Guns you keep for life

[Manny]

Pretty much all of mine are for sale for the right price, though I try and keep "gun money" in my guns and I'll always have something(s) for defense and target, I don't believe in being unarmed. My liking for firearms is in the freedom they represent and the capabilites they give me, primarily self defense.

The only gun I've ever owned with sentimental significance is a Sears shotgun, 16ga pump that was my dad's. I got it as the eldest after he passed when I was 8 but gave it to my youngest brother who wasn't born until 2weeks after dads passing. Beyond that nothing gifted nor of great personal meaning.

To me guns are tools, very cool tools, but still tools. I like my tools alot but believe first and formost in function and utility. My most valued guns are a Glock 17L and a RRA national match flattop AR. I also have a strong yen for a Ruger LCR. All outstanding in their own way, but generally not alot to be sentimental about.

 

[OregonJohnny]

1. Any firearm that is/was handed down to me from either my father or my father-in-law.

2. Any firearm that has been given to me as a gift.

3. My S&W 1911. It was the first gun I actually picked out and paid for myself.

4. My Beretta 92FS. It was the gun I always dreamed about owning some day, from about the age of 8 or 9, and so now that I have one I will always keep it around.

5. My S&W M&P15. I owned a Bushmaster years back, it was my first and only AR at the time. I traded it in on something else, and spent the next 3 or 4 years missing an AR15. So now that I have one back in my collection, it isn't going anywhere.

Just about all my other guns are fair game for possible trades or sales, but I don't like the thought of loosing any of them.

 

[pockets]

Ain't no such animal for me.
My likes and dislikes have changed so much over the decades, no tool or toy has been 'for life'.

.

 

[SimplyChad]

Im only 22 but I have a few


My dads 742 in 3006 the first gun that was ever just mine. (After it ws stolen for his truck for 25 yrs)
His dads .22 I dont have it yet but the story is he got it for his 7th birthday back in 1919
My mom's dads SxS 10 guage never seen another like it.
My Marlin 30-30 or 45-70 my first dedicated truck guns.

The one ill be buried with if I dont have kids. My great grandfathers peace maker. Im told it was first gen. I really dont know ive never taken it from the case in my simi adult life. Won it in a bet with my dad

 

[nosmr2]

I would never sell my:
RIA 1911 that my mom, dad, wife and I all chipped in a little to pay for around birthday time a few years ago
My Colt AR-15 my wife surprised the hell out of me and gave it to me for my 40th birthday.
My Yugo Mauser on a Boyd's stock I finished. It turned out real nice and has some personality. I know it's not one of the "desirable" Mausers, but it works for me.

I haven't received any guns passed down from relatives. Though it will be hard to sell dad's stuff when I end up with it.

Everything else is for sale if the price is right.

 

[mingansr]

none of mine are old like yours, but

1. Ruger M77 MKII, stainless, in .30/06. First of three guns i won in raffles at Milwaukee Sports Show. sweet.

2. my XD 40. i love it more each day.

3. ........the new SA XDS, for slim, when it comes out in .40sw.

4. and probably many more to come, tho i'm in the golden years already. cripes, life is too short!

 

[Nail Shooter]

I have numerous handguns and long guns. Only ever sold one in my entire life. It was a Colt Combat Commander--what a beautiful gun! Felt so good in the hand but just could not get it to run reliably.

That money went to buy my first Glock, a G19. I tell myself that I can quit buying them anytime I want to.


Nail

 

[oneounceload]

I agree with those who talk about the guns handed down from a family member - there's something special about those, especially if they have a long history attached to them. I have a Colt DS first year production my dad used as an off duty gun - it may be a safe queen, but it will always have a place in the safe

 

[jolly roger]

My father in laws old Remington Model 12 22 pump completely brown patina and a ringed barrel... He said he tried to shoot a frog when he was about 10 and got mud in the barrel. That dang thing will still shoot into about an inch and a half at 50yds even with those lousy buckhorns and the slight barrel ring. Go figure...

He died 3 years ago at 80. A good man who raised a good daughter

My wife's grandfather's Colt 1908 Vest Pocket 25ACP. Bought in 1930. With exception of very slight pitting on one small spot on slide it is in excellent shape and still shoots just fine.

 

[JTHunter]

Let's see -

After my father passed away, his wife brought me a revolver of his that she wanted out of her house. It's a .32-20 that's about 70 years old and, according to several brokers at the gunshows I've taken it to, it would be 98% + IF it was still in the box.

Among my grandfather's effects were three pistols. One is the old .38 that he kept in his store for decades. I remember as a child seeing the butt-end of that gun on the shelf under the register. It may be a cop's old "duty" gun as it has a grooved top-strap and fixed front sight. There is virtually no bluing left, just a brownish patina and, using .38 Specials, the accuracy sux. Don't know if the barrel is shot out or if it is actually a .38 Long Colt. The two gunsmiths in this area that have examined it can't determine it's true caliber, but they believe that it is nearly 100 years old.

Then there is an old Colt .32 ACP. It may also be shot out and, according to its serial number, was built sometime between 1921 and 1928.

Then there's the "new" gun. It's a Colt Jr. in .25 ACP that was NIB (until I got it!) and actually shoots better than the other two with only a 1.5" barrel!

These four will never go anywhere but to another family member as I don't have any kids. If, and I do mean "IF", I can get my 5 y.o. nephew interested in guns during what is left of my life, he'll get them. If not, they go with me to the grave.

After all, I've got to have SOME fun in H311!

 

[searcher451]

I've got a handful of pistols and a rifle or two that were handed down from my father and grandfather; those will never go. The first pistol that I ever bought, a Ruger Bearcat, is another that will remain in the collection for as long as I'm alive. In fact, most all of the ones that I have now will eventually to go to my son and daughter; I can only think of perhaps three or four that are disposable ... trade bait for other pistols I'd like to own.

 

[Zippidydudah]

Still have my winchester model 77 with tubular mag, still looks like new and shoots good; still hane my O3-A3, bought when I was 17 to go deer hunting, still use it too. My high standard supermatic has nailed some targets others couldn't do with a rifle probably the best pistolmade for the money; my son willenjoy when its time. At 68 I won't buy manybmore guns but have enjoyed all of them, even the ugly ones.

 

[Suburban Redneck]

I've only traded one rifle, and I still regret it :banghead:
It was an 1879 (?) Winchester .22LR single shot lever action.
I'll never do that again, all my firearms are keepers to me, and after I'm gone, my friends already know who gets what... just like my bikes.

 

[willroute]

1911

Any of My 1911's (Colt, Wilson and Springfield). Something about 1911 that just speaks to you.




Browning 3:16 "Through me ye shall have a great pistol that shall leave giant holes in those who cross your path"

 

[mws65]

Any of my dad's old guns in my win 94. Pushed a lawnmower in the early70s for it.

 

[MuleRyder]

I have several guns that I wouldn't sell for sentimental reasons. If I had to pick one it would be my Stevens 311 12ga SXS that was given to me by my father. He bought it when he was in high school. It's no beauty queen, but it means everything to me.