To Shoot it or Not

[cray]

Mod, please repost elsewhere if this isn't the appropriate place.

The USAF sent me to Korea in the early 90s, and at that time, I placed all of my firearms in my Dad's safe. I've long since retrieved the long guns, but a couple of weeks ago, I decided to get the last two.

The first is a series 70 Gold Cup that's close to 98%, along with the box. And the second is a National Match (pre series 70), also with box and instructions. Thanks to the expertise and guidance on this site, I found (I think) that the NM gun was made around 1966, and the Gold Cup was early in the production of the guns. I "think" I also found that the NM was primarily a wadcutter or target gun, designed for shooting lower power loads. If I'm off base here, feel free to straighten me out.

Now, a couple of questions. First, the NM gun has a very VERY strong spring .. and I'm wondering if someone replaced the lighter spring with a heavier one so they could shoot full power loads (or was the original spring very strong.) Alternatively, the Gold Cup spring is noticeably weaker. I'll check the forums for the appropriate spring weights for both.

Now .. should I shoot 'em? My gut tells me that as long as I don't 'hurt' the Gold Cup, I probably won't significantly diminish its worth. Yesterday at a gun show I ran across a Gold Cup that was probably 80-85% for sale for $1,400. And, it was well shot. I thought that was a bit high.

I haven't a clue as to whether the NM is worth significantly more (but I hope to find out soon) but with 2 other "shooter" 45s in my safe, not counting the Gold Cup, I'm thinking I probably should keep it in the safe. Your thoughts?

I'll take some pics and try to get them posted in the next few days. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Shoot safe, and have a great holiday season,

Tony

[Hunter]

The Series 70 GCNM will be fine to shoot using standard pressure loads with a 16 pound recoil spring.
The National Match if it was a wad gun will have a lightened slide (I believe that year would be a wad gun) and should be shot using only light target loads and I believe a 12 pound recoil spring.
I might would not shoot the NM much if at all. You may find more info in these links.
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/nm.htm
http://proofhouse.com/index.htm
http://www.coolgunsite.com/nm_comm/colt_nm.htm

[dakota1911]

Hunter gave you some good links. If you look at the guns as "old coins" or the like, then don't shoot them. I would have to shoot them. I would "respring" them, which means not only new springs but the take down and reassembly with cleaning and lubrication in the process (save all the old springs). Shoot them and document the shooting. Pictures, targets, etc. I will say it again. Any old gun is worth $, but an old gun with a story is worth $$, and and old gun with pictures and a story is worth $$$$

[Ericthenorse]

I think you should drop the series 70 off at my house.... I will keep it safe and happy living with several of it's brothers...... :D

[wetidlerjr]

Shoot 'em ! Shoot 'em all ! Shoot anything and everything ! :D

[Baldy]

You can shoot an old gun some without abusing it. Stay away form the latest greatest super wham-o, whammy, ammunition. It will be fine. To me that's the pleasure of owning a gun is shooting it. If I want to look at something I'll buy a picture. Good luck Bill.

[cray]

Here are a couple of pics; they aren't great but I was in a hurry. The one with the white dot on the front site is the Series 70 GCNM, and the other is the Pre-Series 70 NM. The white dot, BTW, was an addition by the previous owner.


http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/crayphoto/colt2.jpg

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/crayphoto/colt3.jpg

[daveohno]

Well now, those are lookin' pretty good!

[radavis321]

shoot em all!

[cray]

Thanks. Even though I've been fighting the temptation, there are negative influences lurking on this web site which have enticed me to shoot the Series 70. God bless the negative influences ... ;)

Really, I do agree with the posts that shooting a firearm and properly caring for it doesn't really hurt the value. Let's face it, if it was an unfired Series 70 in the box .. yeah, maybe (though I bet there's some here that would go crazy shooting it :-), just maybe it's worth lots more than if it's shot. But, as I said earlier, I'm seeing well worn 70 GCs drawing $1000 + and sometimes (like this weekend) $1400. Doubt anyone bit on that one though.

Though I won't shoot the wad gun, I will replace the springs in both .. with I assume Wolf? Anyone have specific preferences?

Thanks again for the reality check.

Have a wonderful holiday.

Tony

[Joni Lynn]

I got my pre 70 series NM Gold Cup (1962) unfired but since then I've fired it a bit. It shoots great!

[cray]

Is there a commercial loading that replicates the loads those guns were designed to fire? I suspect reloading some "soft" 185 gr loads might be the best bet. Or maybe a stiffer spring .....

[Joni Lynn]

The Federal 185 Match should work fine.

[KY NIMROD]

Hey Cray;
As I told someone once who told me not to shoot a gun I had, The monetary worth of an item is only important to you if you intend to sell an item. Now the great pleasure you get from taken A prized firearm out and hitting the bulleye with it is worth a whole lot more then the weapons monetary value. If you are going to sell them then don't shoot them but, if you intend to keep them then what does it matter how much you can sell them for if they aren't fired. That being said Shoot those Beauties and shoot them soon!!!!!!!!!