Cosmetic condition vs matching serials

[energizer]

What should be focus and balance of a C&R collector?

Good condition of the firearm? - Pitting, rusting, cracked stock, etc

OR

Matching serial numbers but firearm cosmetically not that good?

What should be the balance between immediate shootability of the firearm and value of the firearm in due course of time?

Thanks for your enlightenment.

[Mutant]

Do you want a shooter or a collector's item? That would dictate what further you look at. I buy shooters and look at the barrel. If I have choices, I then look for matching.

[Crunch130]

YOU have to decide that! Personally, I have a fairly small C&R collection - 5 service rifles and 3 22 rifles. I pick very good bore and good mechanical condition for shootability over matching serial numbers. I would probably not spend my money on something unshootable, because I like to shoot.

Others do just the opposite and collect C&R's for historical interest that are either too rare to shoot or not in good enough condition.

I've even restored a couple sporterized rifles to military configuration that turned out to be great shooters. Yeah they weren't original condition or matching, but I liked them and the one I sold I represented accurately as a garage restoration.

It depends what you want to end up with, and how much you're willing to spend.

Crunch

[Armistice]

Both for collectors

Neither for shooters

As for me, I like both for shooters. It all just matters on what tickles your fancy

[hermosabeach]

Three categories

Shooters
Collectors
Hoarders


All three are good- just a different purpose for the guns

Shooters- buy fewer- shoot a ton
Collectors- all pretty- all original - all matching
Hoarders- buy a few of everything and shoot a little.

[6mmintl]

Why own if you don't shoot?
If you don't shoot don't own.
If you like to sleep with cosmo and #'s matching buy it.

If its about the money buy condition and #'s matching, the cosmo is rare historical stuff to validate historical condition..

[Armistice]

Three categories

Shooters
Collectors
Hoarders


All three are good- just a different purpose for the guns

Shooters- buy fewer- shoot a ton
Collectors- all pretty- all original - all matching
Hoarders- buy everything and shoot a little.

Corrected. This is me, haha

I just shoot when life and work allow

[NOTABIKER]

nice looking and functioning rifle is the most important thing to me. I do not and will not keep a rifle with rust on it.

[DennisCA]

I have several that are all matching, however most of the are not.

Being that said ALL of my guns are shooters, (and functioning) I will not have wall-hangers.

[Enfield47]

If you believe your rifles are a pure investment (you don't intend to soot them or maybe just once) then you need to focus on condition, matching numbers, correct stock, etc.

If your rifles are primarily for shooting, then buy the best you can afford. You don't have to have pristine rifles to have a nice collection. My rifles have all gotten use but are in good condition. I don't have any guns that should be in a museum so I don't worry about taking them to the range.

[energizer]

Looks like everyone ignored the value in long run aspect.

[highpower790]

Looks like everyone ignored the value in long run aspect.

Most firarms will appreciate in value over time,but that would only be realized when the firearm is sold.then you spend the money and you have one less firearm.

[Enfield47]

Looks like everyone ignored the value in long run aspect.

No, not really. Yes, many firearms will increase in value but not necessarily all of them. If you are buying rifles for the payoff, that's fine, you just need to find the smoking hot deals to make the money. If you are paying fair market value, it is likely to be a long time before they make you a sizable profit (your kids might do better when they inherit them).

[NOTABIKER]

I buy them cuz i enjoy taking them apart and detail cleaning them, then off to the rifle range. I never have done a complete detailed inspection of cartouche or stampings because it has nothing to do with what i bought it for.
I do respect its value to hard core collectors.

[kcheung2]

It's their money, their preferences. It's not my place to say what a C&R collector should be focusing on for their collection.