Shoot that safe queen! You know you want to!

[Model29-26.5]

I get it!
You want it perfect forever..
Well, nothing is forever.
You might as well shoot that safe queen, while you own it!
What are you waiting for? The value to go up?
Why? So that somebody else cannot shoot it and wait for the value to go up?? In this case that thing will always have potential that will never be realized.
Do it!
Shoot that mint, safe, queen! it is what she was made for.
She cannot sleep forever. It’s time to wake her up!

 

[Model29-26.5]

Look at this!
Buy it! Shoot it!!

 

[kbm6893]

I have a LNIB Model 15-2. I believe it is unfired. I never shot it and I doubt I ever will. I have many other K frame revolvers to shoot, including a Model 67. Why dirty up something so perfect when I have other guns that do the same thing.

 

[arjay]

There was one I never shot. A very nice four inch 60s era Python. I just couldn’t do it. Paid $900 for it and sold it six years later for $2600 [emoji4]

 

[pharmer]

I've got 2 "unshot by me" guns; a 5906 and a 2" NY-1 64-4. No reason, just so many years went by and I have other guns to shoot. I'm sure someone someday will shoot them. Joe

 

[KalamazooKid]

To each his/her own. This has been debated for decades … if you own it, do whatever you want with it! [emoji41]

 

[Doc Watson]

The late great Skeeter Skelton, always said he was not going to be a warehouse for a future owner. If he got a gun that was too valuable to shoot he passed it on to someone else.

 

[HeloMt]

Sometimes I'm a caretaker...other times, I'm a shooter.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

There is something very satisfying in having an unfired/NIB/mint firearm, as in having a mint anything else. 8 years ago I bought a 1966 Dunelt 3-speed off Craigslist-that bike is mint and is going to stay that way, found another I overhauled and can ride. And when it come to firearms we are all basically caretakers.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I had three,sold one.I have an unfired blue 4" 27 -2, And a 629-1 3".Maybe one day.

 

[BC38]

I get it!
You want it perfect forever..
Well, nothing is forever.
You might as well shoot that safe queen, while you own it!
What are you waiting for? The value to go up?
Why? So that somebody else cannot shoot it and wait for the value to go up?? In this case that thing will always have potential that will never be realized.
Do it!
Shoot that mint, safe, queen! it is what she was made for.
She cannot sleep forever. It’s time to wake her up!

I'm with you brother!

The S&W factory never built a single gun with the intention of it becoming a "collectable" that nobody ever fired.

These guns were all built to be SHOT. To put lead on target - be it paper targets, or meat targets.

Over the years I've purchased a couple of "safe queens". But they were the first ones to be sold - so I could raise money to buy several other shooter-grade guns that I could actually use without worrying about damaging a pristine safe queen.

I'll take 2 or 3 shooters over 1 safe queen any day. JMO, and YMMV...

 

[kbm6893]

I'm with you brother!

The S&W factory never built a single gun with the intention of it becoming a "collectable" that nobody ever fired.

These guns were all built to be SHOT. To put lead on target - be it paper targets, or meat targets.

Over the years I've purchased a couple of "safe queens". But they were the first ones to be sold - so I could raise money to buy several other shooter-grade guns that I could actually use without worrying about damaging a pristine safe queen.

I'll take 2 or 3 shooters over 1 safe queen any day. JMO, and YMMV...

If I only had a couple of guns, I’d agree with you. But I’m at the point that I have to check a spreadsheet to know how many guns I have and what they are. Others here probably have more than me. I have plenty of shooter grades and they get shot. Some guns are kept by me to admire, and not to shoot. I have many others to shoot. But taking that 15-2 out of its factory box with all the tools and admiring it just gives me a warm feeling inside.

 

[BC38]

If I only had a couple of guns, I’d agree with you. But I’m at the point that I have to check a spreadsheet to know how many guns I have and what they are. Others here probably have more than me. I have plenty of shooter grades and they get shot. Some guns are kept by me to admire, and not to shoot. I have many others to shoot. But taking that 15-2 out of its factory box with all the tools and admiring it just gives me a warm feeling inside.

Well, your collection is probably significantly larger than my meager accumulation of 50-60 handguns.

So I can see where that might give you a perspective different from mine.

But that's OK. We can all indulge our addiction in our own way!

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

In 2014 I got an unfired 3.5 in 27-2 in the presentation box with all the goodies.......Shot it that same afternoon.....I don't warehouse NIB firearms for future owners..........I "Choot em" and enjoy them.

 

[Model19man]

Agree. There will be no unused firearms at my estate sale.

 

[Rudi]

Aint never had none of them safe queens.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I've never owned a true safe queen! All the revolvers in my modest collection have been handled and shot, and most show that they have been used and enjoyed. The closest I came to obtaining a safe queen was a Texas Ranger Commemorative set from 1973. Although the 4" 19-3 with smooth target stocks is a beauty, it too has been shot. Since I'm not a collector of commemoratives, it didn't matter to me and it is one of my favorite shooters. As Kalamazookid says..."To each his/her own...if you own it, do what you want with it".

 

[JH1951]

I see no reason to encourage someone to shoot something that they don't want to shoot. Their gun, their decision, and they are capable of making it without being prodded one way or the other.
I have several that I will never shoot. I have a bunch I do shoot. Those I will never shoot are 'older' and bring a pride of ownership that is hard to match. That feeling is not felt by everyone, so our mileage will vary among users. Your stuff - your call. My stuff - my call.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Hoarding a new gun will never bring as much $$$ a sa CD/Stoch/Savings account over the same amount of time.
When my Son goes through my meager stuff.......he will have one thought in mind........Dad sure enjoyed his stuff.

 

[Krogen]

The late great Skeeter Skelton, always said he was not going to be a warehouse for a future owner. If he got a gun that was too valuable to shoot he passed it on to someone else.

Skeeter was a .44 Special guy. I admittedly have an infatuation with the cartridge. Back in the mid-80's I bought a 3" Model 24-3. Shortly thereafter I bought a 4" and a 6 1/2" 24-3. It occurred me (briefly) that these guns might be worth something someday. They are, and probably would be worth more unfired (they aren't).

I wasted no time putting rounds through all three 24-3's and have done so ever since. Whatever value was lost by shooting them has been more than made up with enjoyment. I'm not about to sell them anyway, so what does it matter if their values are less than they could have been?

I understand enjoying guns that are unfired, or at least as-new. Same thing with classic cars. An unmolested classic car, presenting as it left the factory is a thrill to see. But I know myself. I'm a driver, and a shooter. No garage queens or safe queens for me.