Today, I bought my first 3rd gen pistol. Its an Alaska state trooper unissued gun, new in the box never fired. Serial #puts it made in 1995. I guess I will never fire it, what do u think? My question is the gun has nite sites that are dead, after all they are 22years old. Should I replace the sights with original sites or nite sights. Gun in came in box with 2 new mags manual and lock. Bought from a retired last who bought the gun from his department. Thanks

Is there some reason you will never fire it ?
Would you buy a car and never drive it ?

If the sight tubes are Trijicon, they can re-lamp them for $57.

If you are not going to fire it, whats the point in replacing them?

Congratulations Sir on a fine purchase. I am of the opinion is that life is too short not to enjoy your new Smith. I say take it out and shoot it, as I would not buy anything I had no intention to shoot. I used to think that way until I realized I cannot take them with me!

Well, there is another way to look at it. Keep the gun unfired for collector or price appreciation reasons and buy a used one to shoot, or sell the unfired one and use the money to buy a shooter grade and ammo, etc. Why turn a collector item into a shooter when there are guns around that won't take a huge depreciation the minute you run a magazine of ammo through them?

Now, if you want a gun to shoot and cannot find a "used" one, or can't find one at a good price, then that is a different matter. But I would bet you could sell yours for $150 - $200 more than a clean "used" gun would cost, (maybe more if you can prove the police connection...some people go crazy for that stuff). Why throw away that money?

That's why I'm thinking of keeping the gun unfired, for the value. Even though I plan on keeping the gun. I bought it for a great price $450. I will replace the sights. Now I'm gonna have to buy a shooter. Btw gun is marked AST(Alaska State Trooper)

If you replace the sights, it won't be original.
It will be modified and consequently worth less than unmodified.

John