How careful are you with your firearms?

[Pathfinder76]

It's almost as though blued steel melts in the rain and snow.

[Pathfinder76]

There is also a difference between honest use and abuse.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Andrzej

SS for me and that's why

snow and rain never bothered me about my guns, this on was a 1927 Mannlicher Schoenaur that was as quick and accurate as the day it was new.

Cat

[graybeard]

I treat mine like art and love looking at them. I find that the better condition they are in, the more I like them. It is somewhat of the same comparison of a new car; you can't wait to drive it and show it off, but take good care of it.

If I get an accidental ding or scratch I am pizzed off at myself.

I have guns that are 20+ years old and when friends of mine see them and invariably they will ask, why I don't use them?
I use them every year except that they don't have to look like an old canoe paddle to indicate that I had a good time.

Just a personal choice I guess; all my vehicles are the same as I feel the condition is a reflection on me......

[west250]

My hunting rifles are tools and I treat them as such: Use them to the full extent, then bring home and clean thoroughly.

[Canuck Bob]

I have always used my guns in the field so honest wear and some scratches are inevitable. I just pulled my 444 from the safe as my longest owned gun for decades. It works like a charm still but sure doesn't look like it did when I bought in my 20s. I sure don't look like I did then either!

The memories shared with that rifle make the prettier ones in the safe seem a touch ridiculous. I'm also a used gun buyer normally so mine come with their own memories before I get them. My last new rifle got its first blemish from the gunsafe, now that was irritating!

[alfoldivandor]

If I had a gun or rifle that I was worried about putting scratches and dings in it I'd get rid of it. I bought mine to hunt with and I accept that scratches and dings are going to happen eventually if I'm going to use them. Guys that handle their rifles worrying about putting a little mark in the stock remind me of someone tip toeing through the mud trying not to get their new boots dirty.
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Absolutely agree with above ,

I bought my rifles as good tool for hunting not for the display ,
I also give away the hides of the game I kill , I keep the meat and for sure throe the scratches the memories of the time I spend with my gun in the bush.

[Pathfinder76]

I don't have to scratch my gun to remember hunting with it.

[graybeard]

Yup "honest wear and some scratches are inevitable" especially when you are carrying a soft material such as wood and bumping into things that are a lot harder composite.

I don't mind getting dirty if I have to but if I can avoid a mud hole my moving left or right 30 yards then I'll take the pass of least resistance; it is easier on the equipment as well.

All I am saying is there is a difference in abuse and use. Equipment is very expensive so I stretch it out as far as I can.

If it means taking extra care then so be it.....to each their own....IMHO

[bdub]

I try and be as carefull with mine as possible but I dont worry about honest wear and tear. You can definitley tell my main hunting rig has been well used. The scope looks like it has been used to split kindling or pound nails due to numerous log backflips, drops and scrapes. A good part of the bluing is worn off the scope from being slung over my shoulder for many miles. There is small scratch in the ocular lens from a fall. I view all that as adding character and dont sweat it to much. I had the riflle built knowing it was going to see hard use.

[catnthehat]

I had a friend a long time ago who guided in B.C.
His rifle was an old 200 Weatherby with a leupold 3-9X
The gun had the bluing almost all gone and the finish was rubbed off from years in a scabbard and from endless hours on mountains and in deep bush.

I asked him if he ever thought of getting it re-finished and he said flat out that he didn't buy the rifle for its looks- but he was assured that when it came off his shoulder it was going to accurately kill whatever he aimed it at!
Cat

[alfoldivandor]

[QUOTE=alfoldivandor;1956151]If I had a gun or rifle that I was worried about putting scratches and dings in it I'd get rid of it. I bought mine to hunt with and I accept that scratches and dings are going to happen eventually if I'm going to use them. Guys that handle their rifles worrying about putting a little mark in the stock remind me of someone tip toeing through the mud trying not to get their new boots dirty.
__________________________________________________ _________________

Absolutely agree with above ,

I bought my rifles as good tool for hunting not for the display ,
I also give away the hides of the game I kill , I keep the meat and for sure the memories of the time I spend with my gun in the bush.

[elkhunter11]

If I had a gun or rifle that I was worried about putting scratches and dings in it I'd get rid of it. I bought mine to hunt with and I accept that scratches and dings are going to happen eventually if I'm going to use them. Guys that handle their rifles worrying about putting a little mark in the stock remind me of someone tip toeing through the mud trying not to get their new boots dirty.

Exactly! If a hunting rifle too "pretty" to hunt with, why even own it? I don't abuse my guns, but I have hunted in some pretty severe conditions.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Exactly! If a hunting rifle too "pretty" to hunt with, why even own it? I don't abuse my guns, but I have hunted in some pretty severe conditions.

What exactly is "too pretty to hunt with"?

[elkhunter11]

What exactly is "too pretty to hunt with"?

It's a description that some people have used, when they were referring to a rifle that they owned. The rifle was "too pretty" to hunt with, in rain ,snow, or in conditions where it might get marked up.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

It's a description that some people have used, when they were referring to a rifle that they owned. The rifle was "too pretty" to hunt with, in rain ,snow, or in conditions where it might get marked up.

Gotcha. So it could paint a pretty broad brushstroke.

[elkhunter11]

Gotcha. So it could paint a pretty broad brushstroke.

Absolutely,everyone has a different idea of what is "pretty".

[Pathfinder76]

They sure do.