Thank you Arc. Sometimes it seems like the old revolver/semi or 9mm/45 wars around here. Both shooters and accumulators benefit the shooting community. I fall into both categories. I have a number I carry and shoot, some I shoot, some I look at, and some I just store. And I love them all.

Shoot em and learn to shoot them all well. Museum pieces belong on walls and not in a safe.

That said, there's no wrong way to collect is there?

The Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was an Indian "holy man" who came to the US about 1980 and moved onto approximately 64,000 acres in Oregon. Misguided rich followers made him the largest single owner of Rolls Royces in the world with 93. He would have a dream and have most painted to match the dream...covered in clouds, covered in fish or snake scales...each car different. And, like the gun question each of these cars mostly had a couple hundred miles on it. He was aiming for 365 Rolls.

EXCEPT, one rather plain looking bullet and bomb proof car with tear gas canisters under the running boards (I saw this and and all his cars as they were trying to sell them (he as deported or such in 1984) in 1985 (I think) in a warehouse in the small Dallas suburb I live in most of the time). This bullet proof Rolls got all his use, 100s of thousands of miles, and, like your safe queen guns, the rest remained unused.

The used vs safe queen guns make me think of this. We all have typically have one daily driver firearm. And, going through those 93 Rolls was amazing. The 80s were like that - it was a different time. A time as different as the 60s and 70s. Amazing times are a changing my friend...

quote:

Originally posted by dubya:

Anyone who would paint a Rolls like that should be flayed.

Comes down to time and money?

Those with more guns are likely wanting more time.
Those that shoot every gun they have are likely to want more money for guns.

Great post/thought arc. I shoot all mine. Though not near as often I would like. I haven't come across one I could just sit aside and forget about it.

Yes and no. I consider myself a shooter and try to get out every weekend. I have a few pistols and rifles I shoot most of the time. Then I have a few pistols and rifles that have been shot only a few times.
That being said, I have 4 pistols that have not been shot by me at all. 2 are BNIB Colt revolvers that are roughly almost 40 years old. 1 is a Browning 380 that the previous owner put a magazine through and then let sit for a few decades. The last one is a full Italian Beretta 92A1.
Why don't you I shoot them? The only one I can answer that question on is the Beretta. I have a Brigadier that has been my main focus for a few weeks with parts swapped inside and outside. I also have an older Vertec on the way so it's likely the 92A1 will sit with the Colts and Browning.
You collect? I'm fine with that. You shoot? I'm fine with that too. To each his/her own.

quote:

Don't tell someone else how to drink scotch, unless it's your scotch. After that, you're still being a dick if you don't let someone have some ice.

An excellent point and analogy.

I shoot everything I have, some gets much better treatment. I have no problem with those who want to admire them as works of art though.

Every time I hear of those pristine guns put away I'm reminded of the photos from Australia, with the classics being destroyed.

I have always joked in the shop that having a gun unfired is like having a woman unkissed. What's the point?

Great post arc. I totally agree. And your post bridges easily from the gun discussion into life philosophy.

If I really like something I started the habit of buying a spare with the intention that it is for my youngest child. I, sadly, foresee the day when this "collection" might be beyond legal means for our future generations.

I hope I am wrong but there is so much that is unavailable today that was when I was a kid. I just don't want my kids to miss out. (It also fits nicely into the one is none two is one mindset).

I fall into both categories as well because thankfully I have never been in the position that I could only get the next gun if I sold a gun. I don't golf or boat (besides kayaks and small sailboats) so I have no expensive hobbies so I buy something shoot it for a while or a long time and then it ends up back in a box in the back of the safe. The guns that keep getting shot are on hooks in the front. So I can see both sides.

I have one gun that I do not shoot-a John Wayne commemorative rifle that I bought when my youngest son was born 36 years ago. I have one of each model of 13 of the 14 handguns I carried in my career. My Cowboy guns. My hunting guns. My skeet and trap guns. My tactical rifles. And quite a few Sigs. And ONE Glock. I like to shoot all but one and it seems like I am always cleaning something. But I do love just looking at all of them. (Except the Glock, which I keep in a dark corner of the safe in a black bag). My only regrets are those guns I let get away over the years....

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
(Except the Glock, which I keep in a dark corner of the safe in a black bag)

It's good to keep that one separate. It is evil and will corrupt the other guns.

If I really like a gun or type of gun sometimes I will buy a double of it. Shoot one hold on to the other.

even if they are wrong ?
do you realize how many people that are wrong ,are on the innernet?

quote:

Originally posted by Dusty78:
If I really like a gun or type of gun sometimes I will buy a double of it. Shoot one hold on to the other.

^^^^
This.Me.

But one other group emerges, those that trade guns more than they shoot them.

I love my Marlin 1894 Cowboy pistol caliber rifles so much I bought FIVE of them. I shoot them all. When I like guns I buy multiples so they don't "wear out". But my guns seem to wear out more sitting in a safe and occasionally getting rust or dust on them.

I really want to shoot the shit out of all of them but no time.

I'm a shooter, except for one gun.

My Luger will be 100 years old in about 6 months. For the most part it is a safe queen. If I'm going shooting with someone who's never shot one before I'll let them put a magazine through it. I usually find lighter loads and sometimes they stove pipe and I'm ok with that. I see no reason to risk breaking, or shooting out a firearm that has historical and collector value.