Do you hunt with pretty guns..or leave them home?

Rembrandt

How many people here hunt with "pretty guns"?...you know the type I mean, shotguns-rifles-handguns with nice wood and nice metal finishes...or do yours have utilitarian finishes and synthetic stocks?

Rafter-S

I prefer to hunt and carry previously owned (used) guns--guns with a few whacks and dings. They are less expensive to buy, and as long as they are accurate and reliable, that's all that matters to me. I also am more comfortable with "less than perfect" guns. I have an old Browning Highpower in the door-pocket of my truck. It stays there all the time...and looks like it. The Springfield rifle I use to keep critters under control here on my place--the one that resides in my truck--has been hunted with for 40 seasons.

Both the Browning and Springfield shoot perfect, though they don't look it.

Tailgunner1954

You mean like when I take my Browning GTI clays gun out to the duck-blind, or chasing rabbits thru the brambles? Yep I do that.

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Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.

reb8600

I use mine for hunting. If I need a gun for looks only I will by a picture of one to put on the wall. My guns are all for shooting not just looks. Besides how do you show it off if you dont take it out and use it.

Guncontrol-The ability to hit what your aiming at.

simonbs

I deer hunt with a rebuilt M1 Garand shooter. Furniture and barrel were dinged and scratched when I bought it. I use a standard Wal-Mart special 10/22 for squirrel and rabbit. It was new when I bought it, and I maintain it properly, but I don't worry about a knock here and there. My carry handguns are tools and I treat them as such. Everything else I own, I just use to punch paper with. So they don't see much abuse, but I don't fret too much if one gets a ding. I don't own anything collector grade.

The only guns I don't use and abuse are the ones my Grandfather gave to me before he died and left me in his will. Those stay locked in a glass front display (I know, I know). They'll be passed on to my son(s).

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I'm not afraid of the dark...the dark is afraid of me!

dandy

I had a custom 270 made for me 17 years ago. Its the only deer rifle I own. Still have the same leupold scope on it.Wouldn't think of using any other rifle and I use it for the tool it is(on an atv,in rain ,snow through brush mud. Still looks good and shoots like new. I do admit to getting a chap for it though. This rifle will be passed on to my children when I pass and I would rather them have memories of it being used for all those years as opposed to just having another "pretty " gun.

William81

I whitetail hunt with a dinged up Remington 870. I bird hunt with a beautiful Remington 870 Wingmaster or Ithaca Model 37, both are over 30 years old and in excellent condition....The really pretty stuff is more of an investment and usually stays in the safe unless the weather is real cooperative.

Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Liberals....

William81

I whitetail hunt with a dinged up Remington 870. I bird hunt with a beautiful Remington 870 Wingmaster or Ithaca Model 37, both are over 30 years old and in excellent condition....The really pretty stuff is more of an investment and usually stays in the safe unless the weather is real cooperative.

Guns only have two enemies: Rust and Liberals....

pickenup

I once traded a boat for a Colt Sauer 30-06. That rifle was one of the purdyest guns I ever had. It was so purdy that I would not take it out, even to the range, in fear of scratching it. I could not stand having something that I was so scared of dinging. So I had to trade it off.The first ding in my Citori kind hurt, but it has killed alot of clays since then.

If I knew then, what I know now.

mhanson

My friend once told me this when I asked him the same question
If you were married to miss america would you have sex with her or just look at her. I think you know the answer. I hunt with all my guns
fully engraved sxs's and o/u's and rifles

GreenLantern

I use my nice ones when hunting on my own property cause I'm just going to be sitting in the stand. When with the guys I hunt with I bring a long a beater after learning my lesson. I dropped my AR in the creek once!

Rembrandt

I hunt with all of mine...I can relate to picknup's story about the Colt Sauer....really stuggled whether to take mine out till I found some "Gun Chaps" to fit over the stock, worked great. I've also put layers of camo-tape over some to protect the finishes.

nelchris

I HUNT WITH MINE,BROWNING SUP LIGHTING 20 WEATHERBY REGENTCY 12 ,WINCHESTER MOD 21 COSTOME 12 ALL OVER 25 YEARS OLD AND 95% PLUS
IF YOU HAVE THEM USE THEM

groundhog devastation

The custom 222Mag rides the truck!! The 25-06 rides the truck (or tractor). The xp's ride the truck and tractors and anything else I have will go with me wherever!!!! Damn a gun that's so "purdy" you're afraid to take it out of the safe!!! The 17VS just got here last Thursday. As of this moment it has a shop rag covering the muzzle and the stock is held nicely by the sweatshirt on the tractor cab floor!!! GHD

idsman75

It isn't the greatest most unique gun in the world but the favorite one in my cabinet is an Ithaca 37. I love the way that the barrel blueing looks absolutely liquid. It is the gun with the most sentimental value. I take it out to shoot clays once or twice a year and that's it. My Mossberg 835 does all of the dirty work.

n4thethrill

if i buy it i hunt with it if you want something pretty ust take a pic.

you can be king or street sweeper but everyone is going to dance with the reaper

Spotter

I take the pretty stock off and slip on a synthetic one
to shoot or hunt with, it just kills me to mar up a beatiful
finish. Some guns I have traded off because I know I'd
never use them, they were so gorgeous.

groundhog devastation

This is my second reply to this topic and after reading all the rest I have to reply again. In 1977 while attending VA. TECH and helping out at the gunshop whenever I could to get deals on powder, bullets and whatever, a shipment of 700BDL's came in. One was in 6mmREM and it must have had a piece of wood that got lost from the custom shop!! I got it at cost and proceeded to float the barrel and then shoot very small groups with it!! I was pleased!! Then a couple days later it wouldn't shoot1.5" groups!! Checked the floating and it was touching!! Fixed it again and shot like a houseafire!! 2 days later not worth a damn! I sold it before it sprouted leaves!! Only thing was I sold it to a friend!! I still hear about that 700!! Synthetic makes a lot of sense to me!! GHD