Safe queens ?? Never ever ever fired??

[Model29-26.5]

Who are they being saved for?
It’s be a shame for them to rust away in 300 years having never been fired.
And if they are ever fired.. might as well be you/us??
Just a thought.
They will not last forever. Should they never be shot?
Thoughts?
My thought is that that first slice of untouched cake looks the most delish.

 

[rwsmith]

No such thing....

...in my house. Guns are made for me to shoot. If I want to just hold and admire them, I can do that, too. Usually when I'm cleaning them.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have no safe queens. I have a couple that have been shot very little, but none I have never shot. In fact I have not bought one or two guns over the years because they were so nice it would bother me to shoot them. (Strange, isn't it.)

 

[Truckman]

I haven't shot any gun in close to 15 years...I just got out of the habit after I sold my gun store/range...I even let my NRA Pistol Instructor certificate expire...When I kickstarted my gun collecting habit again a few years ago, I already knew that any of my S&W's will shoot at least as well as I can so I saw no reason to go send countless rounds of expensive ammo downrange to prove that point...My carry guns will function just fine at the defensive distances for which I would need them...

I like each of my acquisitions just the way they are, even though there are also several thousands rounds of ammo stashed away for each one...My choices and preferences are mine, and yours are yours......Ben

 

[CHARLIE699]

While I MAY have more than a couple of "factory-fired " S&W's in the herd, any of them will someday make the range.
The only one I will not fire is this early 29-2 6.5". This one is tagged for my Grandson.

I'll get my enjoyment watching him! And,,,, maybe he'll let the old guy try it next?

 

[Model29-26.5]

I haven't shot any gun in close to 15 years...I just got out of the habit after I sold my gun store/range...I even let my NRA Pistol Instructor certificate expire...When I kickstarted my gun collecting habit again a few years ago, I already knew that any of my S&W's will shoot at least as well as I can so I saw no reason to go send countless rounds of expensive ammo downrange to prove that point...My carry guns will function just fine at the defensive distances for which I would need them...

I like each of my acquisitions just the way they are, even though there are also several thousands rounds of ammo stashed away for each one...My choices and preferences are mine, and yours are yours......Ben

I do understand it… the OCD and preserve and protect parts of me totally understand it, but the philosopher in me is asking the question. That said, keeping a gun perfect while it’s yours is what matters… it’ll get whatever is coming when it’s out of your hands, but at least you know it’s good while it’s in your custody.

 

[Model29-26.5]

While I MAY have more than a couple of "factory-fired " S&W's in the herd, any of them will someday make the range.
The only one I will not fire is this early 29-2 6.5". This one is tagged for my Grandson.

I'll get my enjoyment watching him! And,,,, maybe he'll let the old guy try it next?

That is an absolute beauty. My favorite gun I own. Mine is also pristine. I’ve put maybe 18 rounds through it, as did the previous owner.
That is the one that kickstarted my collection, although I wouldn’t consider myself a “collector” by the standards here.

 

[Truckman]

it’ll get whatever is coming when it’s out of your hands, but at least you know it’s good while it’s in your custody.

Precisely......Ben

 

[Valmet]

I have guns that I shoot regularly and a few that I’ve never shot at all. Depending on what they are and their value, I’ve decided to let them be as-is. I have two LW G Series Belgian FALs that are both mint. If I want to shoot an FAL there are lots of other examples out there that aren’t $8-10k a piece that I can shoot.

 

[StrawHat]

Most of what I collect is older than I am. Some of them, much older. Parts may not be readily available. So, why risk breaking them?

Or, like I asked the one fellow with a supposedly unfired Remington Model 30, “How many of them are they producing today?” Sure, if it is a common firearm, but something not easily replaced?

Kevin

 

[cmansguns]

For me....tons of fun memories without the recoil

Like most of you I've got a lot of guns that just don't get shot anymore. I have the ammo, but the places to shoot that were really fun (outdoor, family and friends, friendly farmers) are mostly long gone, faded with time and developers who are bent on eliminating every tree and field around here.

Indoor range is OK for my EDC practice which I feel is necessary as long as one still decides to carry a firearm, but I no longer recognize any of the people in adjacent lanes.

What I do still enjoy immensely is handling, cleaning those old long guns and handguns in the safe. Every time I work the action, look down the barrel, aim with those old open sights, or center the scope reticule on a squirrel out the window in the yard...I am reminded of those wonderful early 1960's years of woodchuck hunting all day long, early morning sitting on a downed tree in the Allegheny foothills waiting out a whitetail, busting some clays at the local Rod & Gun, chasing rabbits along the frozen banks of the Genesee, the K22 hanging in a homemade chest rig while trout fishing in Stanards Creek, the wonder and muzzle blast from that first (and my only brand new S & W) Model 29-2 with full load maggies aboard.

Not into reliving youth, but sure do enjoy the weapons of that era of my life and the memories they have gained along with the pleasure of passing some onto my sons, daughters, and SIL's, DIL's.

All have been shot by me, but some , like Ben, not in a heck of a long time.

 

[Rodan]

All of my guns are shooters... though some get shot a lot more regularly than others. The only guns in the safe that I haven't shot are the .45 Colt lever gun I picked up yesterday (which will go to the range next week) and my pristine, early production Regulation Police .38.

I have .38 S&W ammo... don't really know why I haven't shot it yet, though I've owned it for a couple years now. It's clearly not an unfired gun. Maybe I'll take it out the next time my Luger goes to the range. My dad brought the Luger home after WWII, and it only gets shot once every 10-15 years or so. It's about due ....

 

[djohns6]

I have a couple of safe queens that are family heirlooms and I have no reason to shoot them regularly . Everything else goes to the range at least occasionally . I'm not a collector anymore .

 

[TJm15.38]

There is nothing in my safe that is unfired.

 

[Old cop]

I have a 586 that was engraved w/a badge logo from my former department. It’s in a wood & glass presentation case and it’s the only one that will never be fired. I wish I had the know-how to post pics but . . . .

 

[flundertaker]

Ill do yall one better, I got a couple unfired and a bunch unfired by me and I am still in accummulation mode. The real dumb part is I have no heirs. When I stop and think about that I fully recognize how ridiculous adding more is and how selfish it is to saddle my wife or whomever with disposing of them once I am gone. After thinking about it for a 30 seconds or so I usually jump this forum and several others to see whats new in the for sale section. Crazy, huh?

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I haven't shot any gun in close to 15 years...I just got out of the habit after I sold my gun store/range...I even let my NRA Pistol Instructor certificate expire...When I kickstarted my gun collecting habit again a few years ago, I already knew that any of my S&W's will shoot at least as well as I can so I saw no reason to go send countless rounds of expensive ammo downrange to prove that point...My carry guns will function just fine at the defensive distances for which I would need them...

I like each of my acquisitions just the way they are, even though there are also several thousands rounds of ammo stashed away for each one...My choices and preferences are mine, and yours are yours......Ben

Can I get an AMEN for his last sentence??

 

[rct269]

For openers, there are different strokes for different folks. Then there are different guns----only two actually----special and common as dirt.

Is there any REAL point in relegating a K-22 to safe queen status? No, for all practical purposes----other than just 'cause I want to. How about a .44 H.E. 3rd Target------as new?! Should that be a safe queen? You bet your booties!! I had one of those-----one of less than 200 given conventional wisdom. How about a 7 1/2" first year Triple Lock Target? As to condition, it sold for $10,000 when my collection was liquidated. Safe queen? There's no question about it!! Just one more for he sake of brevity---another Triple Lock. It was just a regular, every day 6 1/2" fixed sight gun (as new)-----right up until it was sent off to King. Then when it came back it was a King Super Target---as new, unfired except for the obvious factory test, and the equally obvious King testing. I could go on, but not a whole lot further before we got into common as dirt safe queens----just because they were 80 some odd years old-----and brand new!!

You want to shoot your guns? Shoot 'em! I couldn't care less! I don't want to shoot mine. That brings us back to different strokes for different folks------and quittin' time!!

Ralph Tremaine

OH!! One more thing: "Safe Queens"

I have a safe---a REAL safe!! There was nothing in it besides long guns I shot. Then I had a display case---pretty good sized one--custom made to order---8' feet high and 6, wide---with lights---so I could see the guns any time I wanted to!

 

[Grayfox]

Ain't no safe queens around here. I shoot everything I own.
Granted, there are a few that don't get shot often. Some may go for years between range trips. But they do get shot.
Here's why. Some years back I bought an absolutely pristine 1956 5" .357 magnum. (pre-27) The gun was so good, I just couldn't bring myself to shoot it. It laid in my safe for about 5 years unfired. I even thought hard about selling it just because I didn't shoot it. But then one day I decided screw it! I'm gonna shoot this thing and off to the range I went. OMG! what a wonderful gun! A pure pleasure to shoot. Why have I denied myself this?
Now this is one of my guns that doesn't get shot often, but when it does go to the range I get a huge smile on my face.

 

[BKLooney]

It's an injustice to the firearm not to be fired, they were born to throw lead! All of his friends in the safe get to go play and talk amongst themselves about how much fun it is...but not him...sad...