Shooter?

[Jim Watson]

We commonly see an altered service pistol described as a "shooter." Let's look at that a little closer.

Imagine three consecutive 1911s, 200001, 200002, and 200003; 1917 USGI.
Nowadays, No 200001 is still as manufactured, no replacement parts, no refinish, mechanically sound, enough wear for "character" and "history." $2000+*
No 200002 has been arsenal refurbished, with a few replaced or mixed parts, Parkerized. It is properly AA marked and bona fide USGI as issued (the second time around) even though not as produced. Approaching $1000*

We are recommended not to shoot either of these because the old mild steel guns might break something, destroying their collector interest and resale value. OK. It can happen, I had a coworker with a cracked slide that left his 1911 unshootable and uncollectable.

But how about poor old No 200003 which got taken home and treated to a blue job, some skip line checkered grips, and taller sights the now middle aged troop could actually see.
A new owner by inheritance or estate sale or sharp FFL salesmanship will be told here that the collector interest is nil and that he has a "shooter." $500.
How's that again?
The material is the same, the durability no better than the others of the series.
So it is at equal risk of failure, just a $500 paperweight instead of $1000 or $2000.

Best to just leave the Bubba Brigade guns alone, wouldn't you think?

*Maybe even more, by the time this gets read a time or two.

[38 Super +p]

Because you can shoot the heck out of it and if it breaks you are out way less money than if you broke an original gun.

[Jim Watson]

True, but why not get a current production gun that won't be nearly as likely to break?

[38 Super +p]

You are correct about the newer guns, my Norinco 1911 is almost a dead ringer for a USGI gun and is all hardened steel. But I wouldn't turn an old 1911 down as a shooter if it was cheap enough, especially an A1, as they are partly hardened.

[dsk]

Originally Posted by 38 Super +p

Because you can shoot the heck out of it and if it breaks you are out way less money than if you broke an original gun.

This. While the fact remains that a new pistol is likely the better option, given the fact that the old pistol isn't good for collecting anymore what else are you going to do with it? It will still shoot, even if a newer pistol will likely run better and last longer.

[VetPsychWars]

Originally Posted by dsk

This. While the fact remains that a new pistol is likely the better option, given the fact that the old pistol isn't good for collecting anymore what else are you going to do with it? It will still shoot, even if a newer pistol will likely run better and last longer.

This. I am not going to hold my pistol as something sacred for some of you to vulture over the parts. It's mine, I paid for it, I'm going to shoot it, and if you don't like it, you can do unspeakable things to yourselves.

In fact, I firmly believe you need to holster your outrage if someone chooses to take his collectable and shoot it until it breaks.

IT'S NOT YOURS! STFU!

Tom

[daven59]

wow

[Piexcel]

Originally Posted by VetPsychWars

IT'S NOT YOURS! STFU!
Tom

"STFU?"

Tom, we value opinions here on this forum, however, your comments lack class. Your comments are indicative of lesser men.

I recommend you express your ideas in a more genteel manner. Otherwise take your boorish manners somewhere else.

[Blacksmith]

Originally Posted by Piexcel

"STFU?"

Tom, we value opinions here on this forum, however, your comments lack class. Your comments are indicative of lesser men.

I recommend you express your ideas in a more genteel manner. Otherwise take your boorish manners somewhere else.

Piexcel - Please let the moderators do their job.

Frankly, you don't have the right to ask any forum member to leave.

We all read it. If Dana - or one of the other administrators - feel it's not in keeping with the guidelines of the forum, they will respond accordingly.

Regardless of whether I agree / disagree with you, it's not our job to determine what is / is not appropriate to post.

[Piexcel]

Originally Posted by Blacksmith

Frankly, you don't have the right to ask any forum member to leave.

We all read it. If Dana - or one of the other administrators - feel it's not in keeping with the guidelines of the forum, they will respond accordingly.

Regardless of whether I agree / disagree with you, it's not our job to determine what is / is not appropriate to post.

I didn't ask him to leave. I asked him to clean up his act. If he couldn't do that then I don't want him around here. It's not a question of the moderators doing their job. It's a question of the quality level you as a user want from this forum. If you tolerate trash on this forum that's what you will get. We as users have a responsibility to police our own.

[JoeMiner]

He just made a smart remark to one of my posts too. Dude doesn't know when to quit. He's not worth quality members disagreeing about the best manner to deal with his trash talk.

[Jim Watson]

Originally Posted by dsk

This. While the fact remains that a new pistol is likely the better option, given the fact that the old pistol isn't good for collecting anymore what else are you going to do with it? It will still shoot, even if a newer pistol will likely run better and last longer.

My thought is that unless the old but uncollectable gun just kind of falls in your lap by inheritance or such, the best thing to do is not buy it it the first place.

[38 Super +p]

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

My thought is that unless the old but uncollectable gun just kind of falls in your lap by inheritance or such, the best thing to do is not buy it it the first place.

I have several old but uncollectible guns in my "collection". They need a home too, I just don't pay too much for them I just think old guns, regardless of collector value, are awesome.

[dsk]

Originally Posted by VetPsychWars

This. I am not going to hold my pistol as something sacred for some of you to vulture over the parts. It's mine, I paid for it, I'm going to shoot it, and if you don't like it, you can do unspeakable things to yourselves.

In fact, I firmly believe you need to holster your outrage if someone chooses to take his collectable and shoot it until it breaks.

IT'S NOT YOURS! STFU!

Tom

I was going to say something, but it looks like the other members already have. That kind of abrasive talk isn't conducive to getting your point across with any degree of eloquence.

[rox15636215]

I shoot my Colt 70 series all the time , but NEVER that US&S.

[Blacksmith]

Originally Posted by Piexcel

I didn't ask him to leave. I asked him to clean up his act. If he couldn't do that then I don't want him around here. It's not a question of the moderators doing their job. It's a question of the quality level you as a user want from this forum. If you tolerate trash on this forum that's what you will get. We as users have a responsibility to police our own.

That's fair Piexcel - I've just seen a handful of folks whose posts always teetered on the edge of hostile - occasionally crossing the line. In time, those folks reveal themselves, and end up getting banned.

When I have fellow members I respect - like you - get involved / become targets of their malarkey, then I can't avoid getting involved.

As my wife would tell you, you can say whatever you want about me; but, friends, family, and dog are off limits...

[Blacksmith]

Originally Posted by JoeMiner

He just made a smart remark to one of my posts too. Dude doesn't know when to quit. He's not worth quality members disagreeing about the best manner to deal with his trash talk.

Good call Joe.

[dsk]

Let's get back on topic, please.

[WiseguyThreeOne]

Some of us can only afford the old but uncollectable ones. In an age where GunBroker-induced price inflation has every gun show bubba convinced their refinished, tampered-with mixmaster with some Wilson parts stuck on it is still worth $1500, it's the best we can do.

I'm always hunting for another good deal on a nickeled or chromed USGI so I can repeat 2002. Of course I'm looking for a Colt or an Ithaca this time.

[daven59]

Originally Posted by 38 Super +p

I have several old but uncollectible guns in my "collection". They need a home too, I just don't pay too much for them I just think old guns, regardless of collector value, are awesome.

Yes I agree the Rem/Rand-colt 1911A1 I liked so much has gone back to its owner and he gave me a Colt gov model from 1970-1976 G7012XXX to play with. Like most of his guns they are used and abused cause they are guns. They are stored in holsters have lots of wear and scratches and this one has a Pacmyer wrap around grip and Wilson combat sights which I'm pretty sure aren't stock. The point I'm making is though we like preserving these fine pieces of history there are those who could care less and just want it for protection. To most here I think they are considered works of art.