Thinking of Reducing My Collection...

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You might try selling your unwanted guns on Armslist. Free, local, pick a public place to do the transaction.

A .38/.357 revolver and a Rossi .357 carbine sounds like they would be to your liking.
 
You don't own many guns from my point of view. You also do not own high cost guns. You own a reasonable amount. Sell a couple and buy that carbine. Get out and shoot more and you may well want another couple 22's. The biggest problem to living in a urban area is access to free shooting spots. I for one don't like to have to pay to shoot. The hobby is already expensive.
 
I picked up an 1894 Marlin .44 magnum/special carbine for $400 during the off season. Put it on ninety-day lay-away at a local pawn shop. Goes well with my Super Blackhawk.

Didn't have to sell any of my other guns.
 
Rocketmedic said:
Not gonna lie- discovered Bonanza and "The Rifleman" on MeTV and I'm pretty fascinated by lever-action/Old West guns. Reckon if it was good enough for Back in the Day, it's good enough for 2017, and part of that has me on the lookout for a handgun and a lever-action carbine.
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Why in Gods name would you move to California? Sure, you may get a little pay bump, but the cost of living there will offset it unless you're getting double what you make now......
But, if you REALLY HAVE to:
Sell the Mosins. Unless our relations with Russia get magically better, the ammo will start to dry up in the next couple years. They are worth $250-300 on Armslist.
Sell the 12ga. They are just not fun to shoot. The 20ga. is almost as good for home defense, clays, or most shotgun hunting. Should get ya 100-250 depending on condition and options.
Keep the 1911. An RIA is not worth all that much, so it won't burn a hole in the pocket to hang on to it. Being a low-cap handgun, it will be one of the last the Cali. gun grabbers come for. Or sell\trade it for a single stack 9mm.
Keep the pocket guns on the off chance you will still be able to get CCW permits.
You didn't state what caliber the Taurus is, but I'm assuming its either a .357/.38 or a .22. Either way keep it. If not, sell it and get a good quality .357 DA wheel gun. Think Ruger GP100......
And finally, you should have enough left over to pick up a .357 lever gun. These are great do everything guns, very fun to shoot and not they won't break the bank running .38 target loads. Also, the gun Nazis would pretty much have to ban all cartridge weapons before they would be eyeing a lever action.
Not saying that won't eventually happen, though. :(
 
Looking at the weapons you listed and what you do & don't shoot, it's obvious you're on a budget & looks like you like to do things together. I'm guessing you really like shooting the 10/22's & pistol's because it's cheap, they have low recoil/muzzle blast & it's easy.

I believe you'd be happy selling the Mosin's, the 12ga & the 1911 because you're not shooting them anyway. I'm guessing it's because of a combination of the cost & the greater recoil & muzzle blast.

Get the .38 revolver you're thinking of, should prove to be a good companion to the other revolver. A .22 I assume? Then If you want a carbine get a .223 or 7.62x39. I'm guessing you want to keep the cost down. I bet the new Ruger American in 7.62x39 would be one you'd like. Light weight, low recoil, reasonable muzzle blast & relatively cheap for both the gun & ammo. Top it with a lower cost red dot or scope and you'd have a fun & effective carbine. Learn to operate the bolt while the gun is shouldered and maybe pick up an extra magazine or two, possibly even one of the Ruger factory 10 rd's and you'd have a pretty effective defensive carbine or critter-gutter.

Do it that way & you'll each have a 10/22, a TCP and a revolver, plus you'll have the 20 ga & the carbine to share.
 
Rocketmedic you don't say how old you are. My experience is that the older you get the more the philosophy of "keep what you have" come into play. Still, I hear what you are saying, a gun is thing that should be used and not decorate a space somewhere. (unless it was actually bought for show) Here is my advice - since you asked:

After some serious thought do what you want. It is an inevitable outcome. I know guys who have wanted this or that and there was not peace or satisfaction in their lives until they accomplished what they wanted.
 
Before buying anything, go to the CalGuns forum and find out what's legal in the PRK
 
Manny said:
Looking at the weapons you listed and what you do & don't shoot, it's obvious you're on a budget & looks like you like to do things together. I'm guessing you really like shooting the 10/22's & pistol's because it's cheap, they have low recoil/muzzle blast & it's easy.

I believe you'd be happy selling the Mosin's, the 12ga & the 1911 because you're not shooting them anyway. I'm guessing it's because of a combination of the cost & the greater recoil & muzzle blast.

Get the .38 revolver you're thinking of, should prove to be a good companion to the other revolver. A .22 I assume? Then If you want a carbine get a .223 or 7.62x39. I'm guessing you want to keep the cost down. I bet the new Ruger American in 7.62x39 would be one you'd like. Light weight, low recoil, reasonable muzzle blast & relatively cheap for both the gun & ammo. Top it with a lower cost red dot or scope and you'd have a fun & effective carbine. Learn to operate the bolt while the gun is shouldered and maybe pick up an extra magazine or two, possibly even one of the Ruger factory 10 rd's and you'd have a pretty effective defensive carbine or critter-gutter.

Do it that way & you'll each have a 10/22, a TCP and a revolver, plus you'll have the 20 ga & the carbine to share.
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Pretty reasoned answer to the OP's thoughts.
 
Rocketmedic said:
So we came through Harvey OK, but as we were packing for potential evacuation, I had to ask myself...why do I have so many guns? Between my wife and I, we have 2 Mossberg 500s (in 12 and 20), a pair of M44 Mosins we haven't shot in nearly four years, a pair of 22LR rifles that see fairly frequent use, a Taurus revolver, a RIA 1911, and a pair of TCPs for carry. We both drive smaller vehicles and have things of import that aren't guns to move, and quite frankly, we're not going to survive a societal collapse if we're having to shoot the barrels out of every gun we have (food, water, ammo and shelter...) So, I'm thinking of chopping the collection down a bit, maybe rotating in some new ones, and I've got a few questions.

1. Value: We've got a pretty generic set of M44s, both in good shape, with shiny barrels and slings. One has a bayonet. We've got a few dozen rounds for them too in the little leather Russian pouches. We literally haven't shot them since 2013. I'm seriously considering selling them to either fund school -or- just getting them to someone who will love them a little more. What is a fair market value for an M-44 Mosin these days? The same question comes up for the Mossbergs- I literally haven't squeezed off a round of shotgun ammo in four years, and the old hunting shotgun is pretty redundant. We're probably going to keep my wife's 20G, because that's shorter and she looks good shooting it, but I really don't remember ever liking my 12G. (I used to have a High Standard Pointer I gave to my brother-in-law for a wedding gift, and I loved that gun!).

2. Optimal size: I think that the 22LR is king of the jack-of-all-trades rifles, for the sheer reason that ammo is everywhere for it, but I'm also wanting a .223 or .243 or something else. Something smaller, portable, and either semi-automatic or manual, with a light enough round to maintain a decent amount of ammo, and affordable. I am considering getting an AR, but I really don't see a niche right now for it and I do really want to keep my options open should professional winds take me to less permissive states than Texas. My rifles are pretty non-offensive, and I'm also eying a good 30-30 or pistol-caliber lever action. I could very easily see myself selling the Mosins and welcoming something else into the family to replace them. As far as the handguns go, I really like our TCPs because they are so carry-friendly and disappear in my pockets, but I am also considering getting another revolver or something in .38. I find revolvers relaxing and fun. Side note- I literally haven't shot my 1911 since 2013 either- is it time to find it a new home?

3. How should I even sell these? I don't mind face-to-face deals with the right people, but I also don't want these guns ending up in the 'wrong' hands. ID checks, CCW carriers, etc are all great ideas, but Houston also has plenty of...opportunistic people. Gun store?

So, I am open to any suggestions.
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Dont do it, Brother! Come to the Free State of Florida! We need more people like you.....:)
 
I've posted this before but 4 or 5 years ago I went through a life change and became a minimalist. I don't think I ever owned more than 15 guns at one time and I'd bet not more than 30 in my entire life.

When I started selling guns off I had a plan. I wanted commonality. I've made a few mistakes along the way but I'm down to 6 guns. I own one .40 S&W handgun that I will never sell because I bought it in a private sale and a Mini 14 that I'm keeping for the same reason. We also have a CZ .22 rifle just because it's a nice little gun. Other than that we own 9mm handguns.

I currently carry a Glock 19. The plan is to get another 19 for DW then the firearms budget will go pretty exclusively to 9mm ammunition and magazines for the Glocks.

I said all that to say this.

If I was the OP I'd sell the Mosins because they're impractical. I'd sell the shotguns for the same reason. I'd get rid of the Taurus products because they're Taurus.

I'd keep the .22s because they clearly get used. I'd keep the RIA because it's a good gun and ammunition, magazines and accessories are relatively cheap and ubiquitous. I'd replace the Tiny Crappy Pistols with single stack 9s (Ruger, Glock, S&W take your pick) and finally if you're interested in a Carbine get one in a pistol caliber with a handgun that takes the same caliber. Maybe some thing that shoots .45 APC since you already have a 1911.
 
I can't help it. Every time I scroll through this forum and pass by this thread, I read the title as Thinking of Reducing My Children...
 
I'm only 28. I sold one of the Mosins for a nice profit, still looking to sell the 12G and the other Mosin. The 12 is an old Western Field Mossberg 500A with the C-lect-choke.
 
Rocketmedic said:
I'm only 28. I sold one of the Mosins for a nice profit, still looking to sell the 12G and the other Mosin. The 12 is an old Western Field Mossberg 500A with the C-lect-choke.
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Nice, ya the 12ga ain't worth a lot, maybe 250 in perfect condition. Once you sell those get yourself a lever action .357, or......maybe a Circuit Judge revolving rifle? Hopefully be a long time before Cali. gets around to banning those.....
.....that is if I can't talk you into coming to Florida instead. :)
 
I like the lever action idea and a Marlin 1894 in .44 mag would pair up with a Ruger Blackhawk nicely. The .44 mag is cheaper to shoot than a .30-30 and I'm cheap. I have a .22 pistol and rifle, one 12 ga Remington, two .45 ACP pistols and my 1929 Mosin 1891/30. The last was from my son so it's a keeper as is my .22 rifle my grandsons will own someday. At 70 I'm still in acquisition mode with a lever gun being my #1 objective. My .45s are fun to shoot and accurate so they'll stay.

At your age your income potential ought to rise with your age so your accumulation might increase. Don't be in a hurry but maintain your objective. Have fun.
 
Rocketmedic said:
So we came through Harvey OK, but as we were packing for potential evacuation, I had to ask myself...why do I have so many guns? Between my wife and I, we have 2 Mossberg 500s (in 12 and 20), a pair of M44 Mosins we haven't shot in nearly four years, a pair of 22LR rifles that see fairly frequent use, a Taurus revolver, a RIA 1911, and a pair of TCPs for carry. We both drive smaller vehicles and have things of import that aren't guns to move, and quite frankly, we're not going to survive a societal collapse if we're having to shoot the barrels out of every gun we have (food, water, ammo and shelter...) So, I'm thinking of chopping the collection down a bit, maybe rotating in some new ones, and I've got a few questions.

1. Value: We've got a pretty generic set of M44s, both in good shape, with shiny barrels and slings. One has a bayonet. We've got a few dozen rounds for them too in the little leather Russian pouches. We literally haven't shot them since 2013. I'm seriously considering selling them to either fund school -or- just getting them to someone who will love them a little more. What is a fair market value for an M-44 Mosin these days? The same question comes up for the Mossbergs- I literally haven't squeezed off a round of shotgun ammo in four years, and the old hunting shotgun is pretty redundant. We're probably going to keep my wife's 20G, because that's shorter and she looks good shooting it, but I really don't remember ever liking my 12G. (I used to have a High Standard Pointer I gave to my brother-in-law for a wedding gift, and I loved that gun!).

2. Optimal size: I think that the 22LR is king of the jack-of-all-trades rifles, for the sheer reason that ammo is everywhere for it, but I'm also wanting a .223 or .243 or something else. Something smaller, portable, and either semi-automatic or manual, with a light enough round to maintain a decent amount of ammo, and affordable. I am considering getting an AR, but I really don't see a niche right now for it and I do really want to keep my options open should professional winds take me to less permissive states than Texas. My rifles are pretty non-offensive, and I'm also eying a good 30-30 or pistol-caliber lever action. I could very easily see myself selling the Mosins and welcoming something else into the family to replace them. As far as the handguns go, I really like our TCPs because they are so carry-friendly and disappear in my pockets, but I am also considering getting another revolver or something in .38. I find revolvers relaxing and fun. Side note- I literally haven't shot my 1911 since 2013 either- is it time to find it a new home?

3. How should I even sell these? I don't mind face-to-face deals with the right people, but I also don't want these guns ending up in the 'wrong' hands. ID checks, CCW carriers, etc are all great ideas, but Houston also has plenty of...opportunistic people. Gun store?

So, I am open to any suggestions.
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I am 65 and have about 30 guns. I don't hunt as much as I used to and much of my plinking is with my grand kids and other youngins. I am cutting down. I've given and sold guns and will continue until I have just a handfull of handguns and long guns. I think I could live with maybe 10 guns total.
 
I've looked at Florida, but I'm working on a master's in healthcare administration to go with my bachelor's in education and being a critical care paramedic, so I don't have any real concrete plans yet. I want to run an EMS service somewhere, and I have no idea where that's going to be.
 
george29 said:
I was wondering why you think 45 is a better option? Not criticizing, just asking.
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Just a few reasons, most importantly was what I call unimpressive performance on deer with my. 357 revolver. I like .45colt better for deer. I like to cast bullets and reload the .45colt more than the .357. .45c is a more traditional cowboy caliber. The big bore is more satisfying to me without the sharp report of the .357. I like to shoot black powder, and the .45c was made for bp.
20160914_185006.jpg
 
Sometimes I think about a collection reduction. I have things I could stand to part with...

...but on the other hand there is nothing wrong with them, either.



I say that if you don't have a compelling reason to sell or you are only lukewarm about it, hold off. Much harder to replace things than it is to just keep them in the first place. You can look at the items as either trade bait or money in the bank.
 
Rocketmedic: I am working up to making the same decision on my accumulation and collection but for different reasons. I know in my heart that my interest isn't focused there anymore and I don't have anyone to leave them to (that I would want to anyway). I got rid of the the unused non-essential guns years ago during my gun show days to put that money into collector grade stuff that I have held onto. That was a fun time and I wouldn't change much other than to keep more. I would have gotten rid of the Mosins (if I owned them) and the 12 ga shotgun as well from your accumulation. To me, if you don't hunt or sport shoot shotguns, one is sufficient and it would probably be a home protection gun. You still have plenty of time to make changes as your interests grow or wane. Even when my interests waned a bit, the collector stuff stayed. I have a number of 22 rifles which are primarily what I shoot the most anyway. But I don't need as many as I have and would be comfortable with maybe five. The problem is "which five?" I doubt I'll start a thread on that topic to assist in my downsizing. Probably will start with the higher demand pieces first and sell online (and ship to a dealer) where I can likely get a better price (essentially a national price) and the buyer is more likely to be someone who wants to keep them as I did. Finding a good home is important to me.

The two year rule isn't a bad approach for shooters.
 
Rocketmedic said:
I've looked at Florida, but I'm working on a master's in healthcare administration to go with my bachelor's in education and being a critical care paramedic, so I don't have any real concrete plans yet. I want to run an EMS service somewhere, and I have no idea where that's going to be.
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Well shoot son! Ain't nowhere needs healthcare admin (or EMS, or anything else care related) more than the Sunshine State! Watch TV here for 20 minutes and you'll see a half dozen ads for vocational programs in the field. Heck, its not uncommon for nursing homes, rehab centers, or even hospitals to have Help Wanted signs up out front.
Our traffic is bad, but not as bad as Cali. Our cost o living is WAAAY lower. Housing is much cheaper- and best of all we have (mostly) common sense gun laws!
 
FL gun laws are good. I don't care much for the FL geography and climate. I like a little winter, but have no desire for cold northern winters any more.
 
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