Although I fully understand the economics of the situation (i.e. selling a weapon as the quickest and easiest way to finance another weapon), I pretty much gave up on the practice years ago.
Almost every time that I've parted with a weapon for this reason, sooner or later, I've come to regret the decision.
On the other hand, I've given away quite a few weapons of various sorts to relatives, friends and the kids of friends without a trace of remorse.
I had a 9mm Makarov that I really never shot, it was a nice enough little pistol, but when I went shooting, it was generally left behind in favor of a Browning, SIG or Kimber. I considered selling it, but finally gave it to a retired friend on a fixed income that really needed a pistol. I could have sold it to help finance another purchase, but I know I would have regretted it.
Giving it away was the best move I could have made, I feel better knowing that he and his wife have the means to protect themselves and I've probably shot it twice as much since I gave it away two years ago than I did in the 20+ years that I owned it.
I fixed up and then gave away an old, slightly "Bubba'd" 93 Mauser to the son of a friend, I honestly didn't ever do anything with the rifle anymore except clean it occasionally, but with any luck, someday he'll kill his first deer with it.
As with the Mak, I shoot it more now than when I owned it, even though I only see them a couple of times a year.
I could have used the money from selling those and a number of other items to help purchase the latest "must have" item, but honestly, I'm usually able to save up and eventually purchase most of the things I really want (within reason, no MIG 29 for me
).
Obviously, your course of action is for you alone to decide (plus, let's face it, your Hornet's worth a good deal more cash than any one item I've ever given away), but since you asked for opinions/guidance, I'll recommend giving it away to someone who'll use and appreciate it (and hopefully grant visitation rights
)!
