New Rifle: shoot it, or save it?

T

Tom68

New member
Need some opinions here. I just bought a Ruger "Semi-Custom" M77 at the NRA banquet; really beautiful walnut, NRA logo and "1 of 1125" artwork on the floorplate. Chambered in 7mm-08, it's a really nice rifle, and whether I needed it or not, I just had to bid on it.

Question is, do I want to shoot it, or leave it in an unfired condition?

Everyone has opinions on this, I'm sure. Some will ask why even have a firearm if you're not going to shoot it? Well, perhaps this will become a collectible some day; either way, I don't see myself subjecting it to harsh use. Whether or not it appreciates in value is highly subjective. And, I have 4 other deer rifles, so it's not like I bought it for a specific need.

Thoughts?
 
There is more than one reason to own a rifle and some are worth more unfired than fired. I think it's great that you bought the rifle at an NRA banquet and I'm sure they'll use the money wisely. I occasionally buy things from charity events with no thought of using them.

The rifle is yours. Do what you want with it.
 
The collectability of current production Rugers is not going to be subastantial, enjoy it for what it is, a quality rifle.
 
If the rifle is number 1 in its' serial series I say keep it in unfired condition. Just because the value of any given production isn't expected to jump significantly over time doesn't mean it won't have a relatively high collector value.
If your needs are covered with other rifles, what's the harm in keeping this one pristine?
 
Collectables

I know plenty of people who own cars with about 00007 miles on them. I know people who own toys in original boxes. I know people who have baseball cards which serve no purpose other than to keep or trade.

While I would not purchase a rifle with thoughts of keeping it in the safe or above the mantle if I were to stumble on a a gem so to speak I would not shoot it.

You could always wait to see if there is a high value in it a few years down the road and if there is not use it as a deer rifle. Also you could keep it with a plan to pass it down to a son, daughter, nephew etc. This way if there was some value in it then you could decide and if not the kid would have a new condition rifle to start with. Either way you win.

P.S. good on you for supporting the NRA.

Thanks, Vermonter
 
If the rifle is number 1 in its' serial series I say keep it in unfired condition
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I just bought a Ruger "Semi-Custom" M77 at the NRA banquet; really beautiful walnut, NRA logo and "1 of 1125" artwork on the floorplate.
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The poster did say it is a Ruger M77, and Ruger Number 1s don't have floorplates.

Yes, NRA rifles properly documented an preserved tend to be somewhat collectible, although you will probably own that rifle for many years before the value exceeds what you paid for it at auction. It's up to you whether you fire it or not. I wouldn't, but that's just me. Many collections tend to become something that your heirs fight over then sell real cheap.
 
He didn't say it was a number 1, he said, and you quoted, "number 1 in its' serial series", which it evidently is, "1 of 1125"

It may be worth something one day (meaning more than a standard M77), to the right person. Finding that person may be tough.
 
Thanks, Emcon. I was gonna point that out.
Anything that is the very first model in a production series is gonna have a slightly higher collector value because people like having the "the first one".
 
I wouldn't shoot it but I wouldn't keep it either. I would have it up for sale hoping for 250-300% markup. I'd probably keep it, looking for that price level for a while, after I got bored I'd get rid of it for as much as possible, hopefully at least break-even.

I have no use for useless guns. Guns that I can't shoot are worthless *TO ME*. No offense to those who feel otherwise.
 
"Collectables" are seldom as collectable as standard models that for one reason or another were produced in low numbers. An early flat/sculpted bolt handle Ruger 77 is worth more than any inscribed "occasion" gun.

A friend shoots CAS with a SAA 125th anniversary model for which he paid hundreds of dollars less than a standard blue-CC model was going for at the time.

Life is too short to agonize over whether an artificially scarce thing like that is going to appreciate. Go shooting.
 
Coming from someone who has a weakness for commemoratives and limited editions, you'll need to get clarification on the gun's status as 1 of 1125. On the surface, one would assume that it is the first of 1125, when in fact, more and more what it really means that is is one of 1125 total produced. If the former, keep it pristine without question, if the latter, I don't see any reason not to shoot it.
 
nothing wrong with shooting a nice rifle... fortunately ( for me ) I have not seen much increase in value of "collectable" rifles...

I shoot CAS with a pre safety ( no idea how old... & don't really care ) Rossi that is fully engraved & has extra grade wood... I bought it unfired, for less than the current offerings ( without engraving & extra grade wood, & with the safety, & usually of lower quality workmanship ) it had a couple small handling dings on the wood... a great deal for me...

I also bought a stainless / walnut Remington 700 "30-06 100th aniversary" commemoritive that was unfired last year, for less than a new blued Remington 700... that one I haven't shot... not because of the rifle, only because I already have 5-6 rifles in 30-06

so... if you want to save it... no problem... if you want to get caught shooting a classy rifle & will take care of it... by all means shoot it
 
How could you have a rifle in shooting condition and not shoot it????????????????????????????????????????????????????
 
I've little interest in or understanding of the collectible/commemorative market. I do feel that the chances of this rifle increasing sustantially if left in unfired condition are a gamble at best. The chances of it being a quality hunting rifle that you'll be proud to take to the field are pretty much a sure thing. I'd go with the sure thing. Four good hunting rifles is just about right, five is even better.:)
 
I know of several people that bought a new rifle, kept it in the box and never shot it. When they opened the box years later, it was rusty and ruined! If they would have shot it and cared for it, that would not have happened. Just putting it away is not that simple, it always requires a proper environment with no moisture and even temperature. You have to take care of it even if you don't shoot it. Why not enjoy the rifle and shoot it, just taking reasonable care of it?
 
I shoot everything I have, I don't care how "special" it is, it's useless in a box hermetically sealed for all time.:eek:
 
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