Devaluing a NIB gun?

[Narragansett]

Its interesting to read everyone's opinion on this.
Thanks to the OP for starting it. I also hope he changes his mind.

I have several K 38 Masterpiece revolvers. I have 1 in particular that is about as new as I'll ever luck into. It's from 1966. Hardly a turn line or any other signs of being shot much if at all.
To me, it's like a brand new gun. Its tight as a bulls arse. It has mostly cleaning type marks on it. And yes, all numbers match, including box.

Will I shoot it? NO. I won't. No need to. No need to. I'll keep it as my example of history.
Is it perfect, nope. But probably as close as I'll ever get.
That being said, heres my opinion on shoot them.

The people that say that have " safe queens".
If you happen to find a near new old gun and you shoot it.
Its 1 less they need to worry about in the future.

You just made their gun " more" valuable.

Buy what you like, shoot what you want to.
There's nothing wrong with having a lnib gun.

I do not look to find NIB. I just happened on a few. A 3T 19-4, and a no dash 629. I got a 10-5 X 4" that had 24 rounds fired, and a couple more that it is hard to tell if they have been fired. One being a M15-3 X 2". I have a 29 classic DX I got new, and fired 12 rounds through it. many of my pistols have little use. Why?? I went off into the world of trapshooting for 25 years, so my pistols, revolvers and rifles sat unused. I need a couple well worn shooters with character. a model 17 and 28 would do, and maybe a 29. I have already passed down many guns, mostly rifles, old and full of character. More are being passed down soon. I do not believe you have to shoot everything you buy. I am a firm believer in " pride of ownership"!!

BTW, I will have my first 1950 K38 masterpiece next week. Have 3 15-3"s

 

[Sevens]

l have a couple 41 Magnum PC guns... Less than 200 made EACH... Guess what. Each get shot.. OFTEN too...

I have a Smith & Wesson Performance Center Stocking Dealer 9mm (SD-9) and I believe that only 165 were built back in 1993 or maybe 1994. I shoot it often and it is sublime.

But it wasn't in 100% condition when I managed to get it, which worked out for me because in that condition, it takes $2000-$2500 to get one.

Probably why some folks elect to keep them pristine.

This issue here isn't what ANYONE chooses to do with a firearm they own, it's quite simply the folks who believe they should be the one to decide what OTHERS elect to do with their own gun.

Read post #33.

 

[Drm50]

I'm over safe queens I have several NIB P&Rs and slightly later
models. Getting to old to Bogart all this stuff for show and tell.
I won't shoot a NIB and I have shooters of same models.

 

[shocker]

Speaking of ANIB:

Local art collection, never titled, never driven.

 

[Skwirl]

I'm not sure what to make of that.
I only offered my opinion on what I have done.

If you wanted to brag about what you had or have, fine, start another thread.
You asked for opinions in this one.

It seems this forum just exists to hammer and demean, belittle new members.

I was warned, didnt listen. Thought I'd try, several times.
Typical blue forum attitude.

No member should be a punching bag.

Bye.

 

[shocker]

Delete duplicate

 

[Bladeswitcher]

I see the unnecessary point, do you see mine?? i am talking about a gun that only the factory has fired. Isn't this just splitting hairs a bit? Who cares about a Form 4473?

The manufacturer might . . .

 

[CH4]

Kate Upton shows up at my house in a New Corvette... Both ALL MINE!

Both are going to be used and enjoyed.. OFTEN

Same with a gun.. Going to be used/enjoyed.. OFTEN

l guess that's why l buy only USED- cars and guns

And apparently used super models, likely with a turn line.

 

[RKmesa]

I have two sides to my collection - the "shooter grade" side and the "collector grade" side. The shooter grade guns get shot, the collector grade guns get waxed and coddled... well - the shooter grade guns also get waxed after they are cleaned, but not coddled...

BTW - I'm glad someone in the past decided to shoot my shooter grade guns and shoot them a bunch - that makes for a nice trigger, a finish that has that beautiful silvering of the blue on the high edges and something that makes me dream about the history - all at an affordable price.

The collector grade guns make me think back on what it would have been like to walk into a gun store ("way back when"), stare at the pristine Smiths under the glass, point at the one that I wanted, hand over the cash and take it home for the First Time - those feelings are nostalgic, strong and enjoyable, and often times remind me of my dad (who has been gone for 10 years). He loved to window shop at gun stores with me and I still miss him.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

I've said this before but it is worth repeating ,I want to be RKmesa when I grow up .Why? Glad you asked. He has a theory that you should own 2 of each guns one shooter one collector and if you haven't seen pictures of his collector grade guns it is worth the time to look back at his posts especially his engraved revolvers .His shooters are dang nice also. So thanks for weighing in RK.

 

[Narragansett]

I'm not sure what to make of that.
I only offered my opinion on what I have done.

If you wanted to brag about what you had or have, fine, start another thread.
You asked for opinions in this one.

It seems this forum just exists to hammer and demean, belittle new members.

I was warned, didnt listen. Thought I'd try, several times.
Typical blue forum attitude.

No member should be a punching bag.

Bye.

Is this aimed at my post # 62?

I do not believe I used you ars a punching bag

 

[Dave.357]

I have several s@w revolvers that
were bought from people that said
They were unfired. But if I were
Selling I would have to say I never
Fired them and were told the last
Owner did not fire them but I
Cannot swear that they have
never been fired. Look and look
Closely you decide

 

[shawn mccarver]

Keep in mind that certain parts are scarce for that revolver. Occasional shooting might not affect the value much, but a cracked barrel shank or some other problem might not be repairable, at least not at a reasonable cost. That said, I still vote to enjoy it while you can!

 

[EricR]

Waxing corvettes and Kate Upton. That's enough for me! My heart rate is up and I'm going to work!!

 

[sigp220.45]

I realize that everybody has an opinion, and that is why i started this thread. Simply to get peoples opinions, on a very general question.

Joining a forum such as this one is supposed to be fun, and the overall spirit of conversation is to have general respectful discussion , share information, and better our sport. as Captain Kirk would say, that is the " prime directive".

This is the last thread I will start, and i wish I never started this one !

I hear ya.

One of the first things my circa 1983 Air Force OTS instructor did was to teach us the closely held secret to passing written government tests. He wrote on the blackboard (remember those?) in big letters: RTFQ - RTFA.

He explained if you Read The Question, then Read The Answers, you can pass almost any test even if you don't know much about the subject. It has always worked for me.

Given the hypothetical gun in question, I'd say shooting it and disclosing it had been shot would devalue the gun from 25 - 40 percent.

Just a guess, with some opinion mixed in. Some folks will pay a premium for an allegedly unfired-by-the-owners-but-fired-at-the-factory gun.

Since you didn't ask the "would ya, should ya" question, I'll leave that alone.

 

[vmumford]

Corvette or GT350. One is a collector and the other is not

I have a question. Obviously, there are only so many NIB older models around, and for the purpose of my question I will use say a 1975 Model 19-3 4'bbl. if you own the aforementioned gun, NIB( factory fired only), and you decide to start using it, how much in say percentage terms do you actually devalue the gun?

Listen, I am a collector and I am a shooter. I have guns that are unshot just because I don't want to spoil that virginity in them. I can enjoy them this way as a collector. I still keep my shooters as pristine as I can and I get your question. But after reading every thread, you can take what makes sense to you and leave the rest and don't take it personal. I would hate to loose you as a poster on this forum. There are many in here that feel the same way I do. Keep the chin up and keep the guns you have not shot that way or not. Its how you feel and what you take away from this forum that answers the question you are looking for is what is important IMO.

 

[BigBill]

I'm ahead of the game already my new n frames were $699. I shoot my smiths at the range only and some are still unshot. But they all will be shot someday.

My swedish dirtbikes will make more money than my guns ever will.

 

[Bakebfr480]

I've had several NIB vintage firearms........not just S&W's either. Some I've shot and some I haven't had the time to shoot yet. They were made to be shot. Just sayin!

 

[Izzydog]

If you're anything like me, you'll never sell it anyway, so why worry? I have several NIB pre-lock Smiths 28-2 6", 520, ect, that I'm saving for my children. I have several 28's, so I have no desire to rub the "new" off of the NIB guns.