anyone here downsize their collection out of choice?

I've been thinking of doing the same thing, so I'll be interested in seeing the comments by others. I enjoy the buying and having part of the hobby, but there comes a time when enough is enough; especially when I end up with 2 or 3 or 4 of the same gun. It would be a nice way to put some instant bulk to the savings account.

I've never considered downsizing, but I'm not to the point where I own duplicates of the same thing either. At that point, I would probably say, enough is enough.

It's crossed my mind from time to time but I've never done it. Afraid I'd regret it down the road.

Yup. Over the past year I've sold 6. Don't fire 'em, so why keep 'em? If it wasn't for the CA AW ban, I'd sell more.

When I recieved my fathers guns just weeks before he passed away I relized our collections were close to being the same. I guess I built my collection on what I grew up with and our tastes were similare. I am not going to get rid of any of the guns that were handed down from him. I didn't need three .270's, two that were my father's, I don't regret getting rid of my Remington
jam-o-matic. Three .380's, I do regret selling my Bersa Thunder. I got rid of a M&P-15/22 don't miss it but kept all the other .22's. I also sold a Left handed bolt action Ruger MK77 .300 win Mag but that was because of regrets (never getting to go on that Elk hunt with my dad). For the most part I have two of each a lot more in .22's and 12ga but only one 20ga in the bunch, I think I need to correct that. I had a more diverse pistol selection so some odd balls there. I would have to say no I do not regret getting rid most of the guns except the one. There were some others but if I didn't have a use/need/sentimental attachment they were gone.

I've only been into the shooting sport scene for just over 3 years. I'm fortunate enough to have enough discretionary income that I've managed to haul in just over 40 firearms. Mind you some of them were definetly lower cost "rescue guns". So it's not as rosey as it may sound. I LOVE a tinkering challenge...

Anyhow, yeah, I bought a few things that after trying them I just don't shoot anymore. I really need to sell off about a half dozen or so things that didn't click and are simply taking up room in the safe.

About 4 or 5 years ago I had over 70 guns. No money needed, just realized I didnt shoot a lot of them and I'd rather have a few things I'd always wanted. Sold off some ARs I didnt shoot and used the funds to build a suppressed SBR that I really like. Sold off several 1911s and had a long slide 10mm built. Collection is down to the mid 20s now, and I'm much happier with it. Ended up with a bunch of guns I really enjoy shooting plus some extra cash.

I am down to 8 from about 40. None of them hold any sentimental value except one, a glenfield 60 that will go to my nephew or niece as it was their great grandmothers. I hope to cull two more and buy one, a 308 AR.

Time is money and unused guns cost both. One high quality firearm is better than two or three lower quality guns. I would rather wear one or three out and enjoy them instead of not using them

In the process right now. No regrets yet.

The funds go to advancing the ammo/gear for the one's I'm keeping though.

I'm in a "pruning" mode right now. Just keeping the best of the collection

I've been doing this for the last couple years in the name of 'caliber consolidation', ie Nato calibers. Of course during that time I've bought more than I've sold. The 'family' guns are another thing, those will be passed on when the time comes.

I really need to liquidate about half my accumulation. My problem is that I can't ever find one that I want to let go of other than a couple of rifles nobody else wants.

I sold several back in '08. I had guns that I didn't really care for and hardly used and the used gun market was pretty pricey at the time. Used the proceeds to purchase a new rifle, smith services and a fine piece of glass and still had a few bucks left over. I think it's good to thin the herd every once in awhile.

I went from having 40 guns that never got shot to having 8 guns that get shot every week. For some unknown reason my shooting has improved greatly .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I streamlined my collection after 9/11 - got rid of every pistol that wasn't a 1911 in .45, and that was about a dozen pistols!

That's when I started focusing on my rifle collection as well. Primarily 5.56 AR's.

I'm a big believer in this. My needs and interests changed over time and what I just had to have 20 or so years ago sat unfired in the safe after the initial interest waned. My safe was over stuffed with a very eclectic and really not very useful "collection", my ammo box was pretty bare, and I had no money to buy the type of guns I was now interested in.

Not being a wealthy man I can only justify devoting a certain amount of my resources to unused possesions, so I sold or traded off the safe queens and used the proceeds to get guns I would use. I now have far fewer guns, but all are very good quality and I have a decent amount of ammo so a days trip to the range won't exhaust my supplies, as used to be the case. I also shoot more often, and shoot better as a result. Imagine that!

If archery season works out for me.. I may be getting rid of some guns..

I've done the same thing. I had bought a couple of .44-40 "nice" guns. Never ended up shooting them. Also had a Delta Elite. Beautiful gun, but I didn't shoot it because I reload and the brass flew twenty feet. I spent more time chasing brass than shooting.

I've pared down to my hunting guns, varmint rifles, a few pistols, etc. Right now I'm struggling with selling my Browning BPCR. I never shoot it, but they only made 328 for one year. Could never be replaced.

I think most guys would be far better off if they disposed of guns they haven't shot and buy good scopes and reloading equipment.

My safe was over stuffed with a very eclectic and really not very useful "collection"

Click to expand...

That's why I referred to my collection as an 'accumulation'. Other than having an example of every US main battle rifle of the 20th century (semi-auto) and a Model 37 Winchester in every gauge (except 28) there's no real rhyme or reason to mine.

I've gotten to the point that my "culls" are stellar examples. Hard yes, but sold with no regrets. It's nice to slip the collection down to a more manageable and enjoyable level.

Post #18 says it all. My collection will continue to fluctuate over time as my interests change and if something just sits unused and has no sentimental value it will go away in exchange for a newer interest or more ammo. I'm at the point in my life were accumulating more stuff is low on the priority list and simplifying is more appealing.

I have over the years sold guns that do not bring a smile to my face or a rumbling in my stomach. But never for the sake of having less guns. The money was always used to fund other guns.

I never really had an extensive "collection" of guns, rather I identifed roles I needed a gun for and then picked the tool to fill that role. So, no real duplications in my gun closet (except perhaps rimfires, I probably have more .22's than I really need) and no need to "thin" the heard.

The only gun I ever sold was my first one, a percussion Hawken rifle when I needed to pay for books at college on semester and came up short. I've regretted selling that gun for decades, now.