Inherited .44 now what ?

[flagman1776]

I have several guns that were limited runs... then S&W ran a different limited run... they were sales gimmicks. These were fine guns to be sure but they were made to be shot & I have fired them all a few times. The presentation cases are not the best for storage as they trap moisture. Be sure to remove it & wipe down with good gun oil periodically. Even Stainless will rust under some circumstances.
I would not say to "never holster" but certainly use a premium lined holster if you do. That's what I did.

 

[Magster]

Clean, lube and take that beauty to the range and enjoy that thing.

 

[BigBill]

I figure what I don't shoot now my kids will shoot them when I pass on. So I figured I'd shoot them all now.

 

[MattLarmore]

Thanks fellas. My uncle said he bought the .44 because he loved the looks of it and wanted to see what it would be worth someday unfired. Someday came 23 years later.... He said he paid $550 for it in 1990 and about a year (2011) before he died we were talking about it and he said he had gone this long without shooting it so he probably never would (that's the day he said I could shoot it someday). I'm leaning towards shooting it because I could never sell it, then some day passing it down with a promise that it will always stay in the family. It's just getting that first round through it. My uncle had 3 daughters and no sons he taught me a lot about hunting, shooting and the outdoors. I know it's just an old 6 shooter but it's a real, real special one to me. Thanks again.

Personally, i would probably shoot it...especially if it intends to be passed down through the family...since you not going to sell you have no reason not to shoot it!!

Besides, shooting it will always remind you of your uncle...just another way to feel connected with him once again

 

[weatherby]

He didn't shoot it because he didn't need to.
Yes it was special to him but you more so.
My opinion is he was passing it along.
Seems he wanted you to enjoy it in your way or it would have gone elsewhere

 

[lhump1961]

'Seems he wanted you to enjoy it in your way or it would have gone elsewhere"

That, to me, is the key right there. My dad taught me that when you give something it is with no strings attached. I have a couple of guns I don't shoot and they will go to my son-in-law when I am gone. I want him to enjoy them as much as I did and if, to him, that means shooting them then that's what I want him to do...shoot 'em and enjoy 'em. I think your uncle would want you to enjoy the gun in whatever manner suits you. Whether you shoot it or not I think taking good care of it and remembering where it came from would honor your uncle and make him very happy. JMHO

 

[44wheelman]

As long as you keep it and enjoy it however you want, that's what your uncle would want.

If you don't plan to sell it, what difference does it matter if you shoot it or not?

I say take it to the range, if it's fun, and you like it, keep using it. More than likely that gun was fired at the factory... so it's not like it's never been fired.

 

[Buford57]

Not shooting it and watching it appreciate in value was his way of enjoying the gun in his lifetime.

You need to enjoy it your way in your lifetime.

 

[Satoken]

Do not shoot it! Don't even think about you own that gun for a while. Instead, shoot some other S&Ws, preferably .44, and become a good shot. Set a goal and shoot and shoot and shoot. You probably spend a couple of hundred pounds of powder, unknown amount of bullets, primers, and, the forcing cones will severely erode. But you'll be way better shot than you are now. Then, bring out that magna classic to the range. You'll be much happier.

 

[lhump1961]

"the forcing cones will severely erode."

I'm not sure how much you would have to shoot to achieve this but it would be more than I have ever shot...maybe I'm misunderstanding your post...

 

[Satoken]

10,000rds or so will do. If you shoot daily, it won't take too long to get there.

 

[eveled]

I figure eventually I'd give into the temptaion and shoot it, so I might as well shoot it now and get it over with. Then enjoy it for the rest of my life. Ed

 

[elm_creek_smith]

To quote that famous outdoorsman, Troy Landry, "Choot it! CHOOT IT!"

ECS

 

[old&slow]

Personally for me, I hope my kids shoot and enjoy my firearms and think of me every time they pull the trigger.
( and of course take good care of them)

A few years ago a friend showed me some of his safe guns. He showed me his pristine Colt Woodsman match target. And asked if I had see one before and knew what it was?

I told him I had one just like it, except the blue was worn off the back strap and I didn't know how many thousands of rounds I had shot thru it. I had gotten it new and used it for bullseye shooting back in the 70's.

Some people enjoy Safe Queens, Some think they are made to use and enjoy.
I would shoot it and think of your uncle every time you pull the trigger.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Not shooting it and watching it appreciate in value was his way of enjoying the gun in his lifetime.

You need to enjoy it your way in your lifetime.

I agree with that.

Some interesting thoughts for you all to think about.

Thought one - a friend of mine, now deceased, used to tell me that we don't own our guns, we're just custodians of them for the next generation. Think about the truth of that statement. I have a boatload of guns, only one of which do I know for a certainty I have never shot and, because I bought it new, it remains unfired. But every other gun I own I shot or someone before me did. Which leads to the next thought.

Thought two - how many of you own guns that are either worth a lot more than what you paid for them or, even more interesting, are fairly old and worth a lot more than what someone else paid for them before you? Not every gun will be worth multi-thousands of dollars down the road but very few quality guns, used or not, will be worth any less than they are today. Sure, I bought a used Model 64 for $250 this year. What do you think it will sell for in 2023? 2053? Never mind 2113!

Thought three - other than some very special guns, particularly those with a "history", how much more is a plain Colt SAA from 1885 worth brand new, never fired, than a well preserved but used SAA from 1885?
Some amount more, that's probably true, but not much. And who, from 1885, cares about that today, anyway?

That's why I say shoot it.

***GRJ***