"Collectable Gun" Modification a No-No ?

[mejetski2000]

Have as new in box a M60, first run, non-dash and I'm considering having a orange sight insert done, will this hurt the value of the piece substantially. I DO intend to shoot the gun and probably carry it eventually.

 

[VM]

"first run" , as in mid '60's gun (pre "R" serial number prefix)?

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Why ruin a collectable gun. Sell it to a person that collects md 60's, use the extra money to buy a shooter, than do what you will with that one. I once bought a NIB md 39 nickle and don't collect them. The dealer told me he had a guy coming in to buy it to shoot. I sold it to a fellow SWCA member that collects md 39's for what I paid for it just to save it.

 

[murphydog]

Two thoughts. One, removable orange paint. Two, if you absolutely feel you must remove metal from your NIB gun, agree with Don and sell it to get a shooting gun (or possibly one that has already been modified).

 

[fyimo]

Yes it will hurt the gun's value if you modify it but no more then carrying and shooting it a lot would. So if you bought it NIB to shoot and carry then the choice is yours because once you start shooting a lot it the collector value also drops. Very few guns carried a lot and shot a lot will look new for very long and once they start to get enough wear to look very used their collector value goes down to shooter grade.

 

[vrichard]

Does your mdl.60 have diamond grips?The two mdl.60 on the left are
1965 &1967
Dick

 

[mejetski2000]

Serial number R472xx, no diamond grips however. Cardboard Bangor Punta box with penciled tag depicting model, features, etc. Brown paper wrapping paper, folded single page instructions and warranty card (blank). The flute corners on front of cylinder are chamfered. The sideplate has been removed (not by me) and the springs feel like they've been replaced with softer ones. It has a few small nicks, but I'd say it's somewhere around 97% condition. Bought at Cabela's for less than a new J-frame gun cost and twice the gun IMO. I did want a good .38 J-frame without all the MIM parts,lock,etc which prompted me to buy it but maybe it should belong to someone who doesn't want a "shooter". Kinda mixed feelings now about it.

 

[VM]

Your gun is not rare or extremely collectible but as already mentioned, you can paint on the top edge of the sight without doing any harm to gun's value and it works great.

 

[mejetski2000]

I think I'll just shoot it and maybe make some "improvements". For what I paid I can certainly sell at same price down the road I suspect. It's a cool little gun and having the original stuff that goes with it is cool also. Thanks for the info, and hopefully no one is offended with my intentions to enjoy it.

 

[feralmerril]

Just how much more is that model 60 worth more than a more modern one? Are we talking hundreds here? Lets say you sell it and replace with lesser. You will be paying sales tax and maybe another ffl fee, maybe shiping? Whats that going to eat up? Look I had a 60 I bought new in 1969 or 1970. I carried it untill 2003 when it got stolen along with my truck. I had the hammer snubbed for my pocket carry. It pulled my fat from the fire once. I wish I had it back! I would rather have it back than a new one! Come on, do what you want, its not a colt walker or a unfired triplelock! A $150s at MOST aint gonna change the course of your life is it?

 

[moosedog]

Nothing will kill the value of a gun (any gun) more than carrying it. Carrying just plain puts alot of wear and tear on a gun's finish.
The one you described is a nice desirable gun, but not really that collectable. You only live once. Do what you want with it. There's tons more out there.

 

[IRONVIC52]

I have a Model-60 serial number R113XXX and have been mulling over whether or not to do a red ramp. On my daily carry gun, a 642, I painted the upper ramp using Testor's orange paint and it works well-very durable.

I think I'll do the same with my new/old Model-60. It's not really collectable and it had been shot-a lot. Full of gunk when I got it and all scratchy. Buffed out the scratches and it's a pretty good little shooter with plenty of life left in her. I like it so much, I gave my wife my new Model 642. And, if I ever sell the 60, a little paint thinner will get it back to old school again.