Do you get upset if you scratch or dent a stock or wear the bluing off a rifle?

[JDHasty]

What is really peculiar to friends about me is that I will pine and obsess about every minuscule machine mark or flaw in the finish on a rifle I am refinishing or putting together, but once it’s done I just don’t care much about bumps, bruises and scratches picked up in the field. I’ll retouch the oil finish maybe, but I just don’t get too worked up about honest wear and tear. As long as it doesn’t result from gross negligence, I really could care less.

The lens coatings on my optics are another thing all together.

As for the bluing, I kind of like it when it is worn thin on the bolt knob or where it has been carried. Minor scratches don’t really bother me either.

[georgeld]

Only time it really bothers me is on a fine new rifle.
Though I do cringe when they get banged.

I have a beautiful Sako 7mmg I would never put on a horse.
Carried it a lotta mils on foot though. Shipped it home from Germany brand new.
Customs opened the strapped wood crate and scratched it.
Far as I know l that's the only mark on it yet and that was in '72.

I just couldn't stand seeing Dad's M70 beat to hell, finish scratched
and hard brittle finish flaked off in patches from horses banging it on trees.
I just had to refinish even with others telling me that would ruin the value.
At least when I traded it off, it looked real nice with a TruOil finish.

Seems they do get marked up if you hunt with them much.

[foxhunter]

i owned a special cooper model 40 with exhibition wood on it, i sold it as i wouldn't take it out of the safe for fear of dinging it.
not the rifle but as close as i have come to the wood, the cooper was a little better.

[varmintshooter]

I used to worry, now I look at a gun as a tool. I take good care of my tools and try not to abuse them however they do get marked up some.

[JSH]

I have owned “collectible” limited edition rifles, pistols and shotguns in years past. Made more to look at than ever use. Took me several years to realize that game was out of my budget area, and what I really desired. All of them long gone and good riddance.

I don’t like dinging up a stock or metal, but I won’t loose sleep over it either. I build them to use them. If they get marks in the field so be it. An over stuffed safe seems to be a major culprit of dinks.

[Hog Patrol]

Like Shane said in the movie of that name, "A gun is a tool, no different than a shovel or an axe".

[Bill K]

Originally Posted by Hog Patrol

Like Shane said in the movie of that name, "A gun is a tool, no different than a shovel or an axe".

Agree. I try to take care of any of my tools, but if they get a ding from use, so be it, I have them to use and enjoy for what purpose they are used for.
Life is too short to worry over some stuff.

[Eric Mayer]

Originally Posted by foxhunter

i owned a special cooper model 40 with exhibition wood on it, i sold it as i wouldn't take it out of the safe for fear of dinging it.

I've got a Kimber .218 Bee I'm debating selling for the same reason.

[JDHasty]

Originally Posted by varmintshooter

I used to worry, now I look at a gun as a tool. I take good care of my tools and try not to abuse them however they do get marked up some.

Bingo, that's where I am coming from. Had a friend staying with me and he applied vise grips to the handles of some of my screw drivers, he owns (if he can find them) tools I would not take home if offered for free. It would be the height of idiocy for him to purchase quality tools. When I demanded he replace my screwdrivers he was unable to comprehend that I expect mechanic's tools to suffer bumps and bruises, but I simply will not tolerate having my tools abused.

[foxhunter]

Originally Posted by JDHasty

Bingo, that's where I am coming from. Had a friend staying with me and he applied vise grips to the handles of some of my screw drivers, he owns (if he can find them) tools I would not take home if offered for free. It would be the height of idiocy for him to purchase quality tools. When I demanded he replace my screwdrivers he was unable to comprehend that I expect mechanic's tools to suffer bumps and bruises, but I simply will not tolerate having my tools abused.

like you i have a friend that take the gun is a tool thing too far. he uses the rifle to push a fence down so he can get over it. he asked to borrow one of my rifle when we went hunting coyotes. i respectfully declined, "he asks why". simple answer, told him it was to save him from a bad drubbing.