Collecting Shooters Shameful? Opinion/poll

4 Scale · 02-28-2017, 01:24 PM

One of the problems is on some guns there is a gray area of between shooter and collectible. For example I bought a M1900 as a shooter, all matching except for a hold-open numbered to another gun.

With the pitting and reblue and one non-matching part this pistol easily meets Ed's definition of a shooter. Problem for me is, although I bought it as a shooter I'm finding myself reluctant to shoot it because of all the matching parts. So I compromise with myself and am putting only about 25 rounds a year through it.

I actually shoot my collectible Mauser and M1906 AEs a little more, swapping out a bunch of obviously breakable parts. For me swapping parts is fun. However, don't do this much - maybe 50 rounds or less a year? I would just hate to break a part like the breech bolt etc. I do have a refinished 1938 Mauser with numerous non-matching parts and I shoot the dickens out of it.

What I'm finding is I am reluctant to shoot matching-number pistols, even if refinished or if purchased at a relatively low price. It's difficult to figure out this shooter thing.

02-28-2017, 01:24 PM	#19
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 490 Times in 251 Posts	One of the problems is on some guns there is a gray area of between shooter and collectible. For example I bought a M1900 as a shooter, all matching except for a hold-open numbered to another gun. With the pitting and reblue and one non-matching part this pistol easily meets Ed's definition of a shooter. Problem for me is, although I bought it as a shooter I'm finding myself reluctant to shoot it because of all the matching parts. So I compromise with myself and am putting only about 25 rounds a year through it. I actually shoot my collectible Mauser and M1906 AEs a little more, swapping out a bunch of obviously breakable parts. For me swapping parts is fun. However, don't do this much - maybe 50 rounds or less a year? I would just hate to break a part like the breech bolt etc. I do have a refinished 1938 Mauser with numerous non-matching parts and I shoot the dickens out of it. What I'm finding is I am reluctant to shoot matching-number pistols, even if refinished or if purchased at a relatively low price. It's difficult to figure out this shooter thing.