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  #51  
Old 10-08-2018, 12:39 PM
Wise_A Wise_A is offline
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'Kay. Let's examine some evidence.

(1) Your morale thread has received 1400 views.
(2) There are currently 3000 people looking at S&W Forum, one of the single largest brand-specific forums on the internet.

Yet you conclude that you're somehow rare, that there aren't very many of you, and you are a unique and special snowflake.

You're not! You're just isolated from everybody else. Largely because every five minutes, someone blasts "Tupperware" guns. If I walked around calling S&Ws "expensive Rossi's", would you want to associate with me?

Then there are the countless Grumpy Old Man posts bemoaning the "sad state of America's youth", with a few "young people can't shoot" posts.

It's not that young people don't shoot revolvers or whatever else you're into. Mostly, they just don't want to shoot with you.
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Old 10-08-2018, 01:08 PM
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When it comes to collectibles I don’t believe it’s a question of popularity but one of economics.

We boomers lived in a time of disposable income, to believe that will be the case in the future is a stretch.

Millennials are a diverse group and those that I know are practical if not down right frugal.

The fact that a plastic gun is what’s desired for a using gun is born out in sales figures.

So less disposable income, frugal by necessity and a cheaper alternative for SD, you all might think about liquidation while you can.


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  #53  
Old 10-08-2018, 02:48 PM
antilamr antilamr is offline
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Originally Posted by Wise_A View Post


'Kay. Let's examine some evidence.

(1) Your morale thread has received 1400 views.
Wasn't meant to be"morale" but I'll take it
(2) There are currently 3000 people looking at S&W Forum, one of the single largest brand-specific forums on the internet.
Didn't realize that since I'm not on any other brand-specific forum

Yet you conclude that you're somehow rare, that there aren't very many of you, and you are a unique and special snowflake.
Far from a "snowflake" but drfrnitly unique in my sphere of influence

You're not! You're just isolated from everybody else.
This could be true

It's not that young people don't shoot revolvers or whatever else you're into. Mostly, they just don't want to shoot with you.
Never asked but wouldn't doubt it.
BTW, I like your nick name.
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  #54  
Old 10-08-2018, 03:43 PM
Wise_A Wise_A is offline
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Originally Posted by peterGun View Post
When it comes to collectibles I don’t believe it’s a question of popularity but one of economics.

We boomers lived in a time of disposable income, to believe that will be the case in the future is a stretch.

Millennials are a diverse group and those that I know are practical if not down right frugal.

The fact that a plastic gun is what’s desired for a using gun is born out in sales figures.

So less disposable income, frugal by necessity and a cheaper alternative for SD, you all might think about liquidation while you can.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Okay, forget the "millennials". Which is a ridiculous term anyway. I think in actual use it boils down to "people younger than me". Besides, they spend as much on guns as anybody else.

Do you want to know why so few people are buying new revolvers? Because the old ones are cheaper and just as good. I'd guess more money changes hands over used revolvers than new ones.

The other thing is, when discussing CCW sales, why would you not buy a polymer-framed packin' pistol? They're cheaper than steel guns, lighter, frequently as small or smaller, and shoot just fine.

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BTW, I like your nick name.
Well, I wasn't so much remarking on you (although I'll admit that's what "your thread" sounds like) just these guys in general. There's another threadnought over in CCW&SD bemoaning "plsatic spray'n'prayers" and "millennials" and such.

Seriously, these guys are starting to sound like gun hipsters. "I'm into revolvers, you wouldn't know them, they're very underground." I mean, that's sorta the CZ75 guys' niche.
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  #55  
Old 10-08-2018, 03:55 PM
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I'm in my 60's as well, retired and fortunate enough to be able to shoot frequently. Being a shooting enthusiast from an early age, I have spent years buying, selling, collecting and accumulating. But in the last year or so I don't seem to have much of a desire to buy many more guns. Instead, I love shooting, handling and appreciating all the 'old' blue steel and wood grip pistols and rifles that have so many memories attached to them. Nostalgia I guess; and while I do have some plastic guns around, they just don't seem to have a soul or any character. Nor do they show the craftsmanship and pride in production that assembly lines now crank out. I'm a pretty simple guy now....Now in regards to dying out part, well there is no denying that. Told us in the Marines that none of us are getting out of this life alive; and when surrounded that was good thing as we could attack in any direction (none of this retreat stuff) and when asked, my Doctor has said the same thing. Don't have a day scheduled or a date on the calendar for that yet.....
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Old 10-08-2018, 04:56 PM
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It's evolution the gun word is changing. I'm crowding 60 now and the gun world I grew up in was Walnut stocks and shinny blued barrels and receivers. Black guns seem to fascinate this new generation of shooters. The number of Hunters and trappers are also declining.
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  #57  
Old 10-08-2018, 06:53 PM
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Don't mean to hog this thread - I find the subject very interesting. GaryS as is the case with may others has made a very good point about gun sales are thriving. Joe (one eye - very funny) also made a similar point about shooters vs. collectors. I did a little research today. The two top selling guns are the SW Shield 2nd place and the Ruger LCP 380 in the number one position. What we are seeing is the lion share of handgun purchases are carry guns, small footprint with women hitting the buying effort hard. There is a huge conceal carry group out there buying extremely small handguns as Gary mentioned starting with the women. The Ruger LCP at bud's Gun Shop sells for $179!! Does this mean our N, K and even J frame revolvers are a dying breed? For the purpose of personal and home protection maybe so. My gun of choice for home protection is a Sig226 or a Glock 17. Both are super reliable as semi-autos. Girlfriend's gun of choice is the Combat Magnum Model 19. Not a good idea messing with ball and chain!

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  #58  
Old 10-08-2018, 07:22 PM
antilamr antilamr is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigl1911 View Post
Don't mean to hog this thread - I find the subject very interesting.
Hog all you want. Your input is well received
GaryS as is the case with may others has made a very good point about gun sales are thriving. Joe (one eye - very funny) also made a similar point about shooters vs. collectors.
2 very different perspectives. I agree with both sides to a degree.
I did a little research today. The two top selling guns are the SW Shield 2nd place and the Ruger LCP 380 in the number one position. What we are seeing is the lion share of handgun purchases are carry guns, small footprint with women hitting the buying effort hard. There is a huge conceal carry group out there buying extremely small handguns as Gary mentioned starting with the women. The Ruger LCP at bud's Gun Shop sells for $179!! Does this mean our N, K and even J frame revolvers are a dying breed? For the purpose of personal and home protection maybe so. My gun of choice for home protection is a Sig226 or a Glock 17. Both are super reliable as semi-autos. Girlfriend's gun of choice is the Combat Magnum Model 19. Not a good idea messing with ball and chain!
+1 on not messing with the women!
We all can learn something from everyone's experiences and view points as different as they can be. I know I am.
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Old 10-08-2018, 08:24 PM
SteadySqueeze SteadySqueeze is offline
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I'm 22 and about to get my 686+ that I got in a trade for a red dot. I use to shoot Cowboy Action when I was younger but fell out of that due to work, so I do appreciate the old stuff. I also have an old police Model 10 that is well loved and used. Overall, I really am a firearms enthusiast and enjoy all firearms, from muzzle loaders to my everyday carry Glock 19 that has a RMR, KKM bbl and comp, and X300U.
I think a lot of posters have already hit the mark as to why you're not seeing older guns in the hands of younger folks, the guns themselves were produced so long ago, spare parts are getting harder to find, and the rising cost due to appreciation. Like one poster said, he bought them new, or not too old, when he purchased them. Much like old Model A's or T's, while the decades go buy they'll be horded up or scraped as they reach their rusted end, people who don't know their worth do whatever with them, or enter another large collection of someone who does know their worth.
I suppose you could correlate the trend of older folks and their collections or pieces much like their homeowner status. Younger ones are in the cities due to college or their job and are currently facing high-rent, low-paying (probably janky Amazon or Star*ucks jobs) jobs, and disproportionately higher home prices. With lower prices, even with inflation, of homes and firearms, they were acquired back then and are still being held onto, or sold for good profit. I know one old guy who passed and had around 60 benchrest guns, unfortunately I never found out what big firm or store bought all of them from the dimwit son.
I would say that overall, a move towards newer technology such as polymer and autoloaders has given the sheer might of industrial production to the Glocks and ARs of the world. There's quite a few of my peer shooting buddies who all have old guns, from Belgian Auto-5's to Mauser C96's, and they love and cherrish them just as much.
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Old 10-08-2018, 08:37 PM
mikem mikem is offline
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I think people tend to want what they see, what they are shown.

And that goes from politicians to products.

From what I can see, politicians no longer win elections by campaigning, traveling around stumping and giving speeches.

They just buy elections with TV ads. "May the richest man win." Scary.

Same with firearms. People buy what the manufacturers show them.

Show them striker fired plastic guns. They buy them.

"Hammer? What's a hammer? You don't need a hammer to fire a gun. You just need a trigger."

And I noticed as of late, I'm seeing more and more rifles that come without sights. You have to mount a scope or red dot sights on them.

This is all wonderful for the manufacturers. They crank out cheaper for them to make, inferior firearms and ill educated (at least as far as guns go) consumers snap them up as the "latest thing."

Idiots.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:13 PM
barbara_em barbara_em is offline
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As a high school teacher, I rarely yet sometimes discuss guns with a student. (If my local school board ever discovers me, I'm in deep doo-doo.) The talk is almost always Glock because that's what they see on the tube.
And although I sometimes shoot with my school police officers (mostly less than my 57 years and ex-military) and they love my 2nd and 3rd Generation S&Ws, not a one would trade the Glock/XD/M&P for, say, a 5906 or a 915.
We have a new guy in my department, nice kid, a captain in the National Guard, and except for a Kimber .45, he won't touch a hammer fired metal pistol. When I told him about a recently acquired 469, he sneered and said he'd never own a Smith. I pointed out the gun was older than he (he's 34), he seemed amazed that it actually existed and that there was anyone on the planet who would actually want to carry such a piece.
Finally, I have a nephew by marriage (41 yo) who's into long guns for hunting, although he has a Glock for house defense. He would consider nothing else.
Yes, I know the evidence is all anecdotal. It's the evidence I have, though. I face the sad conclusion that my hobby and preferences for metal TDA is going out of favor. My cherished pistols will, when I'm gone, be left to unappreciative (if nice) inheritors. I'm afraid even the 85 year old Colt's Woodsman that my grandfather owned won't matter to whomever gets it. When I'm gone, I won't care. For now, it pains me.
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Old 10-09-2018, 10:22 AM
antilamr antilamr is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikem View Post
I think people tend to want what they see, what they are shown.



Same with firearms. People buy what the manufacturers show them.

Show them striker fired plastic guns. They buy them.

"Hammer? What's a hammer? You don't need a hammer to fire a gun. You just need a trigger."

And I noticed as of late, I'm seeing more and more rifles that come without sights. You have to mount a scope or red dot sights on them.

This is all wonderful for the manufacturers. They crank out cheaper for them to make, inferior firearms and ill educated (at least as far as guns go) consumers snap them up as the "latest thing."

Idiots.
Is it greed on the manufactures part or are they just trying to keep their boat afloat? Lower price point expands the market of potential customers.(younger crowd struggling with finances as mentioned in previous posts) Also competition from over seas pushing price down?
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  #63  
Old 10-09-2018, 11:35 AM
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I agree that a lot of gun purchases are price driven. I have to admit I have more than a few plastics. I shoot them. That's what they're made for and they do it well. Lots of rounds and not a lot of money. My steel guns also get shot but they also get admired for the quality they represent. Show me a 1911 and I start to drool. It's true each generation has their own pleasures, imagine what our forefathers said when the next generation went away from black powder! Young whippersnappers!!
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Old 10-09-2018, 12:06 PM
BAM-BAM BAM-BAM is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikem View Post
I think people tend to want what they see, what they are shown.



Same with firearms. People buy what the manufacturers show them.

Show them striker fired plastic guns. They buy them.

"


They crank out cheaper for them to make, inferior firearms and ill educated (at least as far as guns go) consumers snap them up as the "latest thing."

Idiots.
Not the Manufactures it's what people see on TV and in the Movies that tell them what they want:

Model 29........... Dirty Harry

Browning High Power....... Serpico

Beretta 92 ........... Die Hard and Lethal Weapon

Bren 10/ S&W 4506........ Miami Vice

Walther PPK ......... Dr No and "Bond; James Bond"

Sig 229....... NCIS

Colt Python........ The Walking Dead....... revived interest from the "masses" in this out of production REVOLVER!!!!!

Glock....... every other movie made since 1990


Not to mention what they see in local cops holsters:

It use to be the Model 10,19,66 then Model 5906s and sad to say Glocks.
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Old 10-09-2018, 11:30 PM
OttoLoader OttoLoader is offline
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Collecting and shooting will stay around.
But who does what may not necessarily be determined by age.
For example here is my experience.
I am in my early 60s and even in my 20s was interested in shooting not collecting.
I used pump shotguns for hunting and s&w revolvers for sport.
Real nice guns such as registered magnums was appreciated but way out of my budget. I certainly wouldn't have shot one.
S&W semis were cool but more of a duty or defense use and not my main interest for ownership.
I did shoot alot of types of handguns and rifles, owned by friends and relatives but I only had a couple of hunting guns.
In my 50s I bought a 686-6 and 60-14 for field and cc. I chose the current production due to S&W factory support and new alloy frame and barrel.
Older ones from the 70s would be nice, but too nice to shoot. And I shoot what I own.
I am pretty sure there will be intrest in collecting and in shooting in years to come.
Yet maybe some like me will concentrate on one or the other.
Some will do both.

Last edited by OttoLoader; 10-09-2018 at 11:33 PM.
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Old 10-09-2018, 11:39 PM
Barrie Barrie is offline
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AS a person in my early 70's I see rapid growth in the shooting sports Associations. I am the Head of the Blacl Powder group at my club and a director as well. WE have had around 250 members join my club in the last few months alone. WE currently have around 950 members on paid membership. Many new shooters are women which we do need more of. I am also one of around 40 Range Officers annointed earlier this year.
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Old 10-11-2018, 11:38 PM
antilamr antilamr is offline
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AS a person in my early 70's I see rapid growth in the shooting sports Associations. I am the Head of the Blacl Powder group at my club and a director as well. WE have had around 250 members join my club in the last few months alone. WE currently have around 950 members on paid membership. Many new shooters are women which we do need more of. I am also one of around 40 Range Officers annointed earlier this year.
Barrie,
Thanks for your input from our neighbors to the North. Are all those new members joining due to a up tick in the interest of Black Powder rifles/firearms or are they also involved in newer types as well? Just wondering if it's easier to belong to a "Black Powder" club since they're not as useful in committing a crime from the governments view point. (not trying to go political here) I know that it's really hard to own a gun up there vs down here.
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Old 10-12-2018, 03:01 PM
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Most of the new shooters men and women alike are joining our pistol section it seems. I am getting a few new members in the Black Powder group but not as many as the pistol groups at all. Archery is also another big thing at our club as we have a wood's walk and a Measured archery field for them also.We cater to Trap,5 stand, and skeet as well as two pistol ranges. One with 20 stations which is covered and a 15-20 yard station which is sepperate to the main pistol Range. Then we have a Black Powder range sepperate again. Also have a Cowboy action range and some IPSIG ranges. WE have No mortgage on our property at all and money in the bank as well.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:02 PM
kbm6893 kbm6893 is offline
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Can anybody here ever imagine passing down a plastic gun to an heir? Plastic Guns work but they are disposable and have no pride in ownership. My two kids are still young and they are far more drawn to one of my older revolvers or hammer fired semi autos. I have three plastic guns and they aren’t impressed with them at all.

Which is why a nice used Model 10 will sell for more than a new plastic gun.

As for those people who sneer at an older model weapon, that’s just ignorant. The projectile launched from that 5906 into their target won’t be any different than the one from the baby poop brown Glock 19X. And the target will be just as dead.

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Old 10-15-2018, 08:17 PM
Practical Practical is offline
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Hobbies go in cycles. I think you are right collectibles go in cycles some guns will be collectible and timeless but most are tied to eras of culture. Personally I have no interest in guns that are not easy to shoot for me and easy to maintain. I own one polymer handgun but it is my favorite carry and self defense gun. I like revolvers and frankly I like the prelock MIM revolvers best because that is the era I came of age. I think most old accumulators are going to be giving your guns away I have already seen one 90 year old gun hoarder sell it getting little except for a few items.

Last edited by Practical; 10-15-2018 at 08:28 PM.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:22 PM
Practical Practical is offline
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The only reason a model 10 costs more is utility it is more likely to work with benign neglect while used polymer glock might be modified or heavily used police model plus inflation has propped up some values if gun control makes it harder to sell your guns their value will collapse. we are already seeing this as assault weapons market is shrinking and supply exceeds demand. Finally why by a third generation smith if you can't repair it or replace parts. 2ND generation smith autos are worse yet.

Last edited by Practical; 10-15-2018 at 08:24 PM.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:31 PM
Practical Practical is offline
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Quote:
It's not that young people don't shoot revolvers or whatever else you're into. Mostly, they just don't want to shoot with you.
I don't see very many revolvers for sale or for rent in my life experience. I my local market polymer rules.
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Old 10-15-2018, 08:36 PM
Ktmken Ktmken is offline
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I keep a plastic gun in my bedroom safe. At 35 I much prefer more wood grips and blued steel. So typically I'm buying either a revolver, or my ultimate weakness, another 1911.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:23 PM
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The only reason a model 10 costs more is utility it is more likely to work with benign neglect while used polymer glock might be modified or heavily used police model plus inflation has propped up some values if gun control makes it harder to sell your guns their value will collapse. we are already seeing this as assault weapons market is shrinking and supply exceeds demand. Finally why by a third generation smith if you can't repair it or replace parts. 2ND generation smith autos are worse yet.
3rd gen guns generally don’t require a lot of repairs. Other than new recoil springs bought “just because” I’ve never had to repair any of mine. 5946’s are still being carried by NYPD cops for the last 25 years. New ones are t authorized anymore but the ones grandfathered in are still trucking along. Even original mag springs.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:43 PM
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Well, 22 next month and only own polymer framed guns...
Not that I'm averse to metal: seriously considering a Hudson H9.
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Old 10-15-2018, 09:56 PM
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at 52 I am on the edge age wise... spent my childhood shagging brass at the IPSC range for my father and his friends... happy when they let me shoot a steel challenge side match once a year.... I raised my son the same way and now at 20 my son is waiting in the wings ready to go... the key to the next gen of owner is to take a kid shooting... pretty simple and a great deal of fun too... just make the next generation one of shooters... it will take care of itself... that or my son will end up with all your guns...lol
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Old 10-15-2018, 10:38 PM
antilamr antilamr is offline
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I raised my son the same way and now at 20 my son is waiting in the wings ready to go... the key to the next gen of owner is to take a kid shooting... pretty simple and a great deal of fun too... just make the next generation one of shooters...
My grandson turns 6 this November and I'll be getting him a Daisy BB rifle so he can target shoot with his MEMA & PAPA on our 5 acres. When he turns of age he'll be going to the range with us God permitting.
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Old 10-15-2018, 11:03 PM
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I'm 56 yrs old, and started buying Smith & Wesson's when I turned 21.At that time revolvers and 1911's , wood and steal was everywhere and affordable.By the time I was 26 the used gun market was flooded with used revolvers and 1911's that were traded in for the wonder nines by the older crowd. Glock became popular because they held the most ammo.It was my generation elders who led the way for the manufacturers to concentrate on producing model after model of DA 9mm and soon after 40 cal semi autos.Plastic offerings by all came shortly afterward.And here we are in present day wondering if what we once had was a dying interest to the current and future generation.At 26 yrs old the older guys would look at me oddly because I was looking at all the used revolvers, which by the way all wore Goodyear's because the older guys who traded them in had tossed the factory stocks since no one serious would dare shoot a revolver without ergonomic grips on it.So today when we walk into a gun shop all we see is black, tan, grey and pink guns.No one really makes what we once had to give this generation a chance at trying them out.I don't blame this generation for how things are today. I rest that on the 65 yr old and up group that cut the path for this in the mid 1980's.

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Old 10-16-2018, 08:09 AM
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...............

The projectile launched from that 5906 into their target won’t be any different than the one from the baby poop brown Glock 19X. And the target will be just as dead.
Exactly, and vice versa, been saying that for years.
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Old 10-16-2018, 09:31 AM
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Not to change the subject but the current generation is not interested in ANYTHING antique. My mother had a large antique glass collection which I inherited upon her passing. I've been trying to sell it off. There is just no interest. Items she paid $40 for, I can't even get any interest at $5! I rented a booth at an antique mall and put "give away" prices ($10 or less) on them. I didn't sell enough to pay for the rental of the booth space in the antique mall.
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Old 10-16-2018, 01:27 PM
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I hope this doesn't stray too far off topic, but here goes. I spent over 30 years of my life working for a manufacturing based company, and this is an estimate, but I would guess when I started in 1973 probably roughly 40 percent of the men working there either hunted or participated in shooting sports. By the time I retired in 2006 i would guess that percentage of shooters probably dropped by at least half if not more. The younger generation just didn't seem to have the interest that was present back then. I know that this comment wasn't specific to handguns, but the overall decline in interest of a shooting sport applies. Just throwing this into the conversation.
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Old 10-17-2018, 07:17 PM
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By the time I retired in 2006 i would guess that percentage of shooters probably dropped by at least half if not more. The younger generation just didn't seem to have the interest that was present back then. I know that this comment wasn't specific to handguns, but the overall decline in interest of a shooting sport applies.
I'm wondering if the change was due to the younger generation being influenced /distracted by the new technology/information based society and being less interested in shooting sports/life style or maybe the 70's was a more antiquated type life style (according to Hollywood & the media). With Americans habits going more toward convenience/fast foods the need or desire to hunt was diminished? Just pulling this from out of my a_s since I don't really know. A lot of lifestyle changes have come at a break neck speed since then (at least in my life time).
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Old 10-17-2018, 08:08 PM
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They're shooting. They're just not shooting with the guys who mock "plastic pistols".
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Old 10-17-2018, 08:08 PM
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Like I said, they're shooting. They're just not shooting with you. Why would they want to?
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Old 10-17-2018, 10:13 PM
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I'm a revolver guy, always have been. But somehow I sure ended up with quite a few semi auto's. But now as I get older I find my interest more focused on revolvers, mainly Smith & Wesson. It still makes me a little sad when I go to the big gun shows in Houston. About all there is to see is tables of black plastic.
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Old 10-18-2018, 05:22 PM
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Maybe I'm just old fashion or just old but plastic is not for me
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Old 10-18-2018, 07:03 PM
Mrnurse Mrnurse is offline
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We are all getting older and things are changing...its a fact of life. Wheel guns are not as sought after as before.... I collected ww2 Weapons and Winchester arms.... folks not that interested in those things today... now its plastic. and price point for most shooters. I have a Collection of LLadro Figurines some direct from Spain...Beautiful Craftsmanship.... my kids ( 27 yo twins) can care less.... Hand made quality has been replaced with 1's ans 0's, High tech ****. I dont like it or Understand it.
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Old 10-18-2018, 09:50 PM
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I did not know what a Lladro figurine was had to look them up. Thanks for mentioning them. Selling well on EBay. They are pricey at Macy's and Neinum Marcus.

tipoc
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Old 10-28-2018, 04:55 AM
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I love classic, iconic firearms. Too bad I can't afford them. I was fortunate to able able to inherit a Colt Python revolver and two Armalite AR-180 rifles about a year ago. I don't see these firearms much at the local range and the one's that are in the know comes and flock by my table when I shoot them.

There will always be interest in classic and iconic firearms and even guns that are rare or out of production. I love Glock pistols but I enjoy steel guns even more.
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Old 11-02-2018, 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by SteadySqueeze View Post
I'm 22 and about to get my 686+ that I got in a trade for a red dot. I use to shoot Cowboy Action when I was younger but fell out of that due to work, so I do appreciate the old stuff. I also have an old police Model 10 that is well loved and used. Overall, I really am a firearms enthusiast and enjoy all firearms, from muzzle loaders to my everyday carry Glock 19 that has a RMR, KKM bbl and comp, and X300U.
I think a lot of posters have already hit the mark as to why you're not seeing older guns in the hands of younger folks, the guns themselves were produced so long ago, spare parts are getting harder to find, and the rising cost due to appreciation. Like one poster said, he bought them new, or not too old, when he purchased them. Much like old Model A's or T's, while the decades go buy they'll be horded up or scraped as they reach their rusted end, people who don't know their worth do whatever with them, or enter another large collection of someone who does know their worth.
I suppose you could correlate the trend of older folks and their collections or pieces much like their homeowner status. Younger ones are in the cities due to college or their job and are currently facing high-rent, low-paying (probably janky Amazon or Star*ucks jobs) jobs, and disproportionately higher home prices. With lower prices, even with inflation, of homes and firearms, they were acquired back then and are still being held onto, or sold for good profit. I know one old guy who passed and had around 60 benchrest guns, unfortunately I never found out what big firm or store bought all of them from the dimwit son.
I would say that overall, a move towards newer technology such as polymer and autoloaders has given the sheer might of industrial production to the Glocks and ARs of the world. There's quite a few of my peer shooting buddies who all have old guns, from Belgian Auto-5's to Mauser C96's, and they love and cherrish them just as much.
At 22 you give great insight and make me believe that there will be others to carry on the torch when us "old" guys are gone. You and other younger "collectors" will be better positioned later in your life to hopefully keep our "dying breed" alive. I appreciate that this post was your first posting in the S&W forums. I must have hit a chord.
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Old 11-03-2018, 06:58 AM
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Because nobody wants to be that "old ***man" with low capacity heavy guns.

High capacity metal guns usually cost a lot and so do higher end low capacity ones. My 1911SC is lighter than my G17 and conceals better but capacity is low. If I spent the money the SC cost me on the Glock it would be a crazy barely EDC level gun. My G2 has higher round count than my 938 for pocket carry but the 938 conceals better.Parts to modify my 938 would buy me 2 more G2's. If it wasn't for the local cops letting me shoot their guns back in the 90's before they went polymer, I would have never owned 2nd or 3rd gen semi auto with 3 more in my bidding list.

Also polymer guns have the aftermarket to customize them in your house where our smiths are buy the one with the features you want it to have or go searching for the oem take off parts from a dead gun in someones basement collection and hope you don't mess it up.

5906 vs my G17 before I extended it's capacity to 19+1 the 59 weighs more.

My 469 with 59X mags vs a G19 the weights are super close

Both the S&W's have the 1st shot be DA to safely get to the creamy goodness of the SA realm. That 1st shot you have to be used to shooting DA guns like this or revolvers or it's a super duper turn off. Even then the DA on the G2 is not as heavy as the Smiths. My 469 actually was cheaper than my G2 so price is no longer the issue. It all comes down to new with warranty automatically equals reliability over guns that are older than the shooter mentality. To folks a used gun is scary territory. Has it killed anyone or is it broke and they got tired of fixing it? Since most the all metal smiths can't be ordered from SWT today NIB they all fall into that category of the unknown.
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Old 11-03-2018, 08:51 PM
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I'm 32, I grew up 8 miles from the S&W factory in Springfield MA. I love the older 3rd gen semi autos. I love the designs and the feel of them. I carry Glock on duty and a Shield as my backup, but if could carry an older S&W I would
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Old 11-03-2018, 10:38 PM
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In 15 to 20 years, all those nice collections of older S&W revolvers, Pre-64 Winchester bolt and lever guns, and other fine old rifles and shotguns will be selling for pennies on the dollar of their current value.

I would not be counting on selling of pieces from a serious gun collection of the above-mentioned types to supplement my Social Security or other retirement income a few years down the road.

A Trapdoor Springfield, 1873 Winchester rifle, Winchester Pre-64 .375 H&H, or fine Pre-WWII Mauser Sporting rifle with extra fancy factory wood would be hard to move at even $400.
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Old 11-04-2018, 01:14 AM
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Interesting thread, and one that has been repeated in just about every collecting circle out there. At various points in my life I've collected things ranging from fountain pens to antique spark plugs, and every collecting club has the same complaints about young people, and the same grief about young people not getting involved in the sport.

I came into gun collecting in my mid 30's (I'm 43 now), and I'm still astonished at how clubby and cliquish collectors of all stripes can be. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to attracting new people to the sport, and if antique gun collecting (or any other collecting) stops being a "thing," then we will have nobody to blame but ourselves.

Of course, I don't think that this will happen. I see a young generation of people taking up the sooting sports with vigor, and I see a surprising number of them taking an interest in old guns (in part because of us, and in part despite us). They may not be attracted to the guns that any of us would pick for our personal collections, but that's hardly a problem. My tastes haven't remained static over the years, and I now find myself looking at guns that I wouldn't have given a second glance to just a few years ago (like pre-64 Winchesters). So it is for me, and so it will be for them as well.

Those that bemoan Glocks and other polymer pistols are deluding themselves. The whole point is that they are not the steel and walnut guns of yore. That's why I can buy a new Glock or M&P for less than $500 and put ten thousand rounds through it with nary a stovepipe. Not everyone has the wherewithal to find an older gun on the vague and unsubstantiated promise that it is "better" than the newer stuff, and warranties and a ready supply of parts count for a lot.

As an aside to this ... Glock made a really smart move by making their armorer's training accessible to the general population (vis-a-vis the Glock Sports Shooting Foundation). Notwithstanding the fact that a reasonably intelligent person can be taught to completely strip, repair and reassemble a Glock in a single day (try that with your third gen!), this is a wonderful way to inculcate a sense of community and belonging into any gun owner. Small wonder that Glocks continue to sell like hotcakes ... people feel like Glock actually gives a damn. But I digress.

Polymer guns are here to stay and complaining about them just alienates us from the up-and-coming gun collectors of tomorrow. I'm always amazed how much attention my old 2nd generation Glock 17 gets (the Austrian proof marks amaze and delight, for whatever bizarre reason), but I'm happy that it helps me meet people where they are at in their shooting career, and to get them thinking about the prospect of owning older guns. Not only that, but the thing is a hoot to shoot, and I can still call Glock and get parts for it (except for the un-captured recoil spring, which I have acquiesced to replace with a captured spring that doesn't fly across the room when I field strip it).

I still turn into a giddy schoolgirl when I find an antique gun, and for that reason I'm happy to mingle Glocks (and other polymer guns) and antiques in my safe. Last I checked, there was no award given to the person with the most "pure" collecting and shooting proclivities, so why don't we all just get along and focus instead on introducing people to the fun world of gun collecting?

Mike

PS - I bought a 380EZ a few months ago, and I love it. It's probably the best Shield yet, and it's giving my Glock 42 a run for its money.

PPSS - for the collector of LLadro figurines ... give it time and that stuff will be worth something again. Collectibles are cyclical, and my observation is that the market for glass and ceramics is pretty dead right now. Home decor trends right now don't include a glass case of porcelain figurines, but that doesn't mean that they'll be dead forever. Remember when table lighters were a "thing"? They're now making a comeback. What is old will eventually be new again.
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Old 11-04-2018, 01:53 AM
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I am 61 and work part time in a local gun shop as a second job. The shop caters primarily, but not only, to the tactically oriented, read black guns. We do carry a significant anount of used firearms as well. We see it every day. The only significant number of S&W wheelguns we sell are new airweight versions of J-frames. We have had a perfect S&W 2 1/2” 686 no dash and a beautiful, nickel Model 36 no dash sitting in the case for months. Countless times we have had young men come in and trade Dad/Grandads revolver/hunting rifle/shotgun/WWII trophies (P.38 & Lugers mostly) for a modern high capacity polymer pistol or AR of some kind. It is the rule and not the exception. Nice, older S&W revolvers do eventually sell, but the buyers are few and are almost never under 50. So, my answer to the OP is yes, absolutely we are a dying breed. It cannot be denied, IMO.


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Old 11-04-2018, 02:01 AM
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In 15 to 20 years, all those nice collections of older S&W revolvers, Pre-64 Winchester bolt and lever guns, and other fine old rifles and shotguns will be selling for pennies on the dollar of their current value.

I would not be counting on selling of pieces from a serious gun collection of the above-mentioned types to supplement my Social Security or other retirement income a few years down the road.

A Trapdoor Springfield, 1873 Winchester rifle, Winchester Pre-64 .375 H&H, or fine Pre-WWII Mauser Sporting rifle with extra fancy factory wood would be hard to move at even $400.
This post is absolutely spot on. Depending on that Luger collection to carry you through your golden years? Think again. And even this presupposes we still have a 2nd amendment in 15 years.

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Old 11-04-2018, 04:52 AM
Anschutz Anschutz is offline
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I'm 26 and from Georgia. I think a there are a lot of factors that influence my generation. My introduction was through hunting. I competed in High School and College at West Point. I haven't yet bought a firearm that I wouldn't use to hunt, compete, or defend myself with. I do own a Glock 17 and an AR. I use the Glock for USPSA, 3 Gun, and carry. For my AR, I have an A2 Upper for highpower and an upper for 3 Gun. My other handguns are a Ruger SBH .44 for hunting/camping and a T/C Contender with .44 and .221 Fireball Barrels that I'll hopefully eventually get a coyote with. My shotgun is a Supernova that gets used for anything a shotgun is needed for. I have a Taccom extension for 3 gun that I take off when hunting or shooting clays. My rifles are a Savage .243 that I use for F-Class and hunting in the open and a Marlin Guide Gun that I'll hunt anything with at close range. I reload for everything and have casting equipment for the 9mm, .44, and .45-70 boolits. My next gun for my promotion to Captain will be a S&W 627 that will probably take over for any handgun work minus 3 gun and Carry.

Now, as an Army Officer, I have worked with probably over a hundred Soldiers of my age or younger. Some of them hunt and some of them shoot for recreation and some have one handgun to defend their family. A lot of them do own plastic guns and ARs. I think for a lot of the Soldiers that purchase their first firearms as 18-20 somethings, they buy what they are familiar with in the AR platform and buy what they can afford as carry guns. When an E4 has to provide rent money and chooses to defend his or her family, they go with what they can afford.

So to end my novel, I would say it depends on the individual and their experience with firearms as well as budget. I have a long wish list that doesn't include any more plastic pistols or ARs but many people just out of college or working their first job is trying to keep the lights on while being able to defend themselves.

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Old 11-04-2018, 07:49 AM
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Viney, I'm not sure our hobby has gotten any more expensive either. In 1963 you could walk in and buy a new single action Colt with a stack of new silver dollars. Today you could walk in and buy a new Colt Single Action Army ..... for that same stack of 1963 silver dollars. It's just that we are living the time ofGeorge Jetson. Anybody else remember everybody laughing when George complained about not being able to get by on three thousand a month? We are now living with Jetson money. Of course, many things have appreciated way beyond mere inflation . Case in point, anything US military marked from Korean War back..... and pre lock Smith revolvers..
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Old 11-04-2018, 08:21 AM
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My 70th is just around the corner. I own no plastic guns and would’nt spend money to own one. I do own a couple of all metal semi autos but even they take the back seat to revolvers.
The newest Smith I own is 1985.
My 46 year old son is 180 out from me as far as handguns go - black plastic all the way.
We recently had a talk about the future of my guns when I take my dirt nap. I ask him to at least let my ashes cool before they go up for sale. He promised he’d only immediately sell what he had to to bury me. The rest he’d wait at least a week after.
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Old 11-04-2018, 09:47 AM
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(If anyone's local area is Flint, Michigan then a friendly shout-out to GUNS GALORE in Fenton as the absolute kings of obnoxious in the late 1980's. They are better these days, and I contend it's because some of them kicked off.)
Not that much better. "The Kid" (and if you know the store, you know who I am referring to) is a real jerk wad 99% of the time. The other 1%, he's not there.
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My LGS is dying on the vine.... 3dots The Lounge 35 05-09-2013 07:45 PM
Dying of thirst oldman45 The Lounge 29 03-16-2012 11:28 PM

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