Shooting a shooter is different than shooting something rare or valuable
I have no problem with safe queens, a collectible firearm is like a coin, a painting, etc., just owning it is quite satisfying. I know a lady who collects sewing machines. One man I know collects old cameras-some of which you can't find film for anymore. My SIL's late father had quite a collection of old TVs.
I agree 100%. I have enough shooters, I'm out for the collector pieces now. I always get a laugh out of these threads. The shooter guy IMO just doesn't usually have a reason to have a safe queen. For example, the people that say "I shoot my glock, taurus, Ruger etc every day, no safe queens" well no crap. What if you lucked into a real collectible? Would you really sell it just because it was valuable or it wasn't you? Would you shoot the snot out of it if it was worth more than 5 of your other guns? Really? Do you even have this choice to make? I do, and I have dedicated safe queens, with shooters and some that are seldom used, but used nonetheless.
So what if you got a 1913 Dutch DWM luger, all original with holster for $700, you would shoot the snot out of it? The firing pin matches, you would risk breaking it? So you would sell it rather than shoot it? But its your best gun, and you don't need the money. Choices choices choices. For some guns, its a much more obvious decision than others.
Here is a pic of my 2 lugers, the 6 in gun is a DWM 1917 dated Navy luger, all matching except for mag. The 4 in luger is a DWM Dutch contract. These are both hard to find. I won't post values, but go research them. Go see what Simpsons Ltd wants for either, and tell me you would shoot it a lot.
How about this, a pre 29 44 magnum (top) that was once again a deal, or shoot the 29-2. They are the same blind folded, but very different as far as rarity / collectibility and even value.
I have these early S&Ws, all pre 1870. I call myself a S&W nut, so I wanted to know and own some of their company history. These 3 are all 22 black powder short. Any smokeless 22 will ruin the gun. You wouldn't buy them if you loved the company and their products? You would go track down 22 short black powder ammo? You would trade them? What would you do? Me, I let them hang out with all the other ones.
This Nambu is matching down to the grips and firing pin, and clean. The round, 8mm nambu, isn't even made anymore. The gun is poorly designed, and would not be very accurate. So you'd shoot the snot out of it? I doubt it. You wouldn't buy it? Perhaps, but what if it was a deal, say $200. You wouldn't buy it because its not a good idea for shooting? Really? I don't "buy" that.
And finally, a Colt Diamondback in 22lr. Some think this is one of the best 22 revolvers ever made. Not I, I say a K-22 is much better, I also prefer the Colt OMM and the S&W 22 kit gun to a Diamondback. Heck, I'd rather shoot a 22 semi. Why? Well no reason other than the trigger is heavy, the grips aren't shaped the best, and the sights aren't too great and yet the gun is hailed by many, but falls short of the rep. Did I get a bad one, I don't think so. I think many people just repeat what Uncle Bob says is the best. IMO, the Diamondback is over rated but as a collectible? Its one of the more sought after Colts. Mine is like new in the box, but fired. Why should I take a chance? I got it for a great price, but also from my great uncle, and he bought it new. I want to preserve it for sentimental reasons, and I didn't enjoy shooting it when I did. So I had to buy it, but don't care to shoot it. Am I crazy? Maybe I am, but I have other options at 22 and so shooting it doesn't even cross my mind. I like having it in its condition more than shooting it. It even has the "join the NRA, or your rights will be taken!" mail in card. The gun is from the late 70s.
The point here is that the choice isn't as obvious as people will have you believe, and most people who have to shoot their guns don't own anything to where preserving it makes sense. They instead have guns that they bought for shooting primarily, instead of other reasons. Shooting some Glock is different than one of my lugers, and if you had a gun like a good luger, you the "have to shoot them all" people would think differently.
We're not all the same, and we don't have to be. No matter what anyone says, I have and will continue to have a bunch of safe queens, who sit there with shooters and some which others are a lil of both. I honestly see no other way, but then again I hardcore invest in guns, and have been rewarded many times for doing so. Many other people don't invest, and don't care and that's ok with me, but understand that there's another school of thought with a ton of merit itself.
Thanks for reading.
Unlike with jewelry, use does reduce value with firearms.
Good thing I'm confidant of where I'm going, but as far as I know I won't be able to take my firearms with me!