W guns have been fired. But I don't own a gun I won't carry and use - that's what they are for.

I have no disagreement with those who won't fire certain guns. Some day I may see their guns, a bit of history preserved. I appreciate their effort and expense, and my good fortune in benefitting from it. But I won't do it.

If we were all the same, most of us would be unnecessary.