Editorial

Shoot Your Old Guns

Despite being a practical or tactical shooter for the majority of my adult life, I’ve always had a soft spot for old guns. It’s difficult to describe accurately, but there’s a little bit of magic in the blued steel and wood of yesteryear. Maybe it’s appreciation for the fine craftsmanship that is increasingly hard to come by with modern firearms. Or perhaps it’s nostalgia for times that I never got to see for myself. Regardless of the reason, there has always been room in my safe for guns older than me next to my black rifles and polymer pistols.

Over the last few years there has been a resurgence in interest amongst the shooting community in revolvers, shotguns, and lever actions. However, I don’t think reproductions quite measure up to what actual retro firearms have to offer. It’s almost like looking at an AI video that someone made using pictures of grandpa. You can see the resemblance, but there’s something a little uncanny about what we’re looking at. They don’t fill my heart with the warmth like the real thing, no matter how hard they try.

Old Guns

When I pick up my Remington Model 8, Stevens 520, or Savage 1917, I know that I have a living piece of history in my hands. While I may not know the provenance for everything I own, there’s still a connection there to my forebears. Sportsmen, lawmen, or hobbyists such as myself loved these guns so that I may love them long since they’ve passed on. Like a conduit to another world, old guns make the imagination run wild.

Some may say these aging pieces belong in a museum, or that they must be left untouched lest we unintentionally damage them or harm their market value. Nonsense! I say a cold dark safe is no place for these things. Take that rifle into the field, test your skills with your old wheel gun, and bust a few clays with a septuagenarian shotgun. Don’t abuse them, give the guns the aftercare they need, and ensure they live on well past when we meet our maker. Whatever you do, don’t let these guns die of neglect, only to be remembered in the pages of books and magazines.

If all you have are modern guns, then maybe it’s time to take a look at your local shop or browse some auctions online. You will gain a better appreciation for where we have come from and where we are now. Go shoot your old guns, it’s what they were made to do.

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Daniel Reedy

Daniel holds instructor certifications from Rangemaster, Agile Training & Consulting, and the NRA. He has received training from Craig Douglas, Tom Givens, and Steve Fisher among others. He also has experience competing in USPSA, CAS, 3 Gun, and Steel Challenge. In his free time Daniel enjoys petting puppies and reading the Constitution. His work is also published by Athlon Outdoors, AmmoLand, Recoil Concealment, Air Force Times, and other publications.