Contemplating severe downsizing...
- Thread starter wickedsprint
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wickedsprint
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Also some excellent points, especially with the spare.
Current guns cover all the niches pretty well and they are all walmart calibers...which I prefer
Due to uncertainty of future laws holding on to the ones I really like makes more sense than getting down to just "1". If I knew I'd always be able to replace the ones I wear out or break it'd be a different story. I do think some pretty serious downsizing will be in order though...but not to the extreme I mentioned earlier.
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22-rimfire
Member
I can see downsizing because of moving a lot or to recoup some of the money tied up in all the firearms. To that end, to each his own. I will eventually downsize as well.
I don't have a severe need to handle every firearm I own weekly. All are stored under pretty good conditions. I wipe them off with oil about once a year. If I shoot them, they get at least wiped off with oil.
My thought is you clean your guns too much. More than likely if you threw them in a sock drawer or the closet and left them for 10 years, they would look exactly the way you left them.
I had a storage problem with clothing in my house. Closets were FULL. Dressers were FULL. Stuff got hidden unintentionally. A while back I dug through things and sorted stuff. I discovered I have shirts that are 20 years old. I discovered that I have more jeans than I ever realized; maybe 20-25 pair and those are the ones that fit. The ones that are too small got dropped off at the Salvation Army. Some still had the tags on them. So a little organization and thought about what you really need or want, could go a long way to downsizing your firearms. I sometimes wish I could just drop guns off at the Salvation Army. I won't miss the donated clothing, and I probably wouldn't miss sold off guns. I'm just not quite there yet with firearms....
I don't have a severe need to handle every firearm I own weekly. All are stored under pretty good conditions. I wipe them off with oil about once a year. If I shoot them, they get at least wiped off with oil.
My thought is you clean your guns too much. More than likely if you threw them in a sock drawer or the closet and left them for 10 years, they would look exactly the way you left them.
I had a storage problem with clothing in my house. Closets were FULL. Dressers were FULL. Stuff got hidden unintentionally. A while back I dug through things and sorted stuff. I discovered I have shirts that are 20 years old. I discovered that I have more jeans than I ever realized; maybe 20-25 pair and those are the ones that fit. The ones that are too small got dropped off at the Salvation Army. Some still had the tags on them. So a little organization and thought about what you really need or want, could go a long way to downsizing your firearms. I sometimes wish I could just drop guns off at the Salvation Army. I won't miss the donated clothing, and I probably wouldn't miss sold off guns. I'm just not quite there yet with firearms....
hunter25
Member
If it helps some of what I have and don't use is kept or purchased in the hopes my children or soon to come grandchildren will be able to have something that may not be available later.
The OP's question brought up two thoughts in my case.
First was the guns I used to own, and can no longer aford to replace. Guns, like Colt Diamonback .22 , High-Standard Victor, custom Colt Cammander, Anzultz rifle , etc are now way out of my reach. I sold them along the way for reasons that made sense at the time perhaps, but it is hard to be without some of them now.
Second is the way that the years change ones opinions, and likes , and dislikes. Those things that fell from grace over the years always seem to come back in favor with me as time goes on.
Sell whatever you need to, and whatever you want to, just keep in mind that you may not always have the means to replace what is gone, and you may realy get a craving for what you once had.
First was the guns I used to own, and can no longer aford to replace. Guns, like Colt Diamonback .22 , High-Standard Victor, custom Colt Cammander, Anzultz rifle , etc are now way out of my reach. I sold them along the way for reasons that made sense at the time perhaps, but it is hard to be without some of them now.
Second is the way that the years change ones opinions, and likes , and dislikes. Those things that fell from grace over the years always seem to come back in favor with me as time goes on.
Sell whatever you need to, and whatever you want to, just keep in mind that you may not always have the means to replace what is gone, and you may realy get a craving for what you once had.
230RN
2A was "political" when it was first adopted.
With one single lone exception, I never got rid of a gun I didn't regret disposing of.
Although I don't shoot that much anymore except for CCW practice at an indoor range, they're still nice to have around if for nothing else, references when a question comes up or I read something about one I have.
I've been through hard times and good times, and I can tell you for sure and true, "financial security" can evaporate in a week. It sure is handy to be able to make a house payment or whatever by a quick sale. Haven't had to do that for a couple of decades, but still...
Now, old computer and radio equipment, on the other hand... I don't think any of it was designed in 1911. At least nothing that's still in use every day.
Terry, 230RN
Although I don't shoot that much anymore except for CCW practice at an indoor range, they're still nice to have around if for nothing else, references when a question comes up or I read something about one I have.
I've been through hard times and good times, and I can tell you for sure and true, "financial security" can evaporate in a week. It sure is handy to be able to make a house payment or whatever by a quick sale. Haven't had to do that for a couple of decades, but still...
Now, old computer and radio equipment, on the other hand... I don't think any of it was designed in 1911. At least nothing that's still in use every day.
Terry, 230RN
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wickedsprint
Member
Again, thank you guys for the replies.
Some of the "mergers" I am considering.
Sell the Commercial M9, Walther P38/1 and Glock 21 to finance another nice Colt 1911 variant.
This would leave me with 2 1911s and a BHP as my sole handguns. I figure if I own a 9mm I can't go wrong with an all steel BHP as my only one.
Sell the scoped Remington 700 in .243 and AR15 and Mossberg 18.5" to finance a nice Iron sighted rifle likely a Savage in 308/30-06 or maybe go overboard with a Kevlar stocked CZ550 in .375 H&H. I have a love affair with this cartridge and rifle. Ammo is spendy, but if my only centerfire not a huge deal. This rifle category may get skipped all together.
Keep BHP MK III
Keep the Colt 1991A1
Keep the Marlin 39A
End result would be 3 nice handguns and two nice rifles if I pick up the CZ.
Some of the "mergers" I am considering.
Sell the Commercial M9, Walther P38/1 and Glock 21 to finance another nice Colt 1911 variant.
This would leave me with 2 1911s and a BHP as my sole handguns. I figure if I own a 9mm I can't go wrong with an all steel BHP as my only one.
Sell the scoped Remington 700 in .243 and AR15 and Mossberg 18.5" to finance a nice Iron sighted rifle likely a Savage in 308/30-06 or maybe go overboard with a Kevlar stocked CZ550 in .375 H&H. I have a love affair with this cartridge and rifle. Ammo is spendy, but if my only centerfire not a huge deal. This rifle category may get skipped all together.
Keep BHP MK III
Keep the Colt 1991A1
Keep the Marlin 39A
End result would be 3 nice handguns and two nice rifles if I pick up the CZ.
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22-rimfire
Member
I sense that your definition of "a lot of guns" and mine are "a lot" different.
Saving firearms for grand kids sounds like a nice thing to do. But half the time, the grand kids are not even interested in guns or shooting. I look at the kids and grandkids of my parents and only two of the kids have more than a passing interest in firearms. (I'm one of them.) The grand kids have zero interest in guns (so far). Most just see $$ when they look at a nice firearm. I find that sad.
I didn't grow up with a lot of money for toys. There was no father or grandfather who waved guns in my face and said "You want this?" I wish there was, but honestly, I doubt I would have really appreciated it as much as my father or grandfather thought I should. If they gave me guns now, most would be just guns. Nothing more. I own far nicer guns.
Why is this? Simple. I bought my own guns that I needed and wanted in my teens. Dad had his own that he used. There were no Grand Fathers past age 6 or 7. They had all passed on.
If something is special to you and you eventually want to leave it to a child or grandchild, that's fine. I would do it too. But I own nothing that special. Expensive yes, but special, no.
So, intelligently downsizing an accumulation is not a bad thing to do especially when you have put as much thought into it as you have. I believe you are on the right track and the guns you are planning on selling are not likely guns you shoot anyway.
In the past when I decided to sell guns, I usually ended up with more than I started with.
Saving firearms for grand kids sounds like a nice thing to do. But half the time, the grand kids are not even interested in guns or shooting. I look at the kids and grandkids of my parents and only two of the kids have more than a passing interest in firearms. (I'm one of them.) The grand kids have zero interest in guns (so far). Most just see $$ when they look at a nice firearm. I find that sad.
I didn't grow up with a lot of money for toys. There was no father or grandfather who waved guns in my face and said "You want this?" I wish there was, but honestly, I doubt I would have really appreciated it as much as my father or grandfather thought I should. If they gave me guns now, most would be just guns. Nothing more. I own far nicer guns.
Why is this? Simple. I bought my own guns that I needed and wanted in my teens. Dad had his own that he used. There were no Grand Fathers past age 6 or 7. They had all passed on.
If something is special to you and you eventually want to leave it to a child or grandchild, that's fine. I would do it too. But I own nothing that special. Expensive yes, but special, no.
So, intelligently downsizing an accumulation is not a bad thing to do especially when you have put as much thought into it as you have. I believe you are on the right track and the guns you are planning on selling are not likely guns you shoot anyway.
In the past when I decided to sell guns, I usually ended up with more than I started with.
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wickedsprint
Member
I don't get back from Iraq for a few more months so I can't do anything at the moment. Roomie has first dibs though.
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wickedsprint
Member
Another motivator is hearing all of these crazy prices for ammunition. This is starting to become an expensive hobby!
Some great posts here. I've been thinking the same things, from both sides.
All your stuff can really bog you down. I feel a sense of relief whenever I sell something I don't need. Some guns I'll never sell, like my Grandpa's .45 ('47 commercial Colt), or the Mossberg .22 he gave me when I was a kid, but most of the others could find a new home and I would feel good about it.
I have several nice hunting rifles, but haven't hunted in over a decade. I have handguns that haven't been fired in almost that long.
I may be forced to dramatically downsize soon, if I don't find a job (seven months and counting). On top of that my three year old son has some health problems.
At the same time I'm glad I have guns I can sell now, as we need the money. It's a pretty good "rainy day" account, and it's really raining right now!
All your stuff can really bog you down. I feel a sense of relief whenever I sell something I don't need. Some guns I'll never sell, like my Grandpa's .45 ('47 commercial Colt), or the Mossberg .22 he gave me when I was a kid, but most of the others could find a new home and I would feel good about it.
I have several nice hunting rifles, but haven't hunted in over a decade. I have handguns that haven't been fired in almost that long.
I may be forced to dramatically downsize soon, if I don't find a job (seven months and counting). On top of that my three year old son has some health problems.
At the same time I'm glad I have guns I can sell now, as we need the money. It's a pretty good "rainy day" account, and it's really raining right now!
Deckard
Member
You can't really go wrong with the fine work of JMB. And +1 for the CZ550 too.
Garndawg
Member
I'll play...
Although I drool over certain things as much as any, my practical side just won't let me buy something that'll sit in a safe for me to take out and look at every blue moon or so. Blame my upbringing (Mom a retired CPA...)...
Here's my list (current)
Handguns:
Colt XSE LW Commander (Stainless)
S&W Model 65 (wife's HD, loaded with 38+P)
S&W 642 (my CCW)
S&W Model 10-5 (was wife's, now on the chopping block, see Swap'n'sell!)
Long Guns:
Mid 60's Auto-5 12ga
Mid 60's Rem 760 in 30.06
Mid 60's T/C Hawken 50cal
Almost new Ruger 77/22lr
All the long guns, save the ruger, were hand-me-down's from my dad and WILL not be going anywhere. There's a bow in there, too. Basically, I've got a weapon for every season, and use the short ones for HD and personal carry.
Right now, I'm trying to talk myself into selling the XSE, as I bought it as a CCW and NEVER carry it. The 642 always seems to make it into my pocket instead...
Although I drool over certain things as much as any, my practical side just won't let me buy something that'll sit in a safe for me to take out and look at every blue moon or so. Blame my upbringing (Mom a retired CPA...)...
Here's my list (current)
Handguns:
Colt XSE LW Commander (Stainless)
S&W Model 65 (wife's HD, loaded with 38+P)
S&W 642 (my CCW)
S&W Model 10-5 (was wife's, now on the chopping block, see Swap'n'sell!)
Long Guns:
Mid 60's Auto-5 12ga
Mid 60's Rem 760 in 30.06
Mid 60's T/C Hawken 50cal
Almost new Ruger 77/22lr
All the long guns, save the ruger, were hand-me-down's from my dad and WILL not be going anywhere. There's a bow in there, too. Basically, I've got a weapon for every season, and use the short ones for HD and personal carry.
Right now, I'm trying to talk myself into selling the XSE, as I bought it as a CCW and NEVER carry it. The 642 always seems to make it into my pocket instead...
wickedsprint
Member
Fatelk, I'm sorry to hear about your son, he'll be in my prayers.
Garwndawg, I think your XSE would sell really quickly, dunno about the others, don't know much about em.
I'm not going to make any snap judgments while here...but I have a couple of future projects coming up, namely building an airplane that will take up most of my time and funds.
Current collection.
*Colt 1991A1 Blued - definite Keep..nicest Colt I have ever owned or handled
*BHP MKIII 9mm - most likely keep
*Walther P38/P1 9mm - neat gun but don't shoot it much..would not feel guilty selling
*Remington 700 SPS stainless .243 w/ Leupold scope - accurate as heck, might feel guilty to let go..most likely keep
*Marlin 39A 22LR - neat..but not gonna drive 30 mins to shoot a 22..would keep if I had a lot of land I could shoot on
*Beretta M9 9mm - iconic 9mm...might keep to train fellow military peeps that can't shoot..otherwise no attachment...sell if I move to california
*Glock 21 .45 - on the fence..one of the best camping or hiking handguns made..likely keep..sell if I move to california
*Mossberg 500 w/pistol grip - slightly ridiculous..cool factor only..likely hard to sell
*Rock River Arms 16" mid length HBAR flat top w/ ARMS 40L BUIS - most likely sell
Garwndawg, I think your XSE would sell really quickly, dunno about the others, don't know much about em.
I'm not going to make any snap judgments while here...but I have a couple of future projects coming up, namely building an airplane that will take up most of my time and funds.
Current collection.
*Colt 1991A1 Blued - definite Keep..nicest Colt I have ever owned or handled
*BHP MKIII 9mm - most likely keep
*Walther P38/P1 9mm - neat gun but don't shoot it much..would not feel guilty selling
*Remington 700 SPS stainless .243 w/ Leupold scope - accurate as heck, might feel guilty to let go..most likely keep
*Marlin 39A 22LR - neat..but not gonna drive 30 mins to shoot a 22..would keep if I had a lot of land I could shoot on
*Beretta M9 9mm - iconic 9mm...might keep to train fellow military peeps that can't shoot..otherwise no attachment...sell if I move to california
*Glock 21 .45 - on the fence..one of the best camping or hiking handguns made..likely keep..sell if I move to california
*Mossberg 500 w/pistol grip - slightly ridiculous..cool factor only..likely hard to sell
*Rock River Arms 16" mid length HBAR flat top w/ ARMS 40L BUIS - most likely sell
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wickedsprint
Member
OK, I came to my senses, even if I sold all of them off I'd still be less than a paycheck or two and eventually I'd buy something else dumb with that money and wish I had the guns back. I might be more picky over future purchases and trades though.
I might be more picky over future purchases and trades though.ezypikns
Member
With very few exceptions......
I have regretted the sale of any of mine.
I have regretted the sale of any of mine.
Trebor said:
This is the route I decided to take a few years ago. It meant I had to sell a bunch of guns, but it also meant I got to buy a couple of guns I'd never previously considered in my price range.
I'm now down to a half-dozen pistols, a couple of carbines, a couple of long-range rifles, and a couple of shotguns. I discovered the same thing that Carl Levitian so sagely mentioned earlier; I shoot more, enjoy it more, and I feel unencumbered.
I'm not a collector, so I stopped collecting.
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