58 Dilema

[emptypockets]

I wanted a nice 58 shooter, now I have one. This is good except I think this one may be too nice to shoot. It has some light handling marks in the finish but the blue is beautiful. There is one small scratch behind the cylinder latch but other than that this one is nice. The grips do number to the gun and it came with the box. Serial number dates it to late 69 I think, a little too late for diamond magnas. I know looking at the photos it's hard to tell but is this one too nice to shoot.

 

[Rapidray]

Shoot it...that is what it was made for. You will love it! Nice revolver by the way.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I can understand the feeling. The same thing happens to me. To me the important thing is keep going to the range and shoot something. But at some time we have to make a decision. Otherwise we begin - I begin forgetting what I have sitting in the safe.

JMHO

 

[jsfricks]

You'll enjoy it more if you can shoot it. And you can shoot it and still keep it in nice condition, maybe a little more of a turn line. I just bought the one below last week that is an easy 99% but I plan on shooting it some. If I don't, when I'm gone someone else will, so why not me.

 

[629shooter]

It is very nice but, I'd still shoot it.

Just so you know, they "prefer" 210 gr. bullets. Oh yeah, putting a good set of target grips in it is the key to enjoying more than six "full-house" loads. YMMV. Enjoy the 58 whether you shoot it or not.

 

[murphydog]

I wanted a nice 58 shooter, now I have one.
...I think this one may be too nice to shoot.
...this one is nice.
...this one too nice to shoot.

Well, you may have convinced yourself but you haven't convinced us .

Personally, I would wax and handle it carefully and put a few rounds downrange. If you enjoy it, repeat often - it is not a 99% safe queen from your own description, and if someone else previously shot it you're not doing anything different. If not, you got the "should I shoot" it out of your system and put it in the safe. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Sixgun100]

Shoot it! Life is too short not to enjoy your Model 58.....

 

[Chukar60]

I would shoot it. It already has a turn ring. Low to moderate volume of shooting along with some careful handling and cleaning and it will be a very long time before you notice any wear on the gun. Take it out and enjoy it.

 

[scott1970]

Whether you shoot it or not, I sure do like it a whole bunch. Trying hard not to covet.

 

[jack the toad]

as they say in the swamp...
choot it

 

[old&slow]

Shoot it.. Enjoy it..

Over the summer I picked up a Browning reproduction of the Winchester model 12, 20 ga. NIB. The guy had purchased it new in 1989 and had never fired it.. It wasn't that way long. I've had it out shooting sporting clays about a dozen times.. It's a joy to shoot and play with.
I think it's kind of sad, the original owner had this cute little gun and never took it out and enjoyed it..

 

[RobertJ.]

It's been pointed out already, but I've always believed that if you don't shoot it, you're only saving it for someone who will!

We are, after all, just temporary custodians of the various firearms we own. Life is too short not to have some fun with them!

 

[fiddyate]

Shoot dat thang!!!!

I'm heading out in a minute to pick up a 36, 3', nickel round butt that's about 98%, no box.

It'll get shot and carried.

I carry a 36, no dash, nickel snubby almost every day. It is a solid 95%.

BTW, those are some beauts gentlemen.

 

[Cpo1944]

Give that puppy a good coat of wax and go shoot it . You can keep it nice and still enjoy it . Why save it for someone who might even swap it on some liberal gun trade in mess???

 

[CH4]

What's to be gained by not shooting it? You'll only deprive yourself of the enjoyment of shooting it, which is what it was made for.

I always like the analogy of not having sex with your wife so you can save her for the next guy. Shoot the dang thing!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Ya did good with that one! The 58 is one of my grail guns and you could bet that if I had my grubby little mitts on that one it would get shot, a lot.

 

[SuperMan]

...for me your matter is "it depends".

First question is "what do you want a 58 for"? If the answer is a concealed carry gun, something to carry as a backup gun while hunting or "to shoot a lot" then I think you are right. S-prefix 58s with a box are rare and your investment would go down instead of up...

But if you just want to have a nice 58 for the occasional trip to the range by all means take the advise above and shoot it. You will have something to show off and the investment will continue to go up.

If you can sell the gun for more than you have into it and can buy a shooter grade gun for several hundred less that is what I have done. Or if you have the means and want a shooter keep looking and buy another. Then you have one for "show" and one for "go".

I have had 10 58s since I bought my first one in 1974....and have two left...both very clean guns but shooters none the less...

...and please post your gun over on the Unofficial 58 thread on this Board...

Bob

 

[BigBill]

Ok we don't shoot our safe queens? No way. Mine are in my will and left to my kids.
Think about it after were gone there going to shoot them.

I will handle them very carefully.
They will not be ccw carried.
I will shoot them at the range, they will be shot.
I will admire them and still enjoy them.

There is the over 100 year old history and designs that stood the test of time to this day. We can research into the development about them. There is no gun manufacturer to date that still offers the double action designs
Like S&W that have lasted for so many centuries. Think about it your touching a piece of centuries old S&W history. We live in a free country were we can own, touch and shoot a piece of history like our forefathers done in there time.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Ok we don't shoot our safe queens. Mine are in my will and left to my kids.
Think about it after were gone there going to shoot them.

I will handle them very carefully.
They will not be ccw carried.
I will shoot them at the range, they will be shot.
I will admire them and still enjoy them.

There is the over 100 year old history and designs that stood the test of time to this day. We can research into the development about them. There is no gun manufacturer to date that still offers the double action designs
Like S&W that have lasted for so many centuries. Think about it your touching a piece of centuries old S&W history. We live in a free country were we can own, touch and shoot a piece of history like our forefathers done in there time.

Wait...Your first sentence says you do not shoot your safe queens.Then the Third step is take them to the range and shoot them..

 

[Old Corp]

I'm sure most have seen an article that was making the rounds many years ago. Cannot quote it exactly, nor do I know the author, but the gist of it was:
"Now is the time to use the 'good' china as well as the sterling silver. You are not promised even waking up tomorrow."

Good advice that I've started heeding. BTW, I own a similar M58 and shoot the mess out of it.
Good luck.....