Why I am keeping rifles that I never shoot.

[Owen Sparks]

Over the years I have accumulated 3 SKS rifles and a Chinese AK. I also have several cases of sealed ammo and about a dozen magazines. I never shoot them anymore as I have been spoiled by AR’s because they are so much more accurate and both of my AR’s are chambered in 6.8.

I seriously considered trading away all the 7.62X39 stuff and getting another AR but changed my mind and put it all back into the safe at work. I realized that if it really did hit the fan and I found myself in a riot situation like Katrina or other civil unrest I might need to arm a few friends and relatives. Sure having a tricked out AR would be nice during a civil break down, but so would having several armed in-laws and buddies on your side. The SKS and AK’s are not all that accurate but they are probably as accurate as most non-gun people can shoot plus they are 100% reliable and easy to use. Also all three of my SKS’s will take AK magazines so I could easily arm 4 other men with interchangable high capacity semi-autos and several 30 round magazines each. I think that would be a bigger advantage than any one rifle in my hands.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'm not one to worry about stuff and don't keep an arsenal for those reasons....If I were you and relatively young....under 60...I'd hang on the guns and ammo as an investment. Both will appreciate over time.

 

[rstull85]

I understand your reasoning, but in an event where there is rioting odds are you are going to be barricaded in your home (at least, hopefully you are) and the SKS's might be a little to long and clumsy to use for home defense. If it were me I would sell off the three sks's and get an M4. Plus you still have three other rifles backing you up and if your still worried about numbers you could always pick up a cheap HD shotgun. I also agree with ColtPythonElite, odds are you never really will be in that situation.

 

[TexasRifleman]

odds are you never really will be in that situation.

I always operate under the "never let reality keep you from buying more guns" method

The idea of "handout" rifles if something happens is not unusual I suppose, though I'm not sure of the realities either. Folks who know how to shoot a rifle probably already own one, and those who don't know how to shoot a rifle won't do you a lot of good, even if they are holding an SKS it would seem to me.

 

[Owen Sparks]

....If I were you and relatively young....under 60...I'd hang on the guns and ammo as an investment. Both will appreciate over time.

That is my other good reason to keep them. As I understand it, SKS rifles that take detatchable AK magazines are banned from further importation so their value can only go up.

 

[dirtykid]

cause it's cleaner than hoarding cats ??,,,, there are quite a few guns i regret trading because "i just didnt shoot them" ,, like i tell my wife "they are investments"

 

[ny32182]

If I only owned guns I shot a lot, I wouldn't own many guns.

 

[wally]

You've become a collector!

Once a few favorites rise to the top its hard to justify shooing things you like less given the current price of ammo.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've been wondering why I hang onto my AK now that I have an AR. I haven't shot it in years. Might sell it/trade it for something interesting.

 

[Kurt S.]

Well what the heck, I bought an WASR-10 several years back that I have never fired, might not ever fire it and have no intention of selling. I just like it.

I bought a 7mm mag Weatherby Vanguard on the outside chance I might someday go on an elk hunt. I have fired it but it is really a "safe queen" right now.

 

[230RN]

With one exception, I have never disposed of a gun I didn't regret.

 

[youngda9]

You can be my neighbor

 

[InkEd]

I would say "realistically" speaking.....

If you don't care for them, to keep the AK (so you have something chambered in a different cartridge) and not worry about arming several other people for some unlikely scenario.

If something like that did happen, how many people do you REALLY trust to hand a loaded rifle under chaotic marshal law? Then from that short list of people, how many already have their own gun?

Maybe trade 2 (of the 3) rifles you don't want for something in 5.56NATO since your ARs are 6.8SPC, it will be a more commonly found cartridge especially in the US. Then you'll have all your bases covered for certain. You have your favorite 6.8SPC and two of the three most common rounds in the world with the 5.56NATO and 7.62Soviet. (If you pick up a 5.45Soviet then you'll be 3 for 3 for popular military rounds.) Just my thoughts.

 

[Gouranga]

....because it always helps to have options.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Probably because you're like me. I've pretty much decided that I'm not selling any more of my guns, and I have more than a few that I don't shoot. The only 2 I've sold, I don't regret, but I would any of the others. If there's a nagging question of "do I really want to sell this?" then don't do it or you'll hate or kick yourself later.

If you really want to sell those SKSs though, I'm sure I'd have to take a look.

 

[Ky Larry]

I cleaned out my gun safe a few years ago and sold or traded a lot of guns I didn't shoot for a few guns I shoot a lot. I had 9 "deer" rifles and I don't deer hunt any more. I now have a .30-06 CZ-550. I had 11 .22 rifles. I now have 5. I had 8 shotguns and now have 3. I had 6 varmint rifles. I now have 3. I had 7 .22 pistols/revolvers. I now have 4. I had 9 .357 revolvers. I now have 4. The rest of the herd (muzzle loaders, 9mm's, .40's, & .44 mags) got thinned out,too. I kept all the guns that had sentimental value and a few I just like. Used the $$$ to buy a Colt Python, a Kimber .45, and a couple of CZ .22 rifles. Paid off a few bills and bought reloading components.

 

[Zanad]

delete

 

[Zanad]

question:

Would you trade your "extras" for more extras that are a little more handy?

 

[avs11054]

If you really want to get rid of them, I'll PM you my FFL's address and send you money for shipping. I'll take them off your hands for you

 

[ultradoc]

A 12ga would be nice for you to have. Maybe sell/trade a sks for one? ammo for the 12ga. is plentifull

 

[bannockburn]

I have never been a subscriber to the idea of having multiples of the same gun. I like variety and just don't really have any practical reason to keep around two or more of the same gun that I already have.

I also don't see myself being the "Arsenal of Democracy", handing out SKS's or AK's to people during some sort of social or political unrest. I may know them as friends and neighbors, but it doesn't mean I trust their ability to even know how to use these guns under those conditions. Also there could be a rather serious liability on your part should anything go wrong while others use, or possibly misuse, the guns you gave them.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

I have quite a few guns I never shoot. I keep them due to sentimental reasons. If you don't have an immediate need or want for something else, just hang onto them.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I always operate under the "never let reality keep you from buying more guns" method

I like that method!

 

[Broken Anvil]

I have regretted every gun I've gotten rid of.
Ok, I've regretted the one gun I've gotten rid of.
OK, I keep every one I get my hands on and always want another. There, I said it.
Nothing wrong with that and no support group needed, unless the gun club counts.

 

[Hendiadys]

Sometimes....I'll get out something that I haven't fired for awhile...and it becomes a new, rediscovered "favorite" that I can't understand why I have been neglecting it so much.