My Dilemma - HELP!!

S

Super38

New member
I have aquired an unfired as new in box Colt Detective 3rd issue. Box, paperwork, all. It still has the packing grease on it in places. My problem, do I shoot it or not? Do I sell it off and buy a shooter or hold it for investment. I'm not really keen on having something I don't use for it's intended purpose. But still........ :confused: :confused:

Your thoughts are always welcome. Thanks
 
Would you walk around with a beautiful woman on your arm for ten years and never kiss her? Would you walk around with a beautiful gun and never turn the cylinder, let alone shoot it? For a shooter type of guy, guns are a poor financial investment. Your return will be very small, and you get to look at an object you would rather be shooting while you wait for a price increase that may take decades.

That being said, your revolver sounds like a prime candidate for increasing in value, and in a decade you might come out ahead, especially if you bought it for a song. You have to make the decision of whether to shoot it or not though. I shoot guns that others think I should not. Because of that, I no longer buy new or unfired guns. If you are going to collect for the sake of collecting, do it because that particular gun is fascinating to you, not because you think it might appreciate in value. You will be a lot happier in the long run.
 
Majic
I got it in trade because I do like it. I had a S&W snubbie and was not real happy with it. I think this is a far better gun. I just couldn't decide to shoot or not after I brought it home.

XavierBreath
You are so right. That's the whole thing in a nutshell. If I take care of it, the use, not abuse, should only add to it's value. I didn't really buy it for an investment, I actually wanted to use it as a carry piece to replace the S&W.
 
By not shooting the gun is considered poor economics. A lot of people buy something and put it away thinking it will increase in value as time passes. But what it really is what a collector is willing to pay for. You are assuming that this item will increase in value as time passes. That's the real gamble. If you put the money in a high interest account then you will double or triple your money in five years at no risk. The only time guns are investments is when they are extremly rare like Hitler's Walther or the 45 Luger. Shoot the gun and enjoy it.
 
:rolleyes: I'll beg to differ. That Detective Special IS going to increase in value. If you shoot it, now, someday somebody at the Smithsonian or the NRA Firearms Museum might be very angry with you. As far as I'm concerned, go ahead and kiss that beautiful woman, get a Glock to carry around with you everyday, and either sell that CDS to somebody who'll appreciate it, or turn it into a, 'safe queen' right away. Let's face it: You can't save a wedding cake for too long; beautiful women sooner or later grow old; but that pristine Detective Special is good for, at least, the next century! :D
 
Yeah but by the time the Smithsonian or the NRA gets mad all of us will be dead. When was the gun made and how many? What is it's blue book value? Is there any collector value or do the collectors only value the first run of these guns? I picked up a M-1 carbine years ago and could not identify it's origins or past history. One expert told me it was issued to the 4TH Armoured while another said it was issued to the 1ST Marine Division. The answer was it was lendlease,shipped to England and sat in storage until rediscoverd and shipped back for sale here. It's value $150 and was made by Bluesky armory 1943 for a British use-and I paid 150 for at a gun show. So much for my yatch. This is a question might best be answered by a firearms appraiser. Now the Japanese Flag and Samuri sword my Grandfather left me that's another story.
 
When you have a good horse, you gotta let it run

I'd shoot it. It was made to launch lead. Take care of it, enjoy it, and don't worry about it.

R/fiVe
 
To tell the truth, 3rd Gen revolvers were made with factory scrap. I would shoot it and never worry about the resale. I used to have a daily driver 70 'Cuda though. A 1st Gen I would put in a safe.
 
Either shoot it, or sell it to some other idiot for something you will shoot. Never owned a Gun I wouldnt or couldnt shoot, never will.

Best fun I ever had was shooting a 99% factory nickel, First generation SAA in .41 Colt. 100 rounds of OWS ammo later, I was in eutopia.
 
going going going to the range tomorrow! then we'll see just what we have here. I'll keep you posted :
Nothing like taking a new gun to the range :D
 
Glad to hear it. If I remember Third generation Colt DS were made about the time of the strike or scab peroid. Colt was allowed replacement workers when the regulars went on strike. Quality wasn't it's best during that time. I doubt this gun is a goldmine. Go launch some lead.
 
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