I have a 1960 unfired mint Winchester 1894 30-30... I have had it for 5 years, absolutely love the thing but because it's about as good as you can hope for in a Win 94 I just can't bring myself to even fire it. Just wondering if anyone else has a similar problem with a rifle that they just can't bring themselves to shoot or hunt with?
Does anyone else have a rifle that is just too nice to hunt with?
- Thread starter cdncowboy
- Start date
If it can't be fired then it's not what I hope for in a rifle.
Heck I should try and upload the video of myself and some others firing an original .577 Snyder Enfield we went over, had a smith confirm that it was safe. Then had some low power loads done up, just to say we could fire it!
Wall hangers are more fun to look at when you know how she truly feels! Just my opinion.
Heck I should try and upload the video of myself and some others firing an original .577 Snyder Enfield we went over, had a smith confirm that it was safe. Then had some low power loads done up, just to say we could fire it!
Wall hangers are more fun to look at when you know how she truly feels! Just my opinion.
Nope ........ nor would I have one!
I get it when guys collect nice old collectible guns and do no hunt with them. I get that! What I certainly do not get is when a brand new shiny X-Bolt Medallion is purchased and the owner says it too nice to hunt with and just piles it into the safe.
I don't collect guns.
- Location
- Next to Santa Claus. ᑯᒡᓗᒃᑐᒃ ᓄᓇᕗᑦ
I had a Winchester/Mauser 243 rifle and I thought that the stock was just too beautiful. As a result, I only shot it once and then it sat in the safe. I managed to sell it off a couple of months ago. I hope that the new owner will actually use it.
I could never resist the temptation to take it out and fire it, which is why I'm not collector. If you're like me, and can't resist the temptation, I would suggest selling the unfired one to a true collector, then take the money and buy a used one for 1/2 to 2/3 the cost, and have at 'er. I have one in about 95% condition, and I do baby it a bit, but it's not a safe queen.
I do collect guns... but I collect shooter's, not NIB dust collectors... that is not to say, I enjoy abuse inflicted on a nice firearm... I don't... it makes me cringe... and when conditions are bad, I choose my firearm accordingly... I do my best to protect them... but I use them... some never do see the field, but that is just due to constant trading for interest... they are all intended for the field.
I have a Mk.III Ross rifle made in 1914. It has no primer ring on the boltface, no brass smears in the magazine, and a shiny white bore. Externally it is near new. I have shooter grade Mk.III rifles, but do not intend to shoot this one.
When I see pictures of the ultra rich hunting with doubles worth more than my house, I just cannot justify leaving any of my firearms unshot.
Now I do have several I don't beat up, but that is a different story.
Unless your buyig as an investment, shoot em.
Now I do have several I don't beat up, but that is a different story.
Unless your buyig as an investment, shoot em.
Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Sometimes your role is dogger and you have to go where you have to go. Dragging a pristine rifle through deadfalls in a black spruce swamp makes me cringe. Unless its museum quality or you have a beater to sub in for this role just do it! Honest wear on an honest rifle is the cost of pursuing game.
I own lots of guns I don't shoot. Doesn't mean I can't enjoy owning them. Some are not necessarily "too nice", but are simply not going to see any shooting. I have lots that I shoot, some more often than others. I guess I am with the other second class citizens who own guns they don't shoot. So be it. I paid for my stuff, so I get to chose what I do with it.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
I buy a rifle and use it but try my best not to do any cosmetic damage and avoid bumping or dropping it. If it happens then that's a bummer. But if it's an SKS or Mosin Nagant who cares? 
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Londonshooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Kjohn, no criticism implied. Shoot them, don't shoot them. Everyone gets to decide what to do with them. I have a couple that only go to the range but none I don't shoot. I definitely appreciate guys that baby their guns especially when they have something for sale.
I remember a conversation at an antique gun auction. There were two older fella's, collectors, that were discussing an original Pennsylvania rifle that eventually sold for somewhat over 100K.
One was of the opinion that if he got the rifle he would absolutely shoot it, otherwise it would just be a decoration.
The other said if he dropped six figures on a rifle it would rarely leave the gun room, it is too nice to shoot.
To that comment the first guy said something to the effect - "if you were married to Marilyn Munro (and you can insert anyone from your generation) would you sleep with her?
That kinda sums up how I feel about firearms. If you can't shoot them then they are just an expensive decoration no different then a nik nak sitting on the book case...
One was of the opinion that if he got the rifle he would absolutely shoot it, otherwise it would just be a decoration.
The other said if he dropped six figures on a rifle it would rarely leave the gun room, it is too nice to shoot.
To that comment the first guy said something to the effect - "if you were married to Marilyn Munro (and you can insert anyone from your generation) would you sleep with her?
That kinda sums up how I feel about firearms. If you can't shoot them then they are just an expensive decoration no different then a nik nak sitting on the book case...
