Shooting restored guns

[jplower]

I'd like to know how many of you have owned restored Colts or Winchesters and shoot them at the matches.  Trying to get a feel for the market on them within the Cowboy shooter world.  Would you shoot them if they were affordable and what is affordable to you on these originals?

[Blackpowder Burn]

I have an original Winchester '92 (my great grandfather's) that I occasionally shoot at a match.  I know several other folks in our club that own and shoot original rifles.  There seem to be more Marlins than Winchesters, though.  Folks are picking them up in 38-55, 32-40, etc for Cody Dixon matches.

Prices seem to be in the area of $800 to $1,000 for them.

[Jefro]

Well I don't know about restored guns, but I do shooot a few originals. I found the cost of restored guns to be as much if not more than an original in good-very good condition. At one time I had three original Winchester rifles, 1892-38/40, 1894-25/35, 1873-32/20. Now I only have the 1873-32/20, plus a Marlin 1893 32/40, an 1897 26'' brush popper, and two original 1897 riot guns. New Colts are about $1300, so you might as well shoot a new one. Winchester 1892 in good condition will run about $1200-$1800, a good 1873 about $3000-$4000, and riot guns about $900-$1200. Now I'm talking very good condition, not something that's just shootable, I don't need any project guns. I think I paid about $3600 for the 1873, it has a mfg. date of 1887, the condition is fine+ with near mint bore. And yes I shoot all of them, if I had a $15000 Winchester I would shoot it too, ya can't take em to the grave. Good Luck.
The 1873
http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/563683057nBaEQp
The 1892
http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/564017114QxrPpD


Jefro

[jplower]

Thanks guys, I also have shot originals.  Matter of fact, that's all I have shot for over 20 years.  Currently am shooting an original m 1877 Sharps in 45-70, and a 74 sharps in 40-70 BN.  The 77 was shipped to J. P. Lower, Denver, in 1880, and it is worth 15,000.  Like you said, you can't take them with you.  I have not bought any repros for the same period, but just broke down and did buy the Taylor Burgess in 44-40.  I can knock it around and not feel too bad, LOL.  Had a realy one some years ago, they shoot really good.  All my Colts are pre-1889 guns and as long as you use BP or substitute they shoot great.  Don't use hard bullets though.  All early 45 and 44 chamber mouths are .450 and .424 respectively, so an oversize, hard bullet will put stress on the cylinder.  Soft lead at 1-20 or 1-30 works best.

[Virginia Gentleman]

As long as they are fed the right ammunition and powder for the time period, they should be fine to shoot occasionally, but if used as a primary CAS gun, they will wear out and be hard to rebuild at a certain point...unless money is no object.