To Sell or Not to Sell (mint S&W model 28)

Another way to look at it is this;

Currently it's worth somewhere around $800? Let's be a little more generous and say even $900 for sake of argument.

You then shoot a few thousand rounds thru it but take pretty good care of the gun. The gun develops some slight signs of use over the years it takes to shoot that much ammo. It's now worth around $600 in today's market.

So at WORST you will lose $300 in value. And likely more like $200 to $250. For that cost you will have had the joy of shooting a great gun that is in great condition that makes you smile every time you take it to the range.

Now if it did turn out that someone out there was willing to pay the $1100 that a NEW S&W is currently costing that would be a different situation. If you can find someone willing to pay that much I'd likely sell it and use the money to buy a nice but not quite so pristine gun to replace the 28. But given that most folks don't think that an older gun, even if in NIB condition like this one, is worth a little over a grand I'd be inclined to simply shrug and go shoot it.

And look at it this way. If you bought a NEW gun wouldn't you go and shoot it???????? So what makes THIS one so different?
 
I know it must be a difficult decision for you but if it was mine I would take it to the range and enjoy shooting it. But if you're concerned that shooting it will diminish the value then it might be a good idea to sell or trade it for something that you will enjoy shooting.
 
What I would do is what you are doing: agonize over the decision for a while and then make it, somehow. If your father has or can be persuaded to get the appropriate license, perhaps you could make that revolver the gift instead of the shotgun, with the provisio that he shouldn't feel he can't sell it to get a shotgun, you just wanted to give him the option.

If that isn't feasible, take him out shooting with that revolver, telling him you've decided to sell it so he ought to come and experience it with you. Don't tell him why. Then when you present him with the new shotgun, tell him it's why you sold that revolver. He's your father, you can safely assume you have made him cry before, but this time it will be in a good way.
 
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