So I have a decent collection of long guns. But recently I have been considering "upgrading" it. I.E, selling multiple cheaper guns to fund 1 nice one. The advantages of this are many, fewer calibers to reload, fewer to clean, higher quality collection, etc... The only downside is a smaller collection. Have any of you done something similar? Were you happy?
Upgrading consolidating collection?
- Thread starter robMaine
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El Mariachi
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I need an older Marlin 30-30, if you happen to have a beater laying around you no longer want. And if it's a 'Department Store' brand, that'll be even better.....
Anytime that I have sold a firearm to get money to put towards a more valuable/desirable one, I have always regretted it. I say if you have your eye on something special, just save up to get it but don't sacrifice anything in your current collection to do it. Unless you have something that is just no fun at all to shoot, you're going to miss it in the future.
Being caliber specific saves money on ammunition, but I like having a range of calibers for different situations. You can always focus on a few rifle calibers and pistol calibers and stock up on them and have just enough for one or two range trips for the other calibers. JMHO.
Being caliber specific saves money on ammunition, but I like having a range of calibers for different situations. You can always focus on a few rifle calibers and pistol calibers and stock up on them and have just enough for one or two range trips for the other calibers. JMHO.
22-rimfire
Member
If you are the only shooter, why is making your accumulation more focused and contain a higher grade of firearm a bad thing?
Yep I've done it as my needs & interests changed and I grew to appreciate better quality. I don't regret it a bit and am very satisfied with the fewer but better quality guns I new have. Before I had an accumulation, now I have a collection that is well matched to my needs.
I personally don't understand the "never sell a gun" philosophy, but to each his own.
I personally don't understand the "never sell a gun" philosophy, but to each his own.
huntsman
Member
yeah I traded a couple of hardware store doubles for a BSS but now mostly I avoid cheap guns from the get go.
Arkansas Paul
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I've not had that experience. Now don't get me wrong, I've made deals I've regretted, but if I've got a gun laying around that has no sentimental value to me and I never shoot it, I have no issues selling to fund one I will shoot, or trading towards it. I had a Remington 11-87 that I almost never shot and my wife wanted to go deer hunting. I traded it towards a Ruger 77 in .243 for her. She loves it and killed her first deer with it this season. I'm still tickled pink about every aspect of the deal.
Go for it robMaine. Just put plenty of thought into it first and make sure you won't regret it. Some like quantity and some quality. Personally, I like a middle ground myself.
I have sold guns that I no longer enjoy shooting or don't fit in to the collection, or simply serve no purpose. I have used the money towards better or nicer guns. I see no problem with it, but give your choices careful consideration before buying or selling.
Jorg Nysgerrig
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Yes. I used to be a "variety is the spice of life" kind of guy and liked having oddball guns in different calibers. I've gotten rid of almost everything "oddlball" to focus on a few of higher quality guns with a hell of a lot more trigger time on those.
The idea of consolidating makes a lot of sense at first thought and I've considered it before. In the end I decided to only purchase things I really want and that are of good quality. I'm not willing to part with anything though. I KNOW I'll just regret it someday.
Liberty1776
Member
Yes I have and yes I am. I continue to do so. When I initially started, I bought everything. Later I realized there was much I was no longer interested in. I have never understood not selling something you don't want anymore, just because it happens to shoot bullets. Many years ago a famous collector/trader/dealer told me - "don't get too excited, there's always another gotta-have it coming down the line"
bikerdoc
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I have consolidated and upgraded - resulted in fewer calibers and better guns.
waterhouse
Member
I downsized and upgraded a few years ago; much happier with the collection now and I shoot what I own better.
I've been doing the same for 5-6 years. Gradually selling off multiple guns that saw little use and replacing them with fewer, but better quality guns. 4 years ago I sold 5 guns for a total of $2500. Replaced them with 1 Kimber and put $1500 in the bank. I've done the same with others and used the money to upgrade optics and put McMillan stocks on the rifles I kept.
Many of these guns I had bought 20-30 years ago and sold at 2-4X what I paid for them. I'm also at the point where my kids and grandkids are getting guns I specifically put back for them.
Many of these guns I had bought 20-30 years ago and sold at 2-4X what I paid for them. I'm also at the point where my kids and grandkids are getting guns I specifically put back for them.
FROGO207
Member
Let me get this right---You can actually get to the point of SELLING a firearm??? Sorry I just can't do that. They mostly come to me like lost puppies and I adopt them on sight even if they do cost a lot to feed with regards to ammo. They all become family you see.
They mostly come to me like lost puppies and I adopt them on sight even if they do cost a lot to feed with regards to ammo. They all become family you see.saenzrich
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Well, a month ago I sold my PSA M4, and purchased 2 CZ 527 carbines one in x39 and the other in .223...my wife also got a nice pair of shoes and a jacket...I built the M4 in Nov. of '11 for 700.00 after transfer fees...I will begin to regret it if M4's start going over $2000...I also kept my stock of ammo in both calibers...which is a big plus in this crazy market...Overall I feel that I upgraded...
After careful deliberation, I've done this twice. After deciding that I personally can't hit anything with Glocks (for whatever reason, personal to me), I traded off both that I owned. One for a Kimber Custom, the other for a Colt lawman. I don't regret either transaction. I love the Kimber, and although I personally don't care for the way the Colt feels or shoots, it is inherently a much nicer gun that the Glock. 50 years from now, there is a good chance we will be awash with high grade gen 2 glock 17's, while I doubt the same will be true for 98% blued colt revolvers (even the non-python grades).
However, I don't think I have any other items I would consider trading. Even my Ruger P91DC. Its ugly, coarse and generally unremarkable. However, it is perfectly functional, shoots reasonably well and is my only .40cal. I'm happy to keep it simply for its functionality.
However, I don't think I have any other items I would consider trading. Even my Ruger P91DC. Its ugly, coarse and generally unremarkable. However, it is perfectly functional, shoots reasonably well and is my only .40cal. I'm happy to keep it simply for its functionality.
USAF_Vet
Member
I have no problems selling guns I lose interest in. So far, I've sold a refurb 91/30, a butchered M-44, 9mm hi point carbine, .45 hi point pistol, .410 single shot, Norinco SKS, and a couple muzzle loaders.
While I don't regret selling any of them, there are some I wouldn't mind if I still had. Surprisingly, those are the two Hi Points.
While I don't regret selling any of them, there are some I wouldn't mind if I still had. Surprisingly, those are the two Hi Points.
Ragnar Danneskjold
Member
I've been doing this for about a year. Sold my Walther P99, Ruger P345, Taurus MilPro, Ruger LCP, Walther P22, and Glock 19.
Now I have a S&W M&P9 Full Size, Compact, M&P .22lr pistol, Bodyguard, and planning to get a Shield.
Now I have a S&W M&P9 Full Size, Compact, M&P .22lr pistol, Bodyguard, and planning to get a Shield.
22-rimfire
Member
"Upgrading" is just part of the evolution. You "upgrade" for a while and then something else catches your interest. No big thing. 10 years later, you wonder why you bought something and you sell it off...
For example, the Taurus Judge (45/10) and now the S&W version has always tickled my interest. I know that I have little practical use for the gun. But the interest remains. It is the kind of revolver I might buy tomorrow and sell it off in a couple years after I got it out of my system. There are others that interest me that aren't necessarily really expensive guns. X-frames are an example.... got most of the use covered and yet I remain interested. The Ruger Alaskan is another... no practical use for one, but that doesn't change that I want one.
Should I upgrade? If you enjoy shooting, I certainly think you shouldn't "down grade" so it is prefectly normal for a collection or accumulation to go through changes as your hobby changes.
For example, the Taurus Judge (45/10) and now the S&W version has always tickled my interest. I know that I have little practical use for the gun. But the interest remains. It is the kind of revolver I might buy tomorrow and sell it off in a couple years after I got it out of my system. There are others that interest me that aren't necessarily really expensive guns. X-frames are an example.... got most of the use covered and yet I remain interested. The Ruger Alaskan is another... no practical use for one, but that doesn't change that I want one.
Should I upgrade? If you enjoy shooting, I certainly think you shouldn't "down grade" so it is prefectly normal for a collection or accumulation to go through changes as your hobby changes.
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larryh1108
Member
I've been doing the same thing the last 2 years/ I have less guns but better guns. When I see a gun I want I look at my accumulation and decide which one(s) I can sell to get the one I want. If I haven't shot it in over a year and it's pretty mainstream then off it goes. In this case, less does equal more.
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