To Shoot or Not to Shoot?

[JeffD607]

I recently bought a Model 29-2 Blued 6" that was advertised as "Excellent" condition. Upon receiving the gun, I found that it was actually in "Mint Condition and Unfired." I've seen all the comments about "Safe Queens" and my question is, for collecting purposes, is an "Unfired" gun worth more?

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Great question and it depends on your buyer.

If I'm just adding guns to the Gun Collection, yes it would make a difference.

If the buyer wants a trail/working gun then it doesn't matter.

 

[daddio202]

No way to confirm it's unfired. I take all of my guns, no matter how pristine at least once to the range. This is my way to confirm the gun functions properly and to get a "feel" for the gun. I have a few that are nearly 100 years old that were filthy and grimey and had not been shot for a long time that cleaned up as good as new. It's amazing when the very first shot is perfect in the bullseye from 20 yards! Then they get cleaned up and put away. The guns were made to shoot, I am not afraid to shoot them on occasion. The higher dollar guns just get out less often. My humble opinion.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I had people ask me how to fix grandpa's revolver that they inherited. "The trigger pull is 30+ pounds and not smooth" they say. I look at it and it has not been cleaned and properly lubricated in 30 years. When I cleaned it up it, it was a smooth and sweet trigger pull.

 

[22hipower]

Do you have all of the original package; shipping carton, presentation box, tools, paperwork and no turn line on the cylinder? And does it all look like it just left the factory? If so, then I'd keep the gun with it and in the same condition.

If it is just the gun I'd shoot it if I wanted to. It was shot at the factory and should show that it was, on three cylinder holes perhaps. If it shows absolutely no signs of ever being fired there's no way to know how many rounds have actually gone down the tube.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Valmet]

I'm not one of those, "I won't own it if i can't shoot it" guys as I'm fortunate enough to have my share of safe queens, but in this case, shoot it. It sounds like a nice gun but it isn't an unfired Pre-29 or 29-1.

 

[rct269]

You bet an "unfired" gun is worth more!!

We, of the lunatic fringe collector community lust after such---knowing full well the value of a collectible depends on only three things!

Those three are CONDITION, CONDITION-------AND CONDITION!!!

Given the opportunity to buy such a gun, beware of asking really dumb questions like "What's the least you'll take for it?" A likely reply may very well be the original asking price------plus a surcharge for wasting their time! (I did that---once!)

If you want to see ACTION up close and personal, go to an auction and watch what happens when a mint gun goes on the block! You''ll soon realize this game is NOT for the faint of heart! THERE are those who will raise their hand---and NEVER take it down until the last dog is dead! Your best bet is to sit in the back, so you can see who your competitors are. Then you'll know if you have a chance in hell of getting any particular item.

The best slogans to remember are, "This is serious business---bring money!"------and "Some's good, more's better, and too much is just right!"

Oh, I just thought of another one: "If you have to ask, you can't afford it!"

Ralph Tremaine

 

[TJm15.38]

I could not resist the urge to shoot it. I have no "safe queens."

 

[wcat94]

Myself, I would be tempted to leave it in un-fired from factory condition and find another in excellent condition for a shooter.

 

[DETROIT]

If it has the original box and it came from the original owner is about the only way to hint that the gun is un fired. I have a 14-1 that looks un fired but no way to prove that.

 

[Autonomous]

No wrong answer, it's yours!

If it were mine and I were looking for a shooter, had space and the budget, I would lubricate it, place fresh Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) in the safe, and then look for a shooter.

 

[JeffD607]

I've added some pictures. It came with the dent and scratch free presentation box, unused tools and paperwork. The only downfall was the disintegrated flocking, so I bought new inserts (kept the old, of course). Turn line is very faint and no sign of powder on the forcing cone or the firing pin area. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been fired since it left the factory.

 

[ken158]

Do you have all of the original package; shipping carton, presentation box, tools, paperwork and no turn line on the cylinder? And does it all look like it just left the factory? If so, then I'd keep the gun with it and in the same condition.

If it is just the gun I'd shoot it if I wanted to. It was shot at the factory and should show that it was, on three cylinder holes perhaps. If it shows absolutely no signs of ever being fired there's no way to know how many rounds have actually gone down the tube.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Actually… if a fitter has a good reputation, the shooter will not fire all the guns on his rack. Once a fitter makes 10 guns, it goes on a cart to the shooter. If a gun is fired, first it is every other cylinder and if an issue arises, it is sent back to the fitter for repairs and then fired a full cylinder. No - they did not clean them. Fitters and shooters were paid for piece work but fixing a return was on you because you wont get paid for it again. Now, I was there in the 80's and saw it myself and talked to the fitters and shooters. No idea how they do it now.

 

[ENNE-FRAME]

I recently bought a Model 29-2 Blued 6" that was advertised as "Excellent" condition. Upon receiving the gun, I found that it was actually in "Mint Condition and Unfired." I've seen all the comments about "Safe Queens" and my question is, for collecting purposes, is an "Unfired" gun worth more?

Hi Jeff
a relevant question:
you say 6"...
now if your 29 is with a 6" barrel is really very very rare, and IMHO you must preserve it, instead if the barrel is 6.5" lenght uyou can chose its destiny in a light heart way.
Anyway nowadays a mint 29-2 50 years old it should be treated with the proper respect that is reserved for a classy lady...
i have seen now the photos posted of your Revolver, it's a more common 6.5"... BUT IT'S AN AWESOME EXAMPLE OF A WONDERFUL 29-2... DON'T FIRE IT, BUY A USED 629 AND PRACTICE WITH IT

 

[AlHunt]

Were it me, I'd sell it asap. With the turn line and the wear on the recoil shield, it'll never read as "unfired", but it is soooo close. I'd have no interest in curating a "white glove" gun but wouldn't want to add to the minimal usage it's seen.

Just the view from high atop my flowing, gray beard. Good luck with it!

 

[SweetMK]

I bought a 617-1 with the plan that it would be my "blaze-away" gun,,

It is so pretty, with the target trigger, and target hammer,, it just sets there,,



I did buy a 617-4 later,, it is my "BLAZE-AWAY" gun,,

 

[JeffD607]

Yes, I got ahead of myself. It is a 6.5 inch barrel.

 

[GypsmJim]

If your purpose is to make money, sell it right away. Of course an un-fired relic is worth more, but with the way revolvers are going today, you can not be sure how it will be in a few years.

Then, take the money and buy some Amazon stock, or whatever the Oracle is promoting today.

Then will your heirs the stock. Whatever you do, don't leave the gun to your heirs. They will undoubtedly shoot the **** out of it and never realize the true value.

OTOH, if your intention is to have fun, YOU should shoot the **** out of it, because the pittance you will reduce the value will come back to you tenfold because of the enjoyment you will have.

 

[Model29-26.5]

All guns have been fired. They were tested at the factory.
My question to any expert would be how do they know it hadn't been fired once more in each cylinder if it has been very well cleaned?
Not wanting to go there really, but It's not like these things have some kind of tell tale membrane that is placed in the barrel after it has been tested to show if it has been fired or not.
I see "appears to have been unfired" a lot in auctions.
I think that's the best and most honest thing anyone can say unless they were the sole owner and you trust that you're getting it from the horses mouth (who is also trying to get top dollar).
I have shot all mine but one.
One 28-2 I have seemed to be unfired when I got it.
I soon took care of that.
Shot it once or twice. Clean it well and you won't see any difference.
This said, I'm a newbie so I don't know exactly what kind of signs an experienced expert might see when looking at a gun that has been fired after it left the factory, but I'd like to know.
If it looks as good after a good cleaning after you out 12 rounds through it, the only thing that might possibly affect its value is how honest you are about whether it's been unfired or not, but they have indeed absolutely all been fired.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Gorgeous gun, BTW.