Beater guns?

[-dW]

I can't be the only one with a soft spot for the "gently used" ones?

 

[robertrwalsh]

You are not. Trust me.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Back in the day -
My Buddy and I were working those Gun Shows and buying Guns.
He had the FFL.
The 59s were being traded in and the LE Dealers had them for sale Cheap!
So buy them we did.
Many were all beat up on the outside.
The insides looked gently used.
Those guns don't take being rode hard and put down wet well!
'For sure, for sure Big Ben!'

 

[stansdds]

So far, all of my S&W pistols have been purchased as used firearms. All showed some degree of wear, but I bought them to use, not to admire.

 

[Cheno]

I can't be the only one with a soft spot for the "gently used" ones?

Pfft! Heck no! Though I prefer the term: "Well-loved warriors"....

....It's not patina, holster wear, etc.....It's testament to loyalty of service!

I've seen 100+ year-old sidearms (a WW1 1911, for example) that I wouldn't trade for the shiniest, newest safe-queen version.

 

[-dW]

So far, all of my S&W pistols have been purchased as used firearms. All showed some degree of wear, but I bought them to use, not to admire.

I swear, sometimes the worst thing you can do is buy one too nice to use..


OK, what I was really asking was to see pictures of your beater guns..

 

[blackdeuce]

If my son buys a gun that is too nice to be a shooter, he often sells it to me and buys something else. Lol.

 

[indigo22]

My Stained Stainless 2206 when I got it took quite a bit of cleanup work on both the frame and slide to make it look presentable, although it still has some faint blemishes. In the then picture you can even see stained on fingerprints on the trigger guard. In the now picture the blems are toward the front of the frame. Not sure of the source of the stains but... they are what they are.
It is a great shooter and I have already made it plain as day that this will be my holdout last gun in my collection as it is my favorite. It has a few upgrades now.
Then

Now

 

[-dW]

My Stained Stainless 2206 when I got it took quite a bit of cleanup work on both the frame and slide to make it look presentable

beautiful work John! I keep watching them on GB..

 

[45Smashemflat]

Wear on a gun hopefully indicates honest use. That tells stories. I appreciate a safe queen too, but I prefer a well maintained user.

 

[Legendarylawman]

I picked up a Model 10 beater for 200 bucks a couple months ago, but got the letter with a neat annotation, so it sits until more information (FOIA) comes my way. I was looking for a "Fitz" candidate, but found a rough Colt with the trigger guard already cut, so the 10 will most likely stay as is. For now.. LOL.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I can't be the only one with a soft spot for the "gently used" ones?

A used gun is a used gun. That is all I could afford when I was a young man with a young family.

But a beater gun and/or a truck gun is the description of junk guns. You know the one that has never been cleaned properly or maintained. Before the Internet a lot of bubbas had no idea except from what they were told by the nearest know it all they knew. JMHO

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Somebody's Grandpa's WWII souvenir.

 

[steelslaver]

I run a home for wayward S&W revolvers

 

[chief38]

I will say that I haven't ever bought a "beater gun" however I have inherited a couple from my Dad. I restored one to pristine condition and just cleaned the other one up. I do shoot both of them - especially the rifle.

 

[Retired W4]

Beater K22 Combat Masterpiece. It looks like someone got mad and beat the barrel on concrete but it is still very accurate and functions well.

 

[Drm50]

A beater to me is a gun that's not practical to restore cosmetically. Also low end stuff that has never been properly maintained. A gun that has honest wear and has been maintained is not a beater in my book. Many such guns were carried for generations. Shot little but properly maintained. There was a time when people didn't shoot their gun to hear it bang.

 

[LEO918]

Third Model .44 with a 20 year history in law enforcement.

 

[Retired W4]

A lot of LE guns look like beaters but for the most part they were well maintained. Atlanta PD.

 

[crasig]

When I was saving up for, & seeking a decent S&W 1917 (or Brazil 1937) - I happened to see This Nickel plated S&W K frame .38 spl. At my Friends Pawnshop. IT set back my savings - but I had to have it.
About 50 years ago I knew an elderly detective who was on desk duty. He had one exactly like this one in a chamois leather shoulder holster, that he kept locked in his desk all day. I'm always noticing shiny things - so he finally let me examine it.
It was NOT your common duty pistol. He seemed pleased that I was impressed with it. l eventually learned that HE had quite a reputation, & a colorful career - So mild you'd never have guessed it of him -
Fast Forward - Maybe you can Imagine my surprise when I came across this survivor - IT is just like the revolver I lusted for all those years ago, I couldn't put it down. The Finish on this one is older, & the bore is dark with minor pitting, the SA action is buttery smooth, & the SA trigger is perfect. I came away with IT that day + a LNIB Taurus Snub Nose .357 - for $300. I had to start saving-up all over again. NO complaints, The old K frame is accurate & enjoyable. I love both purchases made that day, & even eventually found an affordable S&W 1937 (Brazil Contract) .45 DA Revolver - that was delivered to Brazil the month & year of my Birth (1946).
The majority of my handguns were used, any money spent was dear to me. Some might be called Beaters - but none are junk. All are Shooters - & not too shabby. The ones I've kept are like old friends & family.
See my Pix of the actual Characters of this true story.