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Author Topic: To use or not to use?  (Read 896 times)

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Offline cocojo

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To use or not to use?
« on: April 19, 2004, 01:09:58 PM »
I just purchased a as new, in the box, with papers, unfired Winchester centennial 94 BB 356. The gun still has the tag on the lever.
I was going to use the gun and scope it and shoot it but I can't bring myself to cut the tie on the label attached to the lever. Now I do have other 94's and levers so I don't need to use this gun. I have a pre 64 30-30, 94 BB 375 and two malins one in 30-30 and the other in 35. As  of right now I just wiped the gun down and put it away. This is a first for me I am not one to not shoot guns that I buy but for some reason something is telling me leave the gun alone, tag attached. Any comments out there what would you guys do? The gun is a centennial with dating on the side 1894 to 1994 and that's it, the only difference.
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Offline John Y Cannuck

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2004, 03:25:36 PM »
You are in a delema I have thus far avoided. How? I simply don't buy commemoratives. I know I would fire it, no question, probably on the day I got it!
Can't tell you what to do, but if it were mine, it'd have a box through it already, or it would be sold!  :D
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Offline Oldtimer

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2004, 03:42:22 PM »
What price did you pay for the gun?  If you payed about the same amount as a noncollectible, then I would go ahead and shoot it.  If you look at the values of collectables, they do not appreciate much over the lifetime of the original owner.  I had a Chief Crazy Horse that I purchased already fired and had to send it back to get it to feed ammunition.  I wonder if they do much tuning on guns that they think are just going to be eyeballed, not fired.  As for needing another lever action, since when was that an issue in buying a gun?
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Offline cocojo

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2004, 03:55:50 PM »
My original intention was to shoot the gun, but I think I am going to try and keep it new for at least a while. One day I am just going to say the hell with it, and take it out. I always felt that guns were for shooting not saving, I can't take it with me that's for sure. I am going to have to work on this one. The only difference with this gun is the dating on the receiver 1894 to 1994 that's it. Price I paid was $470.00 in new condition. Good, Bad, who knows, but I know there are not many out there and someone is always looking for 356's. I read that a Marlin 356 on the Auction Arms site was in the $1400.00 dollar range, that's nuts.
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Offline Black Jaque Janaviac

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2004, 09:17:18 AM »
Never could understand buyin' guns just to look at, or wine just to sit in a cellar, or cars to put on blocks.  I suppose there's kooks out there that would marry a gal just to look at.  Not for me.
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Offline WD45

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« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2004, 01:48:18 AM »
SHOOT IT  SHOOT IT SHOOT IT  SHOOT IT SHOOT IT SHOOT IT SHOOT IT :D
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Offline Bullseye

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2004, 07:43:18 AM »
The only commerative I ever had (Wells & Fargo), I shot.  That is what a gun is for in my opinion.  The other thing is that Winchester made so many of these guns in most runs that they never became all that collectable and demanding of a high price.  I figured I lost about $100 by shooting, but I enjoyed it.  The guy I sold it to was going to take it hunting, said he just liked pretty guns.
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Offline Kragman71

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2004, 09:49:31 AM »
When Harrington&Richardson announced that the were offering a Commerative Officer's Model Springfield,I ordered one 'sight-unseen".
As soon as I got my hands on it I took it to the range.
I take pretty good care for it.I don't know how much more it would be worth(since 1971)if it was unfired.I do know that I got at least as much value from shooting it.
If you think that the gun will shoot;shoot it.
Frank
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Frank

Offline jhm

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2004, 03:32:00 AM »
cocojo :  There isnt anything wrong with not shooting that gun if thats the decision you make as stated most dont go up that high in value anyhow, however who knows which ones wont go up in value, with that said it is vary hard to have a gun of any type around and not shooting it to find out what it will do, enjoy your weapon its yours to do with as you please. :D    JIM
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Offline Black Jaque Janaviac

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2004, 05:20:31 AM »
These guys probably all own guns exactly like yours.  The best way to make sure yours appreciates in value is to make everyone else's wear out sooner.

So of COURSE they're gonna advise you to shoot it.  

In fact, I think you should "age" it.  Lay it in the driveway and back over it with your pick-up.  This will give it a few dings and scratches to make it look like an "old-west" gun.

Next you want to give it an aged patina. Soak all the metal parts in bleach and let it sit outside all summer. :D
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Black Jaque Janaviac - Dat's who!

Hawken - the gun that made the west wild!

Offline Coltrane

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Not to be offensive
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2004, 09:23:32 AM »
But if you have qualms about shooting a gun like that, the best thing to is to sell or trade it to me and let Nature take its course.

 I would love to have that very gun, the only things stopping me is finding one, having enough cash on hand to buy it outright, and an 8 month old daughter who is increasing in value to me! :wink:

Seriously, I would sell something I really like to raise the cash, or make out a list of items to trade you for the gun. I apologize for the apparent
rudeness and presumptiveness; I mean no offense to you.  I am just the first to speak my thoughts out loud.

Every gun I ever owned that I felt was too good to shoot eventually was sold or traded to someone who would shoot it OR appreciate it as a NIB collectible & could never conceive of shooting it.

If you ever decide to get rid of it, please consider me as the one to call first. I will give her a good home and treat her with the respect and care she deserves.

Coltrane

jdavis005@comcast.net
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Offline RIFLERANGER

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To use or not to use?
« Reply #11 on: April 26, 2004, 10:28:30 AM »
You need to decide whether this will be an investment gun or a shooter.
I would not shoot it if I were in your shoes.
I have guns I just don't shoot.
I fondle them and whisper sweet nothings in their ears, but don't shoot them as to preserve their value.
I have guns I shoot too, so I don't have to shoot all of them.
Just my .03.
Ranger
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