Ever feel like reducing down to just a few firearms?

If I had over 100 firearms, I'd sell some. I'd certainly sell them in current market.

But I'm not a collector, and if I were, I'd collect something cheaper and easier to get hold of....like dust bunnies.

Yes, I am thinking about more and more. I am thinking now is a good time to cash in, prices on guns, ammo and reloading supplies are thru the roof. Great time to sell, bad time to buy and I dont look for things to get any better for the next couple years. I also have many guns that I have not shot in many years, although when I retire later this year I suspect that might change a bit.

You and I are of the same mind. After going to a gun show last weekend, I wanted to liquidate so much of my stuff at a profit, I was starting to sweat. Guns, ammo, magazines, knives and things like body armor and other equipment. The only reasons I haven't committed to doing this (as in set up tables at a gun show and go home with an empty truck and a full wallet): 1- I am not having any financial difficulties 2- None of my stuff is really cramping me for space- unless I sold enough to also sell a safe, there would mostly be zero savings in space.3- I would likely just do something stupid with the $ earned- like buy another Harley.

I have seriously been considering reducing my collection by at least a few. I inherited my dad's guns and I already had a couple that I have not shot in years and probably won't in the foreseeable future. Getting rid of some safe queens would be helpful.

Haven't done this yet, but I am still thinking about it.

No...

Yes, am thinning my collection.

I have traded 8 guns over the last year or so. Towards other guns. Last trade was 4 Hi-points for my CZ 457. I had to pay 58.00 out of pocket. The Hi-points were not being shot. So why keep them.

No sir, not in today's political climate.

No.
I've never had an insanely large collection though. I can understand how someone with 100+ firearms would get to that point.
With around a dozen, it's not an issue.

At one I had a lot of firearms. Older wood and steel store brand types. Wasn't really an active collector. Just in the right place at the right time. Had well over fifty-sixty of these types that I got real cheap. Then when people discovered that these Wards, Western and JC Higgins were made by Steven's. Mossberg, Ithaca....etc, they were being scarfed up.

I made out well. So did my stepson. He got a lot of cool old guns.

As I get older I have thought about it from time to time but haven't really done anything about it yet. I have quite a few sons and daughters and their spouses whom I have designated certain guns to and that's about it for the time being.

Snowdog said:

Has anyone else found themselves having a lean/useful collection somewhat attractive?

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Yeah, even I had to agree with the wife recently when she noted that we own a ridiculous number of firearms, especially handguns. As we're moving to another state upon our mutual retirements, the logistics could be complex. And after I spent two weeks going through my late father-in-law's crap after his passing, I'm not wishing anything like that experience on my kids... and they and their spouses will only want a few of our firearms.

Not really, once I’m dead they can deal with it. How well they do will dictate how much money they get to play with.

Would it be better for them if I just left piles of cash?

Should I get rid of everything that brings me joy and just wait to kick the bucket?

As I get older I have been planning who will get what and making sure there will be plenty of loaded ammo for them to enjoy what they inherited.
Late year I sold off some oddballs and vowed to stop buying guns and concentrate on other things. Since then I have added an SP101 in .22 and a Winson Stealth. What is wrong with me?

Snowdog said:

Has anyone else found themselves having a lean/useful collection somewhat attractive?

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Yeah ... but as soon as I really begin to work thru the list I find that I can only earmark a very few to lose.

Part of the problem is that I 'suffer from' a major case of "What is your favorite firearm?" "Whichever one I am holding at the time."

<sigh>

Although new to firearms, I've had many hobbies that could have been collection oriented, but I'm not like that. If I don't use it, I'd rather it go to someone that will. And I use that money to further other hobbies. I do intend to get a 9mm pistol, and with my 10/22, I may be done. I have been practicing with a Compound Bow a lot, and if I decide to hunt, it will only be with that. I may get a higher powered rifle for long distance training, but I prefer hand guns.

Snowdog said:

I have funds for those things too. I had better since I work 64-hour work weeks much of the time. As far as sales proceeds go, some home improvement is always nice (a bathroom renovation would go a long way with the wife), a deck expansion or perhaps to purchase additional land around the house. I don't see my firearms as means to retirement, just as something to enjoy. I guess I'm just enjoying them a little less these days. I did say "a little" as I will always be interested in them and own a few.

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Yes sir, but you asked a question of others and for myself, that is my answer. No, I will not sell my firearms. I bought them because I like them and often use them. I do understand that folks have different thoughts and needs, I was not judging but answering your question.

No. I am adding guns I've always wanted. My way of getting rid of guns is giving them to my sons.
I could get by with an AR, a 1911, and an 870 or 1100 for my needs. Life isn't about the pursuit of survival. I've got that covered. It's about the pursuit of happiness.
That said, I have always lived a rather spartan existence in order to fund my sporting hobbies.

Snowdog said:

....I reduced the number of firearms to just what I actually have a use for.....

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Oh, heavens, if that was the sole criterion for what I kept, I'd end up with about three firearms. There's no way I could ever do that; I simply could not decide.

I was thinking about helping out a friend who's been talking about buying his first handgun, and considering which of my 9 mm semi-autos I might offer for sale to him, and I just basically don't want to let any one of them go, even though I could do without any one and probably never miss it in terms of "having a use for it".

I think that the desire to "simplify" is probably a pretty typical desire for persons later in their lives. I have lots of "stuff" I'd like to just get rid of - it never gets used and I could do without it - but it's just too dang hard to decide.

Given my age (I'm turning 76 this month), I should be thinking about reducing my gun collection. But, I'm on track to selectively increase it. And, I would have been more active in collecting in the last year had it not been for the COVID restrictions, which affected gun shows.

Saying goodbye to a lifelong hobby / interest means giving up on life in general. I'm not ready to surrender yet. If I die, my heirs can deal with my collection. I want to have my guns (and other things) until the last minute.

Ummm.....no.

I sell stuff I'm not using to fund the ones I want, and sometimes there's a deficit in quantity after that due to price disparities, but I've never been one to sell for the purpose of reducing the aggregate.

I have reduced my car collection considerably in more recent years, but those aren't something which is easily stored and basically maintenance free. Guns that sit for years, even decades, are no worse for wear as long as they stay dry. Motor vehicles, not so much.

There are other things that become more trouble that they're worth to hang on to, but unless one moves frequently, firearms aren't one of those things.

Double tap. Please delete

Ever feel like reducing down to just a few firearms?

Nope, never. While I do not shoot every gun I have on a regular basis I have no desire to part with any of them.

Ron

I'd probably ask my kids (twice) if they want a specific gun before I'd sell it. Some of you may have inherited cherished guns from your grandparents/parents. What if they had sold those guns off because they hadn't been shot in a few years?

Of course everyone's situation is different. I don't mean to judge.