Shooting a Collectable

[silicosys4]

I have one 99%+ gun who's value is highly dependent on it being a 99%+ gun. If it were a 100% gun, verifiably unfired, it would be worth about $4k-$5k more than it is now. The difference between 99%+ and 100% verifiably unfired is 1 round.

Its an 80 year old government owned wartime production gun that was never issued though, and 99%+ government owned wartime guns are extremely rare.
Shooting it wouldn't just "kind of" devalue it, it would put wear patterns into the bluing in places like the barrel hood and slide rails, the presence of which would destroy everything about it that makes it unique.

I've been instructed to never even so much as rack the slide. The expert who appraised it gave me an extensive library of high resolution photographs taken when he disassembled the pistol for study just so it would never have to be disassembled again.
And to be honest, thats the last time the pistol will be disassembled while i own it. Its the last time the slide will be racked. The magazine will never be dropped from the gun as the magazine is also pristine wartime production and dropping the mag puts wear patterns into the bluing.

Its kind of a pain in the rear. All I wanted was a nice shooter milsurp, and I ended up with a gun thats worth far too much money to shoot.

White glove guns are a PITA unless you can buy them cheap and flip them for a bunch of money.

 

[DeepSouth]

Depending on what exactly it is, how old, and the condition, I may not shoot one. However that would be the exception and the rule, most of the ones I have that have any collector value I shoot, but not a lot.

I only have one collectible I don’t shoot, and it’s only collectible to my family. It’s my great, great, great grandfather’s Hanover arms 12ga, I’m to scared of it to shoot it…. Maybe one day.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have a collectible gun worth about $30,000. I am making an effort to wear it out.

30 Racks!! nice! Machine Gun?

 

[Bill Raby]

Spend $5000 on a gun and won't shoot it because it might lose some value. Then spend $70,000 on a pickup truck and a few years later it is broken down wreck worth almost nothing. And then complain that you cannot afford a $5000 gun.

$25,000 for a gun that you shoot often and enjoy is money well spent. $1200 for a collectible gun that never leaves the safe is a waste of money.

 

[AlexanderA]

There is a rule among the collecting world that says that when a piece reaches the 97% plateau, each extra percentage point of condition can, in some instances, double the value of the gun. This usually holds true for very high end guns that are rare and scarce.

At that level, the difference between 97% and 98% is like splitting hairs. And it's very subjective. I'd rather have a "less valuable" 95% gun and not have to worry about it.

 

[Sniper66]

I have a good friend who has collected many guns over his long life. When he finds a NIB version, he never shoots it. Instead he continues to search for a used one to shoot. He often has 3 of them; the NIB, a shooter, and a beater to use for spare parts. Keep in mind that he loves these guns. Collecting guns has been his passion since he was 13 years old when he bought his first carry pistol. A little weird you think? Certainly, but he still collects at age 86 with no plans to do otherwise.

 

[alsaqr]

Or do you guys buy a collectable example, then a shooter example and shoot that one?

Way back when i fired several of my collectibles. My GF and myself fired a previously unfired first generation Colt single action. Cleaned the gun and replaced it in the original box.

 

[buck460XVR]

Would you guys shoot collectable guns? If it meant knocking the value down a few hundred bucks. I’m talking $1200 to $2000 gun, nothing outrageous.

Hard for me to believe that a gun that only costs $1200 to $2000 is an investment quality collectable. Last coupla 1911s I bought were about 2 grand a piece out the door, and the first thing I did was take them to the range and shoot them. I have quite a few of guns that fall into that value in my "collection", but I don't consider them "collectable". If I did have a firearm that I did consider an investment type collectable, I certainly would not have to come to a forum and ask random folks I don't know, if I could or should shoot it. I would have made that decision for myself, before I put my money down. I have a coupla old firearms that belonged to my grandpa, that I don't shoot much, because parts are now impossible to get and I wouldn't want to go without shooting them. I regularly hunt with firearms that are over 100 years old. They are not only being shot, but are exposed to the elements one endures while hunting.

I have a lot of things that are investments for making money. Guns are something I invest in to shoot. What I get from that is worth more than the minimal amount of increase in value that not shooting them, would give my heirs. Because for the most part, heirs are the ones who glean the profit from collectables.

 

[9x56MS]

In order to give an informed answer I would need a definition of collectable. Are we talking commemoratives or antique examples? I guess for me it really doesn't apply as I won't buy a gun that I don't intend to fire. I really enjoy hunting with 100 year old guns.

 

[Mark_Mark]

In order to give an informed answer I would need a definition of collectable. Are we talking commemoratives or antique examples? I guess for me it really doesn't apply as I won't buy a gun that I don't intend to fire. I really enjoy hunting with 100 year old guns.

I’m just going to keep it general price range of $1200 to $2000 because I don’t want to offend serious collectors with what I think is a collectors gun to me.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have a good friend who has collected many guns over his long life. When he finds a NIB version, he never shoots it. Instead he continues to search for a used one to shoot. He often has 3 of them; the NIB, a shooter, and a beater to use for spare parts. Keep in mind that he loves these guns. Collecting guns has been his passion since he was 13 years old when he bought his first carry pistol. A little weird you think? Certainly, but he still collects at age 86 with no plans to do otherwise.

86 and going strong! love it

 

[tarosean]

I don’t want to offend serious collectors with what I think is a collectors gun to me.

That’s the thing.. It only matters to you! Doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks.

We have people talking about white gloves for things that are not all that valuable and others talking about million dollar Walkers.

I have no desire to stare at a gun all day and rub it with diapers once in a while.

this impresses me more than the spit shined ones, as he drives it everyday.

 

[theotherwaldo]

I have picked up a number of milsurps that are still in cosmoline.
I may never fire them, since I have their twins that have been fired or Bubba'd... .

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have picked up a number of milsurps that are still in cosmoline.
I may never fire them, since I have their twins that have been fired or Bubba'd... .

Love some Comoline!

 

[Mark_Mark]

That’s the thing.. It only matters to you! Doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks.

We have people talking about white gloves for things that are not all that valuable and others talking about million dollar Walkers.

I have no desire to stare at a gun all day and rub it with diapers once in a while.

this impresses me more than the spit shined ones, as he drives it everyday.
View attachment 1153298

reminds me of my Prius when I 1st got a ding in it! was Sad but ran it hard after that! 2024 Prius, here I come!!

 

[silicosys4]

That’s the thing.. It only matters to you! Doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks.

Damn straight.

We have people talking about white gloves for things that are not all that valuable

To you, I suppose.
To a lot of people its a very rare piece of history, valuable beyond a simple dollar amount.

and others talking about million dollar Walkers.

I have no desire to stare at a gun all day and rub it with diapers once in a while.

this impresses me more than the spit shined ones, as he drives it everyday.
View attachment 1153298

Why? All that picture says to me is that the guy has enough money to buy a lambo, but not enough money to insure it.
Daily driving a track machine is....kind of dumb. It just means you can't afford
1. To regularly drive your lambo on the track,
2. To buy a Bentley as well.

I knew a guy with a Porsche 911 that daily drove it because he spent his entire inheritance on it and ended up driving it into the ground because he couldn't afford another car. I doubt he ever drove that car on a track in its lifetime.

 

[tarosean]

Why? All that picture says to me is that they guy has enough money to buy a lambo, but not enough money to insure it.
Daily driving a track machine is....kind of dumb. It just means you can't afford
1. To regularly drive your lambo on the track,
2. To buy a Bentley as well.

I knew a guy with a Porsche 911 that daily drove it because he spent his entire inheritance on it and ended up driving it into the ground because he couldn't afford another car. I doubt he ever drove that car on a track in its lifetime.

In the country that picture was taken in you purchase the entire insurance policy for the year. No installment plans, payments, etc. prior to inspection/registration. So the likely hood of him being "uninsured" is almost zero unlike the USA.

The point was he uses the car, just as the person you knew. They are not safe queens being rubbed down with renaissance wax. They are being worn out.
Course for the collectors that means 2 less cars out there so everyone else's value goes up..

My side wins and your sides wins.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I have three guns that were never fired after leaving the factory, a C-96 broomhandle Mauser made in 1913, a type 14 Nambu made in 1935 ( with pre-war quality that makes the C-96 look ugly ) and a T-series Hi-power made in 1968. All of them are 99% guns. The first two have cosmoline all over their insides.

There is a rule among the collecting world that says that when a piece reaches the 97% plateau, each extra percentage point of condition can, in some instances, double the value of the gun. This usually holds true for very high end guns that are rare and scarce. My three are not in that category. Some examples would be transferrable FG-42s, ( there are only 26 in the country, they go for a third of a million at auction. ) Walker Colt's and Singer 1911A1's, to name three. But this 97% rule can also be applied to guns that were inexpensive and cranked out by the millions, but very few survive today...in pristine condition. One example would be the Remington model 6 Boy's rifle. It was a cheap single shot .22 that sold for three bucks or so a hundred years ago. There are lot's of them still around, but finding one in near new condition car result in a four figure price tag.

Some guns are so rare ( Walker Colt's ) that one in almost any condition can cost many thousands of dollars. And of course there are guns that were owned by historical figures or celebrities. They bring big bucks pretty much regardless of condition.

I don't shoot a gun that is 99% and full of cosmoline. That's just me.

I can agree with this. However , when you do find one near new, I say it shouldn't be fired.

Read my second paragraph.

I have a "shooter " grade C-96 that I shoot.

Yes, this is definitely true. I was thinking mainly 'commemorative' guns, that are made by the thousands and are never actually worth any more than the first buyer paid, or historical guns of the more common sort in decent-but-well-used condition. I think anyone in the realm of owning Walker Colts, Singer 1911A1s, and the like is probably not asking questions like "Should I shoot it?," though.

My collectable guns are an IBM M1 carbine, a matching 1942 Colt 1911A1, and a matching 1945 Remington-Rand 1911A1. All in good condition, and of some reasonable monetary value, but definitely shootable without degrading said value at all.

 

[kimberkid]

The only gun I’ve got and never shot is an engraved 1957 Colt 1911 NM … my wife bought it for me for my 57th birthday.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The only gun I’ve got and never shot is an engraved 1957 Colt 1911 NM … my wife bought it for me for my 57th birthday.

View attachment 1153301

woo weee!!!

 

[tarosean]

I think anyone in the realm of owning Walker Colts, Singer 1911A1s, and the like is probably not asking questions like "Should I shoot it?," though.

You're right! The question should be what do I put in the rest of the slots??



<--- Obviously this fool is not in that realm

 

[lightman]

I'm not a collector but I do have a few guns that I have only shot a little. I have an 1873 Winchester in original condition that I have only shot a little. I actually did take it Deer Hunting once, thinking it would be cool to tag a Deer with a 140 year old rifle. And I have my Dad's 2nd generation SAA with a very low serial number that He only shot one cylinder full out of and I did the same.

 

[tark]

My avatar had been fired exactly 200 times before Les gave it to me as a retirement present. I put one magazine through it just to say I have shot it.

It will be fired again as soon as Mark_Mark shows up at my house! The offer still stands!!!

 

[tark]

I have a collectible gun worth about $30,000. I am making an effort to wear it out.

I'm guessing this gun might shoot bullets that weigh four ounces, pushed by 500 or so grains of FG...?

 

[Mark_Mark]

My avatar had been fired exactly 200 times before Les gave it to me as a retirement present. I put one magazine through it just to say I have shot it.

It will be fired again as soon as Mark_Mark shows up at my house! The offer still stands!!!

If I had a Les Baer, I would carry, shoot, and make a fake gold holster chain! carry it around my neck too! One Day!