Hobbies,in this case guns, are my fun zone, my luxury.They don't have to make sense...or dollars.Putting a financial overlay on the interest,takes away some of the fun.

The point that I tried to make in an earlier post,but failed to do so properly, is that its healthier to not dwell on aspects of anything that involve 50-100 bucks.In other words, don't sweat the small stuff.

Are guns a 'good" investment? Probably not; but they do tend to hold their value. While most other 'hobby" purchases don't!!!!!

I've been lucky enough to have the discretionary income to buy some 'extra" firearms that I don't need or intend to shoot. I have a couple of really nice.... in the box 34s...... do I shoot them no....... I shoot the 63.

I have a few anib guns ( a few still in the boxes) that I bought (or have held on to) to pass on to my boys. I bought them at good prices 10-30 years ago. It's a good thing I bought them then; because I've not seen these guns for sale locally in over a decade.

Also I've had the good fortune to acquire back ups to my carry guns.... in some cases back ups to my back ups.......hard to believe there was a time no one wanted 3" 66s or 3913NLs.......

In most of the cases I didn't seek out these guns.... an opportunity or a good price presented itself and I took advantage of it.

As I posted (#2) above a well cared for range gun will hold it's value.... a gun that sees rough use or is subject to an "accident".... can quickly become a "shooters grade" specimen.

I can’t agree with this more strongly. Unless you have a gun safe the size of a bedroom, you run the risk of handling marks every time you pull it to admire it.

I have learned so much on this forum ,cant go a single day without looking at it! For that I thank you all. I think this is a great post! Glad the OP put it out there. I've often wondered myself, and my opinion is that mine are all shooters except one very common 10-5. I love the fact that there are collectors that preserve history for future generations, since the common ones now, may not be common years from now when in the hands of our sons,daughters and grandchildren..There, my opinion only

No, don't. These discussions give *context* to our strange passion for this thing of ours.

Back to the topic, sort of ... Back in the day when I used to set up at shows a friend and I would offer a special service to collectors: "For just $100 we will fire your ANIB gun for you, thus relieving you of all guilt and anxiety over it ever happening. Turn lines added for free." It did not prove to be a sound business model.

__________________
Creation Continues

Absolutely. The technical term is "box bite."

__________________
Creation Continues

And it all depends on who is looking at the gun at what point in time! As is obvious here, we each and all have similar but different in some ways opinions, and some of us have totally different opinions. The market for firearms has generally moved upward as has the price of most all other things. But some more than others and some less. What we can get for a firearm, regardless of age, is dependent on what the person who sees it is looking for and the intended purpose they have for it.

I don't think we can say there is a right or wrong choice, except it is always the right choice to make sure we take as good care of the ones in our possesion so that they remain in their best condition possible regardless of how we use them. We have seen what once was a mint unfired revolver that was improperly stored that is definitely devalued because of that. Some folks use their guns hard, and that's OK. Some don't use some of their guns much at all. Some guns are more desirable at different times or less during their lifespan.

It just depends on who is looking and seeking. I've paid more for a few than the average market price because they particularly appealed to me. But they were still for sale because not many others felt any particular attachment or need for them. All of us like to buy a gun for less money than we think it's worth, and once in a while, we have that opportunity. I buy very few firearms that I personally don't wish to own forever. Sometimes, that feeling changes after I get one, but not often. If you like it, and can afford it, get it. Buy it because you want it, not for an investment. That doesn't mean it's not OK to be searching for guns in really good condition so as to be collectible for that reason only. What ever trips your trigger!!

Our collective posts here in answer to the OP's question bear out my statements very well, I think. My answer to the OP is "Only you can really answer your own question. But there is certainly nothing wrong with seeking the thoughts of others to make sure there isn't a consideration that you may have overlooked or are not experienced enough in the game to know yet. It's your money. What you spend it for is your business. The consequences of your choice are yours to bear! It's easy for us to spend someone else's money, right?

__________________
So long ... Ken

Its interesting to read everyone's opinion on this.
Thanks to the OP for starting it. I also hope he changes his mind.

I have several K 38 Masterpiece revolvers. I have 1 in particular that is about as new as I'll ever luck into. It's from 1966. Hardly a turn line or any other signs of being shot much if at all.
To me, it's like a brand new gun. Its tight as a bulls arse. It has mostly cleaning type marks on it. And yes, all numbers match, including box.

Will I shoot it? NO. I won't. No need to. No need to. I'll keep it as my example of history.
Is it perfect, nope. But probably as close as I'll ever get.
That being said, heres my opinion on shoot them.

The people that say that have " safe queens".
If you happen to find a near new old gun and you shoot it.
Its 1 less they need to worry about in the future.

You just made their gun " more" valuable.

Buy what you like, shoot what you want to.
There's nothing wrong with having a lnib gun.

A few hundred bucks one way or the other is not worth the mental gymnastics and worry. Shooting it will provide exciting memories. Not shooting it will provide boring memories.

l have a couple 41 Magnum PC guns... Less than 200 made EACH... Guess what. Each get shot.. OFTEN too...:-)

I do not look to find NIB. I just happened on a few. A 3T 19-4, and a no dash 629. I got a 10-5 X 4" that had 24 rounds fired, and a couple more that it is hard to tell if they have been fired. One being a M15-3 X 2". I have a 29 classic DX I got new, and fired 12 rounds through it. many of my pistols have little use. Why?? I went off into the world of trapshooting for 25 years, so my pistols, revolvers and rifles sat unused. I need a couple well worn shooters with character. a model 17 and 28 would do, and maybe a 29. I have already passed down many guns, mostly rifles, old and full of character. More are being passed down soon. I do not believe you have to shoot everything you buy. I am a firm believer in " pride of ownership"!!

BTW, I will have my first 1950 K38 masterpiece next week. Have 3 15-3"s

__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I have a Smith & Wesson Performance Center Stocking Dealer 9mm (SD-9) and I believe that only 165 were built back in 1993 or maybe 1994. I shoot it often and it is sublime.

But it wasn't in 100% condition when I managed to get it, which worked out for me because in that condition, it takes $2000-$2500 to get one.

Probably why some folks elect to keep them pristine.

This issue here isn't what ANYONE chooses to do with a firearm they own, it's quite simply the folks who believe they should be the one to decide what OTHERS elect to do with their own gun.

Read post #33.

I'm over safe queens I have several NIB P&Rs and slightly later
models. Getting to old to Bogart all this stuff for show and tell.
I won't shoot a NIB and I have shooters of same models.

Speaking of ANIB:

Local art collection, never titled, never driven.

Attached Images

IMG_20170624_114940.jpg (77.3 KB, 44 views)

I'm not sure what to make of that.
I only offered my opinion on what I have done.

If you wanted to brag about what you had or have, fine, start another thread.
You asked for opinions in this one.

It seems this forum just exists to hammer and demean, belittle new members.

I was warned, didnt listen. Thought I'd try, several times.
Typical blue forum attitude.

No member should be a punching bag.

Bye.

Delete duplicate

The manufacturer might . . .

And apparently used super models, likely with a turn line.

I have two sides to my collection - the "shooter grade" side and the "collector grade" side. The shooter grade guns get shot, the collector grade guns get waxed and coddled... well - the shooter grade guns also get waxed after they are cleaned, but not coddled...

BTW - I'm glad someone in the past decided to shoot my shooter grade guns and shoot them a bunch - that makes for a nice trigger, a finish that has that beautiful silvering of the blue on the high edges and something that makes me dream about the history - all at an affordable price.

The collector grade guns make me think back on what it would have been like to walk into a gun store ("way back when"), stare at the pristine Smiths under the glass, point at the one that I wanted, hand over the cash and take it home for the First Time - those feelings are nostalgic, strong and enjoyable, and often times remind me of my dad (who has been gone for 10 years). He loved to window shop at gun stores with me and I still miss him.

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

I've said this before but it is worth repeating ,I want to be RKmesa when I grow up .Why? Glad you asked. He has a theory that you should own 2 of each guns one shooter one collector and if you haven't seen pictures of his collector grade guns it is worth the time to look back at his posts especially his engraved revolvers .His shooters are dang nice also. So thanks for weighing in RK.

Is this aimed at my post # 62?

I do not believe I used you ars a punching bag

__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I have several s@w revolvers that
were bought from people that said
They were unfired. But if I were
Selling I would have to say I never
Fired them and were told the last
Owner did not fire them but I
Cannot swear that they have
never been fired. Look and look
Closely you decide

Keep in mind that certain parts are scarce for that revolver. Occasional shooting might not affect the value much, but a cracked barrel shank or some other problem might not be repairable, at least not at a reasonable cost. That said, I still vote to enjoy it while you can!

Waxing corvettes and Kate Upton. That's enough for me! My heart rate is up and I'm going to work!!

I hear ya.

One of the first things my circa 1983 Air Force OTS instructor did was to teach us the closely held secret to passing written government tests. He wrote on the blackboard (remember those?) in big letters: RTFQ - RTFA.

He explained if you Read The Question, then Read The Answers, you can pass almost any test even if you don’t know much about the subject. It has always worked for me.

Given the hypothetical gun in question, I’d say shooting it and disclosing it had been shot would devalue the gun from 25 - 40 percent.

Just a guess, with some opinion mixed in. Some folks will pay a premium for an allegedly unfired-by-the-owners-but-fired-at-the-factory gun.

Since you didn’t ask the “would ya, should ya” question, I’ll leave that alone.

__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”

Listen, I am a collector and I am a shooter. I have guns that are unshot just because I don't want to spoil that virginity in them. I can enjoy them this way as a collector. I still keep my shooters as pristine as I can and I get your question. But after reading every thread, you can take what makes sense to you and leave the rest and don't take it personal. I would hate to loose you as a poster on this forum. There are many in here that feel the same way I do. Keep the chin up and keep the guns you have not shot that way or not. Its how you feel and what you take away from this forum that answers the question you are looking for is what is important IMO.

I'm ahead of the game already my new n frames were $699. I shoot my smiths at the range only and some are still unshot. But they all will be shot someday.

My swedish dirtbikes will make more money than my guns ever will.

I've had several NIB vintage firearms........not just S&W's either. Some I've shot and some I haven't had the time to shoot yet. They were made to be shot. Just sayin!

If you're anything like me, you'll never sell it anyway, so why worry? I have several NIB pre-lock Smiths 28-2 6", 520, ect, that I'm saving for my children. I have several 28's, so I have no desire to rub the "new" off of the NIB guns.