Sold an old friend today, non use will do it

I feel your pain. At least it went to a good home.

George Burns: If you live anywhere around the Pacific NorthWest, I'll go shooting with you. I'll even bring my own iron and ammo, might even pony up a thermos of coffee too.

Been shooting a long time at 54 but I bet I could learn something from you.

I recently sold an HK 91 I bought in 1979. I realized I hadn't fired it in over 35 years and that my future use of it would be very limited. I used the money to buy a new Dillon 650 so it went to a good purpose. I use the second 650 a lot.

I recently sold around 75% of my collection for similar reasons. It had been years since I had fired any of them. The best part is I don't regret it in the slightest even though I worried I would.

george burns said:

I need a new family with some shooters in it.

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Sorry to hear this. Life ain't always kind. Sometimes we don't get dealt the hand we want....sometimes we don't play the hand we are dealt, well.

george burns said:

I mentioned that since I have no kids other than 4 granddaughters in anti gun homes. Having asked my step sons if they wanted the guns to be told no, "we would just sell them"

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I have two sons...one of them isn't mine biologically. Both were raised the same, given the same love and guidance. Both were introduced to guns and hunting by me and grew to love and enjoy them as much as me. This continues with my grandkids. I think in the long run, it's the time spend doing something together is what drives the passion. Coulda been coin collecting or checkers. But it didn't stop with my kids. My backyard always had a couple bales of straw with archery targets on them. There were always B-B and pellet gun games going on back there. When Lazer tag came out we set up a course and then revamped it when the craze turned to paintball. All got just as much use by the neighbor kids, as by my own. Many of those kids did not come from gun friendly homes. Several times I had an angry mom or dad in my face accusing me of exposing their child to danger and risk. Always just showed them how safe things were being run and told them without their permission, their kid couldn't participate. Most gave in from their kids pressure. I still shoot Sporting Clays with some of those kids. Coupla of those kids from non-hunting homes became avid bow hunters and have stopped by to show off their deer. I even had some of those same kids in the Hunter safety classes I helped teach. I generally mentor a youth every year for their first Spring Turkey Hunt. Usually some kid I haven't met before. Because I and others like me stepped up, these kids have a chance to be exposed to a sport that they may continue for the rest of their life. We can "pass it on" to other youth besides our own.

I ain't saying to give your firearms away to someone you don't know. I'm saying when at the range and you come across " those kids with 2000 dollar glocks, who "really don't get that whole thing"", instead of chastising them and belittling them like you did in your OP, give them help and support if they want it. Maybe if you give it a chance it can grow into maybe not a family, but a community that can enjoy shooting together. Years ago I helped a young man I did not know, at the local range, pattern his turkey gun for his first turkey hunt. Being a small town, we run into each other occasionally and he always greets me with a smile and a "how ya doin'?" and has to tell me about his latest hunt. Wasn't my kid, but I gave him something to remember. As we get close to "The Last Four Things", we realize that our immortality only exists in the memories of others. George, I'm almost your age. Still, some of my fondest memories are of those folks that reached out and helped me in some way, Many are from family members, but many are not. I assure you, if you can't pass it on to family, there are others out there, waiting for the chance.

As a newly married man half your age with his first child I've just had to go through my collection and itemize personal articles for insurance purpose, and am already starting to see the wisdom in thinning the herd. I have collectors tendencies with every hobby and can see myself passing away with an enormous pile of trash to be disposed of by completely disinterested family. At this point I can only name a few pieces with enough sentimental value to warrant passing on or naming in a will, and unless my child(ren) become enthusiasts, another portion will be completely useless simply due to ammo scarcity. I'd start paring down sooner but firearms already take up less space than motorcycles, and a man needs his vices.

On the bright side, I believe you got absolute top dollar for a used first generation xds 45.

Put one of mine on consignment at the LGS two days ago. Nicest Swedish Mauser out of the three I've owned. Haven't fired it in almost 25 years. It's so nice I didn't want to shoot it because I had two others; one of which is sporterized and a keeper and the other I sold last month. In the last year I've gotten 3 more long guns and as I'm also retired the time has come to thin the herd. Once upon a time I had several very nice Mausers that I considered "collector" grade and not shooters but eventually you gotta cut back. My goal is to get the collection down to just things that I actually use.

I have a couple at the LGS on consignment right now and am contemplating adding two more. I haven't shot any of them in quite some time and they are just taking up space. My interests have shifted.

When I see someone at the range shooting a $1k or $2K gun, I think, boy they really must LOVE their guns to have spent that much on just one! I would welcome them and admire their weapons, not poo poo them.
Make america great again

As one of those "kids" with an expensive Glock, I'd like to take you up on the offer to learn something and be outshot. And hey, maybe you'll find the red dot is much easier for accuracy and follow-up shots with it's single plane of focus for the eyes. I'm currently working out of Missouri. If you happen to be in that neck of the woods, let me know. Range fees and ammo are on me.

Also, nothing wrong with selling a gun IMO. I get rid of stuff that doesn't add to my enjoyment in life, and find that it keeps the house and mind cleaner.

If I sold all the firearms I haven't used in the last few years, I'd only have a couple left! Same goes for all those many fishing lures I have that haven't gotten wet lately. Well, I'm keeping my Colts and Winchesters and I'm keeping my Rapalas and Jitterbugs 'til the check to my undertaker bounces.

I have had many guns come and go from past to present. The way I look at it is that gun ownership is a journey of discovery. You buy one to learn all about it. When you have reached the point of enlightenment on it you decide one of two things, sell it for another or keep it in the collection. Some I regret letting go but I still have many that I decided to keep. The journey has been priceless though.

I've got a Ruger SP101 I just don't shoot or carry much any more and I keep thinking I should sell it. But it's my first handgun and I know I'll regret it.

I'm also debating getting rid of my XDs45 in favor of higher capacity 9mm carry guns. I don't know if I'll do it or not. I think I'm more inclined to get the other carry guns, and if I decide then that the XDs is no longer needed, then I'll trade it for a second Dillon 550 press, or put it toward a different gun.

I would never belittle or poo-poo someone over their choice of firearm. People have a very wide variety of wants and opinions and just because someone's choice in guns is different I'm going to get my shorts wadded up over it. I might have no interest what so ever in your choice of gun or shooting, be it long range, run and gun, prone, or whatever but it's great that you are an owner and shooter. The only time I get bent is when someone is doing stupid and unsafe things. I don't interfere, I just leave.

I've spent the last four years downsizing all my stuff, including my guns. The acculating phase had gotten a little out of control.

You know what triggered this? I spent three days helping my FIL clean out and organize his garage. We found a dozen of those freebie red electrical meters (the kind you get for free at harbor freight), sixteen vacuum cleaners, and zillions of similar items. He would only agree to give away two of the vacuums, and none of the meters. Wanted to keep virtually everything.

Shopping at thrift stores is their hobby.

Their house is just as full of stuff as was the garage. They say that they're going to keep everything, and make their kids clean it all out when they're gone.

Hearing that just ripped me up inside. No way I'm doing that to my kids. Besides, I feel so much freer without that junk caravan trailing along behind me everywhere I go.

You always hear “never sell a gun” on forums but I disagree. If I don’t shoot one it’s because I don’t like it, so off it goes to fund another. I don’t have anything collector grade, everything gets some time either in the field or at the range. I may lose a little money here and there selling one to buy another but it’s a lot cheaper than keeping a safe full of guns that rarely ever see the light of day.

luzyfuerza said:

They say that they're going to keep everything, and make their kids clean it all out when they're gone.

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Yeah I've heard that from hoarders also, and I don't find it funny.

luzyfuerza said:

Hearing that just ripped me up inside. No way I'm doing that to my kids. Besides, I feel so much freer without that junk caravan trailing along behind me everywhere I go.

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I've tried to convey this to my dad many times. He inherited my grandparent's house and sold it off. He was panicked trying to get it cleaned out. They grew up in the depression so they saved everything. My grandmother was also a compulsive catalog and QVC shopper. If online shopping had been a thing when she was alive, their house absolutely would've become a fire hazard.

My dad also inherited his mom and dad's stuff along with my mom's. As a result his house was literally stacked floor to ceiling in the basement in at least 1/2 of it. He also attaches sentiment to everything he owns. If it belonged to a dead person he acts as if it is disrespectful to get rid of the item. He asked me if I wanted my grandfather's broken ladder. "No, throw it away." Now my dad just keeps buying new stuff................... When he passes eventually, my siblings and I will have to take significant time off of work to clean out his home, split things up, and dispose of his condo. It's going to be a nightmare, and I've already inherited a house full of stuff. I mean my home is pretty much full, and I will either have to take nothing, or buy a bigger house.

My brother is the only one with kids, so his kids stand to inherit a lot of stuff. And I'm guessing a lot of stuff will end up in a land fill.

@george burns I have no kids and am hitting the age where it's really unlikely. I may end up in a marriage at some point with someone who has kids, but they are likely to be older. Though that is difficult also as I live in a town with very few prospective mates. I understand your situation regarding having no one to leave your guns to. There are always charities and gifts to be given at some point. I'm hoping to get my nephew interested, and maybe my niece also, and be able to leave them everything.

Gotta know when to hold em, when to fold em.

For CC 3 guns are about perfect so I don’t carry extra baggage.

I downsized the collection a few years ago. It was time to sell the ones that didn't get used or buy a new safe. Like some others have mentioned, I don’t regret selling any of them.

luzyfuerza said:

I've spent the last four years downsizing all my stuff, including my guns. The acculating phase had gotten a little out of control.

You know what triggered this? I spent three days helping my FIL clean out and organize his garage. We found a dozen of those freebie red electrical meters (the kind you get for free at harbor freight), sixteen vacuum cleaners, and zillions of similar items. He would only agree to give away two of the vacuums, and none of the meters. Wanted to keep virtually everything.

Shopping at thrift stores is their hobby.

Their house is just as full of stuff as was the garage. They say that they're going to keep everything, and make their kids clean it all out when they're gone.

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This resonated with me. My FIL is a borderline hoarder, but he's got a big place and is very organized, so it just amounts to "crap all over." More importantly, he is taking care of my MIL who has advanced Alzheimers. His dedication to her is truly remarkable, but it was 10 years to get where they are now. We live 1.5 miles away, which is a blessing/curse. My beloved wife and my local SIL tried about 8-10 years ago, mightily, to get him to get rid of crap before the AD got really bad, which we all knew was coming. My FIL fought tooth and nail on virtually everything, with the old "it might be of some use to some one at sometime line"; that is, the hoarders refrain. Some of the crap he wants to hold onto makes ZERO sense (like folders of travel plans from 10-15 years ago). And he avoided most of those "throwing stuff out" conversations with, effectively: "I'm the papa and a retired colonel, that's enough." Eventually he stalled and stalled until my SIL said in total exasperation: "Great, then we'll have to deal with it when you die." That's what he wants. And it won't be hard, probably half of what he has will be insta-toss, 1/4 donated/sold (and tossed if that is not possible), and 1/4 claimed by his 5 children. But it will amount to a huge dumpster.

Firearm-wise. I have sold several weapons that I knew I was not going to shoot again, and to free up space in my safe. Most recently, a hard to find CA RAMI with decocker that I kept in immaculate shape. I got it for CC, it was dead-nuts reliable, and I shot it very well...but it was a doublestack and simply too fat for what I want. I have a new to me Dan Wesson Guardian in 45 ACP for CC. I had the space, did not need the money, but felt that just sitting in my safe with no chance for use did not make much sense. I sold it to a local disabled vet, and honestly, probably for $100 less than I could have gotten for it. But I'm glad it will be shot and by a deserving person.

I've sold off a number of guns in recent years. My two High Standard target pistols, holdovers from the 1980's bullseye era, are gone. I loved those .22's but at my age I'll never shot competition bullseye again.

AR-15s can easily get out of hand. They're so cheap now that having more than one is kind of like having an extra pair of shoes.

But like used shoes, AR stuff is hard to resell once you walk out of the store.