FROGO207
Member
When I am gone it will no longer matter what happens to my stuff. That's what estate auctions are for! Then the survivors can fight over the cash. Preferably with duels.
Selling all of your firearms
- Thread starter Styx
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WisBorn
Contributing Member
I reduced my collection by about half last year. I retired and moved to a new state, the first of this year.
I started by giving a few guns to my nephews and their wives. Then sold some to friends and the LGS's. I still have a couple that I will use for trading on something new that I can't live without.
I can't stress enough; taking a large gun collection to your grave will normally cause problems. Identify who gets what before you pass away.
FL-NC
Member
As far as new acquisitions, I have "streamlined" in the sense that I avoid "impulse buys", or just buying something because its "cool'. Of course, I have plenty of guns in the collection filling a safe that I haven't shot in years. There's a few I have never shot. Eventually, I will downsize, but for now, they are fine where they are.
.308 Norma
Member
If I go first, my wife (who has as many guns as I do) will have to figure out what to do with my guns. And vice-versa if she goes first. For sentimental reasons, it will be a problem for me - or her, I think.
However, for practical reasons: first, we have two daughters and four grandsons, and all of them, except for one of our daughters, are very much into guns, hunting, shooting and guns for self/home protection. And second, we have friends that own gun shops. We have sold guns through them in the past, so I suppose either my wife or I, or one of our daughters could sell guns that way if they need to in the future.
Besides all that, my wife and I are probably not all that far away from having great-grandchildren. I hope our family traditions of gun ownership and use are passed on to them, and I HOPE gun ownership and use in the US hasn’t passed into oblivion by that time. But I guess that’s a topic for a different thread.
However, for practical reasons: first, we have two daughters and four grandsons, and all of them, except for one of our daughters, are very much into guns, hunting, shooting and guns for self/home protection. And second, we have friends that own gun shops. We have sold guns through them in the past, so I suppose either my wife or I, or one of our daughters could sell guns that way if they need to in the future.
Besides all that, my wife and I are probably not all that far away from having great-grandchildren. I hope our family traditions of gun ownership and use are passed on to them, and I HOPE gun ownership and use in the US hasn’t passed into oblivion by that time. But I guess that’s a topic for a different thread.
Howland937
Member
Seems like leaving a mess behind is something anyone who collects anything should be concerned with. Guns, cars, sewing machines, whatever. Instead of being frustrated with having to deal with it, your heirs should be thankful you collected something marketable. I mean, it would probably be easier to sell 50-60 guns than 50-60 old bath tubs. They get the memories or the money. Either way, they got nothing to complain about.
If your issue is storage, finances, fear of being robbed blind in old age...then by all means sell.
If your issue is storage, finances, fear of being robbed blind in old age...then by all means sell.
lightman
Member
I have no desire to sell all of my collection but I recently sold 10 and still have 2 for sale. None of those had any significant meaning to me but I offered them to my Boys first. Now is a pretty good time to sell! I plan to replace those with 1 or 2 that I will shoot more whenever this mess is over. I have my remaining guns in my will and the Family knows my wishes.
The mess thats going to cause my survivors the most work will be my brass stash and my lead stash. I've begun to thin the brass down but the lead will stay until I can't cast anymore. Heck, I'm still getting lead!
I've even thinned out the tools and non shooting stuff that was in my shop and attic!
The mess thats going to cause my survivors the most work will be my brass stash and my lead stash. I've begun to thin the brass down but the lead will stay until I can't cast anymore. Heck, I'm still getting lead!
I've even thinned out the tools and non shooting stuff that was in my shop and attic!
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It seems that one of these "Should I sell my guns?" threads pops up every few months.
Keep it all , sell some , sell the whole shebang - whatever you want. What difference does it make what anyone else thinks? It's not their life and it's not their property.
Keep it all , sell some , sell the whole shebang - whatever you want. What difference does it make what anyone else thinks? It's not their life and it's not their property.
Rembrandt
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2003
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- 4,657
Will give it away to kids and grand kids, guns are a fun hobby but not the most important thing in life.
If I were to sell them off, wonder how much of a market and interest future generations would have in blued/wood historical firearms? Current gun shows seem to indicate the next generation gun owners want plastic and tactical. That narrows the buyers that might have the same tastes that I've collected.
If I were to sell them off, wonder how much of a market and interest future generations would have in blued/wood historical firearms? Current gun shows seem to indicate the next generation gun owners want plastic and tactical. That narrows the buyers that might have the same tastes that I've collected.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
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- 13,274
I’ve been downsizing the last year and a half. But selling most of them? No, I still really enjoy the ones I own.
Styx - I can relate to your issue. I have over 100 handguns...probably 60 of which I've never shot. (Almost all used, so few NIB examples like yours) I have many duplicates. I'd buy one, and later find a nicer one, and tell myself I'd sell the old one. But then didn't. I plan to get rid of about half of my collection. Here's my plan.
Go to the Colt Forum and offer the members there the 3 or 4 Colts I plan to sell.
Go to the Smith & Wesson forum and do the same for about 40 Smiths.
What doesn't sell, I plan to take to a local gun shop and put on consignment. I have done this once before and that dealer put ads on Gunbroker. Almost everything I sold brought significantly more money than I was expecting.
If your collection is high dollar, I would consider an auction house, but would try and negotiate their seller's commission down to a reasonable (ha) amount.
Good luck with it.
Jim
Go to the Colt Forum and offer the members there the 3 or 4 Colts I plan to sell.
Go to the Smith & Wesson forum and do the same for about 40 Smiths.
What doesn't sell, I plan to take to a local gun shop and put on consignment. I have done this once before and that dealer put ads on Gunbroker. Almost everything I sold brought significantly more money than I was expecting.
If your collection is high dollar, I would consider an auction house, but would try and negotiate their seller's commission down to a reasonable (ha) amount.
Good luck with it.
Jim
Skeptic13
Member
I'm still in the adding to phase not the getting rid of phase. The only reason I would sell a gun I have is if I don't shoot it a lot and I can use the money to buy something I would shoot more.
AZmark
Member
Ive been thinking about this also. Im 65 and in good health but have several guns that I just dont take out to shoot anymore. Ive decided sometime soon I will get both of my sons together give about half of them away keeping the few that I want for protection and hunting. I also have guns handed down to me from my parents/grandparents that will go to them. I decided as a new years res that I would shoot every gun I have in the safe before the end of the year then start the hand me down process. If theres something that neither of them want then Ill sell. My sons can then hold on to them and pass them down again.
JTHunter
Member
It has taken me TOO long and cost me TOO much to ever sell what has taken me over 40 years to acquire. It is in my will that they be left to my grand-nephew if I don't live long enough for him as he is an early teenager.
I plan to significantly downsize when I retire. I could do just fine with about 20% of what I have now. My collection is a record of discovery. With each new gun, I learned more about what works for me, and what doesn’t, what I like, and what I actually will use. This process of refinement has led me to the point where my lifetime “keepers” are a few revolvers, one pistol, and a couple of long guns - all the rest now seem like lessons along the way.
CharliesHammer
Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2019
- Messages
- 363
I have two nephews who I adore. They both shoot well and enjoy the sports. I have already moved half of my high end firearms to their dads vault. Family has my passwords digits, etc.
I have also sold buddies key guns that I know they will treasure, pass down etc. Get them in the right hands!
I have also sold buddies key guns that I know they will treasure, pass down etc. Get them in the right hands!
Swampman
Old Fart
I started giving some of my favorite guns to my sons years ago, because oddly enough, they were also their favorites. I should probably sell some of the ones that I seldom shoot, but I like everything I have (even if I don't shoot 'em very often) and kinda got out of the habit of selling guns years ago after parting with a few that I Iater regretted.
My greatest fear is that after I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for 'em.
My greatest fear is that after I die my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for 'em.
I've always wanted to join, but just haven't gotten around to it yet...
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Yes, I did. About 2005 or 2006, it's so painful that I try not to remember it too well, called Rock Island and ask if they'd be interested in selling some stuff for me. They said, yes, and asked how much. I said that I didn't know, but it would take a truck. So, we set up an appointment. I rented a truck, loaded it up, but unfortunately everything wouldn't fit, so most of the boxes with accessories such as scopes, magazines, bayonets, holsters, etc, didn't make the trip. Sold them later a few at a time, here and there. Drove across two states and simply dumped everything on them. I didn't have a list or anything because I knew that if I tried to make a list, I'd hesitate and wouldn't sell anything. Spent the night in a nice B&B. Went back to Rock Island the next day and they had a great list made out, signed the papers, went home and waited. Over the next year or year and a half, the checks rolled in, some small and some large. Today, I regret the sale of every single one and most are so expensive that I couldn't afford to buy them back today. On top of that, all the money from the sale of those items when up in smoke last month. Lost every single dime and more. So now I do not have the guns and I do not have the money. All that I have is a boat load of regret! Best of luck in your endeavor.
I just turned 40, but I already that that when I hit my mid 50's that I will likely start down sizing my collection and especially my reloading gear. There comes a point when it can be a bit much and if something were to happen to me I wouldn't want to leave my wife with the hassle of trying to sell all of that stuff.
Skylerbone
Member
Build shadow boxes for your stripped lowers and display them. Get rid of anything you find boring or common. Inventory what’s left and write down a name for each or specify its liquidation in your estate. Then buy a mess of Renaissance Wax and protect your investment.
If nothing else you’ll be spending time with your collection and keeping busy with the exercise.
If nothing else you’ll be spending time with your collection and keeping busy with the exercise.
I am 65 and was told that cancer would take me in 2014; I am still here. I just ordered a new high end Shiloh Sharps, I am excited for the arrival and I have one for sale on this forum - guns and shooting are my hobby. I am not sure that one can live life to the fullest worrying about the results and aftermath of their death. Trading less liquidity for more liquidity - the more liquid, the faster it disappears. People worry way too much, make a choice, live with it and stop the hand-wringing. I really enjoy this hobby,
I tend to regret purchases more than sales. I've only ever really regretted selling 2 rifles, and now that it's been 10yrs, I don't even regret those 2 sales. I've wished I hadn't bought at least a dozen guns in the first place, which was remedied by selling them for roughly what I had in them. I'm learning that less can be more. Easier to decide which gun to bring to the range when you have 10 good ones to choose from instead of 50 ok guns. And fewer calibers to stock means you can have more of each caliber available. Now is a good time to sell. November may be a better time.
Yes, it makes sense to whittle down the numbers, but if you still enjoy using your guns and tools, by all means keep those that give you pleasure. Others should be gifted or sold to those who will appreciate them. I have seen too many collections fall into the hands of the clueless and unscrupulous. I hope to be down to the last half dozen when it's time to meet my Maker, and those will go to designated friends and family.
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