Shooting Super Mint Milsurps

A

albertacowboy

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Normally I always shoot any of my rifles, but I just wanted to get a second opinion on the advisability of firing two super mint examples, given a possibility of reducing their values. One is a 1950 Long Branch 95L No.4 with all correct CAL stamps, and the other is a 1941 Portuguese contract K98k with all-matching milled steel. Both have peerless bores and furniture with beautiful walnut stocks and are in super mint condition.

I have other No. 4 rifles, but no other K98k. Would you keep these rifles as is, or would you fire them? I am a fanatic for cleaning and upkeep, and am in Edmonton and have had no storage problems re rust, etc.
 
If they have been fired I would say shoot away! If they were new in the wrap then maybe think twice... they are meant to be used and cared for
 
Many gophers have been killed with my mint matching Portuguese contract k98...

Took my first deer with a gorgeous qve45 K43 with an original ddx ZF4... lost the top windage cap going through the brush! ;)

YOLO!
 
Personally I wouldn't especially if you have other worse condition rifles to shoot. At the end of the day its your decision, but unless it is something particularly special (like a legitimately serious accuracy test for a like new rifle) I wouldn't do anything to them.
 
I had a mint,unfired '41 Portuguese K98 w/blonde stock. Thought about it over the years, but never could bring myself to shoot it. Eventually someone talked me out of it so I let it go. Was a great investment, but to be honest I prefer a battle rifle that has seen action.
 
Depends on your gun strategy. Some people have investment rifles and shooter rifles, others shoot everything. If you plan to maintain peak value leave the grease on and store it till you need your equity back.

For milsurps I keep a few that are perfect unused or still in the grease that I can trace their history for like non railed Podolsk rifles, non issued milsurps that look like they just cMe off the assembly line or ones that are incredibly rare. Most of those also have shooter variants which fill the bill for fun.
 
They are your rifles. I have a few that I won't shoot, and lots that I would shoot. cornelunc kind of summed it up for me.

The old "shoot 'em, they aren't just to look at" works for those who think that way. What works for you, works for you.

I wouldn't shoot the Portugese. I would buy another 8mm, say an M48 or one of its cousins. They are still reasonable in price.

Just my humble opinion. :) I have come to the conclusion that there is an outside chance I may not live forever, so some of my rifles will be worth more if left alone. Some, it won't matter. I sold an unfired LE No.4 Irish contract at a Calgary show. The fellow who bought it could hardly contain himself. I was happy that it went to an appreciative buyer.
 
woodchopper said:
ah not shooting a rifle because its too minty is like having a hot girlfriend and not banging her because you want to save her for the next guy :)
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Hardly.

If you have a hot girlfriend that wants to be used, you might as well, because if you don't, someone else will.

Mint, in the wrap or factory fresh milsurps are getting very rare OP.

IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE of not getting a bruise, rub, ding etc on YOUR rifle fine. Back in the day when such rifles were almost the norm, all sorts of abuses were levied on them. NOW, the first five rounds fired down that bore will cost you $100 each. IMHO.

TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
 
I have invested in many rare, high end and expensive milsurps. I have and continue to take em out every once and a while, but that's just me.
 
If it’s unissued and still in the wrap I’d likely keep it like that, I’d buy a rifle in the wrap only as an investment or collector rifle. There are only so many of them available like that. If it was unwrapped and cleaned already when bought I would lightly shoot it, if only to function check it. I have a very minty svt40, bore is especially clean and shiny. I have always shot it and kept it clean and oiled after, it is in no worse condition than it was when I bought it and cleaned the cosmoline out of it. I don’t abuse my guns, even the ones I hunt and hike with. I take care of my things but I use them as well.

If it’s an investment piece, keep it that way.
 
They are only mint once. Start shooting, start losing money, and desirability. Your choice of course but there are already so many that have been shot, shoot them
 
ah not shooting a rifle because its too minty is like having a hot girlfriend and not banging her because you want to save her for the next guy
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Whatcha talkin' bout Willis?

woodchopper,,,,,,,one of the best lines on GunNutz that I have heard in a long, long time!

I might just have to borrow that.
 
woodchopper said:
ah not shooting a rifle because its too minty is like having a hot girlfriend and not banging her because you want to save her for the next guy :)
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This.

Sooner or later, someone's gonna pull the trigger. Take that joy for yourself, and keep it in good condition. The value drop won't be that much, certainly not as much as the joy you get firing it yourself.
 
woodchopper said:
ah not shooting a rifle because its too minty is like having a hot girlfriend and not banging her because you want to save her for the next guy :)
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Yup. It blows my mind some collectors keep guns wrapped up so when they die the next guy will get to shot it.
 
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