[Jeff Higgins]

I know a lot of guys would advise that if you wanted a shooter, to sell this one to a collector, buy a shooter, and make some money. I guess you could do that...

If it were me (and it has been in the past), I would take it out and shoot it tomorrow. I've bought a number of "NIB" firearms over the years, paying a premium for them, and have gone out and shot every last one of them. I just don't think these "collectors" deserve to own such fine examples of mankind's works, especially if such trivial things are important to them. I won't feed their habit or enable them in any way.

One such NIB gun that I brought to the range one day many years ago attracted quite a crowd (old Colt boxes will do that). 2nd generation 4 3/4" Peacemaker. All the regulars thought I just brought it to show it off. The look of horror on their faces when I thumbed the hammer back a couple of clicks and started dropping cartridges in it was priceless. "Yo..you..you're not gonna sh...shoo... shoot it, are ya??!!" Goddamn right I am...

One of them offered to double what I paid, without even asking what I paid. I just smiled, walked up to the firing line, and started shooting. That, to me, was worth the price of admission.