Just re-read this string. I am not referring to strength of the 1945 Kar98kicon. They are usually very strong. But the 1945 production has its own collector fans. Shooting the rifle MAY devalue it. A good shooter would be a 1938-42 Kar98k. But only from a collector view. It is true German armor steel declined in late 1944 and caused problems for tank steel, but as far as I know this was not the case for rifle production. I have owned only one 1945 Kar98k, as they tend to be few and far between. Just take good care of it and good luck.