A few years back , the CMP was selling Remington 1903s that were returned from Greece. They even had some that were apparently unissued. Same with Garands. They were still in brand new , never fired since proof , condition.
The one I got was in great condition , but obviously used.
Take it to the range, load her up with the ammo of your choice, point it down range, pretend to squeeze the trigger and yell 'Bang' as many times as you like. Each time you yell 'Bang', cycle the the bolt and eject the unfired round.
If you want more realism, after emptying the rifle, get someone to punch you in your shooting shoulder as many times as you yelled 'Bang'. Sniff the recently fired brass of the guy in the lane next to you.
Re-box the ammo and put it back in its box, wrap the gun up carefully and go stick it back in your safe....then have a beer.
( Just wondering.......Did your Dad ever explain to you why he bought it or never fired it? )
Lovely looking rifle btw.
Still enjoying the trip of a lifetime and making the best of what I have.....
Thanks for all the replies! I also posted this same question on another forum and got almost the exact same opinions with most saying take her out and have fun.
I have made my decision and taking her out to the range Tuesday to put a few rounds down range. Kind of cool to think I will be the first one to fire it since 1941 when she was proofed. No I will not regret it other than maybe thinking I should have taken her out when the rifle was given to me 10 years ago.
Value is irrelevant and the difference between 100% and 95% is not that much but with the thought it will never be sold in my lifetime value really doesn't matter. The rifle ill still be a nice heirloom to hand down when I'm gone and if it gets sold off then at least one in the family got to enjoy shooting it!
My dad never really told me why he never shot the rifle, I think when he first bought it he was thinking of using it to hunt but never did. My dad was like me and had a decent size collection and this was not the only one he never fired in it; some he just never got around to.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and a range report will follow.
timc - formerly known as timc on the last G&A forum and timc on the G&A forum before that and the G&A forum before that.....
AKA: Former Founding Member
The memory of your Dad and that rifle will stay with you for ever. Even if you knew that your Daughter is going to keep it as an heirloom, I would say, shoot it. What's the most you'll de-value it by, $500? The way to enjoy a military gun (in my opinion) is to use it. Don't get me wrong, I have a number of guns that I haven't shot but only because I haven't gotten to them yet. The only thought that would be going through my head, would be that I didn't get to enjoy shooting that piece of history WITH my Dad. What ever you decide, I'm sure you will always appreciate it as a great memory of your Dad and will always bring a smile to your face as well as your heart.
“When guns are outlawed, only patriots will have guns.”
Replies
The one I got was in great condition , but obviously used.
If you want more realism, after emptying the rifle, get someone to punch you in your shooting shoulder as many times as you yelled 'Bang'. Sniff the recently fired brass of the guy in the lane next to you.
Re-box the ammo and put it back in its box, wrap the gun up carefully and go stick it back in your safe....then have a beer.
( Just wondering.......Did your Dad ever explain to you why he bought it or never fired it? )
Lovely looking rifle btw.
I have made my decision and taking her out to the range Tuesday to put a few rounds down range. Kind of cool to think I will be the first one to fire it since 1941 when she was proofed. No I will not regret it other than maybe thinking I should have taken her out when the rifle was given to me 10 years ago.
Value is irrelevant and the difference between 100% and 95% is not that much but with the thought it will never be sold in my lifetime value really doesn't matter. The rifle ill still be a nice heirloom to hand down when I'm gone and if it gets sold off then at least one in the family got to enjoy shooting it!
My dad never really told me why he never shot the rifle, I think when he first bought it he was thinking of using it to hunt but never did. My dad was like me and had a decent size collection and this was not the only one he never fired in it; some he just never got around to.
Thanks again for all your thoughts and a range report will follow.
AKA: Former Founding Member
“When guns are outlawed, only patriots will have guns.”