I went into a gun shop a few months ago and down in the bottom of the case was a Ruger 22 single six in mint cond not even a turn line 4/5.8 barrel ,perfect grips for 349 I jumped on it its around a 1969 or 70 gun . Should I just use and shoot it ????? its nice and light . I also have  Stainless 4.5/8 22 that I do shoot it was a run that Ruger had done up a few years back . The old S/S is mint .

I don't know why you wouldn't shoot it,it's not giving you any satisfaction just laying around. It's never going to pay for anyone's education and besides you can shoot it and take good care of it and being what it is you will get close to the same for it. To me the older guns in the shape you state are worth the price of a current new version. So you have already made your fortune on it in my book. All that being said I am a shooter and not a collector. For me what the gun could go up in value isn't even close to the value you will gain by shooting it.

wise words. pristine guns are not for me.

I think you may be right , but I have a Ruger 22stainless that I do shoot and I know you never see any older 4.5/8 in 22 and for the price I took it home . I was at the same shop just 2 weeks ago and the had a 1970 or so Smith 36 with the older two piece blue box all matching grips and box with old Smith holster and ammo papers for 350 I took it also , its to nice to carry . I will shoot them when it wears off .