Too many guns

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I have over 100. The time when I think I have too many is when I realize how many duplicates that I have. I mainly collect S&W revolvers from the 1900-1940s. When I started, I'd buy what I could afford, and as the years have gone by, I am always looking for one in better condition. I say :"I'll buy this one, and sell the one in lesser condition"...but it usually doesn't happen and I end up with 2 or 3 of the same in different conditions. Or, I find something I really like (like a 38/44 Heavy Duty or Model of 1917) and end up with 5 or 6 of each.
 
Dodgeman414 said:
The M1 was or mostly is a 1944 Springfield. I had to replace the 3 million s/n receiver because it had scope lugs welded on it before my dad got it. I still have the original receiver I just won't shoot it now. Although, my dad put several thousand rounds through it before his death with no problems. It's been in the family since the late 50's.
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I was going on the milled trigger guard and the straight cut op-rod. It is hard to tell in the pic but the front sight wings don't look to be widely flared, like a Winchester would be. My Winchester is a restoration in progress. That is a slow project, but a labor of love.
 
jmace57 said:
I have over 100. The time when I think I have too many is when I realize how many duplicates that I have. I mainly collect S&W revolvers from the 1900-1940s. When I started, I'd buy what I could afford, and as the years have gone by, I am always looking for one in better condition. I say :"I'll buy this one, and sell the one in lesser condition"...but it usually doesn't happen and I end up with 2 or 3 of the same in different conditions. Or, I find something I really like (like a 38/44 Heavy Duty or Model of 1917) and end up with 5 or 6 of each.
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I've always wanted a 1917 but the supply has dried up and prices are crazy. Last one I saw was $2000.
 
While I can see a time coming when a man makes the decision to thin the herd, pass down or give away what friends and family want to see them enjoy it, and sell off most of the rest, I myself am far from that day haha.
 
I suspect most of those of us who have more than a handful of firearms probably do not have a good plan on what to do with them should we be struck by a meteor or some such calamity. A lot of us don't have close family who are all that interested in what we have as far as firearms go and would just have to sell them.
 
tark said:
I was going on the milled trigger guard and the straight cut op-rod. It is hard to tell in the pic but the front sight wings don't look to be widely flared, like a Winchester would be. My Winchester is a restoration in progress. That is a slow project, but a labor of love.
Click to expand...
That M1 is very special to me because of it being my dad's. I've been keeping me eyes open for a 3 million s/n stripped receiver. I've seen a couple, but not when I have the money.
 
I'm in big trouble when it comes to getting rid of anything. I have very few guns that I actually shoot (other then a mag or cylinder full when I first get them).
My problem is that I am fascinated by any gun that has something "unique" about it, whether it is in the way it functions, comes apart, safeties, different lock work or other odd-ball feature.
 
A rifle carried by one's father in war, or otherwise, is a very special kind of special. My father was not a gun person but he once owned an 1873 Winchester in 32-20 that he bought as a young man, on a whim. My cousin found it in a closet at grandfather's house, years ago. His older brother took it away from him and sold it, which infuriated my Aunt so much she cut my oldest cousin out of her will. I have not spoken to my oldest cousin since. I hope he got a good price for it, because my Aunt was very wealthy, and My thief of a cousin lost a six figure inheritance!!

Poetic justice.!!
 
I don't have too many, but i have "enough". For right now. At one time I had so many guns I honestly don't know how many. Some i never fired. Young, single, lots of disposable income. Live happens, things change. Right now I have 15, but only 6 calibers..
 
I'm keeping a lid on my purchases. I don't want to have so many that I don't shoot them, so I usually trade one if I buy a new one. I'm trying to stick with only a few calibers, too: 9mm, .38 Special. / .357 Magnum, .22 Long Rifle, 5.56 NATO, and 12 gauge. I'll eventually add a centerfire rifle cartridge, too, but that's it.
 
I've been trying to adjust my small collection to just guns that I really enjoy shooting. I really don't have a need to collect anything that I don't shoot or have an attachment to. Still have the first firearm that I bought in 1967. A Sears and Roebuck single shot 12ga Ted Williams. Not worth anything dollar wise but I'll always have it.
 
I can honestly say I don’t know how many there are in the house and safes between my wife and me. I also don’t talk about it generally because family and friends think I am nuts, and I don’t say that in a joking manner.

I love putting together collections, I am just a 30-40 Krag away from one. I don’t get to shoot them all each year, unfortunately that too often depends on my health. I am a perfect example how quickly life, and health can change. You go to work today, and it’s just a normal day. Tomorrow you can find yourself in a squad being rushed to a lifesaving procedure. I’ve been there twice now. My advice, put family first, but then it’s all about enjoying life. Having more than a few guns isn’t a sin I know of.
 
iibob: Your comment that immed. family often won't know what a gun is worth if we suddenly die is a nice reminder.

We can't assume that too much extra time cleaning guns unnecessarily, or adding a component will translate into a higher Cash value if unfamiliar people try to sell for current street values.
 
Im at that point now. I started with one shotgun and when i was old enough to buy a handgun i got one on my 21st birthday and thought i was set. Nope..Now i have several that i purchased cause the deal was good and i thought i would use them but i seldom do now. Havent bird hunted in a few years so the shotguns sit in the safe untouched. haven't squirrel hunted in a few years so the 22 is untouched. the only thing that really gets shot is the varmint rifle.

I keep trying to get rid of a couple of them but i cant bring myself to let them go.
 
Until I was in my upper 30s, during my "mobile" period. I never owned more than 8 firearms at one time.

Even after I settled in here on the west side of the ancestral farm about a quarter century ago, less than 10 firearms.

Then 2 fundamental things occurred; I discovered gun forums (after "treading the boards" for over a decade) and I got an 03FFL. The CMP changing their rules slightly in early '03 to include 03FFL holders did not help at all.

Out of control ... :)
 
I subscribe to the plan, "The one who dies with the most guns wins."

I'll never catch up to Charlton Heston, but I'm trying as best I can.:)
 
A Liberty "Fat Boy, Jr" safe sounds, and looks as if it can hold an unbelievable number of guns; it can, and mine is full. I even have a couple lesser overflow safes for the strays. Thank goodness I'm almost retired, I'll have make do with what I have. Unless I win lottery then it's do-over time :)
 
It's when your bills aren't getting paid because of your gun buying habits, your retirement account isn't growing at needed levels while working, or if not working, when your retirement account is shrinking faster than it should.
 
I'm there. In fact, I'm past my high water mark--fewer guns now than I had several years ago. I still play on the margins, and I'm a sucker for a good deal, but the overall number has stayed fairly even or slightly declined in recent years. I do have more nicer guns than I had a few years ago; most of my "trades" have been upgrades, but for the few that just seemed too cool to pass up--like the 9mm JRC.

As I get closer to retirement, I'm more interested in customizing the ones I have, and building hunting, target, and plinking loads for them. I have found that reloading has opened up far more ways to enjoy the guns I already have. I did cut down on the number of cartridges I choose to own, although inheriting my FIL's 7mm Remington magnum added a new one for me; it's the only long action I own--I got rid of my .30-06s some time ago. I got rid of my .40 caliber handguns but for the Glock 23, and I shoot it most with a 9mm conversion barrel.

With others, if the HPA passes, I'll go on a spree purchasing suppressors. And I've toyed with the idea of an SBR built on a T/C Encore frame, just because it would be cool. Doubly cool if I could suppress a couple of the Encore pistol barrels and add a carbine stock.

So to the OP's question, I decided I had "too many" a few years ago and have been selectively reducing the overall number for a while. By the time I retire, I expect I will have fewer yet and spend more time shooting them.
 
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