(Note: -- I am not looking to buy, sell or trade)

I have a 1955 5"pre-27 that came without the original grips. Since I got it about 8 years ago, it has worn a variety of stocks, depending on my mood.





It is a sweetheart to shoot, but after being a member of the Forum for a few years, the lack of matching numbered stocks was a slight disappointment. (Please forgive me that it took so long and that the disappointment was only slight).

So about a year and a half ago I went through the annoying process of getting a permit to purchase a handgun in New Jersey. Getting the permit was routine, but being New Jersey it involved getting fingerprinted, arranging for two references and giving the police department my boss's contact information so they could send him a letter asking if he knew of any reason why I should not be allowed to purchase a handgun.

Finding a gun to buy was the easy part (thank you Gunbroker). The gun I got was this one, from about 1952:





Now the buyer's remorse, The 1952 was in excellent condition, had the original grips, and only some slight hoster wear at the muzzle. Therefore, although I really like it, there is no reason to shoot it when the one with lots of holster wear shoots perfect. The remorse is that I am not shooting the upgrade, and had I known I was not going to shoot it I would have seriously considered getting a better specimen (as new, original box, nickel, 3.5", the list is endless)

Anyone else feeling a little regret that they did not upgrade enough?

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I have a nice shooter grade pre-27 with a 3.5 inch barrel. No regrets at all. Still want to find a 5 inch pre-27 or any shooter grade RM or NRM. You have a great gun. Sorry, I don't understand your regrets. Go shoot it.

I have a well-used mod. 28 that shoots great, but I'm looking for a nice pre-27 that's correct and fits my budget. When I find it, it may not get shot, but I won't have any regrets!

I agree with Shark Bait.I have 3 3 1/2" ers & 1 5" and they all get shot.The oldest is 3 1/2 " from 1955, Ser # S 1379XX.They were made to be used.

Since I only buy a gun if it is worth more than I'm paying, remorse is pretty rare for me.

So what would keep you from continuing to look for a "better upgrade" specimen and once you've found and bought it, selling the "lesser condition upgrade" specimen?

That way you get to continue the fun of the hunt, and still end up with what you want.

You may have reached the point of accumulating more than you shoot.Just another part of the hobby.

Shooting will not effect that gun as much as holster wear does. Shoot it, clean it carefully, and carry it in a foam padded carry case when you do go the the range and it will remain in fine condition. If you want a safe queen go get one with all the paperwork, box, and tools and if possible in unfired condition.

I understand what you are saying...if you are going to have a "safe-queen" you want a real beauty not just a nice gun...

Guess I was kinda that way when looking for a 4" first year of production 57. Had a nice 1980 for a shooter but wanted a 64 just because it was first year and the bluing is so much nicer on guns of that era. Passed several that had holster wear but finally found one in about 95+% condition but no PC or Cokes so it was reasonably priced. Bought it and added a box and Cokes...have only shot it once since I have owned it...

That 1952 you have is what I have been looking for as that is my birth year. First time I went looking for one ended up with a 6" that lettered not just to my birth year but to the DAY I was born...

So sell the 5" and get a nice 3.5" safe-queen....

Bob

Yes: for years I wanted a .22 kit gun...... over about a decade I found and bought 2 anib 4" 34s ( w/ boxes and doc) one round and one square butt...... couldn't bring myself to shoot either ..... let alone carry either into Penn's Woods.......

finally after another 3 or 4 years I found a nice ......but not to nice ......4" 63!!!


LOL...... bought a really really nice 4" 28........... to shoot and carry...... again it became a safe queen.... I'd always grab a 4" 686 ....... later found a 90% 4" 27....... which does get used.

My goal is to find guns "nice enough to be proud of........ but not so nice I don't/won't shoot"!!!!

Sell yours, buy exactly what you want. Just be patient.

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Just hanging with my dogs

I'm at that point of accumulating more so than shooting it seems. While I have actually fired most of my guns, I still have a half dozen or so that I haven't put a round through. None of them are in what I'd call collector class though or even close.

I might get around to them one of these days.

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John 3:16 .

I wouldn’t buy a safe queen, I buy guns to enjoy shooting them. If I were you though I would do what would make “you” happy. You already said what you want so why not do it? Buy the perfect safe queen and put it in the safe and never shoot it. If you want to shoot one shoot the one you have.

I’m not sure where you were going about the hassle of gun ownership in NJ. To address that I would say vote better so you can live better. If that doesn’t work just move.

Good luck, hope you find what you are looking for.

I bought a 5" pre 27 two years ago in near new condition for about the going price at the time. I shoot it quite often. I believe it is the nicest shooting revolver I own. It would be a real shame to just leave it in the safe. Every time I shoot it I am reconnected to those craftsman of those days who gave me such a magnificent revolver.

Stu

Talk about a First World problem ...

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You're shy a few manners.

Yes.....in the Third World..... we'd be talking AK-47s ..... Russian vs Chinese vs Egyptian

That well worn 357 lacking the numbered stocks would bother me exactly ZERO. Not like it's a pristine, collector grade safe queen.

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^^^Love it

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This old thing (4 screw pre 29) has been hanging around here for 3-4 years and I still haven't shot it.Had to give it a good scrubbing when I found it and I'm too lazy to do it again lol

Attached Images

image.jpg (73.7 KB, 33 views)

Safe Queens happen to me too. I would walk into a pawn shop or gun show and find a nice 5 screw at a smoking good price and darn if I didn't end up with a another safe queen. That's kinda how I ended up with 11 K-22s, 8 K-38s and 7 Highway patrolmen. I finally quit, I told myself if it was a gun I already had the price had to be about 1/3 the going price before I would buy it. The about screws me up sometimes because I catch myself stretching the about 1/3ed and end up adding to the safe queens.

SWCA 892

What do you guys do with all theses safe queens... Save them for the heirs to take back to the pawn shop or throw on a table at your estate sale?

Nope....... some like the two 4" 34's are actually designated as Birthday and Christmas gifts for my 2 boys.... now 20 and 17.......

Both are shooters.......

Here's a couple of my Pre-27 "shooters".

Attached Images

	%22Cokes%22.jpg (137.4 KB, 25 views)
	Pre 27 Stags.jpg (113.3 KB, 25 views)

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Nope, although I wouldn't call any of mine "safe queens." They're just guns I haven't gotten around to shooting, or maybe I've shot them once. I'll get around to it one of these days.

But if I don't, I still have had the pleasure of owning them. That makes it worthwhile.

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John 3:16 .

Sounds to me like you're justifying the purchase of the third one.

Come on in and we'll do our best to talk you out of it.

Want a beer while you're here..

Here, I fixed Superman's post:

"So sell the 5" to Muley Gil and get a nice 3.5" safe-queen....

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Many have asked, why don't you just sell and upgrade. The answer is that buying or selling a handgun in New Jersey is very cumbersome. So both of the pre-27's are staying put.

But I have been encouraged by many of the above posts to take the better condition gun to the range and give it a spin along side it's well worn cousin.

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A couple of yrs ago I bought a NIB 50th anniversary Ruger Blackhawk in 44 magnum , complete with the red box for $400 OTD . It had not been fired since it left the factory , no turn ring even from being handled .
I knew if I kept it , I would shoot it and destroy the uniqueness of it . I sold it to a collector that had the 357 (50th anniversary ) and wanted the 44 as a match . I'm glad I did as I don't believe in " safe queens " . If I own it and keep it , it will be used , maybe a lot . Regards, Paul