These threads come up occasionally, and I must admit, in the last couple years, I have been thinking about my accumulation.

I'll be 66 this year, and both my parents died when they were around 72, so I'm guessing the possibility of me living to 100 is pretty slim. I have 2 younger brothers, and neither one of them have any interest in guns. I have a couple close friends that have guns, but 1 or 2 seem to make them happy. I have no children, grand children, nieces, nephews, cousins, no one, to leave my guns to, and my wife has absolutely no interest in them. If I go first, I really don't want her to have to worry about getting rid of them.

I have enjoyed having them. I'm glad I was able to afford them. Even the ones I don't shoot very often have given me pleasure. I used to go shooting every weekend, now I go 4 or 5 times a year. I do have my favorites though, and I think I could be perfectly happy with 8 or 10 pistols, and a couple rifles.

I think a lot of us have come to this cross-road once or twice. I know I have. Many times I open the safe and ask myself the same. I see quite a few guns i just pickup and wipe down every so often. I seem to take the same few guns out shooting all the time.

I have done some selling in the past and down sized the collection. However for no other reason than "I just love guns", I end up buying one here and there and the next thing I know I have just As many guns in the safe as before.

I don't need the majority of my guns. I just love having them. I keep telling myself that one day I am going to have a house with 10 or 15 acres and then I will shoot "all" the guns in the safe!!

Best of luck to you!

quote:

Originally posted by Muddflap:
These threads come up occasionally, and I must admit, in the last couple years, I have been thinking about my accumulation.

I'll be 66 this year, and ...

Muddflap, your situation describes mine to a "T" - age and all, except one thing: My firearm count has never risen to, much less above, what you're talking about skinnying-down to

But, still: Same concerns. I think I'll want to keep them as long as I can still shoot. I'm thinking that, if my wife goes before I, I'll will them to the NRA.

Alright-y. Lemmee scratch "the humorous approach" off the list of ways to address this.

Well, at 76, this thread is interesting to me. For whatever reason, I've loved guns since forever. Until recently, I've always used most of them for hunting. But simply having them brings great joy, whether used or not. Seeing them, and thinking about them is a pleasure.

As I now think, no reason to consider trimming the herd. I have a son and a daughter that will enjoy them after I'm gone. While neither simply enjoys guns as I do, they both hunt and shoot. And they both seem to love free stuff.

I have one I bought in 78 that is still unfired. For some strange reason, it means as much to me as any of the others. I figure on keeping all of my guns until I die, or become incapacitated. They will then go to my children. This has been in my will for the last 14 years, so no worries......

One question would be where is the best place to keep some of your wealth? Is it better off in guns, dollars, stocks or something else? I'm not sure there is an answer to this that is certain to be right. I think diversification is a good idea.

I crossed that bridge some years back and I gave away to friends and also some to two kids with their parents approval.
The ones for the kids gave me so much joy,I have taught the boys shooting for several years while their dad was deployed to A-stan multi times.
Did it also a few times previous years to friends.
My children and grandchildren have not been slighted as they have received at least six each.
I just want certain people to be taken care of.

I have made it a practice since I was able to purchase a gun that I would never ever sell any of them as long as I am alive.

^^^^I just keep a list, easy to find, so when I go;
1. My kids get to pick all they want
2. The NFA trust passes to the kids
3. SWMBO will sell the rest (if any) close to their value.

Being a minimalist is a choice, so is being a collector. I just like guns.

I don't normally advocate selling, but based off recent events - you can go ahead and sell anything from Springfield Armory and Rock River. Right now you get a free pass for selling them.

you can't take them with you ,

if you have not touched them in 16 months, they are just taking up space

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Alright-y. Lemmee scratch "the humorous approach" off the list of ways to address this.

I knew it!

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
you can't take them with you ,

if you have not touched them in 16 months, they are just taking up space

That is what I have been thinking. I go to the range at least once a week, often two times. I shoot my Legion 226 so often-- I love this gun-- that I'm thinking about buying another one. I also shoot my Sig 220, and my Wilson Pro.

But there are other guns that just... sit. Every six months or so I oil and grease them, and put them away again.

I'm in the process of selling my 226 in .40-- which will be replaced by a Legion 226 in 9mm. But I'm thinking about selling my H&K VP9. And another couple of guns that just... take up space. Good guns, but I don't use them. So why am I keeping them?

So umm in conclusion, everything's fine. No one's getting nuked, no reason to jump out the window or anything like that.

I'm in a similar position. I used to live at a home with a backyard range that I well used. After my divorce, it's been moving like a Gypsy, and it's getting real old moving anything, let alone a large gun collection 5 times in 4 years.

I have sold some pieces, and I think more are on the way. My only child daughter has no interest, or anyone in my family. I hate to think of what a burden this could be for someone, and I like the feeling of a new collector getting a shot at the good stuff. *IF* I ever settle down, I think having someone/some firm buying up the whole collection, might be a reality.

Most of my gear is C&R military, and it is very pleasurable to simply admire them, work the action, see what went for real quality, and wonder what they have seen. I also respect, and consider them historic relics, and want anyone who receives any of them, to keep it that way; no Bubba hack jobs to history please.

It really is hard to think this way, being how it used to be; shooting since I was 8 or so, taught myself reloading at 13, hunted nearly everyday in HS, used to shoot at least 500 rounds of ammo nearly every weekend, shot trap. Funny thing getting older.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
you can't take them with you ,

if you have not touched them in 16 months, they are just taking up space

Wow!
I have 16 year old guns still unfired.
My hope is that someday I will retire and possibly have more time to play.
As for those that consider guns as a financial investment, you probably need a new financial adviser.
I consider my guns as an investment in my children and future grandchildrens enjoyment.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
So umm in conclusion, everything's fine. No one's getting nuked, no reason to jump out the window or anything like that.

Wow! I love this place! It comes with happy endings!

I sold a 226 X5 because of my eye sight. Wanted to get something I could shoot better. Man I regret that!

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
So umm in conclusion, everything's fine... no reason to jump out the window or anything like that.

OP has not been back.

It's your collection...

I've regretted selling a few that were hard to get back once I realized I should have kept them.

I got rid of a bunch at one time to help pay for a wedding All the money went to something that mattered more.

Now only owning a few has been just fine..

quote:

I consider my guns as an investment in my children and future grandchildren's enjoyment.

It's an activity I enjoy with my children as well. And someday, they will have most of my guns.
Still, I see no problem with thinning the herd from time to time. We all have our reasons.