Shoot it or keep it?

rcase1234 · December 10, 2012, 05:11 PM

Hello everybody. I aquired two shotguns recently. An old Rem Sportsman 58 and an 870 Wingmaster that were my grandfathers. He passed from cancer so these are very important guns to me. I know they are fairly old but don't seem to be in bad condition. No rust maybe a little pitting on the 58's bolt release button. But not bad. Should I shoot these firearms or keep them in the safe? I haven't really looked at eithers internals but the 58 shot 80 light target loads no problem. Very nice gun. I just wanted to shoot it for the heck of it in case anyone was wondering them keep it in the safe but now I'm having second thoughts. So anyways should I shoot them or shall they be safe queens?

jmr40 · December 10, 2012, 07:27 PM

I'd shoot them. If they were rare, guns in an unfired condition then firing them would have an effect on value. As long as they are in safe condition I'd enjoy them.

darkroommike · December 10, 2012, 07:37 PM

What do you think grandpa would do? Just shoot it and think of the old man every time you do. I have my father's Ithaca 37, bought the year I was born, by my Mom for Dad. Every time I take it out I feel a huge connection to both my Mom and Dad.

s9601694 · December 10, 2012, 07:47 PM

Both great guns I own one of each. SHOOT THEM

rcase1234 · December 10, 2012, 07:56 PM

Very good ideas everybody! Grandpa would want me to shoot them and enjoy them. I know the 58 will shoot and it shoots great! The gun fits me like a glove and I can shoot skeet pretty good! Better than my pumps. The 870 is in better condition so I'm sure it will be good. I will have to shoot it soon. Thanks everybody for the input. To me, they aren't worth ALL the money in the world! I love them guns as much as my grandfather did and someday they will go to my kids.

jmr40 · December 11, 2012, 08:23 AM

I've got some older guns that belonged to my dad, great grand father and an uncle. Most have no real value, and I own much better more modern guns, but I still make a point to take them hunting or at least out to shoot occasinally.

boattale · December 11, 2012, 11:23 AM

Good choice to shoot them. I recently inherited an 870 when my best friend died. I'll be using it too. I'll kill a turkey for him with it this spring.

Your grandpa is pleased.

BigJimP · December 11, 2012, 12:42 PM

good choice to shoot them - in my opinion as well....

Virginian · December 11, 2012, 05:52 PM

With reasonable care, you could shoot the Wingmaster every day and it will likely outlive your grandchildren. Still in production and no shortage of parts.
I would limit the 58 to 1-1/8 ounce loads or less. They were known to fail, particularly with high usage of heavy loads, and parts are getting quite dear.

rcase1234 · December 11, 2012, 08:35 PM

I only plan to shoot skeet with the 58 a few times a year Virginian. But I also heard many parts from the 1100 can be used on the 58 and an 870 barrel could be used with the gas ports drilled

Virginian · December 12, 2012, 06:50 AM

Yes you can use some parts, but the action bars and gas piston are unique. If you do break the joint between them, a good gunsmith can repair it literally better than new.

rcase1234 · December 12, 2012, 03:52 PM

By using heavy loads in the gun what do you mean? How heavy? I have only used 7.5 shot 1 1/8 ounce shells thorough this gun. Are those okay in the gun?

Sphawley · December 13, 2012, 12:24 AM

Shoot them!! Enjoy them and keep them as a rememberace of your grandfather and pass them on to the next in line. This is great way to keep memories alive and those passed on still around.

Enjoy and take care of them and the will last generations to come!

December 10, 2012, 05:11 PM	#1
rcase1234 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 407	Shoot it or keep it? Hello everybody. I aquired two shotguns recently. An old Rem Sportsman 58 and an 870 Wingmaster that were my grandfathers. He passed from cancer so these are very important guns to me. I know they are fairly old but don't seem to be in bad condition. No rust maybe a little pitting on the 58's bolt release button. But not bad. Should I shoot these firearms or keep them in the safe? I haven't really looked at eithers internals but the 58 shot 80 light target loads no problem. Very nice gun. I just wanted to shoot it for the heck of it in case anyone was wondering them keep it in the safe but now I'm having second thoughts. So anyways should I shoot them or shall they be safe queens? Last edited by rcase1234; December 10, 2012 at 07:09 PM.

December 11, 2012, 11:23 AM	#7
boattale Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2012 Posts: 118	Good choice to shoot them. I recently inherited an 870 when my best friend died. I'll be using it too. I'll kill a turkey for him with it this spring. Your grandpa is pleased. __________________ Its all downhill from here. Except the parts that are uphill.

December 13, 2012, 12:24 AM	#13
Sphawley Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 272	Shoot them!! Enjoy them and keep them as a rememberace of your grandfather and pass them on to the next in line. This is great way to keep memories alive and those passed on still around. Enjoy and take care of them and the will last generations to come! __________________ If guns kill people, then pencils misspell words, cars make people drive drunk, and spoons made Rosie O' Donnell fat!

December 10, 2012, 07:27 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	I'd shoot them. If they were rare, guns in an unfired condition then firing them would have an effect on value. As long as they are in safe condition I'd enjoy them.

December 10, 2012, 07:37 PM	#3
darkroommike Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2011 Location: western Iowa Posts: 205	What do you think grandpa would do? Just shoot it and think of the old man every time you do. I have my father's Ithaca 37, bought the year I was born, by my Mom for Dad. Every time I take it out I feel a huge connection to both my Mom and Dad.

December 10, 2012, 07:47 PM	#4
s9601694 Member Join Date: July 13, 2012 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 21	Both great guns I own one of each. SHOOT THEM

December 10, 2012, 07:56 PM	#5
rcase1234 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 407	Very good ideas everybody! Grandpa would want me to shoot them and enjoy them. I know the 58 will shoot and it shoots great! The gun fits me like a glove and I can shoot skeet pretty good! Better than my pumps. The 870 is in better condition so I'm sure it will be good. I will have to shoot it soon. Thanks everybody for the input. To me, they aren't worth ALL the money in the world! I love them guns as much as my grandfather did and someday they will go to my kids.

December 11, 2012, 08:23 AM	#6
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	I've got some older guns that belonged to my dad, great grand father and an uncle. Most have no real value, and I own much better more modern guns, but I still make a point to take them hunting or at least out to shoot occasinally.

December 11, 2012, 12:42 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	good choice to shoot them - in my opinion as well....

December 11, 2012, 05:52 PM	#9
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	With reasonable care, you could shoot the Wingmaster every day and it will likely outlive your grandchildren. Still in production and no shortage of parts. I would limit the 58 to 1-1/8 ounce loads or less. They were known to fail, particularly with high usage of heavy loads, and parts are getting quite dear.

December 11, 2012, 08:35 PM	#10
rcase1234 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 407	I only plan to shoot skeet with the 58 a few times a year Virginian. But I also heard many parts from the 1100 can be used on the 58 and an 870 barrel could be used with the gas ports drilled

December 12, 2012, 06:50 AM	#11
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	Yes you can use some parts, but the action bars and gas piston are unique. If you do break the joint between them, a good gunsmith can repair it literally better than new.

December 12, 2012, 03:52 PM	#12
rcase1234 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 407	By using heavy loads in the gun what do you mean? How heavy? I have only used 7.5 shot 1 1/8 ounce shells thorough this gun. Are those okay in the gun?