Should I keep this as a safe queen?

[desertjosh]

Just wondering if a flawless 1968 10/22 with a scope of that era mounted on it as well is worth keeping in the back of the safe, or shooting. It looks to have been shot very little if any. I can only see a little wear on the vintage magazine. Since this isn't the first year of production, is it even worth more then a new one?
I don't need to shoot this one, as I already have one from 1986 that is a great shooter. Just wondering what the heck I should do with it. I don't have much room in the safe for guns I don't shoot. Thanks for any opinions!

[marcopolo_9mm]

IMO, any firearm that is a "safe queen" should be sold. Guns should be used, not sitting in a safe. I have the same mentality as "garage queens".

The exception is if the thing is actually a collectible and you're into collectibles...

[Milsurps]

Just wondering if a flawless 1968 10/22 with a scope of that era mounted on it as well is worth keeping in the back of the safe, or shooting...

My wife has the same setup but it's an early 1970's. Great shooter, lots of fun.
Shoot it !

[Midtown]

shoot the **** out of it.

[Jester3]

Agree

IMO, any firearm that is a "safe queen" should be sold. Guns should be used, not sitting in a safe. I have the same mentality as "garage queens".

The exception is if the thing is actually a collectible and you're into
collectibles...

I feel the same, if you own it , shoot it!

[808@515]

Choot it!

[Steponmytoes]

I think a safe queen would be a gun so valuable or rare that you don't want to mess it up (shooting it will make the value go down or it might mess up some functional component). I don't have any safe queens but if I ever got my hands a nice nickel colt python, I'd probably only take it out on special occasions...If it was NIB, I don't know if I would shoot it...Ruger has made so many 10/22's from that period I'd be surprised if it was worth more than a couple hundred dollars ($500 max for the rifle, not sure about the scope)

[Calif Hunter]

I only have 2 safe queens - a mint 6-inch blued Python and a near mint Colt 1911 Series 70 from the 70s. The Python does get shot occasionally. The Series 70 doesn't get shot since I have 3 other 1911s. Does the 1968 10/22 have the walnut stock?

[SoldierLife7]

Choot it! If it's not extrememly rare, there is no reason not to shoot it. I don't even get why people make such a big deal about Pythons and such. If it's such an amazing gun to shoot...why would you leave it in the safe and not shoot it?

I have two guns that I don't shoot (often). A High Standard HD military that has been in my family since 1922, and a Remington model 12C that has been in my family since 1922. I do shoot them, but because of their age, and parts that are hard to find, I baby them.

[Red9]

Novel idea. Own a firearm and not shoot it. This is the same feeling i had for two arms of mine. I had a ruger hunter new in box. A sks tula never fired since redone and lokking at the inside of the rifle it was never fired. Yeah nice thought. I shot The snot out of both. Just take some before and after shots.
Just me

[Killer Bee]

unless it's unfired, shoot it!

all three of these are rare, the checkered one being the rarest 10/22 I know of..

they're all shooters.. not beaters, but definitely shooters..

top to bottom:
'65 10/22 SP w/ vintage Japanese Tasco #660A 4x32 on Redfield Quick Switch tip off's
'71 10/22 SP w/ vintage Japanese Tasco #660E 4x32 on Herter's rings and vintage military style claw sling
'67 10/22 SPC base only [will be looking for an old vintage Weaver for this one ]

all previously fired / carried so not all perfect but all excellent condition..

and all purchased right so these will be my family plinkers

sorry for the crappy pic but you get the idea..


this one will remain unfired, might even consider selling it to someone that needs it in their collection..

1971 10/22 SP NIB

[Tom-ADC]

Josh, if it was NIB I'd stuff it back in the safe but if it were mine I'd head for the range with it.

[toby]

It's not like it's worth a bunch of money, shoot it!

[finn40]

10/22 Rifles may be an investment collectible one day but maybe not. I think the profit margin on one will never be worth the time and space involved with storage. At least in our lifetime. That being said I realized a few years ago the profit margin for collecting anything won't be worth the time and space at least in my life and its economic stature so the guns I keep I keep to shoot. If I don't shoot it I sell it. If you don't have an itch to shoot it sell it...but if you do scratch that itch. It will feel good.

Now if it was a colt saa I would be torn...or a minty Freedom Arms though with the FA I would have to shoot it.

[M1NM]

I sold both my early 10-22s for more than new ones cost. One was a carbine and the other a deluxe. Both were 95%+. The finger groove and international stocks seem to be collectable. The new ones have too many plastic parts and a painted receiver. Take a look at how poorly the takedown stock fits. bottom line shoot it they've made 5-6,000,000 of them.