Ever want to sell everything and start fresh

[gym]

Just been thinking of the journey of carrying almost 45 yrs now. Still searching for the perfect gun. I must have gone through every model with the exceptions of some high end pistols that are out of my price range. "Besides I never understood what a 5 thousand dollar 1911 did that a 1,500 dollar one didn't. Always reminded me of stereo systems, once you spend 5 grand, the amount of difference can only be heard by a Bat. It's another 100 thousand to hear that extra 2 %, translated to guns, that most of us shooters can't take advantage of any how, Guns are the same, got into it with a few fellows on another forum, "all in good intentions", but after sending a 3 thousand dollar gun to 5 or 6 places having another 2-4 grand worth of cutting fitting etc.. Does the gun really shoot better, and how many people would really know how to get that extra 2 % out of it, or are skilled enough to even know the difference.
One gent said it's his money and he'll spend it as he sees fit, but I never told him how to spend it, I only asked if it is just an obsession of does it actually accomplish anything.
As we all know, chances are that an Ed Brown or a Wilson is probably going to shoot better than most of us are ever going to make use of, "in the practical sense". But it seems like everyone is pouring cash into an already customized group of guns, to what end?
I some days think of cutting down to 5 or 6 weapons period, a shotgun a 223, and 4 or 5 pistols, I may indeed do just that, I end up back close to what I started out with 45 years ago, except for the revolvers.

 

[tarosean]

"Besides I never understood what a 5 thousand dollar 1911 did that a 1,500 dollar one didn't.

Nothing.... However, if your going to go that far. What does it do that a Hi Point doesnt? Just as a cheap wallmart Timex will in fact keep better time than any Rolex.

In both cases though, its about the craftsmanship that went into it and its about the features that you want.

For me its the subtle differences. The feel of a dehorned slide and frame cannot cannot be explained, it must be directly compared. Same with hand filed checkering vs. machined. etc. etc. etc.

If your anyhwere near me... Ill let you have a go with any of mine.

 

[tnelson31]

Whatever you buy/have should have value to you. Different people can afford different things.

 

[btg3]

...the journey...searching for the perfect gun...

...how many people would really know how to get that extra 2 % out of it, or are skilled enough to even know the difference...is just an obsession or does it actually accomplish anything?

Rhetorical, right?

I some days think of cutting down to 5 or 6 weapons period...except for the revolvers.

For some it takes longer than other to get over revolvers -- another obsession.

I should know, my life is a procession of obsessions.

 

[bannockburn]

No I can say I have never wanted to sell off any of my collections and start over again. I guess to my way of thinking this would kind of defeat the whole purpose of having a collection. I have sold or traded quite a few guns over the years (regretting all of the revolvers that I did this to), but have always kept the ones I felt were the most essential and the most memorable to me.

 

[vamo]

Never spent that kind of money on a single gun so I can't honestly answer the question. What I will say is that every pistol I have shot in the $300-500 range performed excellently; as in a skilled shooter can bull just about everytime from a reasonable difference. I am sure there's difference, but I would trust my life to a $300 ruger.

 

[7.62 Solution]

"Still searching for the perfect gun". It's that a big part of what makes firearms so interesting. For me the learning and research of what new or tried and true is a major reason for collecting and shooting.

My collection is by no means special, valuable or unique but it's mine and a source of personal pride. There are a few that sit in the back of the safe that almost never see daylight but I keep them.

 

[Trent]

I thought I was done buying guns.. really have everything I wanted or thought I'd need. Then I take the NRA rifle instructor course and suddenly realized I lacked a lever action. Now how am I supposed to demonstrate lever action rifles to students in the safety lesson if I don't have one? Can not do so!

So before I start teaching rifle classes I need to pick up a good, handy, lever action. Wasn't hard to sell my wife on it, 'I have to have one, honey.'

 

[Grmlin]

Yes I have thought about selling everything off and starting over but I can't bring myself to even think about doing that with my guns. I might sell or trade one once in awhile (always one I bought from dealers). I would love to go mobile.

 

[Resist Evil]

If you haven't found the perfect gun, why don't you invent it? There must be features that you want (this side of science fiction) that are not available currently that you could incorporate into your design.

 

[Old Fuff]

There is the question of "pride of owership," and if competition shooting is involved the extra money spent on a gun may translate into a few extra but critical points.

But when it comes to personal weapons, my experience is that spending money on training and practice is better then blowing it on a highly customized gun. I have known a handful of famous individuals (and some who were not) that were well experienced in lethal encounters, and none of them used highly modified pistols or revolvers beyond a little work to insure reliability, if that.

No, I wouldn't sell everything I have, because if nothing else I'm sure they are dependable and work, but I might pick one or two and work hard to get out of them everything they have to give. The weak link in this picture is not the weapon, but the user's skill.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Sell everything and start from scratch?

Nah. I think of firearms as part of the family...each and every one of them deserving to be cared for accordingly.

Would I ever sell anything I have? Sure. I did so with a second 1911 model pistol I picked up cheap years ago. Already had one, couldn't pass up the bargain. I turned around and sold it to a friend a short time later who was looking for just such a gun. I knew he'd take care of it, though...which is important to me.

The only way I'd sell everything I have would be if I, for whatever reason, could no longer care for my firearms the way they should be. And then I'd be searching for people I knew would care for them as I would.

And, quite frankly, I'd be giving them to family members first.

 

[Resist Evil]

I used to shoot pool a lot. I used house sticks. One time, I thought to myself, "Self, let's go buy us a real pool stick!" That's right, I shot pool in bars. They sell alcohol there and, um, I usually buy some of it, um...for my sciatica. So, I went out, shucked a couple of Benjamins, and brought home a two-piece beauty. No, it didn't say "Budweiser" on the side (I already have one of those). I discovered something really important after using the new stick several months--I'm a lousy pool player. I'd have been just as good a shot using a tree branch.

This to say that I'm with Old Fuff when he wrote: "But when it comes to personal weapons, my experience is that spending money on training and practice is better then blowing it on a highly customized gun."

If the hardware is bugging you, maybe it's time to invest in some new software.

 

[mavracer]

No I'd never concider starting over, I've worked too hard to get my collection to where it is. I shoot well enough to appreciate the difference between a gun capable of 3" groups at 25 yards and one that's capable of 2" groups at 50. I also have a keen enough eye and a feel for fit and finish to appreciate the art that a high end 1911 brings to the table that a poly service gun lacks. I understand that a service gun has it's place and ha and have many that I enjoy.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Just been thinking of the journey of carrying almost 45 yrs now. Still searching for the perfect gun. I must have gone through every model with the exceptions of some high end pistols that are out of my price range. "Besides I never understood what a 5 thousand dollar 1911 did that a 1,500 dollar one didn't. Always reminded me of stereo systems, once you spend 5 grand, the amount of difference can only be heard by a Bat. It's another 100 thousand to hear that extra 2 %, translated to guns, that most of us shooters can't take advantage of any how, Guns are the same, got into it with a few fellows on another forum, "all in good intentions", but after sending a 3 thousand dollar gun to 5 or 6 places having another 2-4 grand worth of cutting fitting etc.. Does the gun really shoot better, and how many people would really know how to get that extra 2 % out of it, or are skilled enough to even know the difference.
One gent said it's his money and he'll spend it as he sees fit, but I never told him how to spend it, I only asked if it is just an obsession of does it actually accomplish anything.
As we all know, chances are that an Ed Brown or a Wilson is probably going to shoot better than most of us are ever going to make use of, "in the practical sense". But it seems like everyone is pouring cash into an already customized group of guns, to what end?
I some days think of cutting down to 5 or 6 weapons period, a shotgun a 223, and 4 or 5 pistols, I may indeed do just that, I end up back close to what I started out with 45 years ago, except for the revolvers.

Heck no I got some things you can't find much anymore.

 

[we are not amused]

I agree that unless you are an Olympic level shooter, customizing an already customized gun is unlikely to be cost effective.

Heck, don't own a handgun that I paid more than five hundred dollars for, and are quite happy with them, including my 1911.

While there are a couple of higher end 1911's I would like to own, and may someday be able to afford, none of them are over a thousand dollars. The only handgun I am considering to buy over a thousand dollars is the "Desert Eagle" in either 44 Magnum or 50 caliber.

But, to each their own, I also like English sports cars, so calling somebody else's expensive hobby foolish is the pot calling the kettle black.

"How to make a small fortune making sports cars? Start with a large one."

 

[Al Thompson]

In retrospect, my collection has changed drastically over the last decade. I've pretty much settled on one handgun platform and two rifle types.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Sounds like you are coming around to where I've been for years.

 

[Reloadron]

Ever want to sell everything and start fresh

Nope, never crossed my mind.

Every now and then I dig something out I haven't shot for a long time and take it to the range. Every gun I have amassed over the past 45 plus years I bought for a reason and they all hold certain memories. Shooting them or cleaning them refreshes the memories of how they came along. Doesn't cost me anything to hang on to them and if I check out my wife will keep a few, some for the kids and grand kids and the remainder she can live off of for a long time.

Ron

 

[22-rimfire]

Reduction in numbers has certainly crossed my mind, but a complete re-start from scratch. Nope. I would end up buying many of the same guns I own today, so what is the point?

 

[Constrictor]

Would never consider starting over. I'm very happy with my shooting program.

 

[GregGry]

I went from 20 handguns, 5 rifles, and a shotgun, down to 3 handguns 1 rifle and the same shotgun. It's boring having a bunch of guns that I don't use. My collection of pistols i want will be a glock 17, cz sp01 custom, ruger lcr, smith 500 performance center, and a glock 20. I already have the 17, lcr, and the sp01. I have shot almost every possible conventional handgun out there, and I am not to the point of owning "for collection" purposes.

The 500 smith can do everything a 357 to 454 can do depending on load, so it's one gun that solves all my issues (hunting, accuracy, big boom fun gun). The g17 is the beater gun that flat out works. The spo1 has trigger as good as most 1911s, and I have a 22lr conversion for it. It's not worth going to a 1911 style pistol over it to me. The lcr is the carry gun, owned a glock 26, xdm 3.8 compact .40, and numerous other guns and they didnt work as well as the lcr for me. The g20 I want would be a backup to the 500 when I am hunting.

I guess I am more about practicality of firearms then anything. I can never see myself owning multiples of the same gun. It's so much more fun to just shoot my friends guns and let them spend thousands on guns rather then me having that invested. More toys means less proficiency with each individual one.

 

[doc2rn]

As I have gotten older I have grown to appreciate the older guns put together by gunsmiths before CNC machines became the new modern method. Old Colts, especially snake guns tend to find their way into my collection. I might not have multiple guns of the latest wonder 9, but I am happy with the ones I procured. And I still have a thing for Ruger .22s, my dad went in halves with me on my first for my 11th b-day, I now have 6. I love my dad!

Start over, no way to much sentiment in some of the ones I own. Memories cant be replaced.

 

[huntsman]

Ever want to sell everything and start fresh

yeah I've done it to some extent with my guns and other possessions, it's not as painful as I thought it would be and if done correctly it can be liberating.

 

[hso]

Yep