Torn

[mstlaurent]

Okay, so here is my dilemma. I have an Sako Vixen in .223. Five-digit serial number. It is in pristine condition, the bluing is 100% except for a wear patch on the bolt. There is one small ding (~1/4") on the bottom of the stock from safe storage, otherwise the stock is perfect as well. The problem is that it has never been fired. The problem with having a gun that has never been fired is that, well, you can't fire it. And having a safe queen just galls me.

I'm just wondering: If I were to take this rifle out to the range and put 100 rounds through it, how much would I be losing off the value? Does anyone have a good idea of the value? I've seen Vixens on GunBroker and GunsAmerica for $1,000-$1,200, and they weren't in perfect condition. I don't know whether to just shoot it and get it over with, or sell it and buy one or two other guns that I want, or let it sit in the safe and do nothing for another 30 years.

Any advice would be appreciated. (And the obligatory "Give it to me!" remarks will be tolerated. )

[Blacktail 8541]

Unless you are a serious collector you should go ahead and shoot it. A firearm is supposed to be shot. Not sit in a safe

Of course I am of the opinion that a gun is worthless if you can't shoot it.

[mstlaurent]

Unless you are a serious collector you should go ahead and shoot it. A firearm is supposed to be shot. Not sit in a safe

Of course I am of the opinion that a gun is worthless if you can't shoot it.

Yeah, I'm the same way, so that was never really an option. But the question for me is: Do I sell it to a serious collector, or do I keep it and shoot it. And it really comes down to how much value it will lose if I shoot it. If it is a lot, then I'll probably sell it. If it's a little, then I'll probably shoot it.

[PLINK]

How easy is it to replace this rifle?

Is it rare?

Did you buy it well enough to make money on it?

If there is something I don't shoot (beside Grandpa's guns) or can not get ammo for it has to go.

My dad has a commemorative single action Colt .45 LC that has a gold plated trigger and cylinder. He bought this in unfired condition. He did not buy it to make money on it or display it. He bought it to shoot it.

Why did you buy this rifle? That should answer your question.

[mstlaurent]

How easy is it to replace this rifle?

Is it rare?

Did you buy it well enough to make money on it?

If there is something I don't shoot (beside Grandpa's guns) or can not get ammo for it has to go.

My dad has a commemorative single action Colt .45 LC that has a gold plated trigger and cylinder. He bought this in unfired condition. He did not buy it to make money on it or display it. He bought it to shoot it.

Why did you buy this rifle? That should answer your question.

Never bought it, inherited it. My dad received it as part of a collection he bought back in the 70s and kept it when he sold the rest off. He received it as unfired, he never fired it, I inherited it, and I've never fired it. It was his safe queen, now it's mine. There isn't any emotional value in it, he only kept it because it was unfired and he thought it would be a good investment.

So I think I should be able to make money on it if I decide to sell it. And I am sort of leaning towards selling it. But will it be worth my while to leave it unfired and seek out a collector who will pay a premium for that, or will it be basically the same ballpark price if I take it out and have some fun with it first then find someone who is going to do the same?

[ivanimal]

I collect Colts and shoot them. They are and will always be shooters.

I have one gun without a turnline that I will save for a collector when I can double my money I will sell it. All others get shot.

[Full Clip]

If you aren't going to shoot it and it has no emotional value, then sell it and buy something you will shoot/love.

[chiefcrash]

do you honestly ever want to sell it? Or would you rather shoot it?

I know I would rather shoot it. just take damn good care of it, and it won't lose a lot in value...

[bombadillo]

if you own it shoot it, or sell it and buy 5 more guns you actually will shoot.

[Blacktail 8541]

I have only been able to asertain a rough value of your Vixen based on your post. $ 1250.00 to $1,400 to the right buyer would sound about right. If you decide to shoot it, figure on about $300 less. At the time of production they were noted as being one of the most accurate rifles produced. There were many made, in 3 versions. The L 46, L461 & the A series, so they are not rare. The only rare version that I have read about is the single shot BR model.

I would find the exact year of production, any notibale features, and sell it. You have never shot it so you will not know what you are missing and have regrets latter.

[mstlaurent]

Yeah, I was thinking out loud about it last night before I went to bed (and driving the wife crazy). It really doesn't fit into any niche that I want to have a rifle in. So I think I am going to put it up for sale. It is a damn fine rifle, but even if I shoot it I won't get the enjoyment out of it that someone else would.

BTW, it is an L461 originally chambered in .223, which I have heard is not really rare, but uncommon, as most of them were originally chambered in .222. This is one that was imported through Garcia Sporting Arms, the ones that don't have the import mark are worth more.

Anyway, I'm going to get some more information and finalize a price, and it should be showing up in the Private Sales forum in the next week or so.

Thanks to all for good advice.