I have a mod 28-2 and mod 60 no dash that were left to me by my grandfather. I believe the 28-2 is unfired and the 60 has been fired very little. Both have box, paperwork and tools, and the mod 60 has the receipt from 1976. Is there any reason to keep them as is or should I take them out and shoot the hell out of them. I have no plans to sell them as I want to pass them on to my son some day.
To shoot or not.
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If I had a revolver that my Grandpa gave me.........I'd shoot it!
I haven't used it for some time, but I have my Grandma's fishing tackle box and two Zebco reels in the garage - they bring back wonderful memories.
Shoot 'em.
Most guys will tell you to shoot them. I say, for the M 60, it's already been fired, so go-ahead and shoot it! If you treat it with care, it will stay real nice.
Now, for the 28-2, if it's unfired, I would not fire it. That's the way it came from Grand Pa, that's the way I would keep it... If I wanted a shooter 28-2, I'd go out and buy another one. Shooter 28s are not too expensive, LNIB 28-2s are harder to come by, and are worth a lot more than shooters...
That's just the way I'd do it, you asked! Congratulations on your new guns, and I'm glad to hear that you, and your children will have such nice reminders of your Grandfather.
Now, for the 28-2, if it's unfired, I would not fire it. That's the way it came from Grand Pa, that's the way I would keep it... If I wanted a shooter 28-2, I'd go out and buy another one. Shooter 28s are not too expensive, LNIB 28-2s are harder to come by, and are worth a lot more than shooters...
That's just the way I'd do it, you asked! Congratulations on your new guns, and I'm glad to hear that you, and your children will have such nice reminders of your Grandfather.
marlin58
Member
I have never understood guys who buy things like cars, guns, furniture etc. and never touch them....what joy is in ownership? if you can't use it?....I suppose though if we never had these obsessive compulsives we would not be able to see perfectly preserved past relics. I would shoot the guns though and take really good care of them, so your son can shoot them too when he gets them passed on.Cheers!
stantheman86
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Shoot .38's through the 28-2 and be happy
No amount of .38's will do any harm to that 28.
I personally wouldn't shoot the heck out of them, but I would run a few boxes through them once in a while. Maybe Grandpa just never got around to shooting it, and would want you to enjoy it!
If/when I ever have a son, I hope he's a gun nut like me and will shoot every gun I leave him. I know for a fact there won't be an unfired one in the bunch,so he won't face the same dilemma because I don't own unfired guns!
No amount of .38's will do any harm to that 28.
I personally wouldn't shoot the heck out of them, but I would run a few boxes through them once in a while. Maybe Grandpa just never got around to shooting it, and would want you to enjoy it!
If/when I ever have a son, I hope he's a gun nut like me and will shoot every gun I leave him. I know for a fact there won't be an unfired one in the bunch,so he won't face the same dilemma because I don't own unfired guns!
Schmidty
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Compromise. Similar to what Stantheman says.....I wouldn't shoot the heck out of them, but they would be shot. Take care of them, they will last a lifetime.....and your son's!
DC7
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Shoot 'em!
Shoot 'em! I can tell you from personal experience that it's great to be able to shoot something special like your grandfather's guns.
Forty-five years ago my dad brought home an 1873 Winchester that he bought from a friend. The gun was already 65 years old, used but still in very nice shape, so he never shot it. Thirty years later he gave it to me, and I kept it unfired for another 15 years. Just last month I finally took the now 110-year-old rifle, plus my 80-year-old father, a brother, sister, and a couple nephews to the range, and we all finally got a chance to shoot that old classic. It was a blast--not only to shoot a gun that we'd had in our family for so long, but also to share the experience with three generations. That's a memory worth far more than any monetary value that might be lost by shooting a "collector's item".
So I say shoot them, and take the family along to shoot them with you! You won't regret it.
Shoot 'em! I can tell you from personal experience that it's great to be able to shoot something special like your grandfather's guns.
Forty-five years ago my dad brought home an 1873 Winchester that he bought from a friend. The gun was already 65 years old, used but still in very nice shape, so he never shot it. Thirty years later he gave it to me, and I kept it unfired for another 15 years. Just last month I finally took the now 110-year-old rifle, plus my 80-year-old father, a brother, sister, and a couple nephews to the range, and we all finally got a chance to shoot that old classic. It was a blast--not only to shoot a gun that we'd had in our family for so long, but also to share the experience with three generations. That's a memory worth far more than any monetary value that might be lost by shooting a "collector's item".
So I say shoot them, and take the family along to shoot them with you! You won't regret it.
Beaver
Member
WWED (What would Elmer do?) Shoot them. Enjoy them. Take good care of them.
NFrameFred
Member
To my way of thinking, the only reason NOT to shoot the 28 would be so it could be sold for a premium. You've already stated you want to pass it down and keep it in the family. So why not shoot it and enjoy it and let your son enjoy it. The memories of time spent at the range with his dad shooting that 28 will mean more to him after you're gone (especially since he'll know the history and that was his great grandfather's gun) than having something pristine and valuable that he can't use and likely won't sell if you've imparted that attitude to him.
To be practical, if you're protecting the value but you don't plan to cash it in, and you have a gun you want to keep looking nice but won't use, why not just take a high quality picture of it, enlarge it and put it where you can admire it. Not much difference when you get down to it. Both are nice to look at, one has real value that is not being realized or used, the other has little value but is serving it's intended purpose, bringing pleasure and being used.
I'd take care of them but I'd shoot the guns.
To be practical, if you're protecting the value but you don't plan to cash it in, and you have a gun you want to keep looking nice but won't use, why not just take a high quality picture of it, enlarge it and put it where you can admire it. Not much difference when you get down to it. Both are nice to look at, one has real value that is not being realized or used, the other has little value but is serving it's intended purpose, bringing pleasure and being used.
I'd take care of them but I'd shoot the guns.
Shoot it. Even if kept in pristine, unblemished condition, you're not going to put your kids through college, or pay off the farm with the proceeds. Worst case is what? It cost you a few hundred bucks?
Shoot it.
Shoot it.
Rapidray
Member
Guns are not stamps!
If you want some thing to look at, start collecting stamps. They are guns, so shoot them! All my guns are shooters. Even brand new ones! So enjoy shooting it!
If you want some thing to look at, start collecting stamps. They are guns, so shoot them! All my guns are shooters. Even brand new ones! So enjoy shooting it!
That's always the question isn't it. As a collector and shooter I own both types of guns and contary to what some have said they are only original and pristine once in their existence so when you shoot them they are never in that condition again. There are lots of model 28's out there for reasonable prices but there are very few that are mint and unfired.
That said you have stated that they will never be sold so I would in this case shoot them both and then pass them on in the family. You will get great satisfaction from shooting them and thinking of Grandpa when you do.
The right answer to the question is what's in your heart as there is no sin or crime being done either way.
That said you have stated that they will never be sold so I would in this case shoot them both and then pass them on in the family. You will get great satisfaction from shooting them and thinking of Grandpa when you do.
The right answer to the question is what's in your heart as there is no sin or crime being done either way.
Rapidray
Member
Fyimo
You said:
The right answer to the question is what's in your heart as there is no sin or crime being done either way.
That is a great line.
You said:
The right answer to the question is what's in your heart as there is no sin or crime being done either way.
That is a great line.
neiljrosen
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They'll mean more to your Son if you shoot them together. The memories will be more valuable than the guns.
papajohn428
Member
Just imagine being a Model 28 that had never been shot. You'd sit and wonder "what am I doing wrong? I was made to be shot, I'm beautifully sculpted steel and walnut, I'm the pinnacle of craftsmanship, and yet I'm unfired and unfulfilled. I feel so alone and unloved!"
And then a nice man came and loaded you and fired you and cleaned and fondled and admired you and life was good.
Shoot that poor thing!
And then a nice man came and loaded you and fired you and cleaned and fondled and admired you and life was good.
Shoot that poor thing!
Of the many things I have inherited from my father, uncles, and grandfather, those things I have ended up valuing the MOST are those which those respective relatives actually used and care for themselves.
Imagine two pistols owned by a grandfather; one, a hanger queen that he "liked" but never shot and rarely even looked at other than to put some oil on it, and the other, his "favorite" pistol that he shot and handled and sweated on and touched and put his fingerprints all over it, but kept always cleaned and oiled although it shows the usual wear that HE put on it.
It's that second pistol that would mean a lot more to me. That's the one that I'd fight my brothers for and make sure it ended up in my hands.
Alpo
Member
In '99 I bought a Ruger 50th Anniversary. Bought it for an investment. It was going to make my retirement comfortable.
In '09 it had increased in value maybe 10 bucks. Didn't look like I was gonna get rich off it, so I gave it to my daughter.
This is my 4-year-old granddaughter shooting it (click on it, it's a movie).
That grin is worth more than that gun will ever be. Shoot it.
In '09 it had increased in value maybe 10 bucks. Didn't look like I was gonna get rich off it, so I gave it to my daughter.This is my 4-year-old granddaughter shooting it (click on it, it's a movie).
That grin is worth more than that gun will ever be. Shoot it.
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bk43
Member
They are your guns and you should do whatever pleases you. You should ignore the "no safe queens here I shoots all mine" crowd and also their counterparts on the other side. I own both safe queens and shooters and have never felt the need to apologize for either. They're my guns to do with as I see fit. I would advise you to do the same.
Bob
Bob
I would shoot the guns though and take really good care of them, so your son can shoot them too when he gets them passed on.Cheers!
What he said...
stantheman86
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I hope someday I have grandkids that will respect me enough to ask the same questions......."should I shoot Grandpa's old guns?" Except they will all have already been fired.
My Dad has a 6" 586 he bought new in 1989 and it was the first "real" gun I ever fired when I was younger, we used to go to the indoor and outdoor range together and shoot it. He hasn't fired it in years, it lives under his bed as a HD gun, but some day we will shoot it again. Someday if I have a son I will shoot it with him, and I like to think many many years from now it will still be in the family as "great grandpa's old S&W". It's one of the few guns I would run through flames to save......
I see too many people run out to gun shops and hock their grandfathers handguns and rifles after the man is barely in the ground....one of the reasons I try every day to enjoy my guns as shooters is because when my time comes, none of them will have done anyone any good sitting new unfired in a gun safe....I respect the fact that you will be keeping these guns in the family.
My Dad has a 6" 586 he bought new in 1989 and it was the first "real" gun I ever fired when I was younger, we used to go to the indoor and outdoor range together and shoot it. He hasn't fired it in years, it lives under his bed as a HD gun, but some day we will shoot it again. Someday if I have a son I will shoot it with him, and I like to think many many years from now it will still be in the family as "great grandpa's old S&W". It's one of the few guns I would run through flames to save......
I see too many people run out to gun shops and hock their grandfathers handguns and rifles after the man is barely in the ground....one of the reasons I try every day to enjoy my guns as shooters is because when my time comes, none of them will have done anyone any good sitting new unfired in a gun safe....I respect the fact that you will be keeping these guns in the family.
Wow! I just got home from work and didn't expect to have three pages of replies! Just to add a little the 28 belonged to my dad's dad and the 60 belonged to my mom's dad. I will be able to share the memories of both of my grandfathers with my son. Thank you all for the great comments and advice.
In '99 I bought a Ruger 50th Anniversary. Bought it for an investment. It was going to make my retirement comfortable.
This is my 4-year-old granddaughter shooting it (click on it, it's a movie).
That grin is worth more than that gun will ever be. Shoot it.
Priceless!
stantheman86
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Unless you have something VERY rare or desirable and it's in mint or NIB condition, none of us is gonna get rich from gun sales........unless you sell a LOT of guns, like maybe you socked away 30 mint Lugers in the 60's when they were cheap and are selling them now.
I read about too many people who are banking on a NIB Registered Magnum to put a kid through college in 15 years and I think they are going to be slightly dissapointed.
I read about too many people who are banking on a NIB Registered Magnum to put a kid through college in 15 years and I think they are going to be slightly dissapointed.
Well said, couldn't agree more.
I have never understood guys who buy things like cars, guns, furniture etc. and never touch them....what joy is in ownership? if you can't use it?....I suppose though if we never had these obsessive compulsives we would not be able to see perfectly preserved past relics. I would shoot the guns though and take really good care of them, so your son can shoot them too when he gets them passed on.Cheers!
Yeah, I finally went ahead and cut some limes up for gin & tonics with my Randall Made #1. Have not cut any meat with it yet but I'm working up to it. Maybe an eggplant next.........
I agree with you. All my guns are shooters. I picked up an "S" prefix model 27-2 5" that was unfired without box about 10 years ago. Paid $325 and I've shot it a fair amount. It still looks lightly used. Can hit the 6" gong at 100 yds more oft than not with it. I say shoot em!!!
You'll never pay off the house with a gun investment and they made plenty of them - shoot them and enjoy.
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