System6ix
NES Member
Hello all. I'm looking for some advice, on which is admittedly likely a rather dumb question, so be gentle
A couple of years back I purchased a '54 H&R Garand from the personal collection of a well known and liked FFL in MA. It's in wonderful condition, all matching parts, original barrel, USGI stock with Department of Defense Acceptance Stamp and circled "P" proof mark. After living in my safe for the last few two I decided to break it out, disassemble it and lube it with plans to shoot it in the coming week. In doing so, I was once again reminded this Garand is a bit special due to the quality and extremely even finish over the internals.
I bought this H&R Garand with plans for it to be a "shooter" as I knew it was in great condition. At the time the dealer shuddered at the thought of me using it as a shooter since it was going to devalue a Garand that had above average perceived value. He told me it had been in his procession many years and was rarely shot, and it looks it. Obviously he was trying to maintain its value. He went so far as to make a friendly suggestion I shoot it very sparingly (or not at all) due to its value.
To be blunt…at 50 I am not getting any younger. I'm also not much of a collector. I bought the Garand because I am a huge fan of WWII history and want to shoot it. Realistically I am not going to shoot 100s of rounds through it each range trip, but I could easily foresee about 200-250 rounds a month as I go to the range often and would bring it occasionally.
So here's my conundrum…am I an idiot to shoot this Garand semi-regularly? Is it really that special/valuable that it might be best to either make it safe queen or sell it to someone who would appreciate the collector's aspect of it?
Thanks for reading this far and any input.
A couple of years back I purchased a '54 H&R Garand from the personal collection of a well known and liked FFL in MA. It's in wonderful condition, all matching parts, original barrel, USGI stock with Department of Defense Acceptance Stamp and circled "P" proof mark. After living in my safe for the last few two I decided to break it out, disassemble it and lube it with plans to shoot it in the coming week. In doing so, I was once again reminded this Garand is a bit special due to the quality and extremely even finish over the internals.
I bought this H&R Garand with plans for it to be a "shooter" as I knew it was in great condition. At the time the dealer shuddered at the thought of me using it as a shooter since it was going to devalue a Garand that had above average perceived value. He told me it had been in his procession many years and was rarely shot, and it looks it. Obviously he was trying to maintain its value. He went so far as to make a friendly suggestion I shoot it very sparingly (or not at all) due to its value.
To be blunt…at 50 I am not getting any younger. I'm also not much of a collector. I bought the Garand because I am a huge fan of WWII history and want to shoot it. Realistically I am not going to shoot 100s of rounds through it each range trip, but I could easily foresee about 200-250 rounds a month as I go to the range often and would bring it occasionally.
So here's my conundrum…am I an idiot to shoot this Garand semi-regularly? Is it really that special/valuable that it might be best to either make it safe queen or sell it to someone who would appreciate the collector's aspect of it?
Thanks for reading this far and any input.