Thinking of Reducing My Collection...

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Rocketmedic

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So we came through Harvey OK, but as we were packing for potential evacuation, I had to ask myself...why do I have so many guns? Between my wife and I, we have 2 Mossberg 500s (in 12 and 20), a pair of M44 Mosins we haven't shot in nearly four years, a pair of 22LR rifles that see fairly frequent use, a Taurus revolver, a RIA 1911, and a pair of TCPs for carry. We both drive smaller vehicles and have things of import that aren't guns to move, and quite frankly, we're not going to survive a societal collapse if we're having to shoot the barrels out of every gun we have (food, water, ammo and shelter...) So, I'm thinking of chopping the collection down a bit, maybe rotating in some new ones, and I've got a few questions.

1. Value: We've got a pretty generic set of M44s, both in good shape, with shiny barrels and slings. One has a bayonet. We've got a few dozen rounds for them too in the little leather Russian pouches. We literally haven't shot them since 2013. I'm seriously considering selling them to either fund school -or- just getting them to someone who will love them a little more. What is a fair market value for an M-44 Mosin these days? The same question comes up for the Mossbergs- I literally haven't squeezed off a round of shotgun ammo in four years, and the old hunting shotgun is pretty redundant. We're probably going to keep my wife's 20G, because that's shorter and she looks good shooting it, but I really don't remember ever liking my 12G. (I used to have a High Standard Pointer I gave to my brother-in-law for a wedding gift, and I loved that gun!).

2. Optimal size: I think that the 22LR is king of the jack-of-all-trades rifles, for the sheer reason that ammo is everywhere for it, but I'm also wanting a .223 or .243 or something else. Something smaller, portable, and either semi-automatic or manual, with a light enough round to maintain a decent amount of ammo, and affordable. I am considering getting an AR, but I really don't see a niche right now for it and I do really want to keep my options open should professional winds take me to less permissive states than Texas. My rifles are pretty non-offensive, and I'm also eying a good 30-30 or pistol-caliber lever action. I could very easily see myself selling the Mosins and welcoming something else into the family to replace them. As far as the handguns go, I really like our TCPs because they are so carry-friendly and disappear in my pockets, but I am also considering getting another revolver or something in .38. I find revolvers relaxing and fun. Side note- I literally haven't shot my 1911 since 2013 either- is it time to find it a new home?

3. How should I even sell these? I don't mind face-to-face deals with the right people, but I also don't want these guns ending up in the 'wrong' hands. ID checks, CCW carriers, etc are all great ideas, but Houston also has plenty of...opportunistic people. Gun store?

So, I am open to any suggestions.
 
Shoot more, post less. I don't think you have too many firearms, I think you don't have enough shooting. Go shoot your firearms and see if you still have the same questions when you're done
 
That's the thing, we go out pretty frequently with the .22s and pistols (excepting the 1911). I've probably got a thousand rounds downrange over the summer, mostly 22s. Those are straight-up fun.
 
Hey Rocketmedic.....Sounds like you have a pretty good idea about what to sell and I sense some excitement about new possibilities. As to selling guns you can sell them yourself by running ads in local newspapers or free flyers that appear in every truck stop. I've sold several guns that way and have had success. I am cautious about who I sell them to and have had no problems at all. I follow guns a lot so am generally aware of prices, but don't know about M-44s. You can take them to a gun shop for consignment and in my experience they value them fairly. A place like Cabela's will generally give you 60% of market value. The most common mistake I see sellers make is to over-value their guns. They will ask full retail and will rarely get even an offer. You can consign them to an auction, but they take a fair chunk of your money. Public auctions are quick and easy. You'll get a check at the end of the day and be done with it. You can also sell on GunBroker, which I have never done, but those who have say it's not that difficult. The biggest problem with GunBroker is that most of the guns are priced in wishful thinking territory. I doubt you would have much luck on GunBroker since older M-44s come in a wide variety of conditions from pristine to junk. Friends of mine who collect such weapons will not buy on line; they have to see and feel the gun. I have taken guns to Cabela's and local gun stores. Cabela's gave me quick cash and a fair price; there is some room for dickering. They resell them so they have to have some margin for profit. One gun I sold I had for sale for over a year including on consignment at a local gun shop for 4 months. I finally gave up a sold it to Cabela's. A gun is only worth what you can get someone to pay you for it. These days, once I decide to sell something it's because I have a plan for something else and the old gun is an obstacle until I get rid of it. Good luck and have fun with the new guns.
 
I was in the same boat a few weeks ago. I wanted a fun little weekend driver, but our budget doesn't support too many hobbies. I find that I collect guns, but I don't shoot them nearly as much as I would like. My time is just too limited between work, household duties, and keeping up with my daughter's activities.

I decided to sell off a large handful of guns that just didn't find much use. I asked myself the hard questions, and I was able to whittle it down to a high cap 9mm, high cap .45, mouse gun, a 12 gauge pump, a couple of .22s (aren't worth much anyway), some black powder guns that won't sell, an old 9mm Norinco I keep as an emergency road pistol, and the AR my dad bought me.

I took a bath on what I sold them for, but having a little extra money to put down on the car felt good. On top of that, now that I have sold off most of the stuff I don't NEED, I seem to appreciate my small collection more.
 
Check Gunbroker and the auction websites for M-44 current prices. One currently is priced at $300 and the other is $450 buy it now. The pictures can be studied to determine exactly where your rifles fall under condition and other things that affect value such as U.S. Army cartouches on the stock, if the stock finish is original, etc. that matter to collectors. Sniper 66 gives you some good concrete information on how to sell which I don't need add to.
 
Eh...I dunno about an AR. I am very familiar with them, but I am looking at moving to CA or another state in the future and I really don't want to have any extra complications if I do end up moving for work.
 
I am having some of the same thoughts, rocketmedic. I would gladly trade or sell 2 or 3 rarely used guns for one that I really want.
I have found that my interests in the shooting world continue to change.
I don't used my trapguns or slug guns nearly as much as I used to.
 
For many years when money was a consideration, I got along fine with a Mini-14, a 22 LR rifle and a pistol for self-defense and carry (when necessary and appropriate) and all three would fit in a Plano plastic gun case.
 
A few years ago I sold several guns. Mostly things that piqued my interest at the time of purchase and then later lost their appeal. Most of them had appreciated in value. A friend with a FFL listed and sold them on Gunbroker for a reasonable fee. I replaced them with a few more and banked the rest of the money.

A lot of my "collection" was inherited from family members and will never get sold, at least by me. I needed the space in the safe for things that I did use. Bolt action rifles with scopes, especially scopes with target knobs, take up lots of space! While part of me hated the idea of selling, looking back I see that it was a good move.

My advice is to think about it carefully. You don't want to sell anything that you will regret later.
 
That is 8 guns if I counted right, 4 handguns, 4 long guns. That ain't too many. But I might sell some and make different choices.
 
Not gonna lie- discovered Bonanza and "The Rifleman" on MeTV and I'm pretty fascinated by lever-action/Old West guns. Reckon if it was good enough for Back in the Day, it's good enough for 2017, and part of that has me on the lookout for a handgun and a lever-action carbine.
 
I have never regretted keeping a gun - I have almost always regretted selling a gun (exceptions: Lorcins, Ravens, Jennings, and their ilk.) Even R/Gs are more fun than the money that they can bring.

Your lifestyle, your choice.

-And my preferences in lever action carbines are .44 magnum Marlins and .30-30 Winchesters.
 
Whenever I think about selling a gun I ….

1- Take the gun out and clean it up and get some good photos.

2- Go to the range and shoot the gun. One last time kinda thing.

3- Clean it up to get ready to sell.

4- Remember why I got it in the first place. Put it back in the safe.
.
.

Having said that I have sold a few that I replaced with something better. I have used Gunbroker, the local paper, Armslist, and sold to friends.

I have never had any real problems other than dealing with the general public type fun. The only ones I regret are ones that I have let friends talk

me into selling. Small regrets.
 
Rocketmedic

I would sell the Mosins and sell or trade the 1911 in on some sort of 9mm. pistol (maybe consider a .22 pistol as well). I'd sell the 12 gauge and keep the 20 gauge. I would get an AR and then be on the lookout for a .357 (or a.45 Colt), lever action carbine. Along with the TCPs for CCW, you should have all your bases nicely covered.
 
I have sold very few guns but I have horse traded around a little more. If you can figure out What you want your new gun to be you should be able to get more value out of your m44s than selling them. Just a thought.
 
Just to be clear, the OP's guns are not a "collection." A "collection" must have a theme. Without a theme, it's just a random "accumulation." Not that there's anything wrong with accumulating guns.

I found, early on, that I must specialize to some degree. Without specializing, this gun hobby can quickly get out of hand. You find yourself wanting everything and anything that strikes your fancy. You have to impose some discipline upon yourself. Nevertheless, at age 72, I find myself with lots and lots of guns. When I pass on to the great gun vault in the sky, my heirs will have to deal with this. This will be my final revenge against them.
 
AlexanderA said:
Just to be clear, the OP's guns are not a "collection." A "collection" must have a theme. Without a theme, it's just a random "accumulation." Not that there's anything wrong with accumulating guns.

I found, early on, that I must specialize to some degree. Without specializing, this gun hobby can quickly get out of hand. You find yourself wanting everything and anything that strikes your fancy. You have to impose some discipline upon yourself. Nevertheless, at age 72, I find myself with lots and lots of guns. When I pass on to the great gun vault in the sky, my heirs will have to deal with this. This will be my final revenge against them.
Click to expand...


Looks like I have about 110 in an accumulation....that is just....well not correct.

I also agree with some of the other things posted....I have an AR, has to be close to 30 years old....last time it was out to be shot was about 10 years ago.....now my bolt 223 gets tons of use. There is not a more over rated system then the AR platform.....or it could be like Islam.....I could care less about the religion it is the followers that are crazy.
 
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