Keeping expensive, uncommon firearms for HD / SD?

[Spyder]

I was shooting with a friend and his cousin whom I never meet before, I was shooting my Wilson Combat 45. He told me he didn't know people actually took them out of the safe and shot them. I promptly dropped it in the dirt and stepped on it, he looked at me like I was crazy. It's a gun, use it.

You must have taken Buck Angel's class in Sacramento last year?


Errrr, uhhhh...James Yeager I mean. I confuse those too all the time.

[bsg]

KISS. assign a pistol to defensive application that you feel comfortable using for that task.

[CinnamonBear723]

You use what you're comfortable and happy with no matter what the scenario. Cost of the firearm will not be an issue if SHTF. No matter how expensive it might be - it can always be replaced.

I think this pretty much says it all. If I've learned anything over the years from being an EMT and cop, it's that things can be replaced, ppl cannot. If you can afford it, and you're comfortable with it, then use it.

[GlockN'Roll]

So I've got expensive tastes, and I'm fortunate to be able to accommodate them.

One of my EDC CCW guns is a Springfield Professional, and I've made my War Sport LVOA into a HD gun.

Both are ~$3,000.00 guns that aren't terribly easy to come by, especially the Professional.

What are your thoughts on using such nice firearms for HD / SD?

The obvious fear / worry being what if it gets taken by the cops in the aftermath of athumbbu SD shooting....

I've thought of swapping my Pro for, say, a G21 or something...

but I shoot the Pro so damned well, and it's kinda like having a Ferrari but never, ever driving it for fear of chipping the paint, scratching it, etc.

Thoughts & opinions please!

The odds of having to use your weapon and having it confiscated are infinitesimally small.

Enjoy your high end firearms as you would like...

[Subotai]

I would do as others say and buy a suitable weapon, train up, then put the nice one in the safe. If you get your weapon confiscated, someone might not treat it with kid gloves.

[Killer Bee]

pro is a working gun not a safe queen, shoot it and carry it without remorse..

I would carry mine if I carried a 1911

[IVC]

Two separate issues: (1) cost, (2) replaceability.

Generally, (2) is a problem, (1) is not. Unless you are living above your means, in which case you should get something cheaper.

[SkyHawk]

SA Pros are coming up for sale pretty regular, brand new. Just buy another one now. One to show, one to go.

[aklon]

No one wants a high end pistol confiscated after a shooting but seriously - how much is your life worth? You've paid good money for a pistol that will shoot reliably and accurately every time - was that to save your life or just impress the boys down at the range?

[stormvet]

You must have taken Buck Angel's class in Sacramento last year?


Errrr, uhhhh...James Yeager I mean. I confuse those too all the time.

I know who Yeager is, not really a fan. Never heard of Buck Angel or taken any firearm classes in Sac, outside of some departmental ones for LE.

[I Swan]

Some guys collect guns and some shoot them. Price is relative but does not correlate to use. I ran thousands of rounds through my $24,000 M16 but I know guys that buy $300-$50,000 guns and never shoot them. A $3000 Springer is not really a collectible so I'm not seeing the concern. I have friends that come out to shoot with me that run $10,000+ machine guns all over the desert. If they are not afraid of damaging their almost irreplaceable guns then you should not be concerned about a Professional that can be replaced in a few days.

Not everybody is a whale living large like you. Some people may have had to saved and planned a long time to buy a $3000 gun. It also may be their only such gun. Personally I don't even really like the higher end 1911's although I could own a few if I wanted to.

I don't consider $3000 a lot of money nor do I consider it pocket change but I really doubt that most people would be endangering their life by choosing a $500-700 gun to defend themselves with over a $3000 one.

[CMBrowning]

I vote to use them. If you can afford it then what's the big deal?

[DrjonesUSA]

pro is a working gun not a safe queen, shoot it and carry it without remorse..

I would carry mine if I carried a 1911

Very true, again; that's why my pro was #1 on my CCW; I just love that thing. Love having it with me all the time.

[DrjonesUSA]

Lots of great advice here; thanks to all.

To those who mentioned it; I had zero intention of this being a "show-off" / brag thread - not even close.

Thanks

[DrjonesUSA]

Do you own your stuff...or does your stuff own you?

When choosing a gun for defense, you choose the most reliable gun you own and/or the one that you shoot best. Maybe that's a $500 Glock. Or maybe it's a $3K semi custom 1911. For me, my Wilson Combat CQB sits in my nightstand. And if the police want it after it gets done saving my life and the lives of my family, they can keep the damn thing for all I care...and it will still be the best $3K that I've EVER spent.

How much is your life and the lives of your family worth? Get your priorities straight.

And I'm sorry to be so blunt. But YOU asked.

You are very right and feedback like this is precisely why I started the thread.

Thanks