what to do with my guns when I'm gone

[wilkersk]

I've thought about this too. I'm still in my 50s. But, my father-in-law passed away a couple of years ago, and I'm still finding guns he had stashed away in his house.

He's had everything from an old side-by-side with exposed hammers, to a 7mm magnum with a very expensive scope on it. But, only a couple of guns that I was interested in, and one that has been passed down for several generations and has a great deal of sentimental value.

What I wish he had done is this: tell someone in the family where all the guns are, and which ones should be kept and handed down. Who they should go too. And, sell the ones that are just gathering dust before he got too sick to do anything about it, or have someone do it for him when it became apparent he'd no longer be able to get any enjoyment from them.

I've wanted to sell some of his old guns so that the money could go to help my mother-in-law pay bills. But, she insists that I should keep them because he would have wanted me to have them. There are so many, that I've sold a few, and I just use the money to help pay "rent" on the motor-home that she's still paying $500/mo for and never uses. I don't have time to use it either. But, at least its one small thing I can do.

 

[TonyDedo]

Take a local boy - say 18-23 years old and educate him. Take him to the range and mentor him. Leave it as a surprise when he gets them for hanging out with an old fogey.

+1

If there's no one in the family who'll appreciate your collection, pass them along to members of the younger generation who will.

One of the 'old timers' at my club has been gradually selling off his collection. Every few months or so he pulls something out of the back of his safe that he doesn't shoot anymore, and sells it well below market value to one of the younger guys around the club. I think he mentioned something about donating the proceeds to the juniors program at the club and Katrina victims or something of that nature. Meanwhile us younger guys have a shot at firearms we wouldn't be able to afford otherwise (and are going to appreciate that much more).

One of the guys I shoot with was given the guy's entire high power package - vintage Colt AR-15, about 5k rounds of ammo, components, reloading equipment and assorted gear - all for $500. He was ecstatic - he treasures that rifle, and shoots at all the local CMP matches.

Guys like us are trying to pick up where the older generation is leaving off - we're becoming the new RSOs and instructors, we've taken up responsibilities at our various clubs and shooting programs - but we never had family members to teach us how to shoot or pass down those treasured heirloom firearms. It really means something special when the older generation steps in and fills that void for us.