Collecting vs shooting

RShaw · 03-11-2017, 10:15 AM

Well, the C96 area is very special... I would never argue with not shooting "3e" pieces. But for the majority of collectors, who collect, buy and sell (and shoot!) the "basic" P08 in all it's variations, this debate continues to spark wide differences of opinion.....

I never knew that Lugers had numbered parts at all until I first joined this forum in November 2016. At that time I had just found my collectible 1917 DWM, (story already told) and bought it with the idea to shoot it, never dawning on me that these guns are also sought by so many enthusiasts or to such a great extent. It was not cheap; I paid what turns out to be a "fair price" (OK for me), but after reading related threads on this and on other forums, I really had to think again... do I really want to shoot this gun and take the chance of "killing a collectible?"

Here's the link to the Erfurt failure: breechlock AND rail / barrel extension damage
http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...+range+failure

I know I would be nervous each time I would shoot this collectible. Even though I would LOVE to shoot it.... I don't want to be uptight about it. SO, it doesn't go to the range, and I see it as a piece of history and an investment. I'm shooting my P38 (ac43) for now- a matching, refinished, and refurbished gun- great shooter!

Now waiting for my 1918 DWM shooter to come through in August. Then more fun begins.

View Poll Results: Collectible or shooters?
I ONLY buy shooter Lugers	4	6.78%
I ONLY buy Collectible Lugers	10	16.95%
I buy shooter and collectibles - but concentrate on shooters	6	10.17%
I buy shooter and collectibles - but concentrate on Collectors	16	27.12%
I buy whatever fancies me	11	18.64%
I have both, but never go shooting	1	1.69%
I have both, but shoot maybe a couple of times a year (both types)	5	8.47%
I have both, but shoot only shooters	15	25.42%
I have more than 3 shooters and more than 5 collectors	13	22.03%
I have 1 shooter and multiple collectors	8	13.56%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 59. You may not vote on this poll

03-11-2017, 10:15 AM	#1
RShaw User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Venlo, the Netherlands Posts: 350 Thanks: 160 Thanked 170 Times in 90 Posts	Well, the C96 area is very special... I would never argue with not shooting "3e" pieces. But for the majority of collectors, who collect, buy and sell (and shoot!) the "basic" P08 in all it's variations, this debate continues to spark wide differences of opinion..... I never knew that Lugers had numbered parts at all until I first joined this forum in November 2016. At that time I had just found my collectible 1917 DWM, (story already told) and bought it with the idea to shoot it, never dawning on me that these guns are also sought by so many enthusiasts or to such a great extent. It was not cheap; I paid what turns out to be a "fair price" (OK for me), but after reading related threads on this and on other forums, I really had to think again... do I really want to shoot this gun and take the chance of "killing a collectible?" Here's the link to the Erfurt failure: breechlock AND rail / barrel extension damage http://luger.gunboards.com/showthrea...+range+failure I know I would be nervous each time I would shoot this collectible. Even though I would LOVE to shoot it.... I don't want to be uptight about it. SO, it doesn't go to the range, and I see it as a piece of history and an investment. I'm shooting my P38 (ac43) for now- a matching, refinished, and refurbished gun- great shooter! Now waiting for my 1918 DWM shooter to come through in August. Then more fun begins.