Are your guns tools or collectors?

[Thomas Mayberry]

Each of my guns serves a purpose and gets used and shot. It's a good thing that there are collectors out there who preserve the fine pieces of the gun makers craft. If they were in my hands they would soon show the wear of use but not abuse.

 

[Jack B.]

IMO. If you hunt or do pest control with it, it's a tool. If it is a defensive firearm then it's a tool. If you bought it because you thought you might like it then it' not a tool it's a collector's item.

 

[Alte Schule]

I like "pinned" S&W revolvers and have a few of those but I wouldn't call it a collection. All of my other firearms were bought for two reasons. Defense and/or range time. My EDC handguns are shot more than others but all the firearms I own are shooters.

Lately I have found that price and ammunition availability dictate what I take to the range. Compared to 18 months ago .357 and 5.7 are expensive to shoot and now difficult to replace.

 

[Reloadron]

My guns are simply something I enjoy. They all get fired albeit some more than others. I just can't associate the word tool to my guns. Not like I use them for work, I use tools for work.

Ron

 

[SwampWolf]

Perhaps it was an investment. They belonged to him, to do with as he pleases I guess

Most people who collect coins don't spend them nor do stamp collectors lick them. I can't imagine having ten guns and not shooting them, let alone having hundreds and not dirtying at least a few of their bores but, like you said, he should be free to do as he pleases and not be criticized for it.

 

[Hartkopf]

My guns are just well maintained tools. I really like durability and efficiency. If I have to worry about scratching something, I don’t even want it.

 

[GEM]

My guns are shooters in either a possible role as an instrument of potential lethal force in legal situations or to be used in appropriate competitions. I take care of them. I do not regard them as tools, not to start that debate again. None are collectibles, not that I have anything against that, if you like. Just haven't gotten into that.

 

[Seedy Character]

100% tools, in that all have been used, extensively.

Traded for an unfired OM (1969) Blackhawk .30 Carbine. Somewhat of a "collector". I have fired it, a lot.

Granddad's gun, Grandma's gun, Dad's gun not "colldctors" by any stretch of the imagination.
I shoot them. I will never sell them.

I have a Colt that is definitely a shooter. But, circumstances have made it into a "collector" and value has skyrocketed. I will continued to shoot it and never sell it.

All are tools, to be used, fondled, admired and loved.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I put some of both. I enjoy collecting and shooting them. A few i use for hunting. Any that end up safe queens will go on to the next person who may enjoy it.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Tools. We got snagglepus and yogi running around out here.

 

[film495]

a bit of both. if I had more $$ to invest in collecting I probably would. Instead, I just own a few range toys that I like, but for the most part, they all have a practical application. Really, I do like target shooting, just in and of itself - so, that is another aspect your poll doesn't cover. I guess that is practice, but - they are just target guns, for shooting targets, and I don't compete or anything, it is just for pure enjoyment of shooting targets sometimes.

 

[mokin]

I've got some of each. The K6s I shot today is a tool/toy. The 1863 Colt that was given to me by my Grandfather is a collector.

Along a similar line, I have saws, planes, and hammers I use, and others that hang on the wall.

 

[illinoisburt]

Not a collector here. I have a couple with sentimental value and some with reasonable commercial value, all get used and care for. No safe queens for me.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

They’re all tools & everything gets shot, from to 125 year old Colt on up. I take good care of ‘em, enjoy ‘em, hopefully the next owner will to. Same thing with my vintage guitar’s I’ll play ‘em, keep ‘em clean & polished, hang ‘em back on on the wall after a good thrashing & the truly good ones won’t loose one cent of value. “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than than you think”

 

[AlexanderA]

A "tool" is something that is used to accomplish a task. Hunting is a task. Use in law enforcement is a task. Target shooting, even though it's a hobby, is a task. Self defense is a task. If you don't use your guns for any of these things, I don't see how you can call them "tools."

The real question is, if a gun is merely a "tool," does that make it more likely or less likely to be banned? After all, the 2nd Amendment says nothing about "tools."

 

[twarr1]

It varies. My daily carry SR9 is definitely a tool and has the honest wear to prove it. On the other hand, I’d be disappointed but not devastated if my stainless Blackhawk ever got a scratch. Everything else falls in between.
But I can’t imagine owning a functional gun and not shooting it. I once had a 100+ year old black powder shotgun with a severely eroded barrel. I never fired it, and ended up giving it to my brother and advising him to not shoot it. Other than that, every gun I own or owned gets fired.

 

[lightman]

I'm going to say some of each. Most of the ones that I have bought are shooters. Most of the ones that I inherited are safe queens. Although I do take them out to shoot occasionally. I do have one or two left that I bought as investments I sold most of my investment guns 2 years ago.

 

[JEBruns]

Someone once said, life is too short to carry an ugly gun. As I've gotten older (and had more disposable income), I find myself buying more and more firearms that appeal to me esthetically, that have some cachet, historical significance or otherwise cool factor. So I'm getting away from the tool factor - the plastic guns are dwindling. I like working guns that look good, too.

Great input. I also like working guns that look good. I don't mind spending the money on a nice gun, like my Shadow 2 Orange. But they are still just tools to me.

 

[JEBruns]

Guns are tools for hunting, self defense, target use, etc.

However, through age some become collectors items and acquire substantial value, same for scarcity at times. Since value is enhanced by condition, I try to keep them in as good a condition as possible.

Good point. I do actually own a collectors item, the Colt Realtree in my avatar. But I bought it brand new back '96, before they became collectors items. I used to shoot it pretty often, but it's been years now. Working on selling it. Too nice to be a safe queen for me.

 

[.308 Norma]

I just can't associate the word tool to my guns. Not like I use them for work, I use tools for work.

Exactly. You put it a lot more simply than I did.
Edited to add: Because I've used "tools" for work, I've been able to afford the guns I want.

 

[Jeff olson]

I'm both on this. I have a bunch I shoot and use like a tool. I have some I shoot but am very cautious handling them. Then there's the ones I will never shoot due to value and rarity or because I just can't take the recoil anymore.

 

[JEBruns]

a bit of both. if I had more $$ to invest in collecting I probably would. Instead, I just own a few range toys that I like, but for the most part, they all have a practical application. Really, I do like target shooting, just in and of itself - so, that is another aspect your poll doesn't cover. I guess that is practice, but - they are just target guns, for shooting targets, and I don't compete or anything, it is just for pure enjoyment of shooting targets sometimes.

I'm also an avid target shooter. I throw at least 200 rounds a week down range, and do the very occasional IDPA/USPSA shoot. But that's not really what I was asking. To me, my target guns are tools. It won't bother me if they get some wear and tear on them.

 

[film495]

I'm also an avid target shooter. I throw at least 200 rounds a week down range, and do the very occasional IDPA/USPSA shoot. But that's not really what I was asking. To me, my target guns are tools. It won't bother me if they get some wear and tear on them.

Fair enough. I have a few inherited rifles that are maybe somewhat collectible, but when I researched what they were worth, I figured I'd just keep them cause they have some utility, and I'm certainly a bit more careful with the older family guns, but I shoot them and like yourself and many others, wear from use is better than damage from neglect in my book. For some of my newer purchases, my attitude is if I break or damage them from use, maybe some hard use, well - that would be too bad, but I can just get another one if I have the $.

 

[The Glockodile]

Toyz.

 

[bannockburn]

The majority of my guns are more "tool-type" than "collector-type". Be it for hunting, target shooting, instruction, concealed carry, home defense, or just plain old recreation, most of them are put to use in some capacity or another.