Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


View Poll Results: You decide to:
Put it away, never to be fired - just admired. 45 22.50%
take it to the range the next day and start shooting the hell out of it as a keeper/shooter. 78 39.00%
put it away and begin your quiet debate as to shoot it or not (this could go on for months or years). 48 24.00%
Sell it to someone who offers you a sum that makes you a nice profit. 29 14.50%
Voters: 200. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #51  
Old 02-13-2009, 09:58 AM
DRYHEAT's Avatar
DRYHEAT DRYHEAT is offline
SWCA Member
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1,913
Liked 5,652 Times in 669 Posts
Default

The NIB collectors are much like stamp or coin collectors. They will never put a rare stamp on a letter or a rare coin in a vending machine... the NIB gun collector is preserving history for the rest of us. Down the road a new owner may be the one to shoot the revolver for the first time.
__________________
Bill - SWCA #2327
Reply With Quote
  #52  
Old 02-13-2009, 02:58 PM
Bobwtn Bobwtn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Jackson, Tennessee
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Even though I might have a very nice firearm, if I feel like shooting, I probably will, even if I had a nice fully engraved one. At age 56, life is a lot shorter than 20 yrs. ago, so if I can buy, I will probably shoot it.I believe in enjoying the things I have more than ever. I try to take care of the one I carry each day, so other than a little residue, I am not too hard on a gun. Most of the time, the factory shot it anyway. In 70's, it was usually three powder rings on a new nickle plated smith, at ones I bought new.
Reply With Quote
  #53  
Old 02-13-2009, 05:23 PM
fyimo's Avatar
fyimo fyimo is offline
Member
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 18,773
Likes: 6,048
Liked 5,762 Times in 1,992 Posts
Default

Hey, I turn 65 in two weeks and I have to ask myself what are you saving this for in unfired condition? I guess it's just a collector side of me that says hey this thing is pristine and is 36 years old (29-2 born 1973) why do you need to fire it. I have a 29-2 that's a shooter to me and it's a 98% gun but it has been fired so that's the 44 Magnum I shoot.

When I die my kids may keep it or sell it to a guy that shoots it the first day he has it or they may sell it to a collector who keeps it unfired for another 35 years.
Reply With Quote
  #54  
Old 02-14-2009, 01:58 AM
Smithhound's Avatar
Smithhound Smithhound is offline
US Veteran
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SE Tennessee
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
Liked 308 Times in 108 Posts
Default

As one that falls into the 'Collector' category I can say that I get just as much enjoyment from the NIB firearms I have in the vault as I do shooting the already fired examples. It is all a matter of what each of us enjoy.
I am fortunate enough to be able to afford to buy pristine examples to stick back. Not everyone is, and I understand that. In this hobby the rule is: Do the best you can.
I've been healing up from some surgeries lately and poking around in the safes (2) and have tallied up the unfired firearms in there. It is astounding. I'm going to the range Sunday and taking with me a Ruger #1 HB in .22-250 that I bought 16 years ago, built up and put up. It has sat for all those years without ever being fired!
That isn't a collectable firearm and will be put to use. Sometimes time slips by so fast.
RD
__________________
Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U
Reply With Quote
  #55  
Old 02-14-2009, 08:17 PM
augy's Avatar
augy augy is offline
Member
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 164
Likes: 25
Liked 14 Times in 6 Posts
Default

I'm a collector and a shooter. I must admit, the condition (cosmetic and function) of a gun is important to me. I take pride in all my guns, as I'm sure most of us do.

Currently I own 2 guns that have not been fired by me. A pristine lightweight baby browning, and a pristine HK4 (.380).
Only reason I bought these guns, was because they were beautiful. At the time I bought them, I really didn't care if they had been fired or not, as they were pristine to me, and I had never seen anything as nice.
I don't intend to shoot them, but when the time comes that I don't care for them anymore, if that ever comes, I'll sell both guns.

I agree with a few others, if the gun is vintage/special and unfired except by the factory, keep it that way and find another to shoot.

Back in the '80's I had a itch for a Sig P210-6, I searched and searched and found some used ones that were too expensive (IMHO) for the condition they were in. Then I lucked up and found a NIB at a gun show. I traded 2 Sigs and a little cash for it. Today the gun still looks the same as the day I bought it, and it has many, many rounds passed through it. I must say, it is one fine gun. It is one of a couple of brand new guns I've shot, and continue to shoot with no regrets.

Good luck with your decision.
augy
Reply With Quote
  #56  
Old 02-14-2009, 08:24 PM
David LaPell's Avatar
David LaPell David LaPell is offline
Member
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,543
Likes: 667
Liked 6,772 Times in 1,312 Posts
Default

For precisely the reason I don't own safe queens. Depending on the gun, say a Smith number 1, then no, probably not. A Registered Magnum, probably. Guns were meant to be shot, and as long as I could get the ammo and it was safe to shoot, you betcha. I was the same with my old 1905 M & P that I bought recently. The day I picked it up a guy in the shop browsing asked me if I was going to shoot it, I replied yes. The guy looked at me like he was in shock. I told him if I can't shoot it, then I don't want it. That applies with everything for my guns.
__________________
Vaya con Dios
Reply With Quote
  #57  
Old 02-14-2009, 08:58 PM
animalmother animalmother is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Get Some, GA
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times in 11 Posts
Default

I have a lot of safe queens that I have never shot and never will. If I found a Model 16 or Model 23 NIB and got it for a good (for me) price, I'd stash it away in the safe.
Reply With Quote
  #58  
Old 02-16-2009, 06:16 PM
M2HB M2HB is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

It doesn't make any sense paying the extra money for a NIB gun (NOS) when you can buy a used one with minimal wear for a lot less, if you are going to shoot it. The value of guns usually goes way up in the last couple of % points. If you are going to shoot it anyway, buy one that has already been shot. I am referring to guns that are usually out of production pieces that have collector value.
Reply With Quote
  #59  
Old 02-16-2009, 06:22 PM
Mickey D's Avatar
Mickey D Mickey D is offline
Member
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Carmen, Idaho
Posts: 4,294
Likes: 5,570
Liked 3,587 Times in 1,298 Posts
Default

I have three M60s from late 1960s. All have boxes and papers/stuff. One is NIB. I will not be shooting the NIB as I have plenty of others to shoot.
Where else would anyone be able to purchase a 40 year old M60 NIB? Someday, someone else can molest it.
__________________
Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired
Reply With Quote
  #60  
Old 02-17-2009, 09:54 AM
vrichard's Avatar
vrichard vrichard is offline
WW II Vet
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: COLORADO
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 717
Liked 4,283 Times in 629 Posts
Default

Of all of my S-W I`ve only have 25(more or less)
P&R NIB that hasn`t been shot,a few over 40 year
old.

Dick
Reply With Quote
  #61  
Old 02-18-2009, 07:06 AM
Mule88's Avatar
Mule88 Mule88 is offline
Member
Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W Poll:  To Shoot or Not Shoot an Unfired NIB S&W  
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Vandalia, Ohio
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 297
Liked 231 Times in 137 Posts
Default

I have a pre 29 (late 1956) No box but the gun looks un fired. I just cant bring myself to shoot it yet. Maybe one day before I die....time will tell
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
380, 617, beretta, bodyguard, browning, colt, commercial, engraved, k-22, model 10, model 16, model 29, model 42, outdoorsman, p210, ppk, presentation, registered magnum, round butt, ruger, saa, sig arms, smith and wesson

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
POLL: where do you shoot? MrJT The Lounge 34 01-13-2016 03:38 PM
Model 18 unfired... shoot it? motoman1100 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 49 06-28-2014 12:57 PM
Forum Poll : Where do you shoot your 15-22? ChattanoogaPhil Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 18 02-28-2011 01:04 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:17 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)