Gathering opinions on what to do with this Belguim made Hi-Power...

[Yinzer-Steve]

While I'm not new to the forum, this is my first post so forgive me if my etiquette if it is incorrect. I collect guns and acquire most of them at local auctions and so-on. I'm big on 1911's and its predecessors, descendants & variants. A couple weeks ago I picked up a Belgium made Browning Hi-Power. It was made in 1986 and has NEVER been fired. It was someone's 'safe queen' for sure. It still has factory grease on it's internals/bore. However, it does NOT have original box or paperwork unfortunately. I like to buy 'shooters' and was interested in this one for just that. After picking it up and realizing that it hadn't ever been fired, I'm on the fence as to whether or not I should fire this piece or if I should even clean it? Should I make it my 'safe queen'? Really just looking to get some opinions from all the great, knowledgeable people here to help me make a decision. What would you do? I appreciate all responses. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Jdague12]

I like to shoot them. I can’t imagine owning a firearm that I just take out and admire. Same with cars. Imagine having a beautiful Shelby in your garage and can’t go for a spin. If it was a commemorative piece in a beautiful case that had some personal meaning, maybe, but it’s not for me. I just don’t have a need to own something that’s never been used and can’t be used. No historical value either. Historical value usually means it was used for SOMETHING. Just because something is old and never fired doesn’t make it valuable. Now if it were something John Browning personally touched and never fired, ABSOLUTELY keep it that way. Just my personal opinion. I know I have some collectors cringing right now. Looking forward to some interesting and respectful responses.

And where are you from with Yinzer in your name? Pittsburgh

 

[JTHunter]

If you have the original box and paperwork, I would be very reluctant to fire that gun as that will erase any "collectible" value it might have.
Without those, its value is diminished but I would still ask/look up the book value before shooting it. With bun prices so high now, you might be able to flip this gun and at the very least break even.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have a nickel plated one--picked it up back in the days when guys at the range would say" why do you shoot that little 9 mm pistol--it wont be around with that cartridge for long"
Keep it--shoot it ! it is the most accurate handgun I own !

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Shoot it.

 

[22250Rem]

Ordinarily I would fire it, although J T hunter makes an excellent point in post # 3. If I had other shooters that were similarly chambered it would be tempting to leave it as a safe queen. Although it could easily become one of my shooters depending on what the research comes up with in determining its value in its present condition. Then it's just a decision of economics based on my financial needs & wants. If I knew it could be sold as-is for a good profit I'd sell and and use the proceeds for something else. P.S.. Welcome to TRH.

 

[Jeff olson]

This. Eventually, someone is going to shoot it. Might as well be you.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Choot em and be happy. If you have not shot a hi-power before you’ll love it.

 

[Mars5l]

Buy another and shoot the new one

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

I like to shoot them. I can’t imagine owning a firearm that I just take out and admire. Same with cars. Imagine having a beautiful Shelby in your garage and can’t go for a spin. If it was a commemorative piece in a beautiful case that had some personal meaning, maybe, but it’s not for me. I just don’t have a need to own something that’s never been used and can’t be used. No historical value either. Historical value usually means it was used for SOMETHING. Just because something is old and never fired doesn’t make it valuable. Now if it were something John Browning personally touched and never fired, ABSOLUTELY keep it that way. Just my personal opinion. I know I have some collectors cringing right now. Looking forward to some interesting and respectful responses.

And where are you from with Yinzer in your name? Pittsburgh

Yes, Pittsburgher here! You must be a fellow or former Yinzer or Western PA, Eastern OH resident? I agree with you and you bring up some good points. I definitely would be driving the pristine Chevelle in the Garage - if I owned one If did decide to not shoot it - it would be my 1st 'safe queen'. As I said, I usually buy 'shooters' and was my intent with this one.

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

Buy another and shoot the new one

Great idea, and it's crossed my mind but my wife would probably fire the old one at me for buying another one!

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I buy guns to shoot them. Not to look at them and ponder if i should shoot it or not. If your not going to flip it. Clean it up and shoot it.

 

[WiTom]

It depends on your intent with this gun, if you see it as a keeper, let it loose and fire away, but if you see in the future of maybe flipping it, I would sit on it just alittle while, and gain alittle more info on it. For me, it's a no brainer, as I just have a very hard time getting rid of any guns, I can buy them, but I can't sell them, so that Hi-Power would be out on the range, barking away. Just me though, and either way, nice pick up.

 

[Pure2nd]

While I'm not new to the forum, this is my first post so forgive me if my etiquette if it is incorrect. I collect guns and acquire most of them at local auctions and so-on. I'm big on 1911's and it's predecessors, descendants & variants. A couple weeks ago I picked up a Belgium made Browning Hi-Power. It was made in 1986 and has NEVER been fired. It was someone's 'safe queen' for sure. It still has factory grease on it's internals/bore. I like to buy 'shooters' and was interested in this one for just that. After picking it up and realizing that it hadn't ever been fired, I'm on the fence as to whether or not I should fire this piece or if I should even clean it? Should I make it my 'safe queen'? Really just looking to get some opinions from all the great, knowledgeable people here to help me make a decision. What would you do? I appreciate all responses. Thanks a bunch!

Normally I consider every firearm I own as a shooter. (safe operation being the key factor) However I'm not a collector and by the context of your post you have a decent inventory of toys.

If I were to have your problem I would pack that thing away and not shoot it ever.

Having a pristine safe queen wouldn't be a bad thing if you have plenty of options.

 

[MI2600]

I bought a new Walther P5 direct from the Walther factory in 1983 when I was stationed in Germany. In fact my name is on two orders to Walther totaling 43 P5s, which went to Generals, Colonels, etc in the area. I've never fired mine and probably never will. It's not only new, but it also has provenance.

 

[Mike OTDP]

New? In box? Original grease? I would not shoot it. Either sell it, or stuff it in your safe and let it appreciate in value. It's worth too much in 100% condition to be shot.

Buy a shooter in decent shape, shoot that.

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

Seems I left out a crucial detail....It does NOT have original box or paperwork I've added this fact to my original post. I should know better !

 

[Jdague12]

Pittsburgh also. Ingram

 

[MechAg94]

To me, it would be about the value of "never shot". If you can unload it and buy a shooter, that makes sense to me. If "never shot" has no value, I think I might go ahead and shoot it.

I am trying to get a Beretta M9A4. I cannot imagine never shooting it. However, it is not a nearly 4 decade old firearm either.

 

[Jim Watson]

I think these "leave it unused" types should bid for it, a nice used gun plus $$$.

 

[Jeff olson]

Normally I consider every firearm I own as a shooter. (safe operation being the key factor) However I'm not a collector and by the context of your post you have a decent inventory of toys.

If I were to have your problem I would pack that thing away and not shoot it ever.

Having a pristine safe queen wouldn' be a bad thing if you have plenty of options.

I thinks yours is the best opinion ever. Really. I collect but I love to shoot. My dad always said a gun is a tool. But he too was guilty of having reservations on shooting some of them. I have a c model and a capitan from him. Still never fired.

 

[Vonderek]

Fellow yinzer here. Shoot it and enjoy it n'nat!

 

[daniel craig]

I'm personally not a fan of having safe Queen type guns. I want to use it. Would you buy your favorite car and then put it in your garage and never drive it? I'm not saying this gun is a Ferrari I'm just saying buying stuff to not use seems awfully silly to me. It's a piece of History and that's part of what makes it fun to shoot. I think shooting it adds to the history over its lifespan. Because it's now in your hands and you are going to enjoy it that's just one many steps along its historical life and it'll probably exist after you die and go on to somebody else to shoot.

I used to collect guns that I didn't shoot but then I wondered to myself why. I wasn't getting any enjoyment out of them if they were too nice to shoot.

 

[Mogas]

If you have the original box and paperwork, I would be very reluctant to fire that gun as that will erase any "collectible" value it might have.
Without those, its value is diminished but I would still ask/look up the book value before shooting it. With bun prices so high now, you might be able to flip this gun and at the very least break even.

WE all can expect bun prices to go up even more with the grain shortage and all.

 

[Mogas]

Looks like you have many of these pistol to shoot. The unfired one would be different. If you think you will be needing cash one day, the unfired pistol would bring more $$ than the others. Also, when you show off your collection of Hi Powers, you can say this one has never been fired. Bragging rights.