Do you buy handguns in anticipation of old age?

[cslinger]

Shhhhhh don’t screw this up for me. I am so far beyound any excuses for purchases up to mutant ninja blue helmeted grizzly bears.

The “well I don’t know what I will need as I get older...” is all I got left. Don’t ruin it.

Seriously though I have lots of firearms and wide palate as far as my shooting tastes. I have over the years bought guns with the thought of age or even being forced to move to more restrictive locals etc.

I tend to run through a game in my head from time to time.
“What if I had to go all Glock/Striker” for all my needs.....
“What about DA/SA”
“What about all metal”
“How about all wheel gun”

Etc. etc. my bases are well covered.

 

[C5rider]

Do you buy handguns in anticipation of old age?

I'm expecting ALL of my guns to make it to a ripe old age!

 

[Sistema1927]

Guns are never an investment.

Especially if my widow sells them for what I told her I paid for them.

 

[.455_Hunter]

My Dad will be 82 this summer and shoots his 4" Model 10 with 158 gr +P just fine.

 

[walnut1704]

I've had a few "old man guns". Beretta 21A and currently a Ruger LCR 22. The Beretta was lost in a break in several years ago.
The mindset that I have is a weapon that I can use with one hand incapacitated. So not needing to rack a slide or controls that can't be used by either hand factor in.

Funny, I was shooting the K-38 the other day and somebody called it an "old man's gun".

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm only 37, so I figure I have a while to go before my age starts effecting my shooting habits.
I'm not going to worry too much about it though. In 30 years or so when that may be an issue, I can adjust with what I have at the time.
Revolvers can be downloaded, as can rifles.

My father is dealing with this a bit now. He is 70 and doesn't handle the recoil of full house handgun loads, or his hunting rifles. We load him soft shooting stuff in his .45 Colt and Hodgdon youth loads for his .30-06 for deer hunting.
They do the trick fine, and he still gets to shoot the guns he's had for years.

 

[sgt127]

I’ve got too many guns. (Yes, I know, gun forum blasphemy). But, there’s a point of diminishing returns for me.

I’ve used the phrase “I feel like I’m controlled by my possessions.” And, it’s the truth.

So, yes. I’m culling out stuff with a thought of “what guns will I still be using when I’m 70...75...etc”.

I don’t have to buy anything. I already have it. It’s just a matter of keeping them.

Honestly, if it came down to it, I think I could survive the rest of my life with a good K frame .38/.357 Magnum revolver. So, I own 2 3” Model 65’s. Magnums until I can’t. +P until it hurts. Wadcutters for the downhill run.

The only gun I bought, seriously thinking about a little pocket gun I could carry when I’m old and frail, was a stainless Walther PPK in .32 ACP.

That, and I really wanted one....

 

[sgt127]

These are ads when I started buying guns.

The one thing I would disagree with you on is the notion that guns have been a good investment. Guns are never an investment. Even if you sell for what you paid, inflation takes a bite out of your return. I never see money spent on shooting or hunting as anything other than a frivolous, albeit enjoyable, expenditure of disposable income.

Edit: I said guns are never an investment. I would have to relent here in regards to a lot of old Winchesters and the Colt snake guns. But even on the latter, I'm waiting for that market to crash.

If you buy quality to begin with AND you have enough time, you have investments you can play with that increase in value. Not incredible gains, but, mine have been very solid.

 

[Slamfire]

I am having to make decisions about which handguns I can see the sights on. If you are thinking about keeping any handgun long term, look for handguns that you can install an Ultra Dot.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

These are ads when I started buying guns.

View attachment 773039 View attachment 773038

If you buy quality to begin with AND you have enough time, you have investments you can play with that increase in value. Not incredible gains, but, mine have been very solid.

I didn't see a year of publication on your ads, so I did a quick Wikipedia search and found that the Model 29 began production in 1955, so I went with that year. Using a consumer price index (inflation) calculator at the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, I found that $209 in 1955 would have the same purchasing power (relative value) of $1930.85 in 2017.

That means, just to break even on that gun, one would have had to have held on to it for for 62 years and would have had to have sold it for at least $1930.85...and that would mean zero profit.

Next I did a quick search over at gunbroker for completed transactions. I saw only 5 Model 29s that had sold. One (a 29-2) sold high enough to beat inflation, but I don't know when the -2's were on the market, or what their selling price was, so it's an imperfect comparison.

Another quick search and I found that, in 1955, the US Treasury bond rate was 2.61%. A brief look at an online savings calculator determined that, had one, in 1955, invested in US Treasury bonds, instead of buying a Smith & Wesson Model 29, one would now have $1,033.00. Or, in other words, one's "investment" would not have even kept up with inflation. (Which is why I tell my students never buy Treasury bonds.)

And, as you mentioned, you have to buy quality to start with if you expect to get anything at all back when you sell.

I apologize for the "lecture." I used to teach Economics, and it always triggers this reaction anytime someone mentions guns and investment in the same sentence.

BTW, I much prefer those older revolvers myself.

 

[sgt127]

1976 actually.

Everything you said is true.

However, you are looking at it as a purely economic equation. Which, if you use the term “investment”, is correct.

That whole time I actually owned, used and got physical enjoyment out of my purchases and, if not gains, have been a decent store of wealth.

I hate buying refrigerators, washing machines, clothes, computers, televisions, VCR’s (!) etc. because that money is gone the instant I spend it.

(Barring that one in a million item that becomes a cult collectors item. Still have a pair of bell bottom Sedgefield jeans sitting in a drawer, if anyone needs a pair of 33x34 vintage jeans...waiting to pay off the house on that sale!)

So, compared to other consumer items I have purchased, the guns have held their value exceptionally well.

I can’t argue with the pure number crunching. What you said is true. But, a bad stock could potentially be worth zero. A S&W Model 29, properly cared for, will generally retain its value, possibly increase in value and, is a fairly liquid asset.

 

[Tallball]

The ones I bought to gradually teach my daughter when she was young will work just fine for me one day.

 

[huntsman]

If I ever get to the point where I need optics on a handgun I believe I’ll just give it up, a laser and unconventional sights are as extreme as I go.

As for buying I might add one more handgun but ammo will continue to be the focus of my gun dollars.

I guess I’m different because instead of planning to buy for the future I spread out my meager collection and try to figure out what I can get rid of, two guns and enough ammo for them is what I envision for my “old age”

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I already carry a .22 for defense, so I'm good no matter how feeble I get.

 

[.308 Norma]

So maybe that's a better context to frame this thread in. Does anyone buy guns to continue shooting for as long as possible, with the idea that a changing body over time may make certain guns and cartridges unpleasant or impractical?

That’s the way I took it when you asked the question in the first place, 460 Shooter. And my vote was – “No, my gun buying habits will change when the need presents itself.”

However, you and I might define “old” differently. You see, I’ll be 70 next April. If you consider 70 “old,” that’s okay - it doesn’t bother me. When I was 38 (my youngest daughter’s age now) I thought 70 was “old.” Now, I’m kind of looking at 80 as “old.” See, it’s all a matter of perspective.

But getting back to your question, no, when I was young, I didn’t even think about not buying a gun I wanted at the time because in my “old” age it would be “unpleasant or impractical” to shoot. I will admit to buying a few guns that I later sold or traded off because they “kicked” too darned hard. But you have to understand – I’ve had tendonitis in my elbows since I was in my 20s, and it sure hasn’t gotten better with age.

At any rate, even now that I’m almost 70 years old, I don’t think about whether or not I’ll be able to handle the recoil and/or weight of a gun I’m considering when I get “old.” If I get “old” and find that I can’t handle a gun that I bought when I was only 70, I’ll sell it or trade it off.

I vowed, “till death do us part” to my wife in 1971. I’ve never felt that way about my guns – unless the government tries to take them from me of course. But that’s a different subject.

 

[highlander 5]

I'm 67 now have a smattering of semi autos and revolvers both SA and DA,several semi auto rifles rim and centerfire,5 bolt actions and 3 falling block single shot large caliber (40/65,45/70). Right now I can't think of anything else I'd like to get and the few that I think about are out of my price range or can't be brought in to Ma because of our duplication of the Fed AWB.

 

[entropy]

I enjoy the irony in the poll and the OP's username. I don't see a reason to change, and I've known some men who shot 1911's until their deaths in their 80's. That said, I might pick up a PT111G2 or a G19 in the future.

 

[cp1969]

I apologize for the "lecture." I used to teach Economics, and it always triggers this reaction anytime someone mentions guns and investment in the same sentence.

Sorry that I used "guns" and "investment" in the same sentence. If that trips your trigger, I apologize. But...

I don't know how you can ignore the investment aspect of firearms. Above was mentioned, jokingly, about wive's selling the husband's guns 'for what he told them he paid for them.' I've seen that happen, first hand. With that in mind, I decided that was not going to happen to my wife.

To keep that from happening, I created a 'catalog' of my firearms. A printed sheet for each one, with photo, description, s/n, caliber, any accessories that go with it, year purchased, purchase price, and current value. All the sheets are in a binder.

I've never been a collector. All I've ever done is buy what I thought to be quality guns, mostly used, at what I considered a fair price. There hasn't been much turnover; maybe 10 percent. To my surprise, when I added up the current value and compared to the price paid, my guns have been one of the best investments I've made. Especially when compared to a $9k savings account which netted me less than a dollar in interest last year.

Plus, I've had the pleasure of using those guns for as long as I've owned them. Try that with a share of stock.

 

[Blacksmoke]

When I bought my 1964 Cobra last year I figured it could be easily concealed in a wheel chair and would be about right for the old folks home.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That’s the way I took it when you asked the question in the first place, 460 Shooter. And my vote was – “No, my gun buying habits will change when the need presents itself.”

However, you and I might define “old” differently. You see, I’ll be 70 next April. If you consider 70 “old,” that’s okay - it doesn’t bother me. When I was 38 (my youngest daughter’s age now) I thought 70 was “old.” Now, I’m kind of looking at 80 as “old.” See, it’s all a matter of perspective.

But getting back to your question, no, when I was young, I didn’t even think about not buying a gun I wanted at the time because in my “old” age it would be “unpleasant or impractical” to shoot. I will admit to buying a few guns that I later sold or traded off because they “kicked” too darned hard. But you have to understand – I’ve had tendonitis in my elbows since I was in my 20s, and it sure hasn’t gotten better with age.

At any rate, even now that I’m almost 70 years old, I don’t think about whether or not I’ll be able to handle the recoil and/or weight of a gun I’m considering when I get “old.” If I get “old” and find that I can’t handle a gun that I bought when I was only 70, I’ll sell it or trade it off.

I vowed, “till death do us part” to my wife in 1971. I’ve never felt that way about my guns – unless the government tries to take them from me of course. But that’s a different subject.

Well, it's not really about a number and maybe the title is a little misleading. Age is relative. I know folks in their 70's and 80's who are very spry and still having fun. My grandfather was tending his garden and lived at home until he was 90. I also know people in their 40's and 50's who are cranky, in poor health, and seem more content to sit on their couch and bitch than live their lives.

I have been blessed to get an education, land a good job in my field, I own a home, a few guns, and most importantly I have people in my life who love me. I've been unreasonably lucky in my opportunities to travel, and at age 37 I feel like I've gotten to do more than many folks will in their entire lives. I could die tomorrow and not feel jiped. But, I want to remain active and engaged in life for as long as I possibly can.

Part of that will hopefully involve me wheeling my old wrinkled self on to the firing line in a powered wheelchair, blasting away, and smiling while I do it. At that point, I suspect I might want to tone down the magnums. So, choosing some guns that I will have an easier time handling then seems a good idea. An X frame may seem a tad heavy by then.

I mean no offense to anyone by using the term old age and I don't necessarily have a number in mind. Many of my good friends are retirees, decades older than I am, and now that they aren't dragging themselves to work each day they seem more alive and happy than ever. So age 70 to me isn't old at all. I'll consider myself old when I have a hard time getting around. Until then, I'm young and capable.

I enjoy the irony in the poll and the OP's username. I don't see a reason to change, and I've known some men who shot 1911's until their deaths in their 80's. That said, I might pick up a PT111G2 or a G19 in the future.

It is ironic isn't it? I love blasting away at milk jugs with my noisy cricket, but maturation as a shooter for a recoil junky like me means acknowledging big wrist snappers may not be fun some day. I'm a planner by nature.

 

[Coal Dragger]

My main concern as I get older will be primarily solutions for eye sight issues relating to middle age and old age. Hopefully the miniature red dot sights continue to get more durable, easier to use, and more affordable. I am also hopeful that manufacturers will come up with better solutions for integrating optics on their handguns while offering a useable BUIS.

Obviously classic cosmetics are going to suffer, but if a red dot keeps me enjoying the use of my blasters into my old age then so be it.

Weight and recoil issues will be dealt with as needed. I’m 39 now, but still enjoy lifting weights, swimming, cycling, and hiking a bit. I’m optimistic that a regular regimen of squats, deadlifts, overhead press, bench press, pull ups, and chin ups, will help me maintain adequate strength to still handle good sized firearms.

 

[Sistema1927]

Especially when compared to a $9k savings account which netted me less than a dollar in interest last year.

If you had $9K that earned only $1 last year you certainly weren't investing.

 

[RealGun]

Experiencing different calibers and guns is part of my bucket list, so I pursue that while I still can. When too old to shoot just anything, I will use bigger or closer bullseyes and sell what I am no longer shooting. I reload 13 cartridges and have example guns for each. I am not looking to buy any more, but my winter project is to cast my first bullets. It's always something in such a multifaceted hobby.

 

[cp1969]

If you had $9K that earned only $1 last year you certainly weren't investing.

You're right. That's why it's invested in guns now.

 

[Rexster]

Yes, I bought a then-new 4” Ruger SP101, chambered in .32 H&R, in anticipation of .357 and .38 Special becoming a bit much. At the time I bought it, I knew that Ruger had just discontinued making .32 H&R-chambered revolvers, and did not want to be hunting the pre-owned market, later.

Well, that day has about arrived, for my right hand, as .38 Special, fired from an SP101, is now becoming too much for my aging right hand. Fortunately, my left hand is still relatively healthy, and I am functionally ambidextrous with revolvers. I have not yet pulled the .32 SP101 from the back of the safe, as Plan A is to switch “primary” to the left side, continuing to use duty-level ammo, but sooner or later, .32 may become, at least, a secondary carry cartridge.