Shooting collectible guns?

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:03 am

I'm still reluctant to take my old Winchesters and first generation Colt SAAs out to the ranch to hunt with or just shoot. I feel if I break something that it will lower the value because of the replaced part. I do it but have plenty of other guns to use. I enjoy shooting the old ones but want to hear again what most of y'all do.

P.S. I'm even talking about original pre 64 Winchesters. Models 12, 71, 42, 70, 61, 62A, 63 etc.

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:37 am

Just my not-so-humble-but-well-consideed opinion:

They're YOUR guns, and they were designed and built TO BE SHOT... Retiring them from active duty in their prime would be an insult to them and their creators...

Look at what happens to old folks when they're taken out of service and warehoused in some 'home' until they slowly fade away.
REINSTATE those old mechanical friends, and enjoy each other!

Gun Smith · Post by **Gun Smith** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:42 am

I shoot all my antique Winchesters execpt my '76. I use light loads and very few jacketed bullets. I don't use any black powder, as I don't like the clean up process. I do clean any gun I shoot after each use. Of course, most of my collection are not "safe Queens", since I bought them to be shooters and enjoy them for what they were meant to do. I don't think guns I own have been hurt valuewise because of their use. I know many of us have beautiful mint rifles worth a lot, and maybe shouldn't be shot, but I'm not that guy.
If you've got rare and valuable collectable guns, that's a different story. But with proper care almost any nice firearm can be shoot once in a while and not be devalued.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:46 am

Hmmm - my .22lr 1897 is over a hundred years old and shoots wonderfully and gives me many fall days filled with pleasure hunting tree rats and bunnies

My Win SRC 30-30 was made in 1926 and shoots wonderfully

my 1886 original in 45-70 was made in 1887 and is my pride and joy during the rifle season for deer and is my go to gun for bigger critters now.

my side by side is over a hundred years old and points and shoots like an extenison of myself. Dove, pheasant, turkey, squirrels, and all other manner of upland game fell to it last year.

I would say shoot em! I carried a first gen colt SAA for protection for about 6 months last year. I now carry a third gen colt in the woods

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:48 am

If it's too valuable to be handled/shot then it's too valuable to be anywhere but a Museum.

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:48 am

if you passed away tonight who would be shooting those guns tomorrow.no safe queens in my house I shoot them all.colts,lugers & winchesters.no problem.
I had a friend that passed with a bunch of unturned colt SAA's.his kids pawned them for drug money.shoot your guns.
pete

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:49 am

I greatly respect the age of my Winchester and Colt arms, but can't stand to let them sit idle in a safe or closet. I have taken scarce and considerably valuable guns out of state to hunt and have subjected them to all sorts of weather conditions, from hot and dry to freezing snow. That's what Winchester had in mind when these guns were built, so what right do I have to deny them their continued use. None of my guns can be called "high end", except a 71 and a few 1886s, but that doesn't stop me from shooting and hunting them. I must be lucky because none have ever broken in the field, or anywhere for that matter. These guns are tough and, IMO, not made to be handled with white gloves on Sunday. Let 'em perform the way they were intended.

OJ · Post by OJ » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:53 am

I sold a gun in 1940 - have regretted it every since - would never do that again !

I have no interest in what my guns in my estate sell for after I fail the "wake-up test"

At 52 years old - still looks great -

Original Colt's Series 70 made in 1970 -

YMMV

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:12 pm

I shoot all my guns. I may not shoot them a lot, but I do use them. Since they were made to be shot I just don't worry about anything breaking.

This is the oldest gun I have right now. A birthday present from my mom. It was made in 1933. I still shoot it occasionally.

IMG_0071.JPG

Joe

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:13 pm

shoot'em

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:18 pm

Occasionally, in order to make old guns more "useable", I will modify them from their original configuration. This does not pertain to levers, but to shotguns only. A good example are my 1910s vintage A.H.Fox doubles. Most of these guns had short chambers, so I had mine lengthened and the forcing cone expanded to take 2 3/4" and 3" shells. There is no hazard to the guns in doing this, as the pressure of newer factory ammunition is entirely safe in the pre-modern, Krupp steel barrels. Another gun that falls into this category is my recently purchased 1947 vintage Winchester Model 12 3" Heavy Duck shotgun. The 30" full choke barrel isn't any good in the duck blind, so the gun will be reduced to 28" and choke tubes installed. It will then be "user friendly", and be able to have steel shot run through it all day.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:25 pm

Mike D. wrote:Occasionally, in order to make old guns more "useable", I will modify them from their original configuration. This does not pertain to levers, but to shotguns only. A good example are my 1910s vintage A.H.Fox doubles. Most of these guns had short chambers, so I had mine lengthened and the forcing cone expanded to take 2 3/4" and 3" shells. There is no hazard to the guns in doing this, as the pressure of newer factory ammunition is entirely safe in the pre-modern, Krupp steel barrels. Another gun that falls into this category is my recently purchased 1947 vintage Winchester Model 12 3" Heavy Duck shotgun. The 30" full choke barrel isn't any good in the duck blind, so the gun will be reduced to 28" and choke tubes installed. It will then be "user friendly", and be able to have steel shot run through it all day.

Joe (86er) and his bud Kirk are doing just the same to my 100+ y/o Drilling.

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:53 pm

I only have a couple guns that would be considered real collector guns, but I shoot them. I automatically seem to take more care with them, but I don't think sending a few more rounds downrange after all these years will affect their value.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:01 pm

Just about all mine are repairable or replaceable. I do have a 1894 Winchester that looks to be unfired... and will stay that way as long as I have it.

But I have a bunch of other that are shootable.

Due to funding..over the years 95% of my guns have been "shooter grade".... I have some that get used more than others

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:09 pm

It took me a long time to get all 4 rifles, but I own the 4 Br. model 71's, in all 4 configurations. I've never fired them, I suppose because I hunt with an original, #4079, an early long tang deluxe in mint shape. But those 4 Brownings beg to be used, I just need 2 or 3 or 4 good sons to make this happen, but I have 3 girls, all married to men who either don't shoot, or have more guns than me (in one case). So they just set, but I gotta change all that soon. I'll die, and some strangers will blast away, probably not even clean the things. A Browning model 71 in the LO Grade Carbine is one sweet gun, my wife bought that one for me a few years ago. I think I would prefer it to the SRC Browning, got one of those too, unfired.

Wind · Post by **Wind** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:32 pm

brucew44guns - I'm looking to get adopted. I'm fairly handy and eat enough for a family of four. Can I have all four of'm please? Wind

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:44 pm

If they were mine, I'd shoot 'em. Maybe sparingly in certain cases, but I'd shoot them.

Post by **Hobie** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:49 pm

I've often said that if you don't want me to shoot a collectible gun, don't sell or give it to me...

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:50 pm

The Winchester Rimfire pump, bolt, and semi-autos were some of the best engineered rifles, for durability, function, and accuracy. You will not hurt them as long as you handle them by wood, don't drop or bang them around, and wipe them down after handling/shooting.

JustaJeepGuy · Post by **JustaJeepGuy** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:44 pm

I've never deliberately bought anything "collectible", I just want shooters. The sole "close-to-collectible" piece I own is an Old Model Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Mag. I shoot it.

okdee · Post by **okdee** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:11 pm

Hey ho RangeRider!

Do what you want to do! Do not listen to all those other folks, if you do not wanna shoot em and keep in near mint condition. Do just that!

But!

Will you adopt me?

Please???

Your bestest pardner and buddy and future SON???????

Oklahoma Dee

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:52 pm

bang,bang bang

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:54 pm

The closest thing I've ever had that was even close to a collectible was a Winchester Model 1892 in .44-40 and I shot it fairly frequently. I was living in San Diego, Ca at the time (1989) and when SASS/CAS really started to take off a guy offered me really big bucks for it. I sold it. If I had another one today, I'd shoot it.

We are all different. To me the joy of owning a gun is using it. To others, the joy of owning a gun is looking at it and fondling it and just plain owning it.

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:02 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:Just my not-so-humble-but-well-consideed opinion:

They're YOUR guns, and they were designed and built TO BE SHOT... Retiring them from active duty in their prime would be an insult to them and their creators...

Look at what happens to old folks when they're taken out of service and warehoused in some 'home' until they slowly fade away.
REINSTATE those old mechanical friends, and enjoy each other!

My thoughts exactly. I shoot regularly with several old timers, including a Winchester 1886 .33WCF, a 1903 Colt auto in .38ACP, a couple of pre 1890 S&W breaktops in .38S&W, a couple of pre-WWI Nagants, you get the picture. I would hate to be lying on my death bed wishing I had taken my old buddies out of the safe and exercised them more.

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:04 pm

So Rangerider, you are captive to the concept of their value. Face it, you aren't going to sell them anyway and what would do that would perceptibly hurt them? Be bold - use them.

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:20 pm

I enjoy shooting and hunting with my old Winchesters, and I don't believe your going to decrease the value of these old timers by shooting them.

The one big exception I would note is CAS. Subjecting an antique 1873 or 1892 to the pounding they take in Cowboy Action is just abuse, IMHO. Better to grind up a replica.

rhead · Post by **rhead** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:32 pm

That would be as bad as sleeping with a super model (if I was single and a little younger)

She who must be obeyed says a LOT younger and the single can be aranged.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:40 pm

I used to have a bunch of guns that sat around collecting dust.
Including a '20s vintage Colt Police Positive that
was as new in the box as you can get. I couldn't stand
having it around and not trying it out. I sold it for a
really good buck and bought another Winchester.

Anymore if I get a gun out and I can't remember the last time
I fired it it's gotta go. Only exception are Family guns
but i shoot those too.

jb

tman · Post by **tman** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:58 pm

GUNS AND HIPERFORMANCE CARS WERE MENT TO BE SHOT AND DRIVEN DAILEY.maybe i feel that way because my collections don't have much collectors value. or, maybe, i don't put ridiculous monetary value on inatimate objects. you wouldn,t have a beautiful woman to just stare at, would you? lifes too short, have some fun

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:36 pm

Rangerider7,
You KNEW you weren't going to get any support from this "SUPPORT?" group, didn't you?

However, I fully understand and in a case or two support your decision. With several antique Winchester 94s laying about... they don't get used, as the "daily drivers" as it were, are just more accessible. The only gun I own that I haven't shot is a 1976 Winchester 94 Commemorative. And who knows, someday I may just change is status from "NIB" to "like-new".

At one time I owned two presentation Colt SAAs, they were consequtive serial #'d, .44-40s, 5-½" barrels, ivory grips, 24K gold plated trigger guard, backstrap, ejector rod housing and hammer; the rest of the guns were 80% covered in engraving and .999% silver plated. Not bad for one $5 raffle ticket, huh? After doing the paperwork, and before they went back into the glass-topped case, I put white tie-wraps around the hammers thru the recoil shield. When they were sold after 4 years of sitting in my safe, they were in that exact same condition. The only reason I sold them was to get the money to buy my son's cowboy action guns. Yea, I had some change left over! Now, the rub is, that if someone had laid some .44-40 shells in my hand, I'm not sure I could have withstood the temptation to shoot 'em!

As for a "run-of-the-mill" 1st gen Colt SAA or early production Winchester... if it was in fine mechanical condition, I'd be shootin' it. A one-off or highly decorated piece of the same type... I'm with ya, I'd be preserving it for posterity... and praying its future didn't hold some government smelter!

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:37 pm

I have a few like new Winchesters and such and I love shooting them and thank all the people that had them before me, for saving them for me to shoot

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:39 pm

Guilty! I shoot 'em. Don't much care how old or how rare, figure if it ain't me, it'll be someone else. Guess the one I get picked on the most is my '73 Winchester, got it and a twin not too far from Mike D's home still in the original Winchester shipping box with a Winchester shipping order in it. Made in 1881, they were still wrapped in the heavy oil cloth (since turned to hard tar). Melted the heavy oil in a commercial pizza oven very slowly (took all night, I had to pay the manager handsomely), cleaned 'em up, sold one just before the NRA meeting in Milwaukee a couple of years back. Took the other one out and flung 'bout a hundred rounds of 200 grain LFN's in front of 38 grains of Pyrodex RS...worked just fine. First time it had been fired since the factory...watched a bunch of guys cry on the side lines. That's it on the bottom:

Oh yea, shoot them other two too!

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:41 pm

2ndovc wrote:
Anymore if I get a gun out and I can't remember the last time
I fired it it's gotta go. Only exception are Family guns
but i shoot those too.

jb

UH OH, I'm in trouble. I haven't fired a few of those old clunkers in a year, or so.

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:12 pm

So long as they're safe to shoot, and you're not going to hurt them with hard use, I say shoot them.

I shot a NIB Ruger Hawkeye once. The original owner had it since new, (and it had a 2 digit serial No) and asked me if I wanted to shoot it. Those things sure are LOUD!!!!!!! No remorse,.... Other than the noise, even with ear plugs. I've taken several Winchester commemoratives out and shot them for the first time.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:20 pm

Buck Elliott wrote:Just my not-so-humble-but-well-consideed opinion:

They're YOUR guns, and they were designed and built TO BE SHOT... Retiring them from active duty in their prime would be an insult to them and their creators...

Look at what happens to old folks when they're taken out of service and warehoused in some 'home' until they slowly fade away.
REINSTATE those old mechanical friends, and enjoy each other!

+1

I was born such a handsome specimen of a baby, and so unique, that my parents decided to just 'preserve' me, but they finally gave in, and let me go out in the world, and get bumps and scrapes, and enjoy myself. . . . . glad they did!

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:28 pm

I have one for shooting and one for collecting. easy fix!

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:34 pm

I don't shoot everything I own, but I have shot everything I own. I think a very expensive, and pristine gun should still be fired, just not too often, and carefully.
All the others get shot, hunted with, and generally enjoyed thoroughly!

Str8man · Post by **Str8man** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:37 pm

I always shoot my collectible guns.
I've shot original 73's that were in 95% condition and original Remington 58 Civil war issue revolvers. I had two 1816 Springfield flintlocks that I hunted with for years until I got a Brown Bess copy.
Too many collectible originals to count really. Whitney Kennedy and several Ballard's.
I have an original 1861 Navy Colt that I shoot occasionally.
I don't know why but the original Cap and ball Colts seem much more accurate than the replica's I have tried.
I have friends who really seem uncomfortable watching me shoot old originals.
I just figure I am just as much a part of that guns history as everyone else who owned it before me and 100 years from now who is going to know the difference.
The only one that made me wince was I have a friend named Jeff who is a part owner of "On Target" gun shop in Kalamazoo Michigan.
He bought an original mint in the box original 1886 Winchester in 45-70 at the La's Vegas gun show for $6000 back in the 80's.
He put it in a case and carried it to his hunting spot and uncased it while hunting and then put it back in the case to head back to his truck after hunting.
Sadly I believe that gun burned in a fire at that store some years back.
He had it stored there along with an original 1866 Winchester one of one thousand because he felt they were safer at the store than in his home.
Sad.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:27 pm

I think you boys here know I shoot just about everything I have. The exceptions are an unfired SA Colt 45 from 1917 and another pair of SA Colts that have the serial number "Sixgun1" and "Sixgun2".I hunt elk and deer with a 95% ex-lgwt. 1886 in 45-70. I compete regularly in CAS, silhouette, and the long range "buffalo matches" with pre-war (usually pre-1898) rifles and sixguns.

Its one life we live and I want to experience it the way I want to--so be it if I put some wear on something or have that occasional blow-up. (only 1

)

There are only 153 of this Colt SA made--its a 95% gun, in 44 Russian--- and I shoot it.---------Sixgun

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:31 pm

Just about all my guns are old collectible ones. I shoot them all, but am careful not to put any dings or scratches into them. I also keep the use of black powder to a minimum. I do not use steamy loads, but only traditional ones or original Winchester ballistics in my reloads. I cannot enjoy a gun I cannot shoot. If it was too valuable to shoot (and it would have to be worth a pile), then I would sell it.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:36 pm

Old Time Hunter wrote:Guilty! I shoot 'em. Don't much care how old or how rare, figure if it ain't me, it'll be someone else. Guess the one I get picked on the most is my '73 Winchester, got it and a twin not too far from Mike D's home still in the original Winchester shipping box with a Winchester shipping order in it. Made in 1881, they were still wrapped in the heavy oil cloth (since turned to hard tar). Melted the heavy oil in a commercial pizza oven very slowly (took all night, I had to pay the manager handsomely), cleaned 'em up, sold one just before the NRA meeting in Milwaukee a couple of years back. Took the other one out and flung 'bout a hundred rounds of 200 grain LFN's in front of 38 grains of Pyrodex RS...worked just fine. First time it had been fired since the factory...watched a bunch of guys cry on the side lines. That's it on the bottom:

Oh yea, shoot them other two too!

Very drool worthy -- i probably would have resisted the urge to shoot that particular one --- but who cares - we only live once . I get goosebumps thinking about a new condition 135 year old rifle

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:27 pm

Streetstar wrote:
Old Time Hunter wrote:Guilty! I shoot 'em. Don't much care how old or how rare, figure if it ain't me, it'll be someone else. Guess the one I get picked on the most is my '73 Winchester, got it and a twin not too far from Mike D's home still in the original Winchester shipping box with a Winchester shipping order in it. Made in 1881, they were still wrapped in the heavy oil cloth (since turned to hard tar). Melted the heavy oil in a commercial pizza oven very slowly (took all night, I had to pay the manager handsomely), cleaned 'em up, sold one just before the NRA meeting in Milwaukee a couple of years back. Took the other one out and flung 'bout a hundred rounds of 200 grain LFN's in front of 38 grains of Pyrodex RS...worked just fine. First time it had been fired since the factory...watched a bunch of guys cry on the side lines. That's it on the bottom:

Oh yea, shoot them other two too!
Very drool worthy -- i probably would have resisted the urge to shoot that particular one --- but who cares - we only live once. I get goosebumps thinking about a new condition 135 year old rifle

The big reason I don't have a problem with refurbishing 'em.

Mutt · Post by **Mutt** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:44 pm

I just can't own a gun and not shoot it.................Mutt

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:13 pm

I don't come near the vintage of arms that have been talked about and shown here. I have only had one rifle that I couldn't force myself to shoot and I got rid of it. My arms are there for my enjoyment and I fondle'em and shoot'em.

I can understand the quandry about shooting really collectible firearms and I also understand the quandry about retaining their value. Personally, I'd shoot them if they've ever been shot, maybe even if they haven't. Ultimately, I believe it's solely a personal choice.

the telegraphist · Post by **the telegraphist** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:18 am

I just wanna shoot em, clean em and love em. All guns, collectable or otherwise. Lifes too short to collect paperweights, thats why they made horse shoes.

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:42 am

The guns I most enjoy shooting are my most "collectible" ones, and I shoot them a lot, I can't imagine having a gun and not shooting it