Shoot it or Sell it? 4" Model 28

[Johnny Nitro]

You only live once and life is short. If you bought the gun as an investment, then your decision is made. As for me, I like to shoot and I like to hunt. I can't do those things or build those memories with something stuck in a safe. Shooting and developing honest wear on a gun is a hell of a lot different than neglecting or abusing one.

 

[Sprefix]

My opinion always seems to differ from the crowd. So's not to break my streak, I think you should sell it to me on the cheap, and find a beater to carry and shoot. I'll take EXCELLENT care of it if you do!!

 

[CajunBass]

I'm going to add something to what I said earlier, and it's probably related to what I said.

When I first started "collecting" these things I debated this question. (I had a really nice 10-5, with a 5" barrel.) My wife asked me "Are you going to sell it?" I replied that I didn't have any plans to. She then asked "So...do you think the boys will shoot it when you're dead?" I replied they probably will. Or just sell it to someone else who will. She asked, "Why should someone else have the fun and not you?"

I've got some I don't shoot. A lot of guns, but little time I suppose. But I don't have any I won't shoot.

 

[Walthernut]

I have a like new Model 28-2 4" with original box and papers enroute to my dealer. I don't know the year of manufacture or any other details. it was bought sight unseen.

Here's the description:



I've wanted one of these for an occasional carry / shooter, but my concern is this might be too nice of a gun for that.

I'm not a collector and would like to be able to shoot and enjoy this gun.

Should I sell it to someone that might be looking for a safe queen, or just use it as I like?

Thanks.

I think it is a bit early to make this decision.

 

[Walthernut]

Thanks for all the info.

I'll wait and see how it looks before I decide what to do.

Now your talking!

 

[robctwo]

I bought a 4" 19-3 represented as NIB. It sure looked that way to me. I swapped out the springs for a set of Wolffs, put on the Ahrends rerto combats and have been shooting the heck out of it. Sweet gun. One of my favorites at the range. I regularly put 200 rounds of light .38 Special through it. It probably has five or six thousand rounds through it now.

I recently found a pristine nickel 15-4 on GB. The seller represented that he had bought the gun years ago to shoot with his girls and then found it too nice to shoot.

I put a nice set of Ahrends dymonwood grips on it and have shot the heck out of it as well.

Both sellers would have been money ahead to put the same $ in a reputable mutual fund when they bought the guns. Neither one had the enjoyment out of the gun. I love shooting them and will let the kids figure out the value of the guns when I die, if I haven't sent them on to good home long before I'm gone.

 

[Joe in SC]

Dump1567, Why the question? The description said "like new" and "would be very hard to improve on" so you knew the condition going in. You wanted a shooter and I'd just about bet you didn't get this gun at the lower shooter price as most of these guns sold by folks knowledgeable enough to use the language used in the description, price them in the neighborhood of 500 to 650 bucks.

So, you're probably not going to make enough to compensate you for the trouble, if you flip the gun. I say shoot and enjoy it. Pride of ownership should add to your shooting pleasure. Just take good care of it and treat it well. You can keep it looking new except for the turn ring and some powder burning on the front of the cylinder, barrel stub, top strap area. This can be minimized by proper cleaning.

In the immortal words of another of our esteemed members and a salt of the earth type guy from LA, "choot elizebeth choot !

PS, when have you even seen a shooter grade gun for sale. I haven't seen one in a coon's age. Even the 95% guns out there for sale are offered at very high prices for a 28.

 

[Dump1567]

Well, my biggest concern was using it as an occasional carry gun and getting holster wear. Your right. It wasn't cheap. It will be about $650 OTD. But I would gladly pay that for a non-lock like new gun. In fact, I pay more than that for new IL guns.

I got all excited and expected to lay eyes on it today, as it was scheduled for delivery to my shop. But I guess the Mail carrier came early, before the shop was even open. Now I'll have to wait until Monday.

The trip wasn't a total loss. I picked-up a like new 2 1/2" model 19-4 made in 1981, complete with box, papers, and cleaning kit. That set me back to just under $550 OTD. It had a turn line, but I don't think it's seen more than 50 rounds. Bluing looked perfect and probably never saw the inside of a holster.

 

[wnc wheelgun]

Shooter grade 28

I was in the same boat as you until I found a shooter grade four inch 28-2 4 months ago for $375. Slight turn ring and some freckling but mechanics were very good. Local pawn shop had a six inch 28-2 LNIB with box and matching grips, $750. I was extremely glad that I had my shooter since the six inch looked too nice to shot, and 28’s were made to SHOOT!

 

[WB5MHA]

The battle between "shoot it" and "safe queen" continues. I have collected since 1965, own many safe queens and many shooters. I shoot every week going through ammo like a small army.

To me it comes down to this: why shoot an unfired, pristine presentation WWII PPK when I have modern shooters, Berettas, Sigs and Walthers to shoot? I earned the money to buy my safe queens. If I just want to look at them it's up to me. The safe queens only go up in value.

There will never be any more "new" model 28s NIB available. You always have the option to shoot it in the future. You can never unshoot it.

 

[arjay]

It's a tough call on nib guns.I only have one true safe queen and I didn't plan on ever buying one.When it showed up I was just amazed at the condition.It doesn't even have a turn line.So I take it out every now and then and think about shooting it,but I don't.

 

[The Doctor]

Highway Patrolman

Carry and shoot that gun!!