Shoot yer guns!

[saction]

I have my money, you have yours. Do what you want and I'll do what I want. I am NOT trying to be rude. Just real. Simply, my perspective is why would you not want to enjoy the rare specimens as well as the common? At the end of your life would you rather say you enjoyed a bunch of common guns or you enjoyed "all" of them. I think that having the rare one off is not as interesting as knowing how that one off shoots. For those value centric, I don't see enough difference in NIB vs. Mint for rare guns.

 

[street]

I'm sure that all of us would love to know which rare Rugers that you own and shoot. We would love pictures too.

 

[saction]

Street. I understand the resistance to do it. I just think that life is too short not to enjoy the little things. I have broken the cherries on original ruger flat tops, winchester 83's to simple joys in life like NIB RCA ruger 32 mag bisley. All owned by me or close friends. This isn't a debate about who owns what. But about who does something with what. Again, to each his own. I can understand the "never fired" mentality. But where is the fun in that? My entire point is that your firearms will get fired by someone. Wouldn't you rather it be you than someone else?

Also, if it comes down to it and it's never fired.... that's just a shame. May as well be a painting on the wall.

 

[SteveRuger]

I guess that is what makes the world go round some just like the 'NIB'. I kinda look at it like a rare silver dollar there is always a value there but, there is a big difference in value used or never been used. J/S

 

[flatgate]

Oh, I have this problem totally figured out. Honest!

Here's a very nice, all original BKH-47 Blackhawk from the early '60's. Proper Box, paper works, etc. It even has decent, original walnut grips! Am I gonna shoot it? You bet your tail I won't even pull the hammer back. No WAY!

Ah, another one, eh? Yeah, and it shoots very, very well. I added a steel, XR3-RED New Model grip frame, an OM Super hammer, a taller front sight and some decent "fake Ivory" grips.

Several models of Ruger revolvers exist as similar pairs in MY collection. Best of both worlds, IMHO.
Merry Christmas!

flatgate

PS I've not yet made up a pair of Supers with the Long Grip Frames.......... :roll: John? Steve? It's still not too late for Christmas!

 

[contender]

FG & I share the same mentality. I enjoy the rare minty guns for the beauty they show,, and it's easy to find a shooter that can be enjoyed. Usually,,,,,,! (I haven't gotten my first RSSE and I can't recall finding a shooter anywhere either!)

 

[32magfan]

I shoot almost everything I own. I prefer to find nice but not NIB examples of Rugers (and older S&W's) that interest me. I can then shoot them without worrying about ruining "collector value". I do not have a "gun collection", I have a gun accumulation. That does not mean it is not valuable, just less so than if left pristine.

OTOH, I do have an unfired SBH Convertible (44Mag/44-40) that I will not fire. I have another SBH and other 44Mags so why bother? I thought I wanted "one of everything" in new model Ruger SA's. I still have not found the shooter 357 Maxi, 40 S&W Vaquero, etc... I don't have much else that is unfired, maybe my .32 Bisley. That will definitely be shot when the time is right.

I have quite a few oddball guns, rare versions and otherwise "stuff you don't normally see" at the range. I reload so ammo is less of a concern than for most shooters. I will be shooting my stuff - I enjoy the smell of burning powder too much to leave 'em sitting in the safe never seeing the light of day. If you have one that will lose hundreds of dollars in value if you shoot it, I understand not doing so. That doesn't mean you can't find another close example and enjoy that specimen at the range.

Have fun either way - for some it is all about the chase for more stuff. For me it's bout the chase and shooting the quarry once it is found. To each his own. :wink:

My .02,

32Magfan

 

[street]

Street. I understand the resistance to do it. I just think that life is too short not to enjoy the little things. I have broken the cherries on original ruger flat tops, winchester 83's to simple joys in life like NIB RCA ruger 32 mag bisley. All owned by me or close friends. This isn't a debate about who owns what. But about who does something with what. Again, to each his own. I can understand the "never fired" mentality. But where is the fun in that? My entire point is that your firearms will get fired by someone. Wouldn't you rather it be you than someone else?

Also, if it comes down to it and it's never fired.... that's just a shame. May as well be a painting on the wall.

I see by your answer that you didn't understand my question. I didn't ask why one wants to shoot every gun that one has, and I didn't ask why anyone would want to collect and not shoot. All I asked was:
"I'm sure that all of us would love to know which rare Rugers that you own and shoot. We would love pictures too.

Please!!! Show us your rare Rugers with pictures. As all of us here at the Forum love pictures. As far as. "May as well be a painting on the wall!" That comparing apples to oranges. As everyone knows that a picture will not shoot. So the only thing you can do to it is hang it on a wall. But by the same token some Rugers are a work of art, and you could hang them on a wall. :lol: Please we would love to see pictures.

 

[street]

I shoot almost everything I own. I prefer to find nice but not NIB examples of Rugers (and older S&W's) that interest me. I can then shoot them without worrying about ruining "collector value". I do not have a "gun collection", I have a gun accumulation. That does not mean it is not valuable, just less so than if left pristine.

OTOH, I do have an unfired SBH Convertible (44Mag/44-40) that I will not fire. I have another SBH and other 44Mags so why bother? I thought I wanted "one of everything" in new model Ruger SA's. I still have not found the shooter 357 Maxi, 40 S&W Vaquero, etc... I don't have much else that is unfired, maybe my .32 Bisley. That will definitely be shot when the time is right.

I have quite a few oddball guns, rare versions and otherwise "stuff you don't normally see" at the range. I reload so ammo is less of a concern than for most shooters. I will be shooting my stuff - I enjoy the smell of burining powder too much to leave 'em sitting in the safe never seeing the light of day. If you have one that will lose hundreds of dollars in value if you shoot it, I understand not doing so. That doesn't mean you can't find another close example and enjoy that specimen at the range.

Have fun either way - for some it is all about the chase for more stuff. For me it's bout the chase and shooting the quarry once it is found. To each his own. :wink:

My .02,

32Magfan

You say that you don't have a gun collection but you have a gun "accumulation." Then you state that you have some guns that you won't shoot. That sounds a whole lot like someone who is a collector. Well it kind of looks like you might be a "Closet Collector." :lol: :lol: :lol: You know someone who likes to collect guns but is ashamed to admit to it. You might as well come out of the closet and admit that you are a collector. You can still shoot the guns that you want and be a collector. No harm will come to you if you say you are a collector. After all it's not the end of the world if you are a collector.

 

[woodsy]

I'm with saction on this topic.
Having used tools for almost seven decades I have come to appreciate how well a tool works when it is doing its job, if it's well-designed and well-made. I consider a firearm a tool. I don't care how rare it is , or how valuable it is; it's still a tool, used to perform a function.
Coins are not "tools". They are items to be used as barter or means of exchange. They simply pass from one ownership to another. They don't "do" anything. The fact that there are people who value the condition of something after it has passed through time does not resonate with me. It's a little easier understanding the value of a coin because it is not a tool, and had no function.
I have firearms which get used in varying degrees, but they all get used sometime. Some of them, like tools, have different functions than the others. It's up to me to take care of my "tools", be they firearms or not. If I am careless then someday I may pay the price of reduced value down the road. But I don't sell my most valuable tools (or firearms). So what they might be worth some day is simply an exercise in "what might have been".
And to sum up, I own Rugers because they are well-designed, rugged tools which will last a LONG time doing their jobs if I do mine.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I understand that if you're a "collector" you have to go to the darn meetings and get involved in a twelve-step program.

We "accumulators" just do what feels good.

 

[street]

I'm with saction on this topic.
Having used tools for almost seven decades I have come to appreciate how well a tool works when it is doing its job, if it's well-designed and well-made. I consider a firearm a tool. I don't care how rare it is , or how valuable it is; it's still a tool, used to perform a function.
Coins are not "tools". They are items to be used as barter or means of exchange. They simply pass from one ownership to another. They don't "do" anything. The fact that there are people who value the condition of something after it has passed through time does not resonate with me. It's a little easier understanding the value of a coin because it is not a tool, and had no function.
I have firearms which get used in varying degrees, but they all get used sometime. Some of them, like tools, have different functions than the others. It's up to me to take care of my "tools", be they firearms or not. If I am careless then someday I may pay the price of reduced value down the road. But I don't sell my most valuable tools (or firearms). So what they might be worth some day is simply an exercise in "what might have been".
And to sum up, I own Rugers because they are well-designed, rugged tools which will last a LONG time doing their jobs if I do mine.

Go to any museum and look at all the tools that early man had used. You don't see anyone using those tools! Those tools need to be saved so that future generation can see and learn where we came from, and how we developed. Some Rugers fall into this catagory. Surely if you were lucky enough to own one of the Factory Engraved Single-Sixes, you wouldn't hammer yard sale posters to the telephone poles in your neighborhood with the back of the grip. I guess that's what you mean when you say it's a tool. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[street]

I understand that if you're a "collector" you have to go to the darn meetings and get involved in a twelve-step program.

We "accumulators" just do what feels good.

No if you are a collector then you do just what your title says. Collect more Rugers. Now isn't that fun. Other then you know what :lol: Collecting another Ruger will put a big grin on your face quicker then anything else. Let the drunks go to all of those meetings and the 12 step program. The collectors will just be out beating the bushes looking for "just one more Ruger" to fill an empty spot in their collection and having a whole lot of fun doing it.

 

[flatgate]

I understand that if you're a "collector" you have to go to the darn meetings and get involved in a twelve-step program.

It all depends on just what it is you collect! Hangovers? Better get the 12 step Owner's Manual!

flatgate

 

[street]

I understand that if you're a "collector" you have to go to the darn meetings and get involved in a twelve-step program.

It all depends on just what it is you collect! Hangovers? Better get the 12 step Owner's Manual!

flatgate

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[RugerForMe]

saction I run into that from time to time.

Out shooting my SP101 .22LR. one of the original 6 shots. Crips how in the heck could you hurt a .22LR Stainless Revolver designed to shoot .357mags.

I actually had a guy tell me I would wear it out shooting it to much. :shock:

 

[eighttyniner1]

I have another reason why I do not shoot all the guns in my safe. There is one gun in particular my dad brought back from WWII. It is a CZ. He never told me the story behind that gun. At his request he did not want me to shoot it. I am honoring his request to this day.

 

[RICHP]

Ah, now I know what I am, a closet collector. I have some I haven,t shot but I will someday, maybe, if I get around to it.
I dont see them as tools, I baby them when I take them out to the range or to the field hunting. My hunting buddy sees them as tools, he throws them on the dash of the truck or behind the seat maybe for the two months of deer season. But I do shoot most of them, finally.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, to all.

 

[eveled]

I can see both sides, but I like to buy nice shooter grade guns. That way I can enjoy them more. I don't worry about giving them a scratch or a nick, (the ironic thing is that I've never scratched or nicked any of them that I know of).

If I owned a never fired gun, I'd shoot it, because I know eventually I'd break down and shoot it so I might as well start now. Ed

 

[timnc]

Have only owned 2 guns in my entire life that were never shot(except for factory test). First was Colt repro black powder that I traded for a Security Six. Second is in the safe now and will remain unfired only until my next trip to the range. Since I can't really afford to be a "collector", I simply take care of them the best I can while I enjoy "playing with my toys". Tim

 

[contender]

I like to tell Miss Penny that my collecting Rugers,, that go along with my shooters are just an investment. In her inheritance. She says to keep buying guns. Plus,, I look at it like this. I didn't go "middle age crazy" and buy a sports car, dump her & chase a 20 something beauty. If I'm buying guns, shooting, collecting Rugers & related stuff,,,, I'm not out chasing women, drinking etc.
It's funny, last night,, after most of the family had left our Christmas dinner gathering,, my step-son & his wife were the last ones around. And this exact subject came up. Not necessarily about shooting,, but "a man's toys." Even my daughter-in-law said she understands that as long as he's playing with toys around home,, she knows he isn't out doing other things he shouldn't. They are in their early 30's too.
BTW; I bought my step-son a descent remote controlled helicopter as part of his Christmas. He immediately put it on charge,, and got batteries for the controller, and KEPT watching the charger to see when it was fully charged. He has played with small chaep ones before & this one is so much better. Outside we went. My son, my step-son, my granddaughter, & I were all out there watching & laughing at him flying this bird around. It got his wife & Miss Penny to come out & watch as well. He flew it until the battery died down to where the power level wasn't good enough to fly, in the house, back on the charger,, and much later,, he was flying it around in the house.

All of this points to our "toys" we enjoy.
Including firearms.

Yes,, they are tools, but to those of us who collect,, we know that we can get shooters to accompany the safe queens. We know that they could be put into service if need be,, but we choose to enjoy the pristene rarer examples in their unused condition.
And yes,, many of us FULLY understand the folks who can not afford to both collect & shoot.
To me,, it's my toys,, and I prefer to enjoy both sides of the fence. I collect & I shoot. It's my hobby.

And besides,, it pizzes off the liberals who want to destroy our Constitution.

 

[32magfan]

Street,

I have about 50 revolvers total and 2 that I haven't shot. If that makes me a 4% collector, then so be it. I will "gather" all those rare and unusual Ruger single actions someday. After I make some appropriate pictures, I will likely sell the unfired ones to honest, admitted and out-of-the-closet collectors :wink: (No one can call dibs now so don't start that up). For now, I will continue the hunt, limping along as best I can while I haunt shop after shop, show after show and classified after classified until I get 'em all.

I still say its an "accumulation".

32Magfan

 

[CraigC]

I have to agree with the OP. IMHO, very few guns are "too nice" to shoot. I have no issues whatsoever buying a NIB collectible to shoot, if it's what I want. Collectors are not the only ones that enjoy older, NIB guns and their purposes are no more or less noble than a shooter's. Life is too short not to get all the enjoyment possible out of it. For me, that means shooting and hunting, not leaving NIB guns to languish in the safe. I'll oblige the collectors to find their own.

 

[street]

Street,

I have about 50 revolvers total and 2 that I haven't shot. If that makes me a 4% collector, then so be it. I will "gather" all those rare and unusual Ruger single actions someday. After I make some appropriate pictures, I will likely sell the unfired ones to honest, admitted and out-of-the-closet collectors :wink: (No one can call dibs now so don't start that up). For now, I will continue the hunt, limping along as best I can while I haunt shop after shop, show after show and classified after classified until I get 'em all.

I still say its an "accumulation".

32Magfan

There is no set number that you aquire that automatically makes you a collector. But I got to say 50 will put you in the collector catagory with a lot to spare. You are like an alcoholic that claims he can quit anytime, when you say that you are not a collector. YOU ARE A COLLECTOR. The next time you see a Ruger that you got to have, just try to walk away. :lol: Oh! By the way just because you shoot a gun doesn't mean that you are not a collector. That's just an excuse that collectors use when they don't want to be called a collector.

 

[Kevin]

I agree with the OP. I shoot every gun I own. Simple, easy, and it helps out Contender's and Flatgate's collections. Their unfired gems will be worth more...

 

[street]

It seems as if everyone agrees with the OP. And what's not to agree. If a person work hard for a living and spends his money on a firearm and decides to shoot it, after all that's what they are made for. Why would anyone say that's wrong? And as a matter of fact no one on the forum has said it was wrong.

Now the same thing applies to the person that collects guns. That person works hard for his money and when he buys a firearm for his collection and doesn't shoot it then that's his right to do that. After all the same rights for the shooter works the same for the collector. I have notice that a lot of innuendoes have been said about owning a gun for collecting purposes and not shooting it. One even compared it to being an alcoholic and having to go to all of those meeting. I guess that is OK as one has to go to all of those Ruger Shows and other gun shows. :lol: :lol: :lol: A COLLECTOR HAS EVERY RIGHT TO COLLECT AND NOT SHOOT HIS GUNS AS A SHOOTER HAS TO BUY AND SHOOT HIS GUNS. And anyone that doesn't agree with that@#$&*(%$&&.

The OP started this post saying that that he had his money and other people had theirs and for them to do with theirs as they like and he will do with his as he likes. No who can argue with that logic. I know I can't, because that's the freedom that we enjoy in this country. He also stated. "why would you not want to enjoy the rare specimens as well as the common?" I also agree with that statement. But I might add that I would enjoy the rare ones a little different then the common one. I still agree with that part of the statement as I would say everyone else would too. Of course the collector would enjoy in a different way then the shooter would, but none the less they both would enjoy.

Now with my "OR" I didn't say that I disagreed with what he said, I didn't say he was wrong. There was nothing in his statement that I said I disagreed with. All I asked was what Rare Rugers that he has shot and to please show some pictures of them, as we all like to see pictures of Rare Rugers. Now I don't know why everyone would want to read into this something different and decided this was a pissing war between Shooters and Collectors, because that had nothing to do with my question.

It seem that the majority of people on the fourm are shooters and very few of us are collectors. That may explain why so many people has replied that they shoot every gun they own, they wouldn't have a gun that they wouldn't shoot, and being in the majority they have ribbed us collectors to no end. But I will leave this treatise with this statement. "Being in the majority opinion does not make your opionion the right one. Just look at the last Presidential race!!!!!! :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[timnc]

Street, you are absolutely right. Personally, I have learned more about Rugers in the past 2 years by reading posts in the Collecting section than I learned in the previous 47 years of shooting them. Wish I could see some of the things you guys have. Pictures just aren't enough. A long time ago I had to decide if I wanted to spend a limited amount of money on a very few special guns or experience the pleasure of "renting" a lot of different ones. Thus began a life of buy, shoot, sell or trade, shoot, etc. etc. etc. You do whatever works for YOU. Enjoy life, it only comes around once. Merry Christmas. Tim

 

[contender]

Kevin; I appreciate you!!!!!!!!!!!

Street; You are right,, nobody has disagreed with the OP. And yes,, collectors do get to enjoy the ones we collect. Just in a different way. But I don't look at the posts by the shoot them all bunch as being critical of collectors. Just their opinions. I've never felt it was a dividing line among us rugerolohics. And for the folks who are casual Ruger owners,, or just buy shooters,,, just come to Harrisburg & look at my display. It's built around teaching folks about collecting Rugers,, especially many of the differences we collector look for. It's all about education. And I enjoy seeing how many folks make very nice, positive comments when pics of nicer looking, rare, older Rugers are shown. Even many shooters will leave nice comments. They do appreciate them.

timnc,,, if you'd like to visit,, fondle AND shoot some old Rugers,,, just come on over sometime,,! I'll break out a "few."

 

[Joe S.]

Have a friend who bought a NIB Smith from probably 1950's. never fired. Not even a turn line on the cylinder. Beautiful. He is looking at it when it arrives. His daughter walks in, "whatcha doin?"

"Lookin at a gun."

"Can i see it?"

"Sure" he says, handing it to her. She is looking it over and all of a sudden cocks the hammer. I thought he was going to pass out. Literally.

He likes guns unfired, unturned. And he leaves em that way.

Cant blame him cause thats what he likes.

 

[Ruger1441]

I shoot the ones that I want to. I see no purpose to shooting them all when I have my favorites. Just my opinion.