How does one "thin the herd"?

[Peter M. Eick]

I have some time to think about things due to some overseas travel coming up and I have decided that I need to "thin the herd" of pistols.

Any good suggestions?

My collection ranges from beretta md84 in 380 auto up to a 44 automag. I would say it is 50/50 in the high end vs. run of the mill guns. High end is Baer, 210's, custom 1911's, P7's. Run of the mill is Beretta's, CZ's, glocks and a few colts.

I have decided I will keep all of the wheels (5 screw k-22, 2 DW's (sentimental reasons), and diamondback/python.

My thought was initially to do it by date. If I had not shot it in 2 years, sell it. But then there might be a better way, so I ask you all.

PS: the main reason for the thinning is the safe is just to full for something new. I was thinking about a broomhandle mauser but it just would not fit.

 

[Slabside]

Thin the herd??? ...Sacrilege!!! Really though, I understand. There are alot of factors to take into acct.

When traveling in Europe some yrs back, my favorite pistol was the Browning HP. The 9mm cartridge was just about everywhere and actually cheaper than here in some places. I don't know if you'll be carrying where you are going but thought I'd mention that.

From the list you mention, you could always sell some Glocks. Glocks are easy to come by and the price is fairly stable if you decide later you want to buy more. If your Berettas are standard 92s, 96s, etc, you could do the same thing. As far as your other guns, to me, depending on the commonality of the model, etc, would depend on if I would let them go.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck in your decision.
Best,
Slabside

 

[Edward429451]

Say what? Thin the herd? Never heard of it. Sounds like you just need a new safe to supplement your old one. There'll be plenty of room for new ones then.

 

[Rembrandt]

I've been thinking the same thing about mine.....maybe sell or trade off 1/2 of the collection, then replace it with higher end collectibles. Been considering the following....

Wilson Combat Super Grade
Artillary Luger w/stock & snail magazine
Dakota Arms Rifle w/Swarovoski glass
Diana Grade Superposed

.....(sigh)....

 

[Standing Wolf]

Send them to me. They'll fit in well with my herd, and I promise they'll be well cared for.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I'll take the Automag off your hands. How's a hundred bucks sound?

 

[AR-10]

Thin the herd???

"Hold my beer and watch this!"

 

[EJ]

When I needed to I went by duplication--

First EXACT duplication--

Second duplication within weapons and keeping most favored Bbl lengths -- (that didn't really work--I ended up buying back the missing lengths in favored weapons--

Third-- What isn't really usefull or truly well made and enginered--

Worked for me--
BUT--latlely I've been buyin'again

 

[Gerald McDonald]

Hello Peter, I thin mine just as you suggested. I'm not much of a collector so if I dont shoot it and its not a gift I trade it or sell it and buy something I will shoot. About the only ones I wish I hadnt got rid of was a 70 series Colt 38 super and a HK USP in 9mm.

 

[Soap]

My cure was training. The more I trained the more I realized that most of the guns I owned were not useful in a practical battery. My new approach is to build a practical batter, then the "always wanted" list, then the historical collectibles list. Its gonna take decades since the practical battery is going to take a while...

 

[gbelleh]

Why not just build another shelf in your safe? There's always room for more guns!

Just make sure you really want to part with them. Most of the time I've thinned the herd, I've regretted it.

 

[tetchaje1]

If you want to send your wayward unshot pistols to me I would be more than happy to keep them warm for you while you are gone.

 

[Gordon]

Is that a SIG 210? Keep that. Custom Colt's and Less Baer keep those, Hell keep anything with a pony on it. Go to gunshops now and see what is going up and what is going down. Dump the downers, keep the gainer's. Quality complex hand machining will always be worth something, anything else are expendible tools.

 

[tech]

With the exception of two unreliable pistols I have regreted selling the guns that I let go. Now I only buy. If I don't have the cash I wait. I hate sellers remorse.

Mike

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Thanks for the advice.

Historically I have only regretted the guns I sold to pay for college. Now I am just thinking about thining things down for space.

The problem is some of the guns I really like, but just don't shoot often.

For example I have 3 H&K P7PSP's. I really only shoot my carry version because I figure I should practice with my carry gun. The other two just sit in the safe taking up space as "in case of parts failures".

I have a nice witness 10mm. I just shot it this week, but it occured to me why waste 10mm ammo on a gun that is not that accurate when I have a custom 10mm Baer that I can hit clay pigeons with at 70 yrds. (actually this gun is what got me thinking about "thinning the herd").

Then I looked at my 40's. The Beretta 96 is a good gun, but I shoot it maybe once every 5 years or so. That brings up the Beretta 84. I used to carry it, but since I moved up to 9mm over 380, it just sits and takes space.

I think about my MK1 bull barrel. I bought it back in college for target shooting but I have not shot it in about a decade. It is only used when I teach others to shoot.

The list goes on.

I guess I will just keep thinking about it while I am overseas here and then decide when I get back.


ps: I do know the Automag is worth more then a few hundred $. It is an unfired original Pasadena version, (old style bolt) in the original shipping box, with ALL of the paperwork and documentation.

 

[braindead0]

Send them off to foster care...... My home for example would be an excellent fostor home, and I guarantee they'd get use and good cleaning!

 

[Sean Smith]

Get rid of stuff you never use, have no use for, or just plain don't like.

 

[Smoke]

Peter,

Look at your last post

I think your answer is there.

 

[BigG]

Witness, Beretta, any .380. You can also get rid of two P7s.

 

[M1911]

Any good suggestions?

Yes, don't do it. Selling guns is against my religion.

 

[10-Ring]

I always have room for another P7! I'll take the one you have to help make room for your new additions!

Seriously, if you've settled on "thinning the herd" start w/ the ones which would be the easiest to replace if your new additions don't meet your expectations.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Got mine down to what I need or well---think I need. From an all time high of 20 handguns at one time.

G19 9mm
S&W 66 .357 --3.25in barrel
Ruger MKII .22LR --6 7/8's barrel---stainless

This is all I need for defence or hunting---anything more and I'm grabbing a rifle or shotgun.

The G19 goes with me EVERYWHERE.

What else do I really need?? I mean---realisticly need?? I know having more toys is fun--BUT........................

 

[Mike Irwin]

Thin.... the..... herd?????


You don't!

 

[themic]

yeah, peter, sounds like you already know, and you're just looking for a little encouragement or validation.

this fourm, however, may not be the best place to find encouragement to sell firearms

 

[OF]

I'm in the process right now of evaluating my gear (everything- shooting, recording, diving, knives, computer stuff, everything) and dumping most everything that can't earn its keep. Getting rid of groups of stuff in favor of one really practical useful piece. My guns are right now being asked to write a paper on why they shouldn't be sold. It was close for the G29, but I have recently given it a reprieve.

Same can't be said for the 10/22. As soon as I get it all cleaned up nice, it's off the chopping block!

- Gabe