What do people do with NIB classic revolvers?

Are you talking about "old" (original) classic or "new" classic?
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Assuming you are referring to an “old classic”. If I fell in to one that was new in box, I would have to sell it to a collector. That way I could afford two or three high end shooter grade revolvers that I could really enjoy owning.
 
I used to keep mine pristine and boxed. Then, it dawned on me that I might just be keeping these so that after my death (or divorce), my wife's new husband would enjoy shooting them. No more pristine and boxed for me. They have all been "deflowered".
 
Some good posts here. Personally I go for nice shooters and try to keep them as nice as I can but a little honest wear may happen and that will not ruin my day. Can't seem to shoot any of them enough to hurt them.
 
I am 56 almost 57. I have kept a lot of guns really nice for a long time. I have my grandfather's 30-40 Krag from 1899 that he used on his farm 80 years ago. I have a bunch of Smiths that are (were) "new in box." I also have 50 or 60 various other guns that I have babied. I recently retired and realized that these guns will out live me. I am doing my best to wear them out before I wear out. I intend to take good care of them but I am going to use them as much as possible. I don't want to die with a bunch of nice guns in my safe. Just my perspective.
 
Sawfish said:
I used to keep mine pristine and boxed. Then, it dawned on me that I might just be keeping these so that after my death (or divorce), my wife's new husband would enjoy shooting them. No more pristine and boxed for me. They have all been "deflowered".
Click to expand...

Awesome thread resurrection, bringing it back from 2011! Some people get all touchy/nasty about bringing back an old thread, I like it. If it's a thread that interests you, bring it back, that's why we're all here!

So, anyway, I've got a question; was it worth it? Did you really love shooting those classic LNIB guns...? Just wondering if you "got much" out of shooting those cherries...

I'm currently in the camp of some of my guns are shooters, and some are true collector pieces that have not been shot outside of the factory, and I have no plans to shoot them. I guess I'm fortunate, because if it's a model that I really like, I'll have shooters and LNIB examples of it. If I didn't go so deep into gun accumulation, I'd probably just shoot the ones I had.

I actually get enjoyment out of having some guns in a pristine condition, and I don't have any desire to ruin that condition. I also have some guns that have been fired, but they look almost unfired. I take those out on rare occasion and shoot a few through it... Because I love to shoot, those types of guns tend to be my preference to purchase these days... YMMV
 
Saturday I attended the local gun show I saw 3 model 29s One was 99% blue in a box with all the tools the blue insert was in like new condition the wooden box was in great condition. There was a very light turn line on the cylinder. the guy was asking $850.00 willing to dicker. number 2 was second was also a 6 in. barrel, was 90 % heavy turn line the box was dented and scared the insert was broken no tools the guy was asking $850 firm. the 3rd was a 3 in barrel with combat grips 95 % bluing no box papers or tools and this guy was asking $700.If I had $1550 I would have both the 1st and third and shot the **** out of both of them.
 
I know I just like to fondle them. Sometimes I get mad at one or two and sell them. I sure wish I could turn a profit, but in reality I'm real lucky to break even. And I've lost some money on one or two...or more.

But we need to keep the terminology straight. To the best of my limited knowledge, all S&Ws go through an inspection step where every other cylinder is loaded and fired. It might be called "proof of function". And over the years I've owned and looked at a bunch of guns. Its not at all uncommon to discover the factory didn't bother to clean the gun after firing. If you want an unfired gun, don't buy a S&W. Or a Swiss SIG. There is no magic to "unfired". Just accept the concept that every single gun you buy or handle has been fired.

If you have a new gun that you want to shoot, just for the stupid pleasure of saying dumb things like you've shot all your guns, its OK. If you've got some sense (a stretch), look carefully at the cylinder. You'll probably discover which cylinders were used. So just reload those 3 and have at it. :) Then if you've got good hands and skills, you can clean the gun really well and then it'll look as if you haven't shot it at all, and it skipped the QC step at the factory.

But then you could shoot a gun a few times and then clean it really well. To the uninitiated, it would appear unfired. And some common sense. Don't holster the gun, ever. Not even a single time. And don't eject the fired rounds. Bring along your old cleaning kit. No, not the sealed on in the box. Bring another, used on. Just the jag and individually punch out the fired cases. When you exercise the ejector rod, you scratch it each time. Over a couple of shooting sessions, you wear it enough that any old fool can see the usage. :)

But there is also the idea that you, the shooter, want the gun to look well used. Maybe you just like the idea of doing senseless damage. If you've paid the price for the gun, go ahead and make it a gun of less value. I don't care because mine mostly remain pristine. And every gun you mess up makes mine worth more. :D So the most sensible thing to do is shoot the guns you normally shoot. And not shoot the best examples if you have any sense at all (I know, sense is a rare commodity.)

And the comment about how many guns you have is well placed. The only K22 I shoot these days is K155. Its a good gun, or maybe a really good gun, but it was well fired when I got it. I clean it after every session, but its the only K22 from a selection I will fire. We could go on to discuss 357s, or even 44s. Same deal. Pick one and shoot it. In the past I've bought other used guns and fired them a bit, just because that's why I bought the gun. But those weren't new guns but once. And when they came to me, they needed shootin'.

So do as you please. If you're stupid, you make my guns worth more and yours less valuable. I don't mind, but if you see me smiling, its not because I think you're smart.
 
I would buy as many as I could. Put them in the safe for the next libtard president and then sell them at all time highs
 
I have to wonder...A question to all the "shoot them, that's what they were made for" crowd.

When you do sell what WAS an unfired, NIB example....do you still try to get the UNFIRED price? Or do you suffer the loss in value happily?

FN in MT
 
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