Not so purdy S&Ws but still?

[Beeser]

I purchased a well used Model 39-2 yesterday and after having my local gunsmith inspect it and admiring it more later at home I came to some fresh thoughts, at least new to me. First of all, my gunsmith stated that the gun performed and felt like it was new despite the cosmetics suggesting otherwise. He said that all of the rubbed out bluing was the result of holster wear. But the gun didn't appear to have been fired much. Quite a few folks around here carry so that made sense to me.

What got me to thinking afterwards was, if the gun was in pristine condition I probably wouldn't have purchased it because of a much higher asking price. A new or like new gun is nice but would I be happier owning one? Maybe I'm rationalizing to justify my cheapness but I think my honest conclusion is that I can get as much satisfaction out of this old and cosmetically tired gun as something new and shiny. It hasn't been altered and functions the same as new and I can appreciate all of the design and manufacturing that went into the gun at a much lower cost. I'll go a step further by saying that I've passed on a few older guns with original boxes, etc. that didn't look like they were ever fired. My thinking at the time was; what am going to do with a box and since the gun is in such pristine condition will I be to afraid to shoot or use it for fear of making it look used?

So, without rambling further, I've come to a new stage or thought process in my search for future guns to look more closely at the seemingly well used and cheaper guns for sale and not dwell so much on the hunt for what some call "safe queens". The folks that sell those know demand and price accordingly. I just might be happy enough to settle with an ugly stepchild.

[chaparrito]

I'm with you. Beauty, not to mention Ugly, are often only skin deep. Guns are for shooting.

[FPrice]

I concur with the OP. I prefer firearms that show some honest use. I want a firearm which I can shoot and not feel that I am losing money on an "investment".

[SEIndSAM]

Yep, I buy my guns to shoot, just just to admire. I take good care of them, but am not going to worry about wear marks.

I wonder if 95% of the firearms out there have less than 500-1000 rounds lifetime. I know many people who will buy something, shoot it often at first and then put it away or carry it for years and rarely shoot it.

[Shorty 45 MK2]

no photos! Just kidding, but would not mind some.

I agree, my "safe queen" gets carried and shot a good bit.

I prefer shooter grade just about every time.

[Beeser]

Sorry for breaking one of the cardinal rules here; no post is complete without posting a picture. Here's the 39-2 ....

[LedFowl]

Yes, some of us prefer that an old firearm show its age. Don't tell anyone.

[cavsix]

Besides, everybody can use an "experienced" weapon!

[t-bird]

Thanks for the info and pics. I'm with you on buying guns to use and enjoy without the worry of making a gun look used. Best of luck and enjoy your new 39-2.

[nocents]

I totally agree with the OP's observations ....but....when I have to choose between a gun with a lot of "experience" or the purdy gun......I am weak and will pick purdy every time......is there a 12 step program for this affliction ????????

[FPrice]

Originally Posted by nocents

I totally agree with the OP's observations ....but....when I have to choose between a gun with a lot of "experience" or the purdy gun......I am weak and will pick purdy every time......is there a 12 step program for this affliction ????????

Yes, there is. Every month for a year start stepping towards all of your local gun shops until you find a great, older, not-so-Purdy S&W and buy it. Do this religiously for the entire year and will have 12 additions to your collection.

Best 12 step program I know!

[Shooting Padre]

If a gun I'm looking at to purchase isn't at least half as ugly as I am, I don't buy!

[buckmeister2]

For me, guns and trucks are very similar in that regard. I use them for what they were designed to do. I am far more concerned about the mechanicals than the aesthetics. That is not say I don't keep my guns and truck looking nice, and well-cared for, but I know I am going to ding them up in normal use. Battle scars are a thing of beauty to me...

[jimbo728]

Nice pistol , congratulations. A 39-2 can be a joy to own and shoot.
Keep it oiled, clean and test fire your carry loads. Some 39-2`s are fussy with some.
Stay Safe
Jim

[kaveman]

Saw this line earlier today on another gun forum and it fits,....

"I've lost all interest in being the curator for "the next generation" of hoarders."

That's how I feel about 'minty' collectibles,...........let someone else have them. If I end up with something too nice it eventually gets sold off. I keep all the beaters. As long as they're mechanically in good shape, that's all I'm concerned with anymore.

Exactly on topic,.............I'd been in the market for a 39-2 for a year or so and couldn't make up my mind whether to spend what I thought of as too much money for one in decent shape or way too much money for one in great shape. So I shelved the idea and forgot about it for awhile. Then one day I found a fairly ratty one on GunBroker for a cheap price($239)and figured for that price I'd just buy it and quit worrying about it entirely. Done deal.

Of course, two weeks later the same dealer posted up another 39-2 that was in much better shape(but VERY dirty)for even less money($219)so I bought that one too. Next day another popped up. Yup, speckled rust on the slide and a ding or two on the frame, but it was easy to see that the gun itself was practically unfired,...................$209. Bought it too.

The dirty one cleaned up well(it was just dried oil and dust)and the rust speckling on the third one pretty much wiped away with an oil rubbing, so the cheapest one ended up being the best and the most expensive the worst, but they were all exactly what I'm happy with,......good, reliable pistols in a condition I don't need to worry about.

I know; pics or it didn't happen. I can't get 'before' pics, but after should be doable. brb

[Scotter260]

I've really come to appreciate shooter-grade over the past couple of years - generally issues
are only cosmetic and I wasn't the one who caused them. Wear and tear is much more tolerable
when I know it wasn't something I did to a new condition firearm.

I will say I have my group that gets babied - not unused but babied - and then there are the
beaters that still get taken care of, they're just not fretted over if they get knocked around a
bit. Generally the ones that I've owned since new are in the babied group unless they were
specifically purchased to be used or as a duplicate.

[kaveman]

[IMG][/IMG]

The lighting makes it look like the blueing is gone from the muzzles, but it's not. The $239 pistol is at the top and it had a damaged rear sight. Took me a few weeks to find a replacement($15). $219 in the middle. The $209 pistol is at the bottom, and yes, the stocks have been wiped with a purplish dye that I haven't tried to remove. Internally they're all excellent. I managed to get free shipping on the last two so I'm into the set for right at seven hundred. I almost spent that much on a single 39-2 in the box a couple of weeks ago but couldn't think of a reason to spend the money.

[Beeser]

kaveman - Fine looking collection of 39s with character.

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Kaveman, those are very nice 39-2s.

[Beeser]

Well, I took my ugly stepchild to a local indoor range this morning. I usually go to an outside range but it was windy today and besides I received a free pass along with the purchase of the gun. Anyway, I can't tell you how happy I am with the gun. It performed flawlessly and is much more accurate than my current capabilities. To wit, as stated earlier I'm a novice shooter and still learning. First shot placements were all over the place. I was definitely reacting in advance of pulling the trigger and jerking off target. After realizing what I was doing I settled down and slowly began to ease into trigger. I was immediately rewarded with some 2" groups at 20' and 25', proof that the gun will shoot where it is properly aimed. As Hickok45 says, "life is good".