Shoot or store?

[CatboatWilly]

I was recently faced with a similar quandary. I have three NIB Smith revolvers that I bought new as a present to myself in 1969 after returning from Vietnam. A model 19, 17 and 36.

By the time life settled down, I had a house full of kids and a wife who didn't think my guns were such a good idea with the kids in an apartment. Plus an job and a mortgage. Last month, after 44 years, I finally took em out of the box and took them to the range. They are beautiful to look at and beautiful to shoot.

I figured I bought them to shoot them and that just what I did. I had offers to buy but I also had a damn nice collection of Smith Revolvers and who deserved them more than myself ?

It's like owning a Ferrari and not driving it. I was determined not to sell them off to some guy who is gonna put them in a safe and deny me the joys of keeping them. Logic said; What was the sense of owning a beautiful machine and not using it ?

Kind of reminds me of an old boating saying about; 'Boats are safe when they are on a mooring in their harbors.....but that's not what boats are for......' Have fun at the range......

 

[watsonrg]

Gents,

Thanks for the expert opinions. Off to the range.

 

[BJoe]

Personally, shoot the thing. I understand a collectors point of view but, if it was meant to sit. The metal should have been used to make paper weights.

EXACTLY. If you want something 'perdy get a painting. If you want something to go BANG get a gun.

 

[AZretired]

Welcome to the forum. I my mind unless a gun is too old to shoot or was designed as a collectable, it should be shot. So, load up shoot & enjoy!

 

[Dave from Pa]

Shoot it its not really a rare gun.The enjoyment will off set any loss in value.

 

[BSA1]

The #1 rule I have learned of this forum is "All Smith & Wesson firearms are collectable regardless of quantity made and it's condition."

And to think of the thousands of collectable S&W's that are being carried everyday by folks who think the primary purpose of their handgun is to protect themselves.

Only you can decide which is more important.

 

[Wheel Fan]

My Dad bought a model 66-3 brand new and waited 27 years to shoot it. He even carried it. He said he regrets not shooting it earlier vs being a potential collectible. If you haven't fired yours yet, you should.

 

[steelslaver]

bang bang bang bang bang bang reload

 

[bmcgilvray]

i still haven't reached the point where I want to own what I won't shoot.