"Classics": shoot or save?
- Thread starter jtcarm
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mc5aw
Member
The TR guns are the signature series associated with Clint Smith and Thunder Ranch. A lot of collaborative effort went into producing them. They are made to shoot ... then shoot more. I haven't seen the 21s exceed original NIB pricing, but who knows what the next collectible will be.
fyimo
Member
This isn't my end of the market on S&W revolvers but the term classic is really a marketing term on most of the classic models. I say that because they aren't classics like te originals that were P&R so the are classic in terms of the same barrel lengths and models. Now a Thunder Ranch classic may fall into a different catagory for some people. I would say shoot them all you want because I don't see a lot of collector value in them in the short term but maybe in 30 years who knows.
pilgrim6a
Member
GOOD THREADS NEED PICS!!!!
I say shoot it.
I say shoot it.
walkin' trails
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I too have to say shoot it! I just can't enjoy a gun I can't go out and shoot once in a great while. If I like the way the gun shoots, then its a gun I like to have. Yeah, the TRs may have great collector value one of these days, but it might be many years down the road.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
To me a "Classic" is usualy no newer than 1970 or so. Anything newer than that and is available new, I call "christmas tree guns." Almost every gun I have is a classic. I am prone to shoot every one of them except for a couple commemratives I somehow acquired and have the real deals they copy. Real antques I wouldnt shoot if I thought I couldnt get parts replaced.
Bluecoat76
Member
SHOOT IT!
S&W was kind enough to take an expensive chance on rebuilding them to today's standards just so we could see how the old ones feel and shoot.
S&W was kind enough to take an expensive chance on rebuilding them to today's standards just so we could see how the old ones feel and shoot.
This is my M21.
Do I shoot it? LOL!
That's what I got it for. Don't know how many were CC frames, but don't care.
I even shoot the 1923 Target .44.
Do I shoot it? LOL!
That's what I got it for. Don't know how many were CC frames, but don't care.
I even shoot the 1923 Target .44.
TAROMAN
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Save for exactly what?
Pass on to an ungrateful descendant who will immediately sell it for whatever they can get for it?
Save it for the person who lucks onto it at an estate sale after you're gone?
Save it as an "investment" like the 1976 Cadillac mania?
Its not classic. its just a gun. Use as it was made to be used.
Pass on to an ungrateful descendant who will immediately sell it for whatever they can get for it?
Save it for the person who lucks onto it at an estate sale after you're gone?
Save it as an "investment" like the 1976 Cadillac mania?
Its not classic. its just a gun. Use as it was made to be used.
Cruiser RN
Member
IMHO Guns were made to be SHOT.Can't see the sense in having a gun in the safe that will never see the range,you die,and your heirs either get the joy to shoot the hell out of it or enjoy the $$ your suffering made them by not shooting it way after you are gone.
photoman
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I would shoot it.
I had one for a while and it was a great shooter.
I had one for a while and it was a great shooter.
stantheman86
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Shoot it! IMO the MIM and IL revolvers won't appreciate much more in our lifetimes. Collector's will always be going for the older guns.
I love the new MIM S&W's and own several of them, but also IMO they are just well made shooters and carry guns. I would not buy a new 64-8 with the intent of putting it away, nor would I do the same with the M21 Classic.
Like was said, I have seen collections of handguns sold to gunshops after an older gentleman passed away, some of them unfired. The widow sells them to an honest gun dealer but still doesn't get near what they are truly worth. The guy had unfired guns sitting in his safe for decades, his wife makes a few $1,000 and someone else gets to take it out and fire it.
If they day comes when my (future)son or daughter, or my wife gets my gun collection, they will be lucky to find one with less than 10,000 rounds through it=) They will all still work, but there won't be an unfired one in the bunch.
I love the new MIM S&W's and own several of them, but also IMO they are just well made shooters and carry guns. I would not buy a new 64-8 with the intent of putting it away, nor would I do the same with the M21 Classic.
Like was said, I have seen collections of handguns sold to gunshops after an older gentleman passed away, some of them unfired. The widow sells them to an honest gun dealer but still doesn't get near what they are truly worth. The guy had unfired guns sitting in his safe for decades, his wife makes a few $1,000 and someone else gets to take it out and fire it.
If they day comes when my (future)son or daughter, or my wife gets my gun collection, they will be lucky to find one with less than 10,000 rounds through it=) They will all still work, but there won't be an unfired one in the bunch.
team sidewinder
Member
Me being a shooter and not a collector I say " Shoot it ".
I have a dear friend that had his father pass away and had one or maybe even several gun safes filled with unfired guns. Sure great for those collectors who bought them all up but what joy was there for the father who just kept them unseen and unfired in a safe ? Big deal, as his kids just sold them anyway.
I have a dear friend that had his father pass away and had one or maybe even several gun safes filled with unfired guns. Sure great for those collectors who bought them all up but what joy was there for the father who just kept them unseen and unfired in a safe ? Big deal, as his kids just sold them anyway.
I've never seen one of these sell at retail... who knows what collectors may want in the future but it will be way in the future before anything of recent production will be sought. Kinda like buying that new Craftsman socket set looking so pretty in the box... just enjoy using it cause it won't be paying off the mortgage anytime soon.
M3Stuart
Member
My .02; I quit 'saving' favorite things to keep them pristine. So I'd say shoot the heck out of it. I can admire a thing without owning it. I can also admire a thing that I own and try to wear out from use (not that I've heard of anybody wearing out a S&W revolver from normal use). And everything in between.
chief38
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What S&W is calling their Classic Line does not (IMHO) live up to the name they gave it. A REAL classic (and what true collectors would seek out) would be one of the original revolvers produced back in their day. I highly doubt that their new "Classic" line-up will ever be worth much - at least as long as the true Classic's are still available on the open market and are less expensive than their copies of the Classic's are. Most commemorative's that I have seen are usually worth less than the regular production guns they are meant to honor. Not trying to make you feel bad, it's just what I have witnessed and observed over the years.
It's kind of like when Ford reintroduced their Mustang, Chrysler reintroduced their Challenger and GM reintroduced their Camaro............. NOT saying they aren't nice, just saying they have little to no interest for true collectors. Again - drive 'em and enjoy 'em.
Shoot it and enjoy it would be my advise.
Chief38
It's kind of like when Ford reintroduced their Mustang, Chrysler reintroduced their Challenger and GM reintroduced their Camaro............. NOT saying they aren't nice, just saying they have little to no interest for true collectors. Again - drive 'em and enjoy 'em.
Shoot it and enjoy it would be my advise.
Chief38
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Dave T
Member
How about "sell". There's nothing "classic" about them. They are poor attempts at making a modern gun look kind of like the real classic S&Ws.
My $.02 worth...YMMV.
Dave
Smith357
US Veteran
I think of them a lot like all those old Winchester 94 Collectables, if you can find one you can stand looking at, you get a decent gun that's been through the custom shop for the same cost and a regular one. Shoot it and enjoy!
Here is one I took a picture of today, not mine, I'm just the photographer.
Here is one I took a picture of today, not mine, I'm just the photographer.
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
Exactly, I had a pawn broker shop owner snicker when he said he loves it when the farther passes away and the kids and wife want nothing to do with there guns. He makes money on them. What an low life he is. I love going there and setting him up to haggle everything he had. I burned him good on some stuff price wise. Make sure you know where your guns are going before you die put it in the will. Bill
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I don't own any really collectables so i shoot them all. I'm very careful not to hurt any of them.
As a collector, I like the "Classic" line of revolvers for one reason. The pricing of those guns raised the bar on the values of my originals of the same models. You should shoot yours. They will probably never be as collectible as the originals.
valkyriekl
Member
I've been a little 'eh' on the 21-4/22-4, but with those grips it really looks sweet! Might just change my mind...
deanodog
US Veteran
Here is the third one I have owned. I also have the 22-4. They may never be collectors but they are sweet handling and good shooters. I have shot all of them I have owned. 3 21-4s and 3 22-4s.
21-4
22-4
21-4
22-4
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