No, I don't feel guilty shooting a "collectable" gun if its new in box with papers and all that.....
Its value in my collection is relevant only to how I perceive it....and I shoot it, and take care of it, and enjoy it. I wouldn't enjoy just having it ...and letting it sit in the safe.
In the last several years I've purchased a number of older guns, S&W revolvers new in box with papers, etc...model 66's, model 27's and 29's...and while they may not go to the range every week...they go reasonably often. I know its blasphemy to a lot of guys ...but I don't keep the boxes and papers either.../ but then resale value isn't my concern....its a hassle to keep all those boxes --and I have no interest in the presentation boxes, cardboard boxes, etc...
and I don't care if I paid $1,000 or $ 1,500 ....or $ 3,000 plus for the gun....I treat them well ....but I shoot them. If I didn't do that, I would not enjoy them.
I'm heading to the range later this afternoon...and in my bag is a Wilson Combat 1911 I had made about 7 yrs ago in 9mm ...nice gun -- and I'll run a bunch of tactical and reload drills with it in and out of a good horsehide leather holster - I shoot it a lot ( about 6 boxes a week as a rule )......and I have a Freedom Arms, 4 3/4" octagaonal barrel single action revolver, 5 shot, large frame in .357 Mag that I had made for my birthday about 18 months ago ...../ combined insured replacement value on the 2 guns is around $8,000....but I love shooting them every week !
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82010&d=1339790943
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82267&d=1341002367
Its value in my collection is relevant only to how I perceive it....and I shoot it, and take care of it, and enjoy it. I wouldn't enjoy just having it ...and letting it sit in the safe.
In the last several years I've purchased a number of older guns, S&W revolvers new in box with papers, etc...model 66's, model 27's and 29's...and while they may not go to the range every week...they go reasonably often. I know its blasphemy to a lot of guys ...but I don't keep the boxes and papers either.../ but then resale value isn't my concern....its a hassle to keep all those boxes --and I have no interest in the presentation boxes, cardboard boxes, etc...
and I don't care if I paid $1,000 or $ 1,500 ....or $ 3,000 plus for the gun....I treat them well ....but I shoot them. If I didn't do that, I would not enjoy them.
I'm heading to the range later this afternoon...and in my bag is a Wilson Combat 1911 I had made about 7 yrs ago in 9mm ...nice gun -- and I'll run a bunch of tactical and reload drills with it in and out of a good horsehide leather holster - I shoot it a lot ( about 6 boxes a week as a rule )......and I have a Freedom Arms, 4 3/4" octagaonal barrel single action revolver, 5 shot, large frame in .357 Mag that I had made for my birthday about 18 months ago ...../ combined insured replacement value on the 2 guns is around $8,000....but I love shooting them every week !
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82010&d=1339790943
http://thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=82267&d=1341002367