It isn't that they are delicate but that some of us see the value in their all-matching nature and to break one of the numbered parts is not an irreparable situation. Indeed, there are parts but the loss of numbered parts would bring the value down to that of a shooter (unless I have misread what you are questioning).
I have a beautiful all matching 1913 which I keep in my safe, having never been fired since it got into my possession. But I do have some shooters which I do take out fairly frequently (3-4 times a year).
I echo the comments of the others in that you can get a mismatched quality shooter for $1000 or less. I've just picked up one recently (a 1914 Erfurt, all matching with an older refinish and an aftermarket 8" barrel and the stock lug ground off) for $700 and I found a mismatched WWII Mauser at a local pawn shop here for $749.99 and put that on layaway. so, there are deals to be had and you might check out the sale section on the board here. Welcome, by the way!
Michael
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Michael
Nos morituri te salutant - Supposed saying of the gladiators to the emperor ('We, who are about to die, salute you.')
'We are the lantern bearers, my friend; for us to keep something burning, to carry what light we can forward into the darkness and the wind' - From Rosemary Sutcliff's The Lantern Bearers
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