Jonah71
Member
I did in the late 80's. Big mistake. Very costly and I'll never get close to what I had even if I live another 25 yrs (which also isn't likely).
anyone here downsize their collection out of choice?
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GunnyUSMC
Member
My collection has out grown my house so, I'm adding on. 
I do downsize from time to time by giving something away.
I don't shoot most of the guns I have, but they don't cost me anything to keep them.
Here is a simple rule to follow when it comes to selling guns. Never sell guns when you need money. You will almost always take a lost.
When I get older I will be giving most of my collection to my kids and grand kids. I will give them the guns that they have interst in. The ones they don't care for I will sell or give to friends.
I do downsize from time to time by giving something away.
I don't shoot most of the guns I have, but they don't cost me anything to keep them.
Here is a simple rule to follow when it comes to selling guns. Never sell guns when you need money. You will almost always take a lost.
When I get older I will be giving most of my collection to my kids and grand kids. I will give them the guns that they have interst in. The ones they don't care for I will sell or give to friends.
A few years ago, I downsized my collection. I had a lot of guns that didn't get shot much, and several I had never shot. I got rid of a new Weatherby 7mm Mag, a S.I.G; a Remington 20ga Model-870, and about a dozen others. I don't hunt anymore so I didn't need 6 deer type rifles or 4 shotguns. I had 3 varmint rifles in .223. I don't shoot .40 S&W much so I didn't need 3 pistols in that caliber. I replaced them with fewer guns that I shoot a lot and with a Colt Python I'd wanted for 30 years. Quality, not quantity.
Nicky Santoro
Member
anyone here downsize their collection out of choice?
Yup. The old lady bitched, and bitched, and bitched, and bitched until I sold off most of my collection rather than take a drastic action. I'm down to 2 handguns, a skeet gun and a deer rifle. She knows that it will be the end of the marriage before any more guns go so things are quiet now. I also promised her a stark vision of the dark side of my nature. She's seen that demonstrated on others and doesn't seem up for it for herself.
Yup. The old lady bitched, and bitched, and bitched, and bitched until I sold off most of my collection rather than take a drastic action. I'm down to 2 handguns, a skeet gun and a deer rifle. She knows that it will be the end of the marriage before any more guns go so things are quiet now. I also promised her a stark vision of the dark side of my nature. She's seen that demonstrated on others and doesn't seem up for it for herself.
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redneck2
Member
I used to work part time in a gun shop. I saw numerous kids that had inherited guns bring the in, plop them on the counter, and take whatever they could get.
I have every confidence that grandpa wanted them to go to someone in the family. To them, it was just a chunk of wood and steel they could use to get money to buy video games or pay off the credit card.
I used to work part time in a gun shop. I saw numerous kids that had inherited guns bring the in, plop them on the counter, and take whatever they could get.
So, at 61 YO, unless it's something I know they're gonna want/use, if I don't use it, it's going away to someone that will use it.
I have every confidence that grandpa wanted them to go to someone in the family. To them, it was just a chunk of wood and steel they could use to get money to buy video games or pay off the credit card.
I used to work part time in a gun shop. I saw numerous kids that had inherited guns bring the in, plop them on the counter, and take whatever they could get.
So, at 61 YO, unless it's something I know they're gonna want/use, if I don't use it, it's going away to someone that will use it.
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HadEmAll
Member
When I got my Texas CHL, I was 46. I amassed quite a collection of full and medium sized handguns, and carried them all.
Now, I'm approaching 62. The plethora of subcompact handguns in major calibers that has come out in recent years has me carrying them more and more, and my full-sized handguns in the same calibers are spending more and more time in the safe.
Now something as simple as the X-grip magazine adapter, which allows full-sized magazines to fit comfortably in the subcompact versions, has just about dotted the I, and crossed the T. I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of full-sized handguns of several makes and calibers. Kinda sad to me, but just makes sense. I won't get rid of them all, but can see about 5 full-sized 9mm, .40, .45, and .357 magnum handguns I previously cherished headed for other owners.
The subcompacts just carry easier, shoot as good for me at reasonable combat distances, and can have the same magazine capacity. A little velocity loss is about all the detriment to my plan.
I WILL miss them, and will probably second guess myself many times after I do this. Just 5 more entries into that Excel spreadsheet I maintain called "Firearms I used to own". Will take it from 66 entries to 71.
Now, I'm approaching 62. The plethora of subcompact handguns in major calibers that has come out in recent years has me carrying them more and more, and my full-sized handguns in the same calibers are spending more and more time in the safe.
Now something as simple as the X-grip magazine adapter, which allows full-sized magazines to fit comfortably in the subcompact versions, has just about dotted the I, and crossed the T. I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of full-sized handguns of several makes and calibers. Kinda sad to me, but just makes sense. I won't get rid of them all, but can see about 5 full-sized 9mm, .40, .45, and .357 magnum handguns I previously cherished headed for other owners.
The subcompacts just carry easier, shoot as good for me at reasonable combat distances, and can have the same magazine capacity. A little velocity loss is about all the detriment to my plan.
I WILL miss them, and will probably second guess myself many times after I do this. Just 5 more entries into that Excel spreadsheet I maintain called "Firearms I used to own". Will take it from 66 entries to 71.
DammitBoy
Member
kimbershot
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yes--i've downsized and upgraded. i would rather have 1 superfine piece that i use and baby vs. 3 so so's.
Well done everyone...
This thread, and this thread alone has made be rethink keeping my Mosin Nagants. There are so many better guns to own -- having two cheap ones (I own two) that I really don't enjoy to shoot is not a good enough reason to keep them. Perhaps there is a higher grade Mauser I could get instead.
So thank you....,and darn you all at the same time.
This thread, and this thread alone has made be rethink keeping my Mosin Nagants. There are so many better guns to own -- having two cheap ones (I own two) that I really don't enjoy to shoot is not a good enough reason to keep them. Perhaps there is a higher grade Mauser I could get instead.
So thank you....,and darn you all at the same time.
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
I'm in the process of doing so right now. I want my collection to reflect my needs, and I am a big proponent of standardization. Mostly 1 gun for 1 job. 1 precision rifle, 1 full size 9mm, 1 pocket gun, etc.
I plan on selling my Millennium Pro when the S&W M&P Shield comes out. I am also going to sell my LCP and get the S&W Bodyguard. Add that to my M&P9 full size and Compact that I already have. Add the M&P .22lr pistol for practice when I get the funds. Already got the M&P-15 22 for cheap AR practice.
But the point being that while I am adding guns like the Bodyguard and Shield, I will also be selling guns like the MilPro and LCP. I'd rather have the cash and no sense in my mind in owning a gun I'm not going to use, and no sense in using a gun when I have something that is IMO better. Hence the sales.
I plan on selling my Millennium Pro when the S&W M&P Shield comes out. I am also going to sell my LCP and get the S&W Bodyguard. Add that to my M&P9 full size and Compact that I already have. Add the M&P .22lr pistol for practice when I get the funds. Already got the M&P-15 22 for cheap AR practice.
But the point being that while I am adding guns like the Bodyguard and Shield, I will also be selling guns like the MilPro and LCP. I'd rather have the cash and no sense in my mind in owning a gun I'm not going to use, and no sense in using a gun when I have something that is IMO better. Hence the sales.
PT92
Member
Nope--I have more than "some" would say is necessary (that is so subjective though as to not be empirical in any sense of the word) but I cannot bring myself to jettison off anything quite yet. If I really needed to free up some funds, however, I would not hesitate to consider as such is life, in particular, in our current precarious environment (but it would really have to be an "absolute" mandatory-like justification as I worked my tail off over the past 25yrs. building my collection and really enjoy).
-Cheers
larryh1108
Member
If the money you get from the guns you sell goes back into new and possibly better guns then you didn't lose anything. Your hard work still went to your passion. On the other hand, if you sold guns to pay credit card bills.... well, I could never do that. That money is lost forever. Housing, education and other guns is ok. I can justify that. If you use it towards another hobby/passion I can see that too. At least you have something tangible that you can possibly sell when you tire of it and get guns again...
speedway
Member
Well said.
I sold a Glock G30 and a Glock G26. I bought a Glock G23, a 40 S&W. I also bought an LWD 40-9 conversion barrel as well as an LWD 357 Sig (G32) barrel. The two guns I sold brought in $1000. I spent $725 on this rig including tax and Mep night sights via the GSSF program. Sold two guns. Shoot three calibers now for less cash. I love Glocks.
doc2rn
Member
I bit the bullet and downsized on my last move. I didn't sell them off, I just left 20 of them with my brother. I kept the best 12 with me. Funny thing is he started to shoot occassionally with my old beaters. Which is great as far as I am concerned.
He bought his Colt .45 Gold Cup, and is thinking of adding an M4 after going to town with my WASR. I tried to explain the 2 are not even close to the same, but he is on a mission.
Who knows maybe one day soon I will take the kids with me to the range so I can pass on a couple of .22s and make some new shooters.
He bought his Colt .45 Gold Cup, and is thinking of adding an M4 after going to town with my WASR. I tried to explain the 2 are not even close to the same, but he is on a mission.
Who knows maybe one day soon I will take the kids with me to the range so I can pass on a couple of .22s and make some new shooters.
DammitBoy
Member
Buying more guns instead of paying off your obligated debt? How is that money lost if you used it to honor your word and pay your bills?
If you owe money to someone, I suggest you pay them first before buying more anything. That's the high road.
larryh1108
Member
I don't recall writing of not paying off the credit card debt. Can you show me where I said that? By your high raod, we can't buy any guns if we have a mortgage or have a car payment or if we have student loans. I guess you live on a higher road than I do. Congrats for being the perfect man.
DammitBoy
Member
Sure can, it's easy since I already quoted you writing it once.
That money is lost forever how and why? Selling a gun to pay a debt is indictative that you don't have other available funds to honor your debt.
Yes, if I had debt I needed to pay and had no other option, I'd sell a gun to pay it and I wouldn't consider honoring my debt to be "losing money".
I love you specious claim that I somewhere somehow stated that you can't buy firearms if you have debt. lol
larryh1108
Member
Really?
Also,
Your words, not mine. You added something to my words and then commented on your addition. Your High Road is filled with pot holes.
PT92
Member
The way I look at firearms today more so than ever is that they are a very viable and, perhaps, recommended $investment$ vehicle. I have absolutely and categorically no faith whatsoever in WallStreet--dollar is losing value by the day and the traditional investment/retirement philosophy and culture our parents experienced is gone IMO for the average person not privy to insider trading and the like. If given the choice, would you prefer $2K invested in weapons (wisely chosen of course) or $2K invested in stocks or mutual funds? The answer is easy for me when I look at the appraised value of my gun collection as opposed to my 401K over the past five years. That leaves GOLD of which I would buy lots of if I had more (liquid) available funds--I don't so that leaves me with my gun collection which though modest in nature is nothing to snear at (maybe it is compared to some of you guys). Moreover, we are continuing to see from my perspective stable to rising gun prices (both used and new alike). Consequently, I will sit on my stuff indefinitely (actually I have added some new toys of late) while they appreciate in value in the hopes that I will not have to unload any while still resting assured that if need be I can free up funds immediately.
-Cheers
). Moreover, we are continuing to see from my perspective stable to rising gun prices (both used and new alike). Consequently, I will sit on my stuff indefinitely (actually I have added some new toys of late) while they appreciate in value in the hopes that I will not have to unload any while still resting assured that if need be I can free up funds immediately. -Cheers
orionengnr
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Yep. I've done it several times on a fairly large scale and now do it on an ongoing basis with several guidelines:
1. If I don't carry it or shoot it (at least somewhat) regularly, I sell it.
2. If I want a new one, I generally sell something to fund it.
3. Quality > quantity. I have been known to sell two or three in order to buy one.
The result of this is a modest "collection"; not really worthy of the name. But I learned a lesson from a wise man once, and am trying to live it:
"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have".
It is an eternal struggle for me, as there is always something new that I want.
But I am learning that if I live by the three rules above, I can maintain an equilibrium...and be happy with it.
1. If I don't carry it or shoot it (at least somewhat) regularly, I sell it.
2. If I want a new one, I generally sell something to fund it.
3. Quality > quantity. I have been known to sell two or three in order to buy one.
The result of this is a modest "collection"; not really worthy of the name. But I learned a lesson from a wise man once, and am trying to live it:
"Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have".
It is an eternal struggle for me, as there is always something new that I want.
But I am learning that if I live by the three rules above, I can maintain an equilibrium...and be happy with it.
huntsman
Member
I did that back in 1999 trading in 3 $200. shotguns for 1 $600. shotgun
I have sold and traded many guns in the last 15 years. The bad ones, I was glad to get rid of but several of the others, I do regret and hate myself for selling them, so now I am very reluctant to do so. I used to compete in SASS Competition but no longer am I a member so I sold one of my 3rd generation SA Colts but still have my Pride and Joy Second Generation SA Colt 45 with the 7 1/2" Barrel. I always think of selling it but when I take It out of the Original Colt Stage Coach Box, I break into a sweat and I change my mind. I hate to sell anything now because I know I will miss them later.
Chris-bob
Member
I have only ever not regretted selling 3 of the 24 guns I have sold. I hope to never make those 21 mistakes again.
DammitBoy
Member
Really, if you can't afford to pay your monthy credit card bill, sell a gun and pay it.
I have no trouble keeping my bills paid, so I'm not selling any firearms.
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