When the excitement turns bittersweet

[DV0]

There’s always some excitement/curiosity when buying/venturing online and then going to see what you’re in for. Usually it is good when the story jives with the condition or better yet: the gun is cleaner than expected or initially represented by photos etc.
In this case this 28-2 was never fired by the owner (2nd or 3rd) as the story goes and upon inspection it is true. Sweet, right?
Now, it’s so true that I cannot believe it
A real time capsule, so here is the bitter part: I can’t bring myself to shoot it. In consolation it’s amazing to look at.






SA



What about these stocks? Numbers don’t match, seem to fit perfectly and no reason to believe they were changed… just good business tactics?

 

[bananaman]

That is a BEAUTY! I think that I would shoot it, but it isn't mine. I have a clean 28 no dash 6" that shipped 1960. Bob

 

[65Whelen]

I had the same dilemma with 17-1 that I came across. It was so cherry I couldn't bring myself to shoot it. I ended up selling it because it was so nice which I regret even more. My advice, shoot it, enjoy it. Or, put it in your safe and buy a shooter. That the option I wish I wouldn't done.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Shoot it!
In 100,000 years, it will turn to rust… Maybe longer maybe 10,000 years? I don’t know.
But it will not remain in that condition forever and if you don’t shoot it then someone else after you will.
But If it has never been shot…. And if no one ever shoots it after you and then it turns to Rust in 100,000 years?? Then it will have never been shot, and it will have existed to have never fulfilled its purpose.. Only to turn to rust for nothing!

Shoot it!!! Hit the Bullseye! Smash a bottle with the beauty!
It has been waiting for you.

 

[handejector]

What about these stocks? Numbers don’t match, seem to fit perfectly and no reason to believe they were changed… just good business tactics?

S&W did reuse grips. We surmise they took the grips off some guns to fill an order for a gun with Target grips. They would fit takeoffs to another gun. However, they always re-numbered them to the new gun in my observation, so your grips are most probably later replacements.
The gun has been shot and cleaned well. Probably with 38 Spec mostly. It evidently has a very smooth cylinder stop that is not leaving an obvious turn line. Shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I don't have you problem.......There'd be burn rings on the cylinder by now.....TIP.......NEVER buy something you're never gonna use......CUZ. That just makes you a warehouse for the next owner.......Braggin rights don't put holes in targets.

 

[2152hq]

If you want top $$ for it, don't use it anymore. It's in beautiful condition.
That's what sells a piece for top money. The top %'s of finish loss subtracted away from factory 100% are where the most money is lost in value generally. That and handling scratches.

I believe it's been shot a few times.
There is just the faintest image of the case head on the breech face at 1 oclock in the open cylinder pic.
The face of the cyl looks like carbon fouling however light around the chamber mouths.
There looks like maybe copper fouling in the groove(s) in the bore at the muzzle, but that may just be lube.

Keep it as an investment piece and don't shoot it.
Or sell it and take the $$ and buy a nice shooter.

Shooting it will only decrease the value from it's (near?) 100% condition.
That's a big $$ losser just to say 'I shot it'
Who will care if you shot it,,Maybe it'll really mean a lot to you to (maybe) be the first.

You wouldn't be the only person in history that ever had gotten a 'new' 28 and then went out and shot it.
Just not too many recently!

 

[Steve_Revo_]

Interesting dilemma. I’ve never understood people who buy something to not use it… be it cars, motorcycles, guns, guitars, watches, etc. I’m not saying they are wrong, just that I don’t understand it.

I’m not a collector.. I take no joy in having my money tied up in something that just sits there and I don’t use. I can take a picture if I just want to look at it.

These are machine made guns, not bespoke, and they are meant to be used. If you can’t bring yourself to shoot it, move it and buy a shooter you can enjoy.

But, hey, you do you. Don’t worry about what a bunch of random chairborne rangers on the internet think

 

[Brian Parrish]

Shoot. That. GUN!

Handejector is saying that it is fired...at least some.
It is not unfired enough to command the value premium you may be thinking of,
unless you also have a box in pristine condition, and
the paperwork is complete with the box, and
that paperwork is also in pristine condition, and
you have some evidence like knowing the original owner and that he never shot it, etc.
there may be some reason in some circles to save it.

I carried a Model 28-2 a lot in the eighties. Daddy gave it to me, my first gun. I moved on to a M29 in 8", and later a 696 in 3", so I gave it to my big brother who kept it with him the rest of his life. I put a box of ammo through that thing every Friday for about four years. I never saw any impact on it other than "holster wear" which only made it look meaner! It was not just holster wear it was also where the hot gasses burned or cooked the bluing off. This is how it is supposed to look!

I cannot bring myself to ask his widow, my sister-in-law, if she still has it. Every time the family used to get together, he would bring that revolver and let me just hold it at the kitchen table.
"I know you miss her," he said. That made me very happy, I cannot tell.
Now, I miss HIM...

You ought to have calluses on your hands from doing things.
Your gun should look like it has been shot.

Congratulations! I love this gun for you!
Why do you have all the luck?
Way ta go, ...you stinking bum!
BrianD

 

[Brian Parrish]

I had the same dilemma with 17-1 that I came across. It was so cherry I couldn't bring myself to shoot it. I ended up selling it because it was so nice which I regret even more. My advice, shoot it, enjoy it. Or, put it in your safe and buy a shooter. That the option I wish I wouldn't done.

Just my opinion, but this is the dynamite quote from the thread.

 

[biku324]

Shoot it! I have bought three unfired commemoratives (2 544s and 1 686-3) to shoot. I got NIB at prices you would pay for new (686) or comparable (544) revolvers. Think of it as new, old stock, and thank your lucky stars for being in the right place at the right time.

By the way, I made money on both 544s after enjoying shooting those for a few years. The 686 goes to a grandson.

 

[AJ]

Shoot it, that is what it was made for!

 

[heeter3]

DVO nice 28 but remember the fun is in shooting it at least for me.

 

[AC Man]

I have a new in the box, papers, tools 28-2 4". I have the history so I know it is unfired outside the factory. The kicker is the model 28 was the work horse version unlike the prettier model 27. Which makes it even more rare that it was not shot. I can't bring myself to shoot it but I have plenty others I can shoot even if they look new I know they are not.

On the other hand, I am pushing 70 and not in the greatest health, so why not shoot what ever is in my collection. The only one that may take a bit of a hit will be my son if he sells them.

 

[shawn mccarver]

It looks fired to me, more than factory test firing. That is not a big deal, however, as the N Frame .357 Magnum revolvers will do well for a long, long time.

 

[dsk]

I bought a mint, unfired, boxed 34-1 .22LR Kit Gun about a year ago.

It's got something like 3,000 rounds through it now.

 

[Nick B]

It’s not like you can sell it in 10 years and retire and pay off your mortgage, kids college tuition, new Corvette, etc.
Shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[pmanton]

Wish you lived closer. I'd be happy to shoot it for you. I could leave it dirty with some sweaty finger prints that would rust.

That way you wouldn't have to worry about shooting a new gun.