Pristine or Handling Marks

[Doug627]

Do you prefer your firearms to be pristine and spotless or have some handling marks? I don't mean misused or abused firearms but maybe some holster wear or signs the firearm was used but taken care of properly. I kind of prefer a little wear because it adds character to the firearm. It makes me wonder who owned it previously and for what purpose. Too clean and I am reluctant to shoot them. What are your thoughts.

 

[arjay]

I like both

 

[phantomcycle]

Most of my collection is shooters I want to be able to take my weapons with me and use them
I have a few that are special and usage of them would lower the value "at lease to me" that I will pass on to my son
Pappy

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[jasonfoster48]

My gun is a tool. And like any tool, it's going to show wear. I carry everyday and in and out of the holster. To the range. It shows some scares. If my gun was an antique it would be locked up or in a display case. But it's a tool. And tools age. Hopefully gracefully and long.

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[Krell1]

Mine were all target guns except for a snubby I carry. I've had them all for over 40 years and when I was actively shooting they all got a lot of use. To look at them today they look like they just came out of the box. I cringe when somebody mistreats a gun and I've always been like that. I've passed them all on to my son and emphasized the need to keep them in good shape. So far he's been treating them better than I did so, no worries.

 

[Bill Bates]

My budget and the joy I get from shooting keeps me from owning to many "new in box" collectable firearms. I have no problem leaving those pristine guns to the true collectors to put away in their safes. I do seem to end up with some NIB firearms but every so often I begin feeling guilty locking the away and sell them off to true collectors that really appreciate such firearms.

Give me a nice shooter grade that was well cared for by its previous keepers. Give me one that shows the signs of its graceful aging that comes with a little pampering but not being locked away. It is hard not to enjoy that type of firearm. These are the guns that end up on my never sell list.

100 years plus old and still doing what they were made for

 

[Arik]

Depends. Are you collecting/investing or shooting/carrying. I prefer neither pristine not handling marks. First thing I look at is price. If the price is good and nothing is broken then I'll buy it

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[Vulcan Bob]

I would love all my firearms to be pristine but alas I shoot em and they get inadvertently dinged here and there. As it should be!

 

[lhump1961]

My gun is a tool. And like any tool, it's going to show wear. I carry everyday and in and out of the holster. To the range. It shows some scares. If my gun was an antique it would be locked up or in a display case. But it's a tool. And tools age. Hopefully gracefully and long.

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I can appreciate the "tool" aspect of guns because they are very much a tool, but I hope you have a couple that are more than just a tool same as some cars and motorcycles are more than just transportation.

If not that's OK. Enjoy.

edit: To answer the OP's question I like both!

 

[mojave30cal]

Most of my firearms are shooters, so I don't mind some honest
wear. I sold all my safe queens a few years ago.

 

[walkin jack]

I don't have any safe queens all my guns have to work for a livin'. I don't like scratches or flaws in the grips and I have 0 tolerance for mechanical or operational damage but I've always felt like some holster rash showed character and suggested the possibility of an interesting history. I look at it and wonder "where have you been and what have you done?"

 

[BC38]

Shooters are my niche. I've owned a couple of safe queens too pretty to shoot. Sold them both for profits to buy 3 or 4 good shooter grade guns instead. To me, the beauties that just sit in the safe are only good as an appreciating asset.

 

[Jessie]

I prefer pristine and I put the handling marks/character in it, but if it's just that and not abuse, it's certainly no deal breaker.

 

[Whitwabit]

seems my carry pistols can get dinged or scratched sometimes while others remain more pristine ..

I figure they are a tool and to be used in my joy of shooting .. that's not saying I abuse them in anyway or try not to be as careful as one can .. but scratches are part of the usage ..

If you want pristine buy a pistol and then put it in a glass display and not use it and never remove it except to wipe down with oil ..

 

[KalamazooKid]

I like both

Me too. I love love to shoot my guns but have no problem with a few that just get admired and polished while I'm watching a ball game or such.

 

[digiroc]

Somehow I've become a 3rd gen S&W collector. Every gun I have is a shooter to some degree. But I don't want to carry a gun that is too valuable to be put in an evidence locker should, God forbid, I ever have to use it in self defense.

My Shorty Forty is one such gun. I've also got a very nice 3913NL that is too nice to carry, besides I like black guns for EDC.

Today I just picked up a rare (484 made) 5905 in such good condition that it won't go out of my home:

I also have a very cherry model 59 that stays in the safe:

My favorite carry gun is a 4040PD that while pretty rare I like to have with me, it has just enough holster wear to have character:

I'd sure hate to lose it though, so my 3914LS or 3914DAO go with my primary carry 360PD most of the time.

digiroc