Shoot yer guns!

[Bob R]

I have one revolver I have not fired (Yet), a 2" 15-4 in new to as new condition. Did I buy it to keep in New Condition? NO. I plan to take very good care of it. I just put a set of Kim Ahrends Grips on it last night. They are Square Butt Finger Groove Boot Grips in Cordia with a Tung Oil Finish. They are Purdy. Next I will have a Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster made for it. This is my Barbecue Gun. This is my only Hi Luster Blued Revolver at this time.

I had one over the years I did not shoot, a Savage 99-375. I knew it was rare when I got it, I had my gunsmith slick up the trigger, and found it a collector for an owner. If I had it back at this point in my life, it would have been putting deer in the freezer.

I have a few semi scarce Smith & Wessons. a 315 Night Guard Number 508 of 576 I believe. I also have a 310 Night Guard, no idea how many produced, but probably under 600 also. And my favorite Concealed Carry revolver a Custom 66-2 with 3 inch barrel. Around 4000 of the 3" 66-2 made. Probably not many in DAO, non Standard sights, Chamfered Chambers, Ball Loc and an Action Job. Pretty sure it was a S&W Custom Shop gun.

In Rugers I have a pair of 480 Ruger Super RedHawks. Collectors?? OH Heck No, these are my serious hunting handguns. I did not buy the best hunting revolvers ever made to set back as safe queens. I tagged an 8 point with the 9-1/2" barreled one Tuesday evening. That brings it up to One 8 Point, one 11 point, and one Doe. Plus it has Counted Coup on
dozens.

Bob

 

[street]

I have one revolver I have not fired (Yet), a 2" 15-4 in new to as new condition. Did I buy it to keep in New Condition? NO. I plan to take very good care of it. I just put a set of Kim Ahrends Grips on it last night. They are Square Butt Finger Groove Boot Grips in Cordia with a Tung Oil Finish. They are Purdy. Next I will have a Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster made for it. This is my Barbecue Gun. This is my only Hi Luster Blued Revolver at this time.

I had one over the years I did not shoot, a Savage 99-375. I knew it was rare when I got it, I had my gunsmith slick up the trigger, and found it a collector for an owner. If I had it back at this point in my life, it would have been putting deer in the freezer.

I have a few semi scarce Smith & Wessons. a 315 Night Guard Number 508 of 576 I believe. I also have a 310 Night Guard, no idea how many produced, but probably under 600 also. And my favorite Concealed Carry revolver a Custom 66-2 with 3 inch barrel. Around 4000 of the 3" 66-2 made. Probably not many in DAO, non Standard sights, Chamfered Chambers, Ball Loc and an Action Job. Pretty sure it was a S&W Custom Shop gun.

In Rugers I have a pair of 480 Ruger Super RedHawks. Collectors?? OH Heck No, these are my serious hunting handguns. I did not buy the best hunting revolvers ever made to set back as safe queens. I tagged an 8 point with the 9-1/2" barreled one Tuesday evening. That brings it up to One 8 Point, one 11 point, and one Doe. Plus it has Counted Coup on
dozens.

Bob

Good for you Bob. There is nothing that I like better then to see someone enjoy there guns. And by your remarks you have giving many good examples on how to do just that.

I on the other hand have been lucky to aquire a complete set of Red Eagle Automatics. A complete set of 357 Ruger Flattops, a complete set of Ruger 44 Mag. Flattops and a complete set of Ruger Flatgates, including a consecutive set of 3 digit guns with Factory Stags. A complete set of Lightweights less the blue"S"model. And last but not least a consecutive set of Factory Engraved Single-Sixes. At one time I had over 200 Rugers in my collection. In acquiring these guns I enjoyed going to many gun shows east of the Mississippi river. And a few west of the big river. I have met many other nice collectors and have made many friendships along the way. Unless ones a collector one cannot experience the thrill of aquiring that particular variation to complete that collection. I cannot see how anyone can enjoy a firearm any more. I have done a lot of shooting and hunting and I have to say that the most enjoyment came from collecting more so then shooting or hunting.

One has to realize that collecting doesn't mean just putting a gun in a safe and closing the door and forgetting about them. There are at least 3 or 4 Ruger shows a year that you get to go to and display your guns. I have spent many week ends having a great time showing off my collection, answering questions, and just being a cheer leader for Sturm Ruger Corp. Look at some of RR's post about the great time that he has had at these shows, swapping tales and wheeling and dealing Rugers.

I asume by your post that you are just a shooter and not a collector and theres nothing wrong with that. I will be the last person to say that there is. But by my post you can see that being a collector you can have just as much enjoyment out of your guns, collecting, as you do by shooting them. The point I'm trying to make is There is nothing wrong with being strickly a shooter and there is nothing wrong with being strickly being a collector. And there is nothing wrong with being both. After all you would have the best of both worlds if you were both.

As I am getting up in age, over 70, I starting selling off my collection, and most of these guns have gone to other collectors and shooters. Here is one advantage of collecting and keeping your guns in as good as shape as the day that you bought them. The consecutive pair of Flatgates that I paid $1300.00 in the 80s I sold for over $4999.00. The consecutive set of Factory Engraved Single-Sixes that I paid $5700.00 sold for over $17,499.00. Of course one of these guns was in Dougans book and the other one was in Munnells book. That kind of helped the price. I had a really great time trying to pair those guns up. A lot of things had to come together for me to aquire those guns. I won't go into it but one collector wanted to buy the one and only 15 in. .44 Flattop and had to sell some guns to be able to afford it. After about 5 or 6 trades one of the Engraved guns was offered for sale to me. One of the reasons that I started selling off my collection, I have to thank all of you shoot only crew for that!!! I just didn't want to die and have that guy that marries my wife come in and shoot the hell out of my guns. :lol: :roll: :lol: If you shoot only guys hadn't pointed that out I would have had to turn over in my grave every time one of my guns was shot. :evil: :evil: :evil: Now I have sold most of them and my wife gives me a small allowance to spend, which as all you married people know, is all that you can hope for. Life is grand :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[timnc]

Street, now that I am in my 70th year, I can fully understand what you are saying. Over the years I have owned at least 200 firearms, just not all at one time primarily because I was more interested in trying almost every single handgun I have ever seen and constant swapping was the only way I could afford it. Most I ever had on hand was 25. Wife & kids don't have my "passion". Grandkids have shown some interest, but still too soon to tell how that will develop. I'm still "hooked" however since I just acquired one of those that I always wanted-Single Six .32 magnum-and I'm looking forward to my next range trip when I will shoot it for the first time. Just want you to know that I thoroughly enjoy reading your comments on this forum and think about you every time I go through Roanoke on my way to Staunton. Thanks and Merry Christmas. Tim

 

[street]

Street, now that I am in my 70th year, I can fully understand what you are saying. Over the years I have owned at least 200 firearms, just not all at one time primarily because I was more interested in trying almost every single handgun I have ever seen and constant swapping was the only way I could afford it. Most I ever had on hand was 25. Wife & kids don't have my "passion". Grandkids have shown some interest, but still too soon to tell how that will develop. I'm still "hooked" however since I just acquired one of those that I always wanted-Single Six .32 magnum-and I'm looking forward to my next range trip when I will shoot it for the first time. Just want you to know that I thoroughly enjoy reading your comments on this forum and think about you every time I go through Roanoke on my way to Staunton. Thanks and Merry Christmas. Tim

Merry Christmas to you and your family. I will be setting up at the Roanoke Gun Show in Jan 5 and 6. If you get a chance stop by I would love to see you and swap a few Ruger lies. :lol:

 

[timnc]

Would really like that: but, my next trip to Staunton will be 1st weekend in February for son & grandson birthdays. I will keep an eye on the show schedules. If I'm ever able to get to one, I'll check to see if you will be there. Tim

 

[contender]

Another excellent post Street.
I enjoyed shooting the meager few Rugers I got back in the 1970's. It wasn't until I started accumilating a few more did I realize I might enjoy collecting. Then I got introduced to collecting by a display I saw. WOW!!!!!!! Thanks Bill H! Fast forward a few years,, and I got invited to display my Rugers. Thanks to the shows,, & meeting folks,, my enjoyment has grown tremendously!


timnc,,,,,,,,,,,,, The invite is open,,,,!

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I personally believe if I don't want to shoverything I own ot agun I don't want to own it. I shoot everything I own and enjoy everyone.I have built quite a nice collection of great shooters over the years. Because if a gun doesn't shoot to my expectations its the first to go. Every gun I own is A proven performer.