What should I do?

[Andy-Y]

When I was younger my Grandmother told me she had something special for my birthday. I was intrigued when she told me to follow her upstairs. She led me to her bedroom closet and poked around a bit until she found what she was looking for, she emerged from her closet with an M-1 carbine that had belonged to her brother (my Great Uncle). I was very happy to say the least, and immediately set about giving it a thorough cleaning and wiping it down with some oil. I shot a few boxes of shells through it when I first got it, and planned on shooting it regularly until one of my friends fathers told me I shouldn't shoot a gun that was that old and in good condition, it was a collectors piece, and should be treated as such.

Well in a word I felt foolish, like a dumb kid who didn't know any better. So I cleaned her up and in the safe she went. That was over 10 years ago, and I haven't shot it since. Lately I bought my first handgun, and after taking it to the range I brought it home and began the cleaning process. When I went to retrieve my cleaning kit I figured I would pull out the old M1 and give her a good oiling to prevent rust. My wife noticed me and said "how come you never shoot that thing, it just collects dust. You should use it or sell it and get something you CAN use".

Her words struck a nerve with me, what IS the point of owning something that has no real use? I do collect firearms, but they all get use. This one just has some sentimental value (I really liked my great uncle Jack). I don't want to make it worthless, but I know my uncle would disapprove of her being a safe queen. Opinions? Here's a couple of pics...

 

[Threeband]

Poor thing looks sad and neglected.

Shoot it!

 

[ByAnyMeans]

If your uncle would disprove of it's safe queen status then shoot away. Your memories of your uncle when you shoot it sound valuable to me.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have a WWII and I shoot it . It was made to be shot and used in all conditions . Yes it has some value . let next owner worry about that I replaced the recoil spring thats all in years of shooting. Mine is a 1943 . I also shoot and at times carry my 1941USGI Colt.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Some horses and dogs have racing in their blood and they are not happy in life unless they are racing. It's the same way with guns.

How would you obtain the most enjoyment from the gun. Shooting it like your great uncle did? Or saving it so somebody else can come along and "buy" that enjoyment from you? I guess you need to ask yourself, how much is the enjoyment that I would get from shooting this rifle worth in money? You won't de-value the rifle much by shooting it. You will de-value it by not taking care of it. But you can shoot it and take care of it at the same time.

 

[Majic]

Nothing was said about great uncle shooting the rifle just that he owned it. What you choose to do with it is your decision.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I think you have to decide. If you want it as a collector's piece, then you should probably leave it alone until you sell it. You won't realize the value as a collector's piece until someone gives you money for it.

If you want to keep it in memory of your uncle, I don't think a few more rounds through it or another ding or two will change that.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

but I know my uncle would disapprove of her being a safe queen.

.

 

[RaspberrySurprise]

That there is a rifle that was born to be shot. It'd be cruel to do otherwise.

 

[Taurus 66]

Of course you're kidding, right??... sentiments aside.

 

[Crow1108]

The way I see it is it's a family heirloom that belonged to a beloved family member. I don't know how you feel about it, but personally I wouldn't sell it (which pretty much makes collector value null-and-void).

Shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[Red Tornado]

Yeah, you're not going to hurt it by shooting it. Seriously.

Guaranteed, if you ever sold this heirloom (don't ever, of course!) the buyer would be buying it to shoot it. He/she would be grateful you took such good care of it, however.

What I'm saying is, "DUDE!!! Get ammo and go shoot your uncle's gun!" Just clean it when you're done and it'll still outlast you and your kids. It's not glass and paper, it's an M1 Carbine.

BTW, friend's fathers don't always know what they're talking about. IMO, every few years you should re-evaluate any 'advice' you've received. As you age and learn, you often bypass those who have decided on their opinions and have stopped thinking and questioning.
RT

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

I can't think of a better way for you to reconnect with and honor your Uncle Jack than by taking the M1 out and shooting a few rounds through it. Y'know, you can shoot it without abusing it.

Sam

 

[Starship1st]

Take her out to the range and shoot it. Every time you use it you are connecting to the past. You are also creating memories of your own.

 

[butters]

I agree with SHOOT1SAM. No reason you can't shoot it every now and then. Just take care of it and you'll be able to hand it down to your nephew/child/grandchild.

 

[dirtyjim]

its in very good shape & putting a few rounds down range every now & then wouldn't hurt it, as long as its properly cleaned afterwards. whats the maker & does the barrel match? the makers name will be stamped under the rear sight & the barrel will be stamped right behind the rear sight. the rifle still has a few early features on it like the push button safety & it looks like a type one barrel band, but the rear sight looks to be the later stamped version.
now if it was a minty irwin pederson, a line out or a un'quality hardware i would shoot it very sparingly & taunt the gunshow dealers with it for fun

 

[bannockburn]

Andy-Y

Most definitely shoot it; that would honor the memory of your great uncle and the heritage of a veteran military weapon.

 

[deadin]

I've got a number of "non-shooters", but it's only because of their age (over 100 years), rarity or condition. Your M1 isn't old enough or rare enough to qualify. It's already been fired, so can't qualify as "unfired" so I would have no problems with shooting it. Just treat it with the respect it deserves.

 

[Werewolf]

Your wife is right.
Your great uncle is spinning in his grave every time you pull the trigger and your grandma cringes.

I, being the kind hearted type, will end your travail and gladly take that horrible piece off of your hands. I won't even make you pay me.

 

[Aran]

Shoot the hell out of it.

 

[Armed 24/7]

Shoot it! But more importantly, NEVER SELL IT.

 

[cane]

Interesting carbine, notice it doesn't have the bayonet stud and has the early push through safety instead of the latter lever one. Instead of the flip over peep sight, it has the later adjustable back sight. Be interested in knowing who made it, the manufacturers name is under the back sight.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Hi Andy,

My Dad recently 'retired' an 09 revolver that my great-grandfather brought back from WWI. That handgun was carried by a member of the family in 'two wars, a police action and a conflict.' It was the first 'big bore' handgun I ever fired.

The value of that handgun isn't measured in dollars, but in it's role in the defense of this country and the protection of various members of three generations of my family. An 'antique' is only worth X number of dollars if you plan to sell it. In my eyes if you sell the weapon you sell a part of your own history.

If it were a piece of my history, I would treat it with loving care. Keep the action clean, the parts well oiled, make sure it was properly fed with high guality ammunition and given as much exercise as time permitted. You may decrease the dollar value, but you will bring yourself closer to the Great Uncle that thought enough of the weapon to keep it. It's the respectful thing to do.

Selena

 

[jnyork]

Most definitely shoot it; that would honor the memory of your great uncle and the heritage of a veteran military weapon.
__________________

Says it all.

 

[Andy-Y]

Thanks for the kind words, all. I think you are all right and I agree with you that letting this nice rifle collect dust is a sin. I hadn't even considered the "price" versus "value" aspect. I would never sell it (I've had some nice offers) because, well, I don't sell guns, period . So it looks like I'm going to go grab a few boxes of shell and let her eat!

By the way, I'm not sure what this gun has gone through, The maker (stamped under the rear sight) is STD CO., at least that's what is says, and the barrel is marked Underwood 1-44 with the flaming bomb. The stock has a seal burned into it that looks like two crossed cannons. here's a pic (kinda crappy)...