Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I have a question for those on here. When I came home from Afghanistan my father gave me an M9 Operation Enduring Freedom pistol. He got it for me at an auction while I was there and it was handed to him by the at the time VP of the NRA.

I have not fired this weapon and I am wondering if I should. One day I do plan on making a shadow box with a flag, this gun and my awards and coins. I would hate to do something to destroy the value, not that I ever plan on selling it.

So what are your thoughts, would you shoot it, or keep it unfired.

If you are going to build a display case I'd probably not fire it, but I'm not even close to a collector so I don't know what the thinking on value projections for that piece are. I'd imagine that it being a factory commemorative it probably isn't going to worth a ton. I have a MkIII 60th anniversary and I shoot it (as I do everything I own), but I'm also not looking to put it on display.

Shoot it. Clean it. Put it in the display case.

Every gun should have it's chance to go bang. That's what it was built for.

Commemorative guns seldom have much resale premium over regular versions of the same gun. It's usually harder to sell one than a plain-jane unless you get lucky and find a sucker, I mean guy who really wants exactly that. So, I wouldn't worry much about hurting value because it doesn't have much in that respect.

I'd be more concerned about dinging it up if it's going to become a display piece. It is what it is - ornamental, not functional.

I've had unfired weapons before and I've classic show cars. I personal opinon is "I play with my toys, I just can't help it"

Paliden wrote:I've had unfired weapons before and I've classic show cars. I personal opinon is "I play with my toys, I just can't help it"

gotta agree..Ain;t no sense having toys if you don't use them,. Shoot it ,enjoy it, clean it, then if you want ,,Display it.....

I don't think your Dad got you that weapon just as a show piece. He got it for you because he is proud of you and wanted something to remind you of that each time you looked at it or used it. Shoot the weapon and enjoy it. Better yet take your Dad shooting with you.
I got my son a Life Membership in the NRA while he was in Iraq for the same reason as your dad got you the handgun.
Bill

[quote="SgtBill"]I don't think your Dad got you that weapon just as a show piece. He got it for you because he is proud of you and wanted something to remind you of that each time you looked at it or used it. Shoot the weapon and enjoy it.

Better yet take your Dad shooting with you.

I can't think of any better advice to give than this. Do it while you can! One day you won't be able to and you'll have regrets. I was never able to get my dad to hunt or shoot with me, heck he never even knew I was in the Marines or even knew I was in Vietnam. So don't put things off!

SgtBill wrote:I don't think your Dad got you that weapon just as a show piece. He got it for you because he is proud of you and wanted something to remind you of that each time you looked at it or used it. Shoot the weapon and enjoy it. Better yet take your Dad shooting with you.
I got my son a Life Membership in the NRA while he was in Iraq for the same reason as your dad got you the handgun.
Bill

Ok, thanks for the reassurance everyone. I am going to the range soon and I will take it and play then. I think my Dad will want me to enjoy it. Even if I don't shoot it often and he did give me 2 boxes of ammo with it.

He lives in Maine so I won't be able to go with him soon, but next time I visit him and I have a planned range day.

I have the exact same handgun, but I bought it for myself to recognize service provided. I have shot it, but cleaned right after. However it doesn't go in a holster, so the frame and slide are protected.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Update, I did shoot it. I enjoyed shooting it and I am glad I did. I probably will again on occasion. Thanks again for the encouragement.

Good deal!

Having a gun and not shooting it is like having Star Wars Action figures, and leaving them in the blister packages to "look at".

Reverenddel wrote:Good deal!

Having a gun and not shooting it is like having Star Wars Action figures, and leaving them in the blister packages to "look at".

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But if you have guns, shoot them, AND play with dolls, stay the h3ll away from me, OK?

What if you have guns, and use them to shoot the dolls?

That depends on which doll you have

I would never shoot a Lee Ermey doll. It would shoot back!!!

Jumper501 wrote:I would never shoot a Lee Ermey doll. It would shoot back!!!