Ever feel like reducing down to just a few firearms?

[Snowdog]

Over the years I have collected WW1/WW2 C&Rs and many modern firearms. Sometimes I get bitten by a bug for one thing and I cool my jets for that after something else piques my interest.

Lately, I haven't been bitten by any bug nor has anything really caught my eye. In fact, I was even wondering if I would be so bad off if I reduced the number of firearms to just what I actually have a use for.

Not including black powder firearms, the current count is 107 centerfire or rimfire firearms. They take up space and many haven't been shot in years (many well over a decade).

I'm thinking about keeping the following:

1) Glock 19 Gen4 with Olight pl-mini 2 Valkyrie 600 (one of my primary carry pistols)
2) Sig P365 (other primary carry pistol)
3) S&W M60 (sentimental)
4) Colt Gov't .380 (sentimental)
5) RIA Tact II 10mm (for trail use)
6) One of my nicer 1911s in .45acp, likely a Kimber Classic Custom (my wife's favorite)
7) AR-15, likely a PSA carbine
8) Semi-Auto shotgun, likely my Black Aces S Max
9) Pump shotgun, likely my Mossberg 590
10) Ruger 10/22 because going without a .22LR is silly
I may keep one of the nicer Enfield No4 MK1s too

I think I have just about all realistic uses covered.

This means I would be shedding off nearly 100 firearms going this route along with the ammunition they use. In today's market, it may bring a pretty penny at that.

Has anyone else found themselves having a lean/useful collection somewhat attractive? I don't know if it's the environment we live in today (a seller's market) or if just getting older does that.

 

[Alex Clayton]

Before my state made it so all sales have to go through an FFL I spent my life buying new (to me) stuff and selling others. Enjoyed it no end. Now sadly I have more firearms than I have ever had at one time in my life. Just too much hassle to sell one unless I want to take a big hit on the money in them. I do miss being able to buy something to play with and selling others to pay for it. I was always content to have just a few hand guns and few long guns.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Yup. A couple of years ago I was in the market for yet another safe and as I was looking, I realized that I did not have too few safes but rather, too many firearms.

These days, I'm slowly whittling down as others find their way to me. I don't want to leave my wife with having to deal with it when I kick.

Had a rather epic DA revolver culling a little over a year ago. Only regret maybe two being gone and even then - not too much.

Todd.

 

[Hugger-4641]

"Yeah, sometimes I think about doing meth, and then I decide: nahhhh".
Lol, that's a quote from a movie, but kind of accurate! Seriously though, it would probably be better to liquidate some while you can benefit as opposed to being sold at your estate sale for peanuts. Just my 2c.

 

[DeepSouth]

Nope, never

 

[troy fairweather]

I think it all the time, I've only have a few nice guns but most aren't worth much and id like to sell some to buy better stuff. Having 1-2 good guns for each use would be nice, cheaper in the end having to load less ammo plus afford some better scopes.

All I really need
deer rifle, bolt action prefer crf maybe stainless. Something 7mm
shotgun have to think on what, probably 12ga
bolt 22lr for small game and plinking
Something 223 size for varmints and target maybe an ar-15 or bolt gun
Fine muzzleloader 45 cal and up.
Maybe a nice military rifle for fun.

 

[JohnKSa]

I think about it from time to time--usually when I'm trying to get something out of the back of the safe and I look around at all the guns I had to pull out to get to what I wanted. And then realize how long it's been since I shot some of them.

 

[Gus Chiggins]

Yes. Just a few of each type and caliber.

 

[.38 Special]

Yes, I was actually working toward that goal prior to Covid. Most of the guns I never use are things which are not terribly interesting to Covid panic buyers, so I stopped selling a while ago. I could get along very nicely with a dozen or so guns.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yes

 

[Drail]

Firearms in your safe are going to become more valuable than the U.S. dollars in your bank.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I think about it from time to time--usually when I'm trying to get something out of the back of the safe and I look around at all the guns I had to pull out to get to what I wanted. And then realize how long it's been since I shot some of them.

That was the real issue when I decided to NOT get another safe.

I had a pretty nasty gouge inflicted upon a $3,000 gun by a $180-$200 dollar beater.

Todd.

 

[Snowdog]

I don't want to leave my wife with having to deal with it when I kick.

You know, now that you mention that, I think that might be another thing in the back of my mind prompting me to thin the herd. I'm in good health, but a car coming the opposite direction in the wrong lane can change all that in a hurry.

Firearms in your safe are going to become more valuable than the U.S. dollars in your bank.

You have a point, but I have 1oz Walking Liberties as well as junk silver for that. They don't take up the space that 50+ rifles do.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I'm in the middle of doing just that. I've been told that I'm crazy for doing it because I'll be missing out on their increased future value (so they're hoping). I'm not so sure about that since I feel gun owners are being abandoned, so, I've been selling some over the last year or so through different shops. Sold an AR and an XD9 this week and will be getting rid of a Glock 17 Gen 1 and possibly another AR and Mossberg 590 here shortly. Plus, I have no heirs, so, there's that too.

 

[3Crows]

No, I will not sell my firearms. I am a gun black hole, they come in and do not go back out. When I die whoever gets them can do with them as they please.

As to value, I did not buy them as an investment, I bought them to enjoy hunting and shooting. What would selling accomplish, get some money to buy toilet paper and gas? I have funds for those things.

 

[Snowdog]

What would selling accomplish, get some money to buy toilet paper and gas? I have funds for those things.

I have funds for those things too. I had better since I work 64-hour work weeks much of the time. As far as sales proceeds go, some home improvement is always nice (a bathroom renovation would go a long way with the wife), a deck expansion or perhaps to purchase additional land around the house. I don't see my firearms as means to retirement, just as something to enjoy. I guess I'm just enjoying them a little less these days. I did say "a little" as I will always be interested in them and own a few.

 

[jmr40]

I've thinned the herd several times. But they keep multiplying in my safe. But I do have a fewer guns than I've had in the past and as I get older I will have even fewer. Many that I want my kids to have I've already given to them keeping mostly only those I actually use.

 

[RETG]

Not down to one, but to two semi-autos, and one revolver....yes.
Actual, no need for anymore.

 

[Elkins45]

I would like to reduce my collection by at least 1/3 but with Armslist going all wonky and shipping handguns being such a pain it's going to be a slow process. I've been taking one to a gunshow every time I've gone but I haven't been to a gunshow since last spring and who knows when I'll finally get to go again?

 

[tubeshooter]

Yes - but not so much for my sake. I like what I have and generally it's no trouble to keep it around.

I just recognize that whoever has to deal with it when I am gone will have a fair amount to sift through. If you don't know gun values, it makes it that much tougher (assuming you are interested in getting anything approaching fair market value).


I made a list complete with values at time of purchase and a trusted friend has a copy. That should help. But it will be a pain in the rear for whomever regardless. And just that much more difficult if I leave here suddenly.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I am selling what I don't shoot to buy what I will shoot.

 

[Hal]

I just recognize that whoever has to deal with it when I am gone will have a fair amount to sift through. If you don't know gun values, it makes it that much tougher (assuming you are interested in getting anything approaching fair market value).

I made a list complete with values at time of purchase and a trusted friend has a copy. That should help. But it will be a pain in the rear for whomever regardless. And just that much more difficult if I leave here suddenly.

Wise decision.
I'm in the process of that myself.

It's just plain miserable finding out where all the crap I collected during my life can be disposed of - - & I know pretty much what it's worth!!!!!!

I can't imagine saddling someone with doing this. It's a super PITA - even if you document the value of everything.

 

[rust collector]

Not just guns. As I age, I am trying to simplify and dispose of things I have accumulated compulsively over a 50 year period. I have been fortunate, and now's the time to let others enjoy in turn.

 

[drband]

No.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I don’t have a huge collection like some do but a fair amount that rarely are shot anymore, especially given the times. Many were guns inherited from my dad. Actually for me I just enjoy looking at them from time to time even if I don’t shoot them. I can’t see myself buying any more but I have 3 sons to leave mine to and that works for me.