thinned out the collection and...

[rugerjunkie]

Sometime last summer I posted about possibly thinning the collection. Rifles and handguns that were either way more gun than I'd ever need for the kind of hunting I do , or duplicates , or ones that have not seen the light of day for over 10 years and in a couple of cases , 15 years since they've been out of the safe. There were lots of others here that said they were thinking of doing the same thing. Did anyone else follow through with what they were thinking?

My situation after busting up my heels 10 years ago in a fall and 4 surgeries later really changed how often and where I go hunting anymore. Long walks over hilly , rough terrain aren't all that fun for me anymore and I've pretty much settled in on target/varmint shooting and deer hunting that doesn't require much more than walking out to the woods behind the house. I sold off many rifles , scopes , some handguns , and ammo and reloading equipment that was related to them. Had some sellers remorse especially on some limited run rifles that will be darn near impossible to replace , but after a while that subsided and I'm actually thinking about one more round through the collection and deciding which other ones I can live without.

Fast forward to last weekend...I do believe I found my cure to any remaining sellers remorse. Went and bought me a new Bennington fish/cruise pontoon boat! Sure didn't make or save any cash by selling off parts of the collection! But it allowed for one heck of a down payment and it has been 15 years since I've had a boat and it's time to get back into it! And I'm pretty sure the new boat will bring more enjoyment than the rifles etc. that have not been used for years if at all...

 

[bogus bill]

I could have wrote that too, but if I sold all that qualified like that I probably would only have a couple of packing revolvers left. I am trying to time this juuust right. Will start selling them off when I figure I have about six weeks left.

 

[Xsales]

RJ

I think many of us can relate to selling off or downsizing

I started about 4-5 years ago and while I still have many firearms remaining I sold off far more than I have left

I have no shortage or lack of anything and have no regrets

Many have been sold to others here on this forum and I know they are in great hands

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

rugerjunkie I can relate to most of what you said. I'm in the same shoes not able to get around very good anymore. I was young when I got busted up and thought guns would be a good hobby and investment. For close to 45 years I've been buying and collecting guns and for what. I have some guns that have never been fired I bought back in the 1970's. Others haven't been out if the safe in years. I bet it's been 15 yrs or longer since I even fired a shotgun.
Many times I've asked myself why I'm keeping them? I could get by with a few handguns and a rifle or two and that's pretty much it.
I haven't hunted in 4 years and that's really been bothering me. I used to live for hunting season. One day I'll finally make up my mind and sell most of them and call it a "Before getting called home sale" or "Going to meet my Maker sale.
I sure can't take them with me. I might as well enjoy some of the monetary value while I'm still above ground.

 

[bogus bill]

Ruger Redhawk, just read your post and had to check to see if I had wrote it!!

 

[Big Old Boy]

Boat sounds good not as much walking

 

[rugerjunkie]

Thats just it...we can't take them with us! And Im not running a firearms museum here! There are some that I can never get rid of because they were Dad's or Granpa's but I still have stuff in closets and the safe is still stuffed after the first round of selling. I still have to decide which rifle or two I feel like farting around with come deer season and decide which 3 or 4 are making the next prairie dog trip.

Redhawk says "dont know why Im still hanging on to the stuff" and thats what Im thinking here. I cant get as much if any enjoyment out of them like I used to or as Id like so why not turn them into something I can enjoy...like a new pontoon boat!? Add another rifle or two to the sell list and there's a fancy gps controlled trolling motor and fish finder!

Im still working on the addiction though and have to fess up to buying a real purty maple stocked Browning T-Bolt 22 off the classifieds here recently...

 

[rugerjunkie]

Boat sounds good not as much walking

And its not as frowned upon for having a beer
when you're out in a boat vs out hunting! Haha!

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

Ruger Redhawk, just read your post and had to check to see if I had wrote it!!

It's to bad to feel this way but I'm sure there's several others here that share these same sediments.
Time goes by so fast and the older you get the faster it seems to go. I could do allot of things I'd like to do with the money. I or we have allot to think about before it's to late. I do want to be buried with a handgun though just in case Hell breaks loose I can fight my way out LOL.

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

Thats just it...we can't take them with us! And Im not running a firearms museum here! There are some that I can never get rid of because they were Dad's or Granpa's but I still have stuff in closets and the safe is still stuffed after the first round of selling. I still have to decide which rifle or two I feel like farting around with come deer season and decide which 3 or 4 are making the next prairie dog trip.

Redhawk says "dont know why Im still hanging on to the stuff" and thats what Im thinking here. I cant get as much if any enjoyment out of them like I used to or as Id like so why not turn them into something I can enjoy...like a new pontoon boat!? Add another rifle or two to the sell list and there's a fancy gps controlled trolling motor and fish finder!

Im still working on the addiction though and have to fess up to buying a real purty maple stocked Browning T-Bolt 22 off the classifieds here recently...

We are on the same page. I'm sure I'd survive and have no regrets once I got rid of them. The hard part is making my mind up.
Even with all this said I'm like you I'm dealing with a long time addiction. I just bought a Sig P238 less then a month ago. No I didn't need it I wanted it. There's a big difference between need and want.
You mentioned the Browning T Bolt 22.
I bought one of the earlier ones before Browning discontinued them and reintroduced them. I forget the grades but mine I want to say was a grade 2. It's not engraved or anything. That's another one I bought sometime in the 1970's that has never been fired. It's only been taken out of the safe a couple times when we moved.

 

[bobski]

I think the biggest reason I hesitate to sell my rare ones is im convinced there isn't anyone out there who cares about gun rarity at the level I do.
I hate to see decades of research just go out the window.
and even worse is when a buyer just waltz's in and acts like what I have isnt worth a hill of beans, acts like its trash, buys it making you think your stupid, cashes in on a gun that would have taken him decades to find....
....then quickly flips it for a profit.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Bobski,
I had a few that are pretty rare and purposely set prices a tad high. It narrowed the field down to the ones who were seriously searching for that certain rifle etc. I do believe the buyers were genuine and wanting them for themselves to either add to their collection or to hunt with. When I found those guys , or they found me , prices were adjusted and everyone was happy! At least I havn't seen any of them show up on the auction sites yet!

 

[vito]

Maybe it has to do with being the dead of winter, but the subject of this thread is popping up on forums all over the internet. I just went through a "thinning" myself. Being almost 74, I have a need for home defense, concealed carry and some range shooting at the indoor pistol club I belong to. And unfortunately none of my grown kids have any interest at all in any guns, and my grandkids have been essentially kept away from guns totally due to the attitudes of their parents, so its unlikely I can leave any guns to any of them, at least until they get much older and are out on their own. So I have been selling or trading two-for-one type deals and I'm now down to just about a bare minimum with a few for home defense, a few for use at the range, a few for concealed carry and only one for sentimental reasons. It is only that one that I hope stays in the family somehow and its not even that old. Its my beautiful nickel 4-inch S&W Model 19 (that I bought in 1985), in my mind about the ideal of what a gun should be and look like. I've put the original wood grips back on it, and hardly shoot it anymore, but it is the one gun I love just to hold and look at.

 

[#1rugerman]

Last summer I sold 4 rifles, 3 shotguns and5 pistols plan on selling a few more this year. End stage renal disease, don't want my wife to have to deal with it when I go, son not interested, no grand kids or nephews to pass on to. Sold my mec 20 gauge reloaded and most of my brass and bullets. Still have the powder and primers that I hoarded during the lean times, don't know anyone who I can give or sell them to and I have a bunch of ammo that I reloaded that due to arthritis I don't think that I will ever shoot up.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I want to throw this out to some of you guys who "lived to hunt" so you could enjoy your guns, but it's tough to go on the long walks anymore, or up and down hills. May I suggest a safari. Not everyone that goes on a safari, is a young sprout that can keep up with a professional hunter, who walks miles every day. They get us older codgers too and have to create a situation that works for them. A plains game hunt can be just the ticket. They have built the trucks they drive around in, looking for game and if your up to it you can walk to get close enough. You can set in blinds, or watch water holes and still shoot some nice game and have a tremendous time. Just be up front with the Safari outfit you are looking at and tell them the truth about how much you can get around. Once game is shot, they virtually (or literally) drive up to it and the trucks are rigged with a winch and cable that pulls the animal into the back of the truck with out a lot of grief on your part. Then it goes to the skinning shed. Can't afford this you say??? You will be surprised at some of the packages they put together 5-8 animals depending on what you like and how much you can spend. Some of you are saying what about taxidermy and hanging them on the walls and such, what am I going to do with them? Well, due to the taxidermy, shipping, etc costs many folks are just taking pictures and bringing the pictures home and framing them and putting the pictures on the walls. You can control your costs by how far you plan ahead, when you go and so on. I did a 10 day hunt a couple of years ago, with a stop over in Las Vegas (practically on the way in my case) and had one of the best times of my life. They feed you well, and take care of you. Hunt all day, come back to their place sit around the fire with a soda pop, brewski, what ever your desire is and talk to other hunters about your hunt that day. Then go in and have a great dinner and get ready for bed. I can help some, but I'm no outfitters or booking agent, just experience from getting ready. The guy I used had been a friend for several years and I wanted to hunt with him. Something to think about. I wouldn't have missed it for the world and if I can get my miniscus healed up I may do it again in a year or two. By the way, I'll bet you can talk a buddy or two into going with you. Maybe even the wife. Don't miss this with out checking into it.

 

[Don Lovel]

Dad will be 91yrs old in March. He recently had a talk with me and my brothers about how he is going to divide up all the guns, reloading equipment, gunsmithing and hunting stuff. That is all good and my brothers and I are totally onboard for doing his chosen way.
Honestly there are only a few things I really want, a couple of them having been on my books when I was FFL licensed and gave them to dad as gifts. But a large bunch of stuff, pile of Mausers and parts, some extra Garand and 03 parts, everything from duck decoys to bayonets we will all have plenty to sell off.
My youngest brother and I both want to just get a table a Tulsa or OKC gunshow and move a bunch of it. Middle brother is neutral as he is not into guns that much. Non of us have room for some of the stuff, I will need to buy a gunsafe bigger & better than the lockbox I have now. That will cost me some bucks for sure.

 

[bogus bill]

I was a bachelor until 40. I accumulated quite a few nice guns. Got civilized, married sold some at gun shows to raise down payment on a house. Ended up where the ex ran off with another married man along with stealing many of my most prized guns.
I stayed single many more years, remarried and now am old with a young wife that should outlive me. She cant work for health reasons and I know I SHOULD be thinning the herd but have been dragging my feet. I haven't sold a gun in 30 years.
The world keeps spinning.

 

[Rei40c]

I was a bachelor until 40. I accumulated quite a few nice guns. Got civilized, married sold some at gun shows to raise down payment on a house. Ended up where the ex ran off with another married man along with stealing many of my most prized guns.

Sorry to hear that. I'm quoting because when I read this it made me take notice. I'm in a similar situation that may possibly be heading south. I don't think I have anything as nice as you did but I'd rather not lose them. And I can see it possibly happening the same way.

Maybe it's time to make a back up plan and quietly start moving gear somewhere else. :?

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Maybe it's time to make a back up plan and quietly start moving gear somewhere else. :?

I've heard rumors of that happening. She can't be home all the time, and when she's not, time to pack up and go see a buddy.

 

[Heliman]

Okay, I am only approaching my 68th birthday. I have found in the last 2 hunting seasons that I am not able to do what I used to do when in the woods hunting. Hills are harder to climb, the mornings are colder, and I get tired easier. It is not to the point that I can't hunt, it is just that I can't hunt like I used to. Not ready to call it quits, but limited in what I can do. It is still fun, so I am going to adjust my hunting to suit my physical abilities.
All this brought me to a realization that the end is on the horizon. Due to an arthritic condition with my thumbs I can no longer shoot center fire single action revolvers 357 and up. So I have slowly been selling mine off and replacing them with double action revolvers. For some reason, they don't bother my thumbs like the SA's. All that being said, I made a decision to downsize other parts of my collection. My goal has been to sell 2 for every one I buy. I have had moderate success until just recently.
I have sold off all my #1's except for two, all my 1911's except two. Mainly I have a bunch of double action revolvers, mostly all Smith&Wesson with a few Rugers and others sprinkled in. I have other Semi-autos as well, Rugers, a Glock, and Browning Hi-powers. I have a short list of heirlooms and all time favorites, but most of the handguns will go away in the not too distant future. I will keep a .410 shotgun my wife bought me years ago and some black guns for "Armageddon" if it arrives before my time on earth. A few plinker 22's I will keep for a few more years. What I will have left will be divided between my Son's and Grandson. If they don't want them I have directed they be sold to help my wife going forward.... So, time to cruise back to the safe and get a few more on the market. It's been quite a ride, but all things eventually come to an end. We shall see how this plan pans out!

Dave

 

[rugerjunkie]

Im loving the posts here and the different opinions and views of what others are dealing with as well. But...Im only 49...what the heck am I gonna feel like when I reach where some of you old farts are at now!!!! Haha!!!!

 

[Heliman]

Im loving the posts here and the different opinions and views of what others are dealing with as well. But...Im only 49...what the heck am I gonna feel like when I reach where some of you old farts are at now!!!! Haha!!!!

Getting old is a rude and sometimes sudden awakening! Enjoy your middle age and please take care of yourself physically. :wink:

Dave

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Getting old is a rude and sometimes sudden awakening! Enjoy your middle age and please take care of yourself physically. :wink:
Dave

Well said and true.

 

[RSIno1]

My selloff didn't work. While I did put about 10 grand in my pocket after buying more guns I have just as many as before. Downside was I needed another safe as I replaced a lot of handguns with rifles. Also selling the motorhome didn't work - figured that putting $2-300 a day in fuel in it I should just drive and stay in nice hotels. Wife missed it so instead we have a new lightweight travel trailer and Ford Flex - the "but 60 grand" argument didn't work as she wants to take the grandkid on vacations and to National Parks like our parents did with our daughter.

 

[volshooter]

My best pal decided to start selling off some of his stuff. He has some nice antiques. Past week end he sold a Remington SA made in the 1880's. His collection has nothing made after 1900. He doesn't need the money, just cleaning house a little.