What Exactly Is A Safe Queen And Why Do We Keep Them?

[Jack Straw]

While contemplating dropping over $800 on my current object of attraction (Smith & Wesson 1917 Classic) jwc007 brought up the subject of the safe queen.   

Most shooters accumulate a few of these over the years for varying reasons.  I guess the most common definition of the safe queen is the piece that simply doesn't get fired, or even thought about for a long period.

For me they seem to result either from a form of competition I've stopped participating in or in some cases an ill advised purchase or project that is just too mortifying to even TRY to sell.

I'm curious as to how we designate the "absolutely will never part with" items and what might go on the block when something else claims our attention.

[armoredman]

Hmm, wehave that Ruger 10/22 that just sits around forever, I think we last fired it about 5 years ago. Always have something else to shoot, load development, etc...

[jameslovesjammie]

I think of a safe queen as a gun purchased to be collected or accumulated, not fired.  One of my coworkers buys guns all the time, just to have them.  I also know quite a few people who buy guns just because someone else has one and they need to "keep up with the Jones's". 

[CaseyP]

Well all of my firearms are practical in selection.  Kahr p380 for summer concealed carry.  P-01 for 3 season carry.  Perhaps a trunk gun/survival rifle to go with my emergency supply kit.

But, once my immediate needs are handled, I will probably see something else I want.  I will strain to find a what if scenario where it fits, and I will fail, eventually.  I will still have my heart set on it, and eventually I will fill that temptation or move onto another "white elephant".

I could see a safe full of firearms that are very interesting, and expertly crafted, but have no place in my daily defense needs.

[dean1818]

I had a brother in law that was a safe queen.....  not that there is anything wrong with that....

Actually I think that a gun collection (Safe queen) is probably worth about 75 to 80% what you have invested.

The way that my 401k has been going, maybe an investment totally in guns is in order.

[Jack Straw]

I guess a safe queen always uses protection.........

[sigsauerfan]

it  may  seems  dumb,  since  i'm  into  pistols,  i  always  had  guns  that  i  keep  unfired.

most  of  the  different  pistols( glockG22,one G17, a  para-ordinance 16-40  limited ED dual-tone  and  a  SP  marine  magnum remington)  i  keep unfired  are  sitting  waiting  for  their  duty  in  case  of  a  huge  chaos  or  in  cases  where  i  could  be  forced  to  be  in  red  alert  mode  for  awhile.lol  hope  it'll  never  happen...

there's  only  ONE  pistol  i  actually  keep  because  i  consider  it  as  a  piece  of  art,  it's  my  para-ordinance 16-40  limited ED  dual-tone....dont  ask  why....i  love  it  as  shooter,but....looking  at  it  only  fill  my  need  of  owning  an   extra-nice  gun.  everyone has a piece  he  consider  like  piece  of  art, to  me  it's  my  para....mmh?h?,curiously  enough  i  absolutly  hate   anything  grip-safety,the  16-40  has  one!!

 

[bang bang]

"Safe Queens" will vary with colletor.  you cant generalize about them other then the fact that they probably spend more time in a safe then not.  Also, how do you define a "Safe Queen"?  Is it that it will NEVER be shot, or shot once it your life time, or?. 

there are some guns that maybe should NOT be shot.  IE like the BHPs made during the Nazi occupation that were supposedly booby trapped to blow up after firing so many rounds.  It would be an oddity/rarity, but if its true, i for one would not shoot it.  therer are also the Kimber Handguns ala Remington XP100 that were made but discontinued due to the stocks cracking. If i had one and it was intact, i doubt i would shoot it. 

i think it all depends on how you define the safe queen and what your intentions are with regards to the collection.

also, theres the saying - "the more guns you have the less you shoot".  i find that to be true.  there comes a point where there will be some guns in your collection that will spend more time in the safe then on the range.  its just the way it is.

Most of my Colt SAA 22s are "safe queens" just becuase  i dont need to shoot them.  I have one i bought when they reintroduced the Colt SAA NF in 22LR during the 80s and that is fine for shooting.  i did break out 2 of the Peacemakers to make a Buscadero Rig for them, but thats about it.

[FALaholic]

I had several that I dumped and now Im down to one.  A Sig Sauer P226 Elite.  I guess at some point I will shoot it, but for me safe queens are just not practical.  My money is better used for components, parts, accessories, etc.

[CaseyP]

agreed.  I have easily spent the same or more on accessories and ammo for my pistol than I did paying for it.  Just in my holster and 2 mag pouches that's 100.  My belt was about 100.  I got some concealed carry pants, they were about 50  (I'm generalizing).  My magazines were about 30 each, and one is 16 rounds, so there's 100 for 3.  Ammunition, concealed carry class, advanced pistolcraft class, 90 bucks for my CCW permit. 

I pretty easily see my future gun funds going to augmenting the pistol I currently have. 

Plus I have my Kahr p380 coming in, and that will be like 620 with taxes.  Then there is 380, 1000 rounds of ball ammo is running about 340, then another 120 or so for testing defense rounds, and stocking up a bit on those (just a bit).  Plus a new holster, extra magazines, grips...

I simply don't see a time in the foreseeable future where I will want to buy more guns rather than develop my equipment for the current ones.

I still want to get Crimson Trace and the DPS recoil system for my P-01.  As time goes on with the Kahr, I'll want to put crimson trace or something onto it, and maybe get into reloading....

[CSM CZ Shooter]

Jack Straw,

Great thread as always....thanks.

I was cleaning the Shadow after yesterday's match when I remembered your thread. So when I got done cleaning, I opened up my (current) safe queens, my Pre-B 75 and the 97. Rack the slide and slip she bit me in the palm of my left hand...must have been a little slip 2000 left on my hand from cleaning.

Lesson Learned: Take the Queens out for a date once and awhile (or they may get mad and bite you)

Good Shooting!

[salskov]

Safe Queen.

Never had one, never will.

All my guns are working guns.

Might as well have a Skilsaw safe queen, if you get my drift.

Now, that being said, I am not a collector,

Which is different.


salskov

[Dorkfish]

Safe queens are usually "show and tell" pieces.  One might shoot it on the off occasion, but that's a rarity.  Generally the time it spends out of the safe is for cleaning and polishing or show-and-tell time.

I have two SQ's, one is a SQ primarily becuase of the ammo expense.
1987 Springfield 1911-A1 Milspec (beautiful mirror black finish) - sat in previous owner's safe for over 20 years w/o a round ever through it.  Had to pop the cherry...would have been wrong not to.  It comes out just to make buddies mad that they don't have one that nice.
1980's IMI Desert Eagle .44Mag in bi-tone (special order only back then) - wanted one for years and traded my 1911 build to a friend for it.  Still trying to sweet-talk him out of his Dragunov Tigr.

They're great pieces and the kind that should be passed on later in life (especially the 1911.  So to each his/her own when it comes to SQ's.

All of my CZ's and clones get shot, provided I have the ammo.  I just love to see the faces of others when they're out, especially when you offer to let someone shoot one of them.  My CZ-52 usually gets folks to back away rather quickly, which is unfortunate because it's so nice to shoot.