--customized RUGER--should I buy

S

SDRAM587

Inactive
Hi,


I am a cadet at West Point. I am graduating this year. This year, for my graduating class, we are getting a customized RUGER as our class pistol.

I don't know anything about guns so I was wondering if you think I should spend $850 on this pistol.

Please take a look at the attached picture and give me your honest assesment.

MY GOAL: Is not to use the pistol at any pistol range. I just want to buy it and display it. However, I am not sure if the $850 will be worth it or not.

I have more pictures if you want to see it.


Thanx for the help.
 

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Purty Gun
should probrably be able to at least always get your money back from it if you ever decide to sell.

850 is way to much for a ruger shooter, but is it way to much for a collectable??? that's up to you.

Might want to try this over at http://www.rugerforum.com/ their's a couple guys over there that know this stuff in and out.

Finially congradulations on your graduation, That is Fantastic.

Welcome to the forum.
 
Boy! That's a tough call. The stock gun retails for $535 which means you should be able to buy one for $450.

Now it looks like your graduation gun has imitation ivory grips. Ones that look similar can be had for $50.

Then there's the gold plated hammer and trigger and gold inlays; also the engraving. Don't know the quality of the engraving.

To me it looks like a BEAUTIFUL gun. If you can afford it without starving I'd get it as a beautiful memento of your accomplishment. If you don't, I think you'll be kicking yourself later.

Look at it this way. I'll bet your class ring isn't worth what you paid for it as far as materials are concerned.

I'd like to see more pictures of your gun (speaking optimistically). ;)
 
Sorry for this probably dumb question, but, isn't West Point a military college? How can someone be as far along as you in a setting like that and not know anything about guns? I'm not trying to criticize or make fun, I am just a bit puzzled. Don't you have to have some sort of firearms training at some point in your matriculation? I was under the impression that graduates of your school became officers upon graduation, is this incorrect?
Or is all firearms training only done once you are through with school?
See, I told you it might be a dumb question;)
Just another stupid civilian question.
 
Guys,

First of all, thanx for all the friendly replyies. You NRA members are not that bad after all =)

Anyhow, here is the information for my class pistol:


The Ruger Vaquero is the fancier of the two class pistols. It is a highly polished blued, with 24k gold accents, gold lettering, and elaborate custom engraving. Please see the pictures to fully appreciate this pistol.

Features include:

Chambered in .45 Colt
5 ½ inch barrel
Gold plated hammer and trigger
Custom faux ivory grips with West Point crest embedded
Custom serial number of USMA03xxx
Custom presentation case included
Price: $785


As you can see, I made a mistake with the price. It is actually under $800.

here are some more pixs.
 

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Graduating from West Point is a very big deal. If I was you, I'd buy the gun if it was twice the price. If you don't, you'll probably hate yourself later.
 
Yes,

West Point is a military academy.

I am from northern California and because of that, I am surrounded by a whole bunch of tree huggers and anti-war people all my life.

I went to west point as a way to serve my community/nation.

Anyhow, yes I do have numerous weapons classes.

Cadets here virtually touched and fired almost every military "guns" produced from the M1 abrams, Bradley FV, motars, artillery howizters, M16, M4, M19 gernade launcher, M60, SAW, AT4, etc.

So as you can see, I have a little bit of familiarization with the "hardcore" weapons.

When it comes to pistols, I have very little knowlege of it. I just know how to shoot, clean, and maintain it and that is all.

I never took much interest in guns and weapons. Kinda odd huh?


Well here is another pix
 

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LAST PIX

Here is the last pix


I think you are right, I shouldn't put too much value on the actual cost of the pistol. I can always make more money eventually, but I can not make or retain memories. Because of that, I thinking of leaning toward saving money for the pistol.


Thanx for all of your insight and advices =)
 

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Hi, SDRAM587, and welcome to TFL! Make sure you visit us every so often - we are full of military (currently serving and veterans), as you'll see in this thread .

If I were you, I'd buy that gun, for three reasons:

1. It's a once-in-a-lifetime memento - if you don't buy it now, you'll forever kick yourself!;

2. It's worth the money, given the quality of the engraving and inlays;

3. Think of the fun you'll have showing that to your children and grandchildren!

May your service to this great nation always be performed with honor and dignity: and may this country always afford you the respect and appreciation which your high calling deserves. God bless.
 
SDRAM587,

You HAVE to get it!!

After seeing the additional pictures, the depth of the engraving, the West Point emblem in the grips, the lower price, and a display case it's a BARGAIN!

I know it's difficult at your age, but think of your children and grandchildren.

You mentioned that you weren't going to shoot it. You have to stick to that. Someday if you just want to run a few through it to see how it shoots... DON'T!

Unfired collector's guns are much more valuable than fired ones.

That being said, many guns are proof fired at the factory; furthermore, there is the new ballistic fingerprinting law for firearms in which fired cases must be supplied with each new gun. These are to be submitted to the state agency to go on file. I've read that some purchasers of new guns have received a fired cartridge with their gun when their particular state doesn't require it.

I don't know how a future purchaser can tell that firing from any you might do, but I stand by my "don't shoot it" advice. If you want to shoot one some years down the road, spring for the $450 and buy a shooter.

Congratulations.
 
I'm with

CharlieD, BLITzNICK, and Preacherman. You are soon to be one of a few thousand men in history to have been given the priviledge of an education at The Academy.:cool: Beg, borrow(not steal, of course), scrimp and save and get one for posterity.
 
At one point somebody was selling a customized Ruger single action revolver like that, a STURGIS (motorcycle rally/party!) commemorative, for $2,800.

It was nowhere near as nice or as potentially valuable as that baby :).

Get it, then get a plain one as a shooter 'cuz they're a ton o' fun and after all, you want to be able to shoot ANY gun you own in a pinch :D.
 
SDRAM587,

Congratulations on your pending graduation, and best wishes on your future career in the military. You do us proud!

That commemorative Ruger is absolutely beautiful, and you will cherish it for life. They command a price much higher than other guns (from serious collectors), so consider it an investment.

What ever you do, don't shoot it, or even rotate that cylinder by dry firing or cocking the hammer! A cylinder line caused by the lock dragging against the cylinder as it rotates, may slightly reduce the value of your gun.

You should also ask someone about proper preservation of your firearm. The gold inlay and grips may react to some of the rust preventives, that many of us take for granted.

You say your not interested in firearms, but I've no doubt you will only admire that gorgeous revolver for a short period of time, before curiosity begins to tempt you to try it at the range. :D

PLEASE DON'T!

Instead, buy a stainless steel Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt, and shoot that to your hearts content. The Blackhawk has adjustable sights, so you can shoot any ammo you choose exactly to point of aim, and the stainless finish is very low maintenance. The Vaquero is also an equally fine handgun, but lacks the adjustable sights.

Either gun can be found for less than $400 new, and they hold their value well. Blued Blackhawks sell for only $319 here, with stainless about $30-$50 more.

Ruger single action revolvers have legendary accuracy, and nothing is more satisfying than punching one ragged hole in your target at fifty feet. I've owned and fired a lot of different guns in my life, but keep coming back to the big single action boomers.

Best of luck.

Bill (USAF Ret)
 
:D
first congratz! If I were you i would get it Just so later you won't be kicking yourself for not. I think it would be a neat thing to pass on to your kids some day.
 
The engraving alone is worth the price.....but the point (no pun) is that it's a part of your life you can keep be proud of and pass on. Congrats we need guys like you!!!!!!!!!
 
Looking at the new pics I'm changing my response from it's up to youu, to definately get it, that gun is beautiful, and by george you've earned it.:)
 
Your last picture is now my wallpaper.

1. Get it.
2. Don't shoot it.
3. Get a standard one to be a shooter.


Congatulations on your graduation!!!!!!

And welcome to TFL.
 
Hi SDRAM587,

Me again.

I want to reinforce what Bill Adair said about dry firing it or even working the action. I'd already said not to shoot it, but I forgot about making a ring around the cylinder just from playing with it.

As you've already said, you're not very interested in guns so not playing with it shouldn't be much of a problem. You'll be investing in a work of art; an heirloom. Think of it as that and not as a gun.

As we've said before. If you decide to shoot or play with a gun, buy an off the shelf shooter.
 
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