Should I or should I not?

[Daveboone]

If you bought it to shoot....wear out the rifling! I love my Uberti ....minimal tuning and a ball to shoot.

 

[earlwb]

If you are a collector investing in collectibles then by all means keep it pristine for 30-40 years when it might go up in value. Otherwise it is meant to be used and fired. Then go shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[Juice Jaws]

I acquired a Colt 1860 Army today. Now when I say Colt, I mean a reproduction gun made by Uberti for Colt that is a faithful reproduction. No proof marks or advisories stamped all over it. Never fired, matching serials, still in original wrapping and original oil that has become goo. As an aside, I didn't know the originals had steel back straps until today.
Anyway, I am torn between making it a safe queen or actually shooting it. Seriously I don't know what to do. If I shoot it I figure it will loose a hundred or so dollars in value.
Seriously, what would you do and why?

I would give it away to someone who really enjoys firearms and will shoot the heck out of it.

 

[Rebel bull]

Not to get overly philosophical, but life is short and you cannot take it with you after this life. Go shoot and have fun.

I told my kids (jokingly) that I was to be buried with all of my guns........my son in law pipes up and replied that was fine but he was going to be using the backhoe the next day!

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

I would give it away to someone who really enjoys firearms and will shoot the heck out of it.

Give it away?
Yeah, that's not happening.

 

[Juice Jaws]

Give it away?
Yeah, that's not happening.

I thought that might be the answer

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

I thought that might be the answer

Had someone in mind?

 

[Juice Jaws]

Had someone in mind?

Me

 

[Flintlock Whiskey]

Thanks for everyone's input.
It is now listed in the sell/trade forum.
Doesn't do me any good if I'm afraid of dropping it.
So here is you chance, Juice Jaws.

 

[Juice Jaws]

Thanks for everyone's input.
It is now listed in the sell/trade forum.
Doesn't do me any good if I'm afraid of dropping it.
So here is you chance, Juice Jaws.

Thanks for the chance but at my age I am done buying firearms. Hope you get what you are asking for it.

 

[Whitworth]

Like having a Classic Car that never leaves the Garage

Been there and pretty much done that, only driving to shows. Until recently one lived with me in the man cave for over a decade allowing it's beauty to be visually enjoyed daily. Being able to get up from the Lazy Boy and walk over to open the door and be greeted by the aroma of vintage leather had it's own satisfaction

 

[J.B. Arthur]

BTW, that gun is not a “reproduction made by Uberti”. Some of the castings, cylinder, back straps, and barrels came as rough forgings from Uberti but they were bored, rifled and finished in the Iver Johnson factory under Colt’s supervision to Colt’s specifications. As such it is a Colt’s revolver and can be papered with a factory letter.

Ditto to what Bad Karma stated

 

[springfield art]

Ditto to what Bad Karma stated

I never heard about Iver Johnson being involved in that. I know there's a book out about it, but don't own any myself.

 

[deerstalkert]

I have one gun that i can't shoot. Bought at a yard sale in 1970 and shot many times until It was pointed out to me in the early 80's that it was one of only 1100 made. so now it is living in a safety deposit box. and the wife has the key.

 

[Ballshooter]

To me its unfortunate and useless to not shoot a gun don't care if its one of a kind or not.

 

[J.B. Arthur]

I have couple 2nd Gen Colts a stainless 1860 and a pocket of navy caliber and a 3rd Gen Custer 1861 all came with a box. Also have an Allen Firearms Uberti made stainless 1851 which didn't have a box. Was gonna have my Colts write a goodbye letter to the respective boxes. They didn't say much so I burned all boxes related to such so I'd be surel not to back out of not shooting them. My life is now. I'm in my 50s and have had cancer so let someone else worry about what they may be worth when I'm dead and gone. There is absolutely zero people ( my kids) who will give two ***** about what they have been left except for what price they can get.