So we came through Harvey OK, but as we were packing for potential evacuation, I had to ask myself...why do I have so many guns? Between my wife and I, we have 2 Mossberg 500s (in 12 and 20), a pair of M44 Mosins we haven't shot in nearly four years, a pair of 22LR rifles that see fairly frequent use, a Taurus revolver, a RIA 1911, and a pair of TCPs for carry. We both drive smaller vehicles and have things of import that aren't guns to move, and quite frankly, we're not going to survive a societal collapse if we're having to shoot the barrels out of every gun we have (food, water, ammo and shelter...) So, I'm thinking of chopping the collection down a bit, maybe rotating in some new ones, and I've got a few questions.
1. Value: We've got a pretty generic set of M44s, both in good shape, with shiny barrels and slings. One has a bayonet. We've got a few dozen rounds for them too in the little leather Russian pouches. We literally haven't shot them since 2013. I'm seriously considering selling them to either fund school -or- just getting them to someone who will love them a little more. What is a fair market value for an M-44 Mosin these days? The same question comes up for the Mossbergs- I literally haven't squeezed off a round of shotgun ammo in four years, and the old hunting shotgun is pretty redundant. We're probably going to keep my wife's 20G, because that's shorter and she looks good shooting it, but I really don't remember ever liking my 12G. (I used to have a High Standard Pointer I gave to my brother-in-law for a wedding gift, and I loved that gun!).
2. Optimal size: I think that the 22LR is king of the jack-of-all-trades rifles, for the sheer reason that ammo is everywhere for it, but I'm also wanting a .223 or .243 or something else. Something smaller, portable, and either semi-automatic or manual, with a light enough round to maintain a decent amount of ammo, and affordable. I am considering getting an AR, but I really don't see a niche right now for it and I do really want to keep my options open should professional winds take me to less permissive states than Texas. My rifles are pretty non-offensive, and I'm also eying a good 30-30 or pistol-caliber lever action. I could very easily see myself selling the Mosins and welcoming something else into the family to replace them. As far as the handguns go, I really like our TCPs because they are so carry-friendly and disappear in my pockets, but I am also considering getting another revolver or something in .38. I find revolvers relaxing and fun. Side note- I literally haven't shot my 1911 since 2013 either- is it time to find it a new home?
3. How should I even sell these? I don't mind face-to-face deals with the right people, but I also don't want these guns ending up in the 'wrong' hands. ID checks, CCW carriers, etc are all great ideas, but Houston also has plenty of...opportunistic people. Gun store?
So, I am open to any suggestions.