Opinions on firing a rare or expensive gun?

blabablab · August 2, 2016, 03:09 PM

Hello All,
I wanted to get everyone's opinion on firing rare, or expensive(over $1800 for me at least) C&R Gun. What is everyone's opinion? Do you not fire them at all, limit yourself to a certain amount per month, year, etc? Just wanting opinions since I am getting into some rare and expensive stuff....

Blindstitch · August 2, 2016, 03:37 PM

Maybe you should just come out and say what you're getting in to. Besides as soon as you walk out of a store a gun becomes used (when new) even when never used it's whole life.

What's the sense of owning a gun if you never use it.

blabablab · August 2, 2016, 03:41 PM

I was just wanting everyone's opinion in general more than anything else. For example some of my rare swiss carbines(1 in 8000), and my expensive lugers. That is where I am getting the question, but I am just asking in general.

TMD · August 2, 2016, 03:53 PM

Shoot it like you stole it.

deerslayer303 · August 2, 2016, 04:27 PM

So sounds like you bought one of them 1800 dollar lugers from classic?

I would shoot it fo sho.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

FITASC · August 2, 2016, 04:42 PM

$1800 is neither rare nor expensive. Unless it is some historical piece WITH PROVENANCE, enjoy shooting it

This is a high-end shotgun I posted a pic of on an other thread. It IS expensive, and I guess since the company only makes about 2 dozen guns a year it is rare.........but it is still available:

http://www.gunsinternational.com/gun...n_id=100713552

Now, I consider a $238,500 gun somewhat expensive; $1800, not so much

RaySendero · August 2, 2016, 04:56 PM

FITASC corollary:

If you can't afford to buy it,

You can't afford to shoot it!

blabablab · August 2, 2016, 05:04 PM

I guess I should have been more specific. I am referring to rare and expensive in terms of the average American..... I am not referring to prototypes, NFA Machine Guns, One of Kind, limited production, etc.

blabablab · August 2, 2016, 05:07 PM

And yes, I did buy one of the swiss lugers, but I bought one of the brown grip with holster, because the black grips at 1800 was not really that good of a deal, SOG has had them for a while. The brown and red grips with the holster was a good deal since the holsters themselves cost 300-350, and the brown and red grips are more scarce than than the black. However, I have a few lugers, so I am referring to many.... Would have bought the red grips, but I can't get over how ugly it looks....

firewrench044 · August 2, 2016, 06:26 PM

I have an M1D and a 1903A4 (snipers )
Value is between $5,000 and $7,000 each
I also have several other original sniper rifles
I admit that I do shoot them on a rare occasion
but limit the number of rounds shot though them

James K · August 2, 2016, 06:35 PM

I would have some other questions/qualms.

If the gun had never been fired, I probably wouldn't be the first. But most guns of any age have been fired, especially military guns, so yes, baring problems, I would shoot it.

Jim

Hawg · August 2, 2016, 06:48 PM

I'd shoot it but then I'm not a believer in safe queens no matter how much they cost.

TXAZ · August 2, 2016, 07:25 PM

You can't take it with you, so you might as well enjoy it, however that might be for you.
The most expensive weapon I've ever purchased was a Barrett M107A1 .50 BMG semi & suppressor, and intend to shoot the heck out of it while learning to shoot 600 yards+.

The only gun I don't shoot much is my grandfather's shotgun. I'm not a shotgun guy, but will pass it down to one of my kids who is.

But like others said, it's all relative to price, need and goals.

FITASC · August 2, 2016, 07:43 PM

Quote:

I guess I should have been more specific. I am referring to rare and expensive in terms of the average American..... I am not referring to prototypes, NFA Machine Guns, One of Kind, limited production, etc.

Again, $1800 is not rare and expensive to the average American when it comes to "collectors". You should price NFA if you think $1800 is expensive......

A decent semi shotgun is that price now, that amount might get you a down payment on a really nice 1911 or AR.

Sorry, IMO you aren't being realistic. So, as mentioned, unless it is NIB/unfired, at that price point, go ahead and shoot it

Gunplummer · August 2, 2016, 09:23 PM

If you are talking military stuff, you bet! If a rare model, I would not take it out into the rain hunting, but would shoot it. With the clean, modern ammunition you are doing a lot less to it than a couple rounds of the original corrosive stuff did.

jonnyc · August 2, 2016, 10:27 PM

Guns were made to be shot, especially your milsurp C&Rs, even if some can be a bit expensive. I don't own guns I can't shoot. I think my priciest is a German G43, and that gets exercised every couple of months or so. Only non-corrosive ammo, and nothing too hot, but it does get used.

Scorch · August 2, 2016, 11:08 PM

No, I wouldn't shoot it. I would sell it and buy 2 guns I could shoot!

But as others have said, $1,800 is not terribly expensive, I work on some guns that cost 10X that much. And yes, the customers shoot them.

ms6852 · August 3, 2016, 12:56 AM

Yes I would shoot it. Though I do not own any rare guns the oldest I have is a 52C Winchester which I shoot the heck out of, a colt Python I shoot it.

I am a truck guy and a few years ago I bought a King Ranch and took it hunting in the Terlingua area where we have property. Some places have no dirt roads, pretty desolate area middle of no where. My brothers could not believe I had taken my brand new truck and used it for hunting. The reason I drive trucks is because I hunt and fish and the areas that I enter require 4X4 sometimes.

Let me ask you "if you married a Victoria Model type angel would you not consummate the hell out of that Angel?" Same thing with guns, shoot the hell out of them.

oldscot3 · August 3, 2016, 09:16 AM

Cars were meant to be driven, guns were meant to be shot.
I suppose if you're a museum curator, and acquiring pieces of significant historical relevance that would be devalued by firing, you shouldn't shoot certain guns.
Or, if you collect weapons for the purpose of resale, and waiting for the greatest monetary appreciation is part of the plan, you might not want to shoot a gun. Example, you bought one of the last of some certain rifle to be made before the factory shuttered. It's new, in the box, with all the papers and unfired. If you calculate that because of it's new unobtainable status it will increase in value significantly, you probably shouldn't shoot it.

mete · August 3, 2016, 10:26 AM

A friend said one day he was going to shoot it ! Unfired , 200 years old shotgun ! Nothing rare or fancy but he thought it should be fired !
Why not ? Take good care of it but enjoy shooting it !

**44 AMP** · August 3, 2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

$1800 is neither rare nor expensive.

While its not rare, today, $1800 is still considered expensive by some of us. Especially those of us who don't make a lot of money.

The most expensive gun I ever bought was $1500, and it cost more than the car I was driving at the time. However, that was some time ago. (and that $1500 gun sells for nearly double what I paid, on today's market

)

Ask yourself one question, IF that rare, expensive gun suffers damage from shooting it (or being handled) what do you actually lose??

And, remember to figure in that the value of a gun in dollars ONLY matters when buying or selling. If YOU are planning on selling it at some point, then damage will cost you potential value.

If you aren't, then what is the possible loss? Reduced (potential) value of your estate?? Is THAT a serious concern to you??

Do you think one of your heirs is going to say "gee I wish Dad hadn't shot that rare Luger, now its only worth $3000 instead of $4000!..."

And even if they did, what would that matter to you, then???

RickB · August 3, 2016, 10:33 AM

I have a 1st Generation Colt Frontier Six Shooter, inherited from dad, and though it was restored at the factory in the '50s, it still has a 120yo cylinder, so I shoot it very rarely, and then, only with blackpowder cartridges.
It might not be extremely valuable, but I would feel very bad if I blew it up. I have fifty rounds loaded for it, and suspect they were loaded fifteen years ago, so maybe I'll never shoot it again, or save it for my 75th birthday, or something.

JWT · August 3, 2016, 10:45 AM

Probably would do limited shooting with a rare gun but would fire an expensive one just like any firearm I own. The few relatively expensive guns I own dod not get treated any differently than my others.

P5 Guy · August 3, 2016, 10:45 AM

Why buy a firearm you'll never shoot?

reddog81 · August 3, 2016, 10:49 AM

Did you buy it to shoot or buy it to collect? Has it been shot before? I could see being hesitant to shoot an unfired 120 year old Colt SAA, but a Luger that has been fired 1,000's of times and carried in a holster for years, it seems like shooting a couple of boxes through it probably isn't going to decrease the value much.

I have shot stuff I recently purchased that was NIB unfired from the 70's, but they weren't $1,800 guns to begin with. It all depends on your personal preference.

View Poll Results: Would you fire a rare or expensive historical firearm?
No, it would be a safe queen	17	17.89%
Yes, but I would limit myself to a certain amount	49	51.58%
Yes, I would fire it like all of my other firearms	29	30.53%
Voters: 95. You may not vote on this poll

August 2, 2016, 03:09 PM	#1
blabablab Junior Member Join Date: August 18, 2015 Posts: 12	Opinions on firing a rare or expensive gun? Hello All, I wanted to get everyone's opinion on firing rare, or expensive(over $1800 for me at least) C&R Gun. What is everyone's opinion? Do you not fire them at all, limit yourself to a certain amount per month, year, etc? Just wanting opinions since I am getting into some rare and expensive stuff....

August 2, 2016, 04:42 PM	#6
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	$1800 is neither rare nor expensive. Unless it is some historical piece WITH PROVENANCE, enjoy shooting it This is a high-end shotgun I posted a pic of on an other thread. It IS expensive, and I guess since the company only makes about 2 dozen guns a year it is rare.........but it is still available: http://www.gunsinternational.com/gun...n_id=100713552 Now, I consider a $238,500 gun somewhat expensive; $1800, not so much __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa Last edited by FITASC; August 2, 2016 at 04:52 PM.

August 2, 2016, 04:56 PM	#7
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	FITASC corollary: If you can't afford to buy it, You can't afford to shoot it! __________________ *Ray*

August 2, 2016, 07:25 PM	#13
TXAZ Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Location: McMurdo Sound Texas Posts: 4,322	You can't take it with you, so you might as well enjoy it, however that might be for you. The most expensive weapon I've ever purchased was a Barrett M107A1 .50 BMG semi & suppressor, and intend to shoot the heck out of it while learning to shoot 600 yards+. The only gun I don't shoot much is my grandfather's shotgun. I'm not a shotgun guy, but will pass it down to one of my kids who is. But like others said, it's all relative to price, need and goals. __________________ Cave illos in guns et backhoes

August 2, 2016, 03:37 PM	#2
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	Maybe you should just come out and say what you're getting in to. Besides as soon as you walk out of a store a gun becomes used (when new) even when never used it's whole life. What's the sense of owning a gun if you never use it.

August 2, 2016, 03:41 PM	#3
blabablab Junior Member Join Date: August 18, 2015 Posts: 12	I was just wanting everyone's opinion in general more than anything else. For example some of my rare swiss carbines(1 in 8000), and my expensive lugers. That is where I am getting the question, but I am just asking in general.

August 2, 2016, 03:53 PM	#4
TMD Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,293	Shoot it like you stole it.

August 2, 2016, 04:27 PM	#5
deerslayer303 Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2011 Location: Leesville SC Posts: 2,653	So sounds like you bought one of them 1800 dollar lugers from classic? I would shoot it fo sho. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

August 2, 2016, 05:04 PM	#8
blabablab Junior Member Join Date: August 18, 2015 Posts: 12	I guess I should have been more specific. I am referring to rare and expensive in terms of the average American..... I am not referring to prototypes, NFA Machine Guns, One of Kind, limited production, etc.

August 2, 2016, 05:07 PM	#9
blabablab Junior Member Join Date: August 18, 2015 Posts: 12	And yes, I did buy one of the swiss lugers, but I bought one of the brown grip with holster, because the black grips at 1800 was not really that good of a deal, SOG has had them for a while. The brown and red grips with the holster was a good deal since the holsters themselves cost 300-350, and the brown and red grips are more scarce than than the black. However, I have a few lugers, so I am referring to many.... Would have bought the red grips, but I can't get over how ugly it looks....

August 2, 2016, 06:26 PM	#10
firewrench044 Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Location: Fort Pierce, Florida Posts: 381	I have an M1D and a 1903A4 (snipers ) Value is between $5,000 and $7,000 each I also have several other original sniper rifles I admit that I do shoot them on a rare occasion but limit the number of rounds shot though them

August 2, 2016, 06:35 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I would have some other questions/qualms. If the gun had never been fired, I probably wouldn't be the first. But most guns of any age have been fired, especially military guns, so yes, baring problems, I would shoot it. Jim

August 2, 2016, 06:48 PM	#12
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I'd shoot it but then I'm not a believer in safe queens no matter how much they cost.

August 2, 2016, 09:23 PM	#15
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	If you are talking military stuff, you bet! If a rare model, I would not take it out into the rain hunting, but would shoot it. With the clean, modern ammunition you are doing a lot less to it than a couple rounds of the original corrosive stuff did.

August 2, 2016, 10:27 PM	#16
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	Guns were made to be shot, especially your milsurp C&Rs, even if some can be a bit expensive. I don't own guns I can't shoot. I think my priciest is a German G43, and that gets exercised every couple of months or so. Only non-corrosive ammo, and nothing too hot, but it does get used. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

August 2, 2016, 11:08 PM	#17
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	No, I wouldn't shoot it. I would sell it and buy 2 guns I could shoot! But as others have said, $1,800 is not terribly expensive, I work on some guns that cost 10X that much. And yes, the customers shoot them. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 3, 2016, 12:56 AM	#18
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	Yes I would shoot it. Though I do not own any rare guns the oldest I have is a 52C Winchester which I shoot the heck out of, a colt Python I shoot it. I am a truck guy and a few years ago I bought a King Ranch and took it hunting in the Terlingua area where we have property. Some places have no dirt roads, pretty desolate area middle of no where. My brothers could not believe I had taken my brand new truck and used it for hunting. The reason I drive trucks is because I hunt and fish and the areas that I enter require 4X4 sometimes. Let me ask you "if you married a Victoria Model type angel would you not consummate the hell out of that Angel?" Same thing with guns, shoot the hell out of them. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

August 3, 2016, 09:16 AM	#19
oldscot3 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: texas Posts: 997	Cars were meant to be driven, guns were meant to be shot. I suppose if you're a museum curator, and acquiring pieces of significant historical relevance that would be devalued by firing, you shouldn't shoot certain guns. Or, if you collect weapons for the purpose of resale, and waiting for the greatest monetary appreciation is part of the plan, you might not want to shoot a gun. Example, you bought one of the last of some certain rifle to be made before the factory shuttered. It's new, in the box, with all the papers and unfired. If you calculate that because of it's new unobtainable status it will increase in value significantly, you probably shouldn't shoot it.

August 3, 2016, 10:26 AM	#20
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	A friend said one day he was going to shoot it ! Unfired , 200 years old shotgun ! Nothing rare or fancy but he thought it should be fired ! Why not ? Take good care of it but enjoy shooting it ! __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

August 3, 2016, 10:33 AM	#22
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I have a 1st Generation Colt Frontier Six Shooter, inherited from dad, and though it was restored at the factory in the '50s, it still has a 120yo cylinder, so I shoot it very rarely, and then, only with blackpowder cartridges. It might not be extremely valuable, but I would feel very bad if I blew it up. I have fifty rounds loaded for it, and suspect they were loaded fifteen years ago, so maybe I'll never shoot it again, or save it for my 75th birthday, or something. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

August 3, 2016, 10:45 AM	#23
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Probably would do limited shooting with a rare gun but would fire an expensive one just like any firearm I own. The few relatively expensive guns I own dod not get treated any differently than my others.

August 3, 2016, 10:45 AM	#24
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	WHAT! Why buy a firearm you'll never shoot?

August 3, 2016, 10:49 AM	#25
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,634	Did you buy it to shoot or buy it to collect? Has it been shot before? I could see being hesitant to shoot an unfired 120 year old Colt SAA, but a Luger that has been fired 1,000's of times and carried in a holster for years, it seems like shooting a couple of boxes through it probably isn't going to decrease the value much. I have shot stuff I recently purchased that was NIB unfired from the 70's, but they weren't $1,800 guns to begin with. It all depends on your personal preference.