To shoot or not to shoot???

[ballbuster]

Looking for opinions here:

I have the chance to pick up a 586 6" no dash in nickel NIB and a 17-5 8" also NIB. Both guns are flawless with box and papers, cleaning rods etc. These would be my first Smith revolvers...I have many other guns.

I would be paying what I consider a premium for the guns but within reason. The question is, would you shoot these? My thoughts are mixed. On one hand if i want shooters I could just buy shooters for several hundred dollars less. Does it make sense to pay a premium for NIB just to then go ahead and shoot em?

The nickle 586 is like a museum piece, nicest one I ever saw...

[Nightowl]

That's the $64,000 question that gets debated here a lot. Personaly, I do not have an answer to that one. I've got a couple put away, but I have shot some like that too. I guess it just depends on whether you want them and can afford to put them away for the pride of ownership. I'm sure others will add their wisdom here shortly.

[Rogue686]

My opinion has always been that guns are made to shoot. However, I make an exception for the nickle plated guns, a trait my father passed on to me...if I had one it would be a safe queen.

[ballbuster]

Originally Posted by Rogue686

My opinion has always been that guns are made to shoot. However, I make an exception for the nickle plated guns, a trait my father passed on to me...if I had one it would be a safe queen.

So with that opinion, shoot the 17-5 and put away the 586!
That would certainly be a lot cheaper

The 586 is so nice it would be a crime to shoot it...but I really do want a .357 to shoot! Decisions, Decisions..

[Dragon88]

If I were you, I would buy one of those guns, whichever "speaks" to you the most, and then buy a used Model 10 or some other shooter grade S&W to go with it. Keep the NIB gun in the safe to enjoy owning, and take the used gun to the range to enjoy shooting. Being new to S&W revolvers, you will definitely want a gun that you won't feel bad shooting, and shooting a lot. They are great fun.

Part of me feels that any gun should be used and shot. The collector side of me realizes that some guns must be preserved in high condition for future generations and collectors. I am only the caretaker of a select few guns that I own, and one day (hopefully) someone else will take them on and care for them. I have plenty of shooters, no need to dirty up a pristine gun. Just my 2 cents. Not even enough for a cup of coffee!

[ballbuster]

Thats not a bad Idea Dragon...I feel the 586 is the one, 17-5's are not that scarce...even NIB... the nickel 586 is truly a work of art!

[stantheman86]

Unless the 586 was mint and unfired, I would shoot it.

Ask yourself why you want the gun. If it's to admire a work of art in mint condition, than go for it If you're looking for a shooter, and you're having reservations about shooting it if you buy it, than leave the gun for a collector and look for something shooter grade. There are lots of used but very solid 586's and 686's out there.

However, I'm not a true "collector" and so I don't pay premiums for mint NIB guns when I can get a used but still mechanically solid example for much less. I buy everything to shoot and/or carry, there's no safe queens in my collection so my opinion is slanted that way. I tend to collect PD and security trade ins, so buying a used gun that's mint is pretty rare for me.

A holster buffed nickel 586 with honest wear would be way more appealing to me than a showpiece that would sit in my safe

[fyimo]

Originally Posted by Dragon88

If I were you, I would buy one of those guns, whichever "speaks" to you the most, and then buy a used Model 10 or some other shooter grade S&W to go with it. Keep the NIB gun in the safe to enjoy owning, and take the used gun to the range to enjoy shooting. Being new to S&W revolvers, you will definitely want a gun that you won't feel bad shooting, and shooting a lot. They are great fun.

Part of me feels that any gun should be used and shot. The collector side of me realizes that some guns must be preserved in high condition for future generations and collectors. I am only the caretaker of a select few guns that I own, and one day (hopefully) someone else will take them on and care for them. I have plenty of shooters, no need to dirty up a pristine gun. Just my 2 cents. Not even enough for a cup of coffee!

\

I agree that your first S&W revolver shouldn't be a safe queen never to be fired and I also would buy the one that rocks your boat for the safe queen and then buy a shooter of your choice to enjoy at the range. Trust me I have a safe full of safe queens but I have a favorite in every caliber to shoot at the range.

[ballbuster]

I pulled the trigger! I couldn't resist...Merry Christmas to me!
I just recently sold a Buckmark Bullseye Target that was sitting around doing nothing (Since I got my mint 1977 Model 41) for almost 600.000, so I had to add a little bit to get this...I think its money well spent!

[fyimo]

Wow at least you pulled the trigger on an exceptional revolver so congratulations.

[VaRecon]

A good Smith cleans up good as new, and I can sacrifice the three letters to know I could trust my life to it.

[ballbuster]

Originally Posted by VaRecon

A good Smith cleans up good as new, and I can sacrifice the three letters to know I could trust my life to it.

I agree with your above statement if this was going to be used for self defense or hunting, but I have plenty of other toys for that!

I am gonna have to get another 'shooter grade" quick or I will have trouble not firing it. The logic ( I can hear myself now) will be" if I'm never gonna sell it, whats the difference!

I had the same problem with my '77 Model 41..it wasnt NIB but cherry with only a few hundred rounds through her and blued like a mirror. I use it every month for Bullseye competition and love every minute of it.
I'll die with this one in my hand!

[Ashlander]

I like looking at those collector guns -- but I buy only shooters. I love the accurate projection of power over distance -- and I can get that only by making them go bang.