Shooting commemoratives

[BARgunner]

I own three commemorative revolvers, all of which I shoot. I bought the S&W 544 only because it's a 44-40 and it is an absolute joy to shoot. I just got back from the range with it and put 100 rounds through it. I'll clean it later this evening when the garage cools down. It's 105 outside now and should cool off to the mid 70's by 10PM.
The other two are Colts which I got a great deal on; a Lawman Series Wild Bill Hickok and a 125th Anniversary model both in .45Colt. I didn't like the unfluted cylinder on the WBH or the nickeled parts so I had that fixed and I didn't like the gold plated parts on the 125th so I had them blued. Replaced the grips on both of them also. Both the Colts are great shooters.
Commemoratives aren't what I look for but they do make great shooters and usually are priced right for shooting.

 

[Glynn863]

A friend gifted me a Colt WW1 Commemorative Second Battle of the Marne M1911 that was made in 1967-1968. It was still in its shipping box and has the wooden case. Although it is a WW1-style frame, the sights, slide stop, and grip safety were all 1960s-vintage configuration. I replaced the slide stop with one from a later Colt WW1 reproduction, and bought a real short-tang grip safety off eBay and installed. I also replaced the blond wood grips with reproduction double diamond grips. I haven't shot it yet, but might do it sometime soon.

 

[jamppp]

What impressed me was the OP was able to shoot it well enough at 100 yards with iron sights to tell that the sights were 'spot on'!
I'm lucky to see a target well enough at 100 yards!!

I'm wondering if many folks who own commemorative firearms ever shoot them. I only have one commemorative, a Winchester "Legendary Lawmen" Model 94 saddle ring carbine in .30-30 with 16 inch barrel. These were only made in 1977 and, as an LEO, when I first saw one in the 1990's I decided I really wanted one. I finally found one for sale that had never been fired. I didn't buy it for an investment, so after I hung on to it a few years I decided, heck, I want to shoot it.

Some years back I decided to sight it in and after just a few rounds I found the sights to be spot on a 100 yards. I have shot it a several more times and I've even taken it deer hunting a few times but haven't taken anything with it yet. It's a good looking rifle and I display it in my office from time to time, but I certainly don't mind shooting it.

 

[pharmer]

I don't know if this 29-5 commemorates anything but on the rare occasion I happen into .44 mag ammo I shoot it until I run out. Everyone who has shot it, including folks unfamiliar with guns, loves it. Joe

 

[Inusuit]

I had the opportunity to catalog a collection of 25 Winchester Commemorates that were donated to a neighboring museum in our system. Some were very nice and some not although I don't remember the specifics. I agree with a couple of points made by other posters.

Resale value is highest if new in box, with box, paperwork, and accessories. The receiving museum cut up the boxes to decorate the exhibit. Since the guns will be on permanent display, not a big deal.

Often a commemorative can be purchased cheaper than the equivalent standard model, especially if it has been fired and the box/accessories are missing.

For the record, I think the Legendary Lawman is a beautiful rifle.

 

[Muley Gil]

I shoot my M544 Texas Wagon Train every now & then.

Of course, mine looks like it was drug down a tar and gravel road for a half mile or so.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

My Father in law had a pretty nice colllection of commemorative Winchesters. I remember a couple John Waynes, a Chief Crazy Horse, and a Boy Scout commemorative. When I married my wife....well...there are certain terms that have been pointed out as verbotten here, but I think I can safely say I found a priceless diamond in a coal mine.

So...he retired about the late 90's. His entire family of non shooters or gun people except my wife and I started arguing and bickering about who would get his priceless Winchesters when he dies. One of her sisters walked around with a sharpie writing her name on everything.

So...one day, he had enough. He went to his safe, threw them all in the open bed of hisbpick up without cases, and he had a fantastic time shooting the heck out of them. He came back that evening and said "Argue over them.now, they ain't worth nuthin'!"
And...they quit arguing about the darn things ever since. He was wrong on one part though. My Son got the Boy Scout Commemorative for his sixth Christmas along with Grandpa's first gun...a pre-64 94 in 30-30. I got the Chief Crazy Horse 38-55 and a take down Savage 99. They are priceless to myimmediate family and myself because of the story behind them.

The 38-55 has only been out shooting once since I had it. A friend had moved here from New Mexico and took video of himself shooting it and having a blast to send back to his anti-gun family.

Guns are cool, collectable, neat mechanical things. To me the stories that often accompany them are the best part though.

 

[Golddollar]

I just can't bring myself to shoot my commemorative S&W Punxsutawney Phil Model 629 and commemorative Model 94 Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Winchester.

 

[DWalt]

Some years ago, I bought a M94 commemorative. I don't even remember what it commemorated except it had what I remember as a silver-plated receiver. I bought it NIB at a local hardware store cheap because no one wanted to buy it. I later sold it for around what I paid.

I remember back in the 70s, Colt brought out a series of four M1911 WWI commemoratives. I remember the distributors were selling them at prices somewhat lower than standard M1911s because no one wanted them, except as shooters. I wish I had bought a few of them back then to put away.