Thread: "Too pretty to use"

Yeah, I'm with @Ryan_Songhurst and @Spudattack on this one. I picked up an unfired Model 7 in a beautiful laminate stock, and while I certainly do use it, I would much rather switch out the stock for something I don't mind beating up. I'm way more precious about it while I'm hunting than is ideal... I carry it in a full-length cover and if I slip there's a chance I will injure myself trying to save the rifle from hitting the deck!

Same mentality applies to 4WDs and mountainbikes. If you've got money to throw away then have at it, buy a brand-new piece of kit and thrash the hell out of it. Me, I'll buy it off you for a fraction of the new cost once you've scratched it up. I think it's a bit romantic to say that rifle value is not affected by aesthetics.