Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Baehman
The term "shooter" comes up quite frequently and it appears to have somewhat differing meanings to different people, so let's try to define what a "shooter" is...
Can a "shooter" also be defined as a collectible gun?
Can a collectible gun also be a shooter?
Is a shooter a worn gun? Is a shooter an altered gun? Is a shooter a collector quality gun that you choose to shoot? Etc.
What is your definition of a shooter?
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Greg: Yes to all of the above, with the caveat that "worn" does not mean "unsafe". Every gun I have is a shooter and gets its time in the field although the rifles seem to be relegated to the
steel tombs (deserved citation: Francis) Some time ago I started believing that big game was getting more like work than fun after two days of two guys packing a bull elk out of a location that should have been relegated to the camera, not the .270. Day two was a worrisome day. We became concerned we would never find the rest of our prize, as it had snowed heavily and most our tree blazes were not visible. Murphy's Law states that the driven snow will always be from a direction that obliterates a blaze.
"Collectible" itself is subjective. For me, if I want
it and acquired
it,
it becomes part of a collection, therefore
it is collectible. "Collectible" need not mean only high condition NIB unfired and all that - although that is very collectible.
Even unsafe crappy condition guns with interesting provenance can be collectible but not a shooter.
I don't see "shooter" as a derogatory term, rather a descriptive term of endearment for the gentleman shooter portrayed in Drew's post.
Here is my definition for the
"it":
"Shooter" - a gun that is safe to use.
Example:
I think I might be a bit of a Philistine when it comes to a high condition unfired gun. I understand the "caretaker" philosophy but I'm not sure I could resist the temptation to take at least one rooster with it, which then forever changes it, I guess.
BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CORRECTION BY THOSE WHO KNOW FOR SURE
Now I presume every Parker was fired at the factory based on reading about #pellets on a pattern board, so does "unfired" really mean "not fired since leaving the factory"? Could a couple more shots since factory be proven as not being patterning shots? I would not be a good caretaker so I should never acquire a high condition gun (hell, I could win a lottery - maybe)
How many shots does it take before the most discriminating collector can unequivocally conclude a gun is no longer as delivered from the factory?
Good topic
Cheers,
Jack