Shooting Commemoratives?

Bongos17150 · #1 10-23-2011, 11:25 PM

I've been offered a S&W 19 CHP commemorative, I see these anywhere from $650-$1200 around here in CA. I was offered one for $700, the going price for used a S&W 19 round here is $500-$600.. it's Pre Lock andunfired.. I was thinking of getting it and take it shooting, if I find a used one in the store and take it out shooting, after paperwork and taxes.. it's about $50 different from the Comm. your thoughts is appreciated

Wingmaster · #2 10-23-2011, 11:59 PM

I would take it out and shoot it. Try to wear it out.

I think their are thousands of unfired commemoratives out there. The unfired guns that are special are the ones that just got put back and forgotten. Their are a lot fewer of these. Like pre model numbered guns. etc.

Just my thoughts.

Wingmaster

Gunhacker · #3 10-24-2011, 01:18 AM

If it is not absolutely pristine, meaning no signs of the cylinder ever having been spun, not just unfired, then to a serious collector of commemoratives, it's a shooter.

That gun is listed on the BATF C&R list, so it is exempt from the CA handgun roster requirement, and to me that takes a lot of the "you can't buy one here" factor that adds to the price of handguns here when it's an "off roster" handgun that can only be had by civilians via a private party sale/transfer.

So my $.02 is buy it, to enjoy at the range, and not look at it as a speculative investment.

I have a number of commemoratives, that came to me with either a slight turn line on the cylinder, missing part of the original accompaniments, like a belt buckle, manual or coin... and it gets treated like any other shooter that I have in my safe.

rburg · #4 10-24-2011, 11:20 AM

Commemorative guns are a subject of some debate. Colt absolutely destroyed the reputation the guns had by over producing them. For a long time, a Colt Commemorative SAA was actually worth less than an identical configuration that didn't have all the gaudy plating. The only way they are really worth much is if the collector has a bunch of them, and then only to someone who appreciates them.

Most of us don't really value them at all. I have no idea what the OP here faces in the way of pricing and lack of availability of the guns he wants. Here where I live we have a bunch of gun shows. And at nearly every one there is a price range on these guns. We only rarely see one sell, and then almost never for much of a premium. But it is a way to obtain a fairly old (like 1970s vintage) gun where the non-Commemorative would be pretty difficult to find. If you like the flash for some reason, then maybe its for you.

I have a friend who picks up guns for an engraver. He's managed over the years to score some good "raw material" at reasonable prices.

TDC · #5 10-24-2011, 12:56 PM

Well.... I have a rather large collection of S&W handguns and I have some commemoratives in the mix.

I believe a person can shoot them if they want to, collect them if they want to, or make them "safe queens" if they want to. I have a Mod. 25-3 I've shot for many years as well as others I just admire.

Many people seem to shy away from these guns, apparently because they seem to represent an image of being something that is seen as an art form rather than a useful shooting tool. That just isn't so IMO.

Because these guns are often seen in that manner, as well as the added issue of companies tending to greatly "overproduce" them, the companies frequently diminish the desire for their own product.

Because the result can be a reduction in market price they are very commonly an excellent buy for a shooter looking for a bargain. I know of several "Texas Ranger" and "125th Anniversary" commemorations that have seen daily service as a shooter for over thirty five years. Mechanically they are no different than any other firearms being made and perform as they were intended for their owners.

Personally I hope companies keep making them... just reduce the numbers produced to enable them to be true "collector items."

JMHO

ronnie gore · #6 10-24-2011, 01:28 PM

you better shoot it because someone else will some day.

Bongos17150 · #7 10-24-2011, 02:22 PM

Well, here in California, we have laws where you can only buy guns from an approved list, thus, anything not on the list becomes desireable.. so all pre-lock are getting premiums (sometimes over). And if the guns is not on the list, you can't have it ship in. There are loopholes but ot go thru those routes would add extra cost and render the guns way over priced. The Commemorative option gives us basically a "new" gun at minimal cost.. to shoot it though is up for discussion

2152hq · #8 10-24-2011, 02:54 PM

If a CHP Commemorative is truely selling for $1200 in Cal. in top condition and this one is in that catagory for $700,,then I'd buy it and sell it quick for $1000.

Take the $300 profit , add $200 to $300 off my own money and buy one of those decent M19 shooters you noted that goes for $500 to $600.

You'll have a M19,,& have 2 to $300 invested.

However,
If the $1200 is just a wish-for price tag on guns that never sell,,then buy the CHP for $700 if that is reasonably close to what a used M19 would cost you and take it out and use it.

minconrevo · #9 10-24-2011, 11:46 PM

I own one commemorative (a 66-1) that had the cylinder spun (and shot a few rounds) before it came to me. The wood box with the engravings was not pristine at all. No blue box or cleaning tools/papers.

The round headed pins (barrel, etc) were set for the gun to look pretty in the box when I got it. The machine work inside the receiver was pretty sloppy, which could be why it got turned into a commemorative. Perhaps S&W did not expect it to be shot. After considerable time on the bench, it was ready for the range.

The short version is that it shot just fine. I replaced the serrated .265 trigger with a smooth .312 and it shot even better.

If it had been pristine, with all the goodies, I might have missed getting to put some lead downrange through it.

Mike1957 · #10 10-24-2011, 11:58 PM

I once swore I would never own a gun that I couldn`t shoot. I`ve since made a few exceptions to that rule.
About 10 years ago I bought a Colt Second Amendment .22 because it was actually cheaper than a standard 1970s Colt Peacemaker .22. I had every intention of shooting it, but when I got it and looked it over I could not bring myself to shoot it.
But it`s an individual choice. If you own a gun of this type, there is no reason you should not shoot it if you want to. After all, it is your gun, and your choice.