I never buy a gun that I don’t shoot.

[paplinker]

Lots of collectables out there that are not ever used.

Coins
Stamps
Certain cars
paintings

Some collect for the investment as well as enjoyment.
When you can do both successfully it can be a lot of fun.

I have a little bit of both. I like shooting but am drawn more to the beauty, evolution and history of 75+year old target guns

 

[Goldstar225]

I'm one of those who shoot every guns I own. Am I disrespecting those who have safe queens? Nope, your gun(s) do with them as you please if it gives you pleasure. No snarkiness or poor mouthing here so pull your horns in.

I also don't buy a truck, motorcycle, or boat with features that I don't need or won't use.

 

[kbm6893]

I have several handguns that are safe queens, chief among them my 1942-vintage Victory model. I bought it from a Forum member some years ago, and when I got it and looked at it, it appeared to me to be unfired. I decided to keep it in that condition, and I make no apologies for doing so...

Me neither. I have a 4" Model 15-2 that is in matching box with tools and papers. Looks never shot. I bought it right before Covid hit for $600 or so out the door. I doubt I'll ever shoot it. I have other guns to shoot paper with so it's no big deal. The gun will never look this cherry again if I shoot it.

 

[IAM Rand]

I watch Barrett Jackson when it is on. Always blows my mind that some cars go across the auction block with less than 100 miles. I understand the investment value of something but, beyond that, seems like a waste.

I only purchase guns that I can or will eventually shoot. It would be too difficult for me to get a once in a life time gun and not shoot it because it is that once in a life time gun. I don't fault others for collecting but, for me, I am into shooting. If a high dollar sports car or something of the like fell into my lap, you would find me out on the road somewhere enjoying what it is, not what it could be.

 

[Golddollar]

I probably will never shoot my Punxsutawney Phil/Punxsutawney Groundhog Club commemoratives, but anything else will get fired as the opportunity and inclination arise.

 

[Fishinfool]

The "Shoot it / Safe queen" argument has been going on for a long time. Just the sheer number of high condition older firearms in collectors hands balancing out the numbers of well used and worn examples indicates this has always been "a thing". Human nature, actually...

Me? I shoot most all I own, but do tend to not put rounds thru older, more valuable examples when I have others of the same model that are in good, user shape.

Larry

 

[djohns6]

I can appreciate an unfired antique Colt SAA as much as the next guy . But I would never spend my money on one . It's not my thing . I don't criticize anyone's choice of gun . We all have our own preferences .

 

[SweetMK]

Hmmmm,, there were only 37 of these EVER sold,,
I have 2 of those 37,,

I have read of about a dozen that purchased them, and went out, and shot them as soon as they arrived.

At a max, there may be 20 unfired ,,,

Why would I shoot it, when I have this 4" to blaze away with!!??

 

[bamabiker]

Let's make this simple, you do what you want with your guns and I'll do what I want with mine.
It really don't bother me whether you shoot'em or not.

 

[mchom]

Colt Commando marked MASS on butt

I just cleaned off the cosmoline the other day and I will most likely not shoot it since I have other revolvers in 38 spl. I will just admire it. And its not even very pretty.

 

[cballman]

Last time I looked at it this is the way I feel. If I have a gun and will shoot it its great. If I have a gun and dont shoot it its great. I was either gifted or bought the gun. Notice the magic word in the statement. "I" . I am only 60 years old and I dont really care what other people think if I shoot or not shoot. YOU didnt pay for my guns so I do what I want to cause I am Old, Fat and a Cranky old man as my kids say.

Just my thoughts on this matter.

 

[Bald1]

As stated earlier by another member, I can afford to own any firearm I choose. And I love the stories and history of collectible guns. The recent post about the RM being brought home to America was great. I just compare it to a split window big block Vette. I didn't buy it to look at. I bought it to drive. I have some guns I don't shoot often but I still shoot them.

 

[M29since14]

I have both. I enjoy the ones I shoot more, so I have more of them, but it's nice to have a few pretty ones lying around, too. You can paraphrase the J G Wentworth TV ad, "They're your guns. Shoot them if you want to!"

 

[pharmer]

Well, since somebody above else showed a fancy one, this is a "plain Jane" Old Vaquero with the .45 Colt cylinder turned but unfired and the .45 acp cylinder never in the gun. Joe

 

[BE Mike]

I've never bought a vehicle that I wouldn't drive! Whoops, wrong forum!

 

[djohns6]

To each his own . There's no right or wrong position .

 

[Andyd]

I have spent many years ( or rather decades ) learning to shoot handguns and have enjoyed competitions, and success. I also enjoyed coaching the next generation. For me a gun is worth only what it can give me in enjoyment. While I can no longer shoot above 95% reliably, I can still appreciate a good gun.
It's lame to just look at them, no skill level involved. I pust some .357 Mag loads into this Korth that I would not dare to put in a S&W M19, or even 686.



Same with rifles - and shooting from a bench is not requiring much skill - , it's more a very simplified chess game. Weihrauch HW52.

 

[RobzGuns]

I do shoot everything I own, including my Nazi Issue P-38, my wheel guns and my derringer.
Any firearm that hasn't been shot in a Year gets a new home.

've had lots of nice stuff in my life, including a 1962 MGB MkII that I restored, a 1953 HD FLH (Panhead) that I rebuilt from the ground up, a 1974 MGB-GT, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4, a Goldwing, several RVs and a couple dive boats. When I stopped using them, they found a new home.

At 70, with no kids to will them to, Things that don't get used are simply cluttering my life.

Don't snark at people who don't have Safe Queens and I won't look down at people who do.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I have a response that I suspect PEEVES off folks, but I feel it's the truth. Every time they profess that it was built to be shot, I offer that this is not correct. I believe if it was made for the commercial market (not LE and not for a government/military contract) then that gun was built for one purpose only, it was built for the select and very specific purpose of being sold.

It occurs to me that those who profess at full volume that they won't own any gun they won't shoot, or "no safe queens blah blah blah", just seems like they are going through life attached to some bold axiom that they created for themselves.

This is certainly all well and good. I just don't subscribe to their axiom.

I have plenty of guns that I quite specifically choose to not shoot. Even some guns that have been shot by previous owners, but not shot be me.

And I have varying reasons of why I elect to not shoot them and also why I did indeed choose to buy them. These make fantastic sense to me.

I think it's excellent when folks do exactly what they wish to do. I find it vomit-worthy when they seem to snark at anyone who doesn't do it their way. And gun forums are --LOADED-- with these folks.

Hear! Hear!

PS: Your PM box is full. Please clear out some PMs from your inbox as I am trying to send you a love letter.

Be careful when you open that love letter. He sent one to me and attached pictures

 

[lowriderfxr]

One thing I might add. I have a friend that was active on the forum and doesn't post anymore. He bought a 1 of 200 , blue , 8 shot, 4" model 27. He thought he'd shoot it a couple times with factory ammo. He loaded up 8 rounds of Fiochi 357 and fired it. He also blew up the cylinder. He called S&W for help and was told that the best they could do was fit a SS cylinder. He ended up with a kinda-pinto 27 with no collector value. Something to think about.