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commemoratives

peddler
Is the fit and finish as good or better on a commemorative firearm as on a regular firearm? What about the dependability? I know I purchased a Walther PPKS by Smith & Wesson that was 1 of 500 and it would not even shoot, they made it good in a very fast time frame,but I was just wondering if all commemoratives might be like that? Thanks
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • countryfarmer
    Most commenmoratives should be just as good if not better in finish and fit should be about the same. They are over priced for what they are and if you are going to shoot them, their price drops fast.
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  • geeguy
    Buy'm right and shoot them!

    While they are much more expensive when new, I have purchased several Beretta's, Colt's, and Winchester's, unfired but without boxes and paperwork for far less then a "standard" new gun. All have shot as good or better then the standard new in the box.

    Only problem I have noted was with the "purist" at the ranges who seem to think your an idiot and don't "know" how you are destroying the gun.

    They shoot great and look better. Everyone seems to think they are worthless without papers and box or been fired, not so. The key is to buy it right and not pay more because it is a commemorative.

    Good luck.
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  • peddler
    Geeguy, thats the way I thank too, most guns are made to shoot.
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  • 1KYDSTR
    It is a bit difficult to make blanket statements regarding "commemorative" guns. Some are just as good, made in the same place, and there really IS no difference other than the cosmetic embellishments. In some cases, However, there is little comparison between guns that are mechanically "identical". Best way I can think to describe this is with some of the Winchester 94 commemoratives made in Canada. The Winchesters made in New Haven in my opinion are FAR superior to the Commemoratives made by Cooey (or finished by them...can't remember)in Canada. They cost a lot of money for something that was in essence a gussied up model 94 wanna be. I too bought one of the commemoratives (The Cherokee I think? It's LONG gone now!)because the guy had disposed of the box and it had the lightest little bit of freckling that I needed to clean up but hey, I figured, it's $300, how can I go wrong? Wish I had put the $300 to some other use. Jam-o-friggin'-matic! Factory fodder and handloads alike demonstrated abysmal accuracy, the extracor broke around round 20, the "gold" flaked off under even the slightest use and I quickly unloaded it on a guy I knew who didn't care what it looked or operated like...just wanted a "Winchester". I lost about $100 on that one...something I don't often do where firearms are concerned. Lesson learned for me.

    There are of course many exceptions to this general rule. The US Firearms Co. commemoratives made on the old Colt's models seem to be really nice and other than the premium for the embellishments, are IMHO a good value. Some commemoratives will appreciate over time...many will not.

    EDIT #1: Hey Geeguy, not an issue! If I pointed out the number of times I have been corrected by other forum members one would wonder why I bother to attempt to contribute at all!!! We are all here to support and back each other up, so again, NO BIGGIE! Best, Bill
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  • geeguy
    I agree 1KY.

    I should have added to be sure where it was made. There are many commemorative guns that are not built to shoot (made for wall hangers)and many that are copies (a lot of Colt 1911's not built by Colt). You can always check with the factory. I did this on 2 of the 3 I purchased and was able to take the other one apart (a 1911)to assure it was well made.

    My statement was a little broad, thanks 1KY for adding the word of caution.
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