Talk me down, man.....

[21H40]

After selling off of all my weird European milsurps a few years ago (and their unobtainium cartridges), Im considering another round of consolidation by divesting my arms chambered for domestic cartridges which have become untenably expensive, are STILL hard to find post-Covid, or don't offer significant performance advantages.

On the chopping block are all my .30-06 rifles, including a Garand, M1917 Eddystone, Weatherby Vanguard, several M1903s, my last .243 Savage M99, a pair of .30 M1 Carbines, and all my .45 pistols; several 1911s, SIG P220, S&W M645, etc.
...
I'm on a ledge, talk me down, man......

I am completely prepared to do you a solid and hold onto those 30.06's for you!
That way you don't have the pain of selling them for actual money AND it doesn't have to make you sad that you can't feed them!


Of course, I say this after shrinking my arsenal to about a half-dozen total - fun and work variants.
The only centerfire rifle I have anymore is a 30.06, so yours would fit right in!

 

[JDeere]

I started thinning my herd a couple of years ago. I started looking at guns I had not shot in years and sold them. I used the cash to fund other projects and never looked back. I also bought others as well. There are a few I will not let go of for sentimental reasons. Fixing to send some more down the road. I'm not leaving them for the kids cause they will sell most of them anyway. Enjoy the cash now not getting any younger is what I say...

 

[P89DCSS]

Since I thinned out my cartridge list I’ve added more firearms. It becomes easy to add another 38/357 revolver or a 9mm pistol when you already have a nice hoard of ammo. I switched to Glock 9mm and now mags aren't an issue. 223/556 and 308 have great options in bolt and gassers. Someday I'll find a sweet Ruger #1 in one of the two calibers.....

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The Garand has to stay!

Haha, thats actually going to be the first to go. I have realized I HATE enbloc clips- only took 30 years to come to this epiphany, lol.
Ive got a good buddy who wants it, so no tears over that one.

I am really conflicted over my bolt '.30-06s, however. They are all smooth as snot and laser-beam accurate. Im actually thinking of sending at least my minty 03A3 to CMP for a .308 rebarrel. Selling off the rest would pay for that and a lot of .308 ammo.

Ill miss the Eddystone most.

 

[plainsdrifter]

I'm still kicking myself about the guns I sold when I was a teenager. A 3 screw ruger .22wmr and a paratrooper M1, and a ruger .270 bolt, couple winchester lever guns. sigh Oh and my Ruger MKII government. sigh

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I'm still kicking myself about the guns I sold when I was a teenager. A 3 screw ruger .22wmr and a paratrooper M1, and a ruger .270 bolt, couple winchester lever guns. sigh Oh and my Ruger MKII government. sigh

I think we all have those in our closet.
I aint a kid anymore, though. My kids are all shooters, but dont have much interest in historical stuff beyond "It was Dad's gun."
Id rather leave them a few really nice ones rather than a pile to sort through.

 

[Mark_Mark]

After selling off of all my weird European milsurps a few years ago (and their unobtainium cartridges), Im considering another round of consolidation by divesting my arms chambered for domestic cartridges which have become untenably expensive, are STILL hard to find post-Covid, or don't offer significant performance advantages.

On the chopping block are all my .30-06 rifles, including a Garand, M1917 Eddystone, Weatherby Vanguard, several M1903s, my last .243 Savage M99, a pair of .30 M1 Carbines, and all my .45 pistols; several 1911s, SIG P220, S&W M645, etc.

I'm fond of all these, but just can't afford to feed them very often and they dont get shot much as a result. I dont have the space or free time for reloading in any useful quantities either.

That would get me down to just 8 cartridges: .22, .38/.357, .380, 9mm, .223, 7.62X39, .308, and 12GA.

The sale of these older guns would fund a significant quantity of ammunition for the remaining chamberings- hopefully enough to weather shortages Im expecting from the next manufactured crisis.

This would require surrendering the majority of my beautiful vintage centerfires, though of course I still have many fine old .22 rifles and revolvers if I need a Blue Steel and Walnut fix.

My head says this is The Way, but my heart says NO NO NO!

I'm on a ledge, talk me down, man......

we all dread the day that we Down Size

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Thinning our material / recreational FATs will lighten the mental baggage and stress. I guarantee if you have things you don't shoot now you won't suddenly just start shooting them later. Have many friends sadly in the ground that thought their later years were going to be full of shooting and recreating. So they kept getting things instead of using the things they love more. In the end they lost muscle memory, skills and accuracy with everything and then the depression set in. mental side pushed out all desire to get back to what they loved. Don't let that happen too you. Pair down your life to the things you really connect with.

 

[Chief TC]

I think you should keep your 30-06 bolt action rifles. If you think you can get a really sweet price for the Garand, then I say go for it as long as you keep the 1917 and 1903. Reloading is not a money saver anymore, so I understand and having a Garand is a lot of fun and you go blow through lots of rounds in a session. The bolt actions can make you slow down focusing on marksmanship with each rifle's capability. I like my WW2 M1 Carbine but they do command a great price these days if you have a good WW2 version. As with everything, it comes down to preference. I'd keep the bolt actions and sell the semi-autos if I really needed to get some money and still be able to shoot 30-06. You can either buy inexpensive factory ammo for .30-06 for about $1 a round or reload it for .80 (with today's component prices) with good bullets.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Thinning our material / recreational FATs will lighten the mental baggage and stress. I guarantee if you have things you don't shoot now you won't suddenly just start shooting them later. Have many friends sadly in the ground that thought their later years were going to be full of shooting and recreating. So they kept getting things instead of using the things they love more. In the end they lost muscle memory, skills and accuracy with everything and then the depression set in. mental side pushed out all desire to get back to what they loved. Don't let that happen too you. Pair down your life to the things you really connect with.

Great answer. Thanks.

 

[redneck2]

I’m 72 and not using any of the shooting or hunting stuff. I’d rather give it to someone while I’m still alive and can see them enjoying it

 

[dh1633pm]

I'm on a ledge, talk me down, man......

Step away from the keyboard. Like drugs just say no. Consider what you’re doing. Garand, Model of 1917. Don’t wanna load 30-06. Just doesn’t sound right. There are health professionals that can surely help. I am working on 50% reduction, but none of those on my list.

 

[dh1633pm]

Don’t listen to Spats. He’s usually 100 %. But this time I am not so sure.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I've regretted selling every firearm I ever sold, except maybe one or two, but I admire you practicality. However, I disagree with the guns you are choosing to sell. I absolutely would not sell the Garand. No way, no how. Not happening. I could also understand selling guns in calibers you don't/won't/can't shoot. If you feel you must sell something, sell your mass produced, garden variety guns first, and then see you how feel. Garands, Carbines, and Springfields are dwindling in supply, and you may not be able to buy another. Same applies to Smith and Colt revolvers.

 

[jmr40]

I've consolidated years ago and couldn't be happier. Over the last 10 years or so I've sold a butt-load of guns and don't miss one of them. I sold them between 3X to 6X what I paid for them and at this point would rather have the money in the bank than unused guns taking up space in the safe. There are still plenty to give to my grandkids. I've already given 6-8 to each of my 2 kids.

I kept a 30-06 bolt rifle that I used almost exclusively for 40+ years. Haven't shot it in years but want that one to go to one of my grandkids. Of course, there are several (shotguns) with family history going back to the 1800's that will never be sold.

The centerfire cartridges I actually shoot anymore are mostly 308 and 223. I have AR's and a bolt gun in 223. I have a 6.5 CM just because. I have several 22 RF rifles and they get used far more than anything else.

I sold off a bunch of handguns and kept only what I actually shoot. I could do anything I want with a 9mm pistol or 3, but I still have two 45's. Not 1911's, I got out of that game years ago. I have a 10mm, it is rarely used but it fills an important niche for me. Of course, a couple of 22 pistols.

Several shotguns, but only 12 and 20 ga.

 

[SP5]

Don't use them? Sell IMO.
I'm looking for an M1 Garand to display to honor my Korean War Vet Grandfather

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I've regretted selling every firearm I ever sold, except maybe one or two, but I admire you practicality. However, I disagree with the guns you are choosing to sell. I absolutely would not sell the Garand. No way, no how. Not happening. I could also understand selling guns in calibers you don't/won't/can't shoot. If you feel you must sell something, sell your mass produced, garden variety guns first, and then see you how feel. Garands, Carbines, and Springfields are dwindling in supply, and you may not be able to buy another. Same applies to Smith and Colt revolvers.

At least my old revolvers dont take up much space.....and they all take either .22 or .38.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I suppose I could use this as an excuse/ opportunity to pick up a Bula M14. Between that, my (hypothetically) rebarrelled Springfield, and a couple new higher-end 9mms (SIG P210 here I come!) and/or old revolvers, I think I might be able to live with myself. Maybe.

 

[AlexanderA]

Id be ok with keeping some these, even without regular shooting- IF I could stock what I consider a comfortable quantity of ammunition for them. But that probably aint gunna happen again, the days of cheap Greek HXP and LC '45 Carbine in wax paper are over. Its $2/round or reloading from here on out.....won't do the one and can't do the other.

I understand this perfectly. I too want everything I collect to be operable, even if I don't intend to shoot it. But sometimes, a token amount of ammo in that caliber is enough. For example, I have three Krag rifles (M1894, M1896, and M1898), and I think I have maybe one box of .30-40 ammo for the three of them. It's somewhere among the basement ammo cans, but I haven't looked for it in years. It's enough to know that theoretically it's there.

 

[Speedo66]

I’ve started reducing the herd, I understand where you’re coming from.

I regret a few, like the H-S Victor, and the three wartime pistols, but I got over it.

If you’re not using them, and don’t see using them in the future, divest. Wait, did you say you’re getting rid of two M-1 Carbines? Stop, you’ve got to hold the line somewhere! I hope that means you have another to keep. You never get rid of all your Carbines!

Seriously, you know when it’s time.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I understand this perfectly. I too want everything I collect to be operable, even if I don't intend to shoot it. But sometimes, a token amount of ammo in that caliber is enough. For example, I have three Krag rifles (M1894, M1896, and M1898), and I think I have maybe one box of .30-40 ammo for the three of them. It's somewhere among the basement ammo cans, but I haven't looked for it in years. It's enough to know that theoretically it's there.

Ironically, I am hanging on to 10 rounds of .30-40, for my Dad's sweet '98, though my own Krag is long gone.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I’ve started reducing the herd, I understand where you’re coming from.

I regret a few, like the H-S Victor, and the three wartime pistols, but I got over it.

If you’re not using them, and don’t see using them in the future, divest. Wait, did you say you’re getting rid of two M-1 Carbines? Stop, you’ve got to hold the line somewhere! I hope that means you have another to keep. You never get rid of all your Carbines!

Seriously, you know when it’s time.

I need to convince myself that the Ruger Minis are the same thing, just bigger. Seriously, the same thing. Exactly the same, only bigger.....
Damn, not working.

 

[jrmiddleton425]

I've regretted selling every firearm I ever sold, except maybe one or two, but I admire you practicality. However, I disagree with the guns you are choosing to sell. I absolutely would not sell the Garand. No way, no how. Not happening. I could also understand selling guns in calibers you don't/won't/can't shoot. If you feel you must sell something, sell your mass produced, garden variety guns first, and then see you how feel. Garands, Carbines, and Springfields are dwindling in supply, and you may not be able to buy another. Same applies to Smith and Colt revolvers.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING!!

 

[pharmer]

.......That would get me down to just 8 cartridges: .22, .38/.357, .380, 9mm, .223, 7.62X39, .308, and 12GA.......

Almost perfect. I did that over 15 years ago, I have a similar list except no .380 or 7.62x39, .44mag and .45 instead. I used to say "i don't want a gun I can't get ammo for at WalMart." But WalMart went woke so I guess maybe Academy instead. Joe

 

[grampster]

I've sold or traded various guns that I sort of miss. But I actually wouldn't have any use for them in reality. I've talked to my kids and grandkids and those who want firearms have them. I have a couple carry guns, a couple for around the house, and a couple sentimental handguns, a rifle or two and a couple shotguns. I've even thought about getting rid of a couple more. I think my mindset has finally gotten to keep what I need, not necessarily what I want.