Unfired... Yes or No
I decided to shoot my .44 Auto Mag and LOVED it, packed a big punch and I don't regret shooting it and not leaving it unfired. I have several others that I think I'm going to fire also. Any thoughts on firing or leaving unfired??
I am also putting this in the General Forums
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM
I am also putting this in the General Forums
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM
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Fire them. If you just want something to look at buy a painting. Otherwise it's like buying grandma a racecar to drive to church on Sundays. 0 -
44 auto mags are working guns and fun to shoot. just curious...why do you have more than one? are they all different? i mean one big 'boom' is the same in all of them. if you planned on holding on to them for resale years from now...leave some unfired and just shoot one. 0 -
Shoot it till you get ready to sell it and then call me. I'd always rather buy a preowned preshot gun (except for rifles) as along as it is in NRA excellent condition.
BEST ADVICE I EVER GOT FOR PISTOL SHOOTING - WATCH THE BULLET ALL THE WAY TO THE TARGET0 -
Most guns were fired at the factory. So go shoot your guns and enjoy them.
Regards,
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I'm a collector ... I'm a shooter. The purported value difference between fired and unfired is a very subjective area. There are those folks that will pay a premium for a gun that has not been fired (except for factory test) and is in the original box with all papers, tools, etc. And they will not buy any other way, or if they do they expect a very large discount.
Fine with me, plenty of room in the world for all. However, there is an experience that is missed unless you actually fire a quality made gun. At least that is my thought. However, I do not seek out the "NIB" pieces and will not pay the additional premium. But if one comes my way and it is not a duplicate, it will not remain unfired for very long. This belief has gotten more than a couple people sore with me, and this post will maybe get a couple more upset, but hey it's my hobby, and my money so why can't I enjoy my collection from both the aesthetic and functional perspective????
Back to the question ... will you lose value firing an "unfired" gun? Yes, you will, but how much you lose is where opinions varry. And I think a median estimate would be in the range of 15-25%+ depending on the make, model and scarcity.
Of course there is shooting to experience the quality, etc., and there is shooting the "snot" out of it which increases wear and lowers condition with the corresponding reduction in value.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
I have some collector grade guns and shoot them all the time!
WHY HAVE IT IF YOU CAN'T HAVE FUN WITH IT-SHOOT IT
Lance
10's RULE
[:D]0 -
ive been going back and forth about buying a 44 automag. let me know if you are looking to get rid of one. 0 -
Test firing at the factory for function as well a proof firing are nothing at all like taking a new in the box firearm out and running a dozen or so rounds through it. QUALITY guns and are tested and proven in the white, before any time is invested in finishing, polishing or fitting out. If the firearm functions and is proven then it goes on to be polished, have its finish applied as well as whatever stocks fitted for correct installation. If the firearm fails the function test or the proof shot then no more time is wasted on it and in it unfinished state a minimal amount of effort was invested. Once firearms are tested, proven, cleaned, polished, finished, and fitted out the folks at the factory put on the white cotton gloves and pack them in the boxes.
A Colt SAA may well have been fired at the factory but it was then electrostatically cleaned, then polished, its finish applied, and for all intents and purposes leaves Hartford unfired. Spin the cylinder on a SAA and you just lost 10%. Fire it and you may as well keep on shooting it because its collector value has diasppeared. A serious collector will always pay a premium for an unfired example of nearly any quality firearm and this has been the reason for keeping the firearm with all of its papers, the box, tools, packing materials, whatever it came with. The reason for this is most firearms owners simply chuck this stuff in the trash and it becomes hard to locate; check e-bay for the prices on old Colt boxes and hold onto your hat! You cost yourself some cash by shooting your AutoMag, but then you won't be retiring on its price, even if it remained NIB with all of the papers. These are fun pistols to shoot so I suggest that you continue to enjoy it!
Mark T. Christian0 -
Thanks to all, BTW not 4 sale, and thanks for the generous offers lie I said It was GREAT to shoot. Just wanted some feedback on the subject as I value all advice even bad advice to a lesser degree..Thanks again
PJ
If nobody seen you do it, how could you have done it. NRA Life Member, AF&AM0
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