Simplifying things (selling my guns)

[j.wise]

So, I am at a crossroads... I am sick of having SO many different magazines around the house, and trying to keep up with all of them. In addition, I'm trying to simplify my gear prep, and trying to keep up with proprietary gear for each handgun/rifle is getting ANNOYING!

So- I've decided (I think) to cut my handguns down to a limited number of calibers and types of magazines. For wheelguns, I've settled on .357mag and .44mag. For magazine fed handguns, I've settled on 1911 style and Glock 21 style (Glock 30 is ok, since it feeds 21 mags.) BTW, I'm not counting .22lr pistols or pocket pistols since the need for spare mags is relatively non-existent.

For rifles, I've decided on M1A mags for .308, AR mags for .223, and AK mags for 7.62X39. Of course the same rules apply, rifles who don't feed from magazines are ok as long as they are in one of the existing calibers (rifle calibers or pistol calibers.)

Of course this brings up a HUGE problem: I now have to sell some of my favorite guns!

-HK USP45F (NO! The pain!)
-CZ 75 PCR (ok... if I have to.)
-CZ 52 (ok)
-Glock 26 (no big loss compared to another G30)
-HK P7M8 (WHAT!?!? NEVER!)
-HK SL8/G36 (not gonna happen! Go AWAY!)

So now I have this great plan to reduce the frustration of load bearing equipment compatibility, gear, ammunition, holsters, magazines, etc...., but I can't bear the thought of actually DOING it. Should I suck it up and convert all pistols to Glock 21/30s and 1911s, or keep the variety even though it means keeping up with more magazines/ammunition?

 

[rick_reno]

Variety is the spice of life...maybe you'll change your mind. It's best to sit on big changes like this for a few weeks (like til after the election) and make sure you really want to go in this direction.

 

[Leatherneck]

Never sell a gun, except to fund an upgrade.

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[TrapperReady]

It sounds like you don't really need to get rid of the guns you listed. It just sounds like you may be "going through a phase". It happens a lot, and not just with guns. A couple years ago, I decided that I wasn't riding my motorcycle much, and thought it best to sell it. Two years later, I bought another one (different style). Now, I still wish I had my old bike (in addition to the new one).

My suggestion:

1) Keep what you've already got.
2) If it makes you feel better, carefully package and store the ones you are considering selling.
3) Wait a while until this feeling goes away.

 

[BigG]

Simplifying

I've done this a couple times and always ended up buying more. What it does do is allow you to replace the ones you sold with better class hardware, so there is an upside. YMMV

 

[lwsimon]

Send me a pic of that CZ75, i might be interested, if you can cut me a good deal on it

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I've gone through the same thing in the past.

Went through it with musical instruments too, and haven't overly regretted having trimmed my collection by 75%.

Although now that I've trimmed my guns back by 1/2, I'm tempted by new items. I'm pretty much resigning myself to buy, sell, and trade for the forseeable future. I'll maintain a basic core of must-haves (combat pistol, combat rifle, .22 pistol), but rotate the rest as the spirit moves me.

Part of it is the simple fact that I enjoy the act of horsetrading. I like being able to pick up a new gun, shoot it a while, and sell it to someone else who will enjoy it. Thus it's paramount to live in a state where private sales are legal.

It's also a fun way to introduce new folks to guns: "I coincidentally happen to have a $125 Makarov lying around, here you go..."

But I certainly agree that too much is too much; I feel guilty if I'm not able to appreciate everything I own on a regular basis. It hurts to realize that some pistol or guitar hasn't been used in six months, and it could be someone else's ticket to a new world of experiences. -MV

 

[biere]

You are not selling guns to simplify.

You are selling guns to complicate those you are keeping.

I used to be happy having a gun and whatever it came with when I bought it new or used.

Now I want a few more things.

Lots of spare parts and the tools and knowledge to install them myself.
lots of ammo ready to go.
reloading equipment and a lot of components ready to assemble
a few different types of holsters depending on the gun
if it can take a scope or light, those are nice to have as well
Whatever other accessories it can use that I feel are useful.

With the ban almost over I have an empty foot locker ready. I plan to slowly fill it with new magazines that won't be used at all. I plan to buy one for range use and another for the footlocker. Same way you should buy a case of ammo for use and a case for storage.

 

[schromf]

Never sell a gun, except to fund an upgrade.

Very good advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!


In your grand simplification plan, why don't you just not buy anything that doesn't fit into your plan for a year or so, if you still want to houseclean then, do it one at a time. Selling off some of your guns is going to be painful, and your going to regret it down road. I would be particularly cautious of selling off your HK's. If you just got to do something sell your Glock or the CZ 75, you can always find another and after you feel the pain of that transaction you will be rethinking this concept.

 

[jeff-10]

I have never sold a firearm yet and I probably never will. That creates a problem for me though, I like autoloaders but the collection of magazines I have is becoming ridiculous. I have actually stopped buying new firearms because I am sick of stockpiling magazines. My next firearm will be a revolver or lever action.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

A thought...

You might try getting a bunch of shoe boxes (or any uniform size boxes) or some of those Rubbermaid storage containers or Rubbermaid drawer chests or SOMETHING along those lines and keeping all the mags, ammo, gear, etc for each gun in a seperate drawer. If you go with the chests you could even put handguns in one set, rifles in another, etc. Good orginization might solve some of your problems.

 

[Majic]

A lot of people buy way more accessories that is actually needed and end up with this stuff laying everywhere. For repairs one set of tools with various sized punches, assortment of screwdrivers, and the few odd ball tools you might need for a specific firearm will suffice. For cleaning a set of brushes, mops, and jags for each caliber you have and rods to cover the longest rifle and pistol is all that's needed (except of course the patches and solvents). For any box magazine fed firearm needs only a couple of magazines. Even if you compete in games you use just a few magazines in each stage. For range use the time taken to reload a few magazines allows the firearm to cool and prolong it's barrel's life. There is no need to have a dozen loaded magazines except to try and impress someone. If you damage a magazine they still make more of them and you can have a new one in a matter of a few days.
This would simplify a lot of people's inventory and free up space. Then just take a basic repair kit, basic cleaning kit, the firearms to be shot, and ammo to the range and you won't need those huge range bags to haul around.

 

[Old Dog]

I did what you're contemplating ...

... several years ago. Now, I regret it like hell. As I've gotten older and started to get the rest of my life in order (and gave up some useless activities like golfing), I'm to the point where I'd really appreciate having all of those old guns. My advice: buy another safe, some more storage containers and clear some more room in the garage ... never sell guns unless you really, really need the money (and just think, if you have kids or grandkids, you'll have some cool stuff to pass down to them).