Do you buy handguns in anticipation of old age?

[.308 Norma]

Is there some prohibition against old people buying guns where you live? So why not just wait and buy what you need when you need it?

+1
Furthermore, where I live, there's no prohibition against selling guns I no longer need. Heck, for that matter, even though I'm almost 70, I occasionally trade off a gun for a different gun that I have a perceived "need" for.

 

[ray15]

It wasn't meant to be depressing. It's a simple acknowledgement that the body changes with old age. Different people age differently based on their health and habits. My dad for example is 70 and in pretty poor health because he eats like crap and isn't active. Several other people I know who are 70+ are still out in the woods hiking for fun and keeping up with people half their age just fine.

Yes, lack of activity is the killer. I've had more hobbies over the years than I can count, but it's shooting and reloading that is providing the activity these days. It also inspires me to do better with my diet and exercise routine so I can continue to shoot. Hard to believe there was a time when I could sleep all day, eat anything I wanted, do anything I wanted in any amount, etc...

 

[RETG]

No. I'm 70 and my buying habits have not changed due to my age, but have changed over the many years by where I was living (and I don't mean in what state, but in what country).
I have carried a .40 or 9mm Beretta PX4 full size for almost 8 years, and last week I purchased another .40 Beretta (INOX this time) and will continue to carry it; however, for local carrying I will carry a smaller 9mm H&K P40SK. The two older PX4s will be put up for sale in the near future.
Later this year or next year, hard to say what I will get, if anything.
But age related? NO.

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

Yeah, now that I'm older it's not what I need, it's "so many guns, so little money". There's a lot I'd like to have and try out, but time is gonna run out, or the money, or my wife's patience. My trouble is, I'm not so much a collector with the exception of some old west guns, I trade around a lot to try guns I'm curious about. I've done good on some, and not so good on others.

 

[SteadyD]

Is there some prohibition against old people buying guns where you live? So why not just wait and buy what you need when you need it?

You could have said the same thing about ammo, but then we found out that waiting to buy ammo until you needed it might mean no ammo is around.

The laws regarding gun purchases could become more prohibitive. The model that might work best for arthritic fingers or wrists could be discontinued and command a premium price on the secondary market. You could be on a fixed income in retirement that won't afford you the ability to make a costly purchase.

These are all reasons that might warrant being proactive in a purchase prior to entering old age.

 

[chicharrones]

You could have said the same thing about ammo, but then we found out that waiting to buy ammo until you needed it might mean no ammo is around.

The laws regarding gun purchases could become more prohibitive. The model that might work best for arthritic fingers or wrists could be discontinued and command a premium price on the secondary market. You could be on a fixed income in retirement that won't afford you the ability to make a costly purchase.

These are all reasons that might warrant being proactive in a purchase prior to entering old age.

There are several models of guns I missed out on when they were newly made and easier to get at a local gun shop. It will happen again and again and again.

 

[RA40]

I like to view this as with age comes wisdom and the ability to predict the pathway of things to come. One of the younger generation is 26 now, he's aggressive and climbing that ladder to attain his goals. OTOH his age is managing to keep him burning the candle at both ends. Working 12- 14 hour days and getting 3-5 hours sleep. Dad had a desk job and was not exposed to the effects of hard labor. When he passed at 92 he was in pretty good shape. Our neighbor just hitting 80 after a career in plumbing his body is well used. I view firearms in a similar way that the harder you go at it, what consequence will there be? Moderation and the slower one goes at it leaves some for later times.

Except for a few, I pretty much have what I can shoot in the coming years.

 

[walnut1704]

Well, I'm 68, purchased my first .44 mag about 4 years ago (Ruger SRH). Bought another .44 mag a year ago (Ruger SBH). I don't recall that age slowed down Elmer Keith. Don't plan on it slowing me down much either. But should that day come, I still have my .357s, .38s, .45 acps, 9mms, .32s (revolvers-mag and long), .22s and cap guns. Should have all my bases covered.

Your post makes me realize that we are all just in different places. I'm 62, but I got my first .44 Magnum more like 40 years ago. After many thousands of rounds of full-house loads, I'm over it. There's just no need for the wear and tear (on me and the gun) and the cost. I shoot a couple of hundred rounds a week. It's not that I'm slowing down, not by a long shot, just shooting more, and shooting lighter.

 

[kozak6]

I don't know if I'm going to have carpal tunnel, wrist problems, arthritis, a bum elbow, eye trouble, the shakes, or anything else in 50 years. For all I know, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.

It's better to buy a gun to meet my needs when I get there.

 

[ray15]

For all I know, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow.

Crap, I better get that .357 lever gun I want fast!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The laws regarding gun purchases could become more prohibitive. The model that might work best for arthritic fingers or wrists could be discontinued and command a premium price on the secondary market. You could be on a fixed income in retirement that won't afford you the ability to make a costly purchase.

These types of concerns are other considerations that motivated me to post the question.

A 3" SP101 in 327 Fed Mag is an example that came to mind. They were hard to find when out of production. Now that they're on the market again, I may pick one up in expectation of them going away again.

 

[Ron James]

LOL. You don't anticipate old age, you turn your back for one minute and it sneaks up and slaps you in the back of your head.

 

[paulsj]

Harry Selby just passed on at 92. If you are old you should be selling not buying.