Safe Queens

[dryhumor]

Selling seems harder than buying or building, I've noticed. And when I think of who might like what when I kick the bucket, I come up with a pretty short list. I have a few I haven't shot in years, and the ones I do shoot, I rotate through and develop new loads for, just to keep it interesting.

My goal, would be to only have enough to fit in the safe, with room left over. Maybe 5 or 6. That said, I could stand to sell about a dozen..... and, I have good intentions of thinning some out this year.

 

[MGYSGT]

Adopt me and problem solved.

 

[ourway77]

I have pondered for some time on this very same subject and I have come to a decision there are those that over the years I have bought shot some then they went into the safes to never be handled only to wipe them down so with that I have been down sizing as I have no one to pass them too and my wife would probably listen to some shyster and give them away At 80 I hunt Deer some but I mainly target shoot so with the money I make from the sales I have bought really good guns but still have 2 safes full of rifles etc. Selling guns on the internet is a pain in the A#@ and shipping any more is also a pain and has become expensive It's hard to sell guns even if the price is right even then most want the for less I can't blame them for that so I have a sporting goods dealer who only charges over what I say I want for them what ever price he puts on them is fine with me as I am getting what I want as is he, That way no shipping no insurance and he handles all the paper work I should have found him long ago I lost my A@! on a lot I sold but that's life. I would take my favorite with me but I don't think those ovens are hot enough to melt the metal LOL Good Luck to all what ever you do with them because when we crap out nothing will be worth anything My one finger is tired

 

[Tommie]

I have sold very few guns and now regret all but two. Do I shoot everything in my safe? Nah. Some weapons haven't seen light of day for over a decade. Simply owning a particular piece gives me pleasure. Each one has a story if not a purpose.

 

[jimbo88mm]

I have modest collection of milsurps that I don't take out often but would never sell.

Over the years I have sold one rifle and regretted it, so nope.. not selling any of mine. When I'm gone the family is welcome to pick through them, keep what they want and sell the rest (although I'll insist a couple of the milsurps stay in the family).

 

[ttfreestyle]

In the last year I have sold several that I never shot , some weren't even scoped . I kept the family guns of course and used the money to build two full customs with nice scopes. After shooting the customs quiet a bit my only regret is wondering why I didn't do this sooner.

 

[CTK]

In the last year I have sold several that I never shot , some weren't even scoped . I kept the family guns of course and used the money to build two full customs with nice scopes. After shooting the customs quiet a bit my only regret is wondering why I didn't do this sooner.

I absolutely love pre 64 model 70's. I now do not own a single one. I have 2 full custom synthetic stocked hunting rifles. I wish that I could afford a fleet of guns that I appreciated and thought were worthy of collecting. I am lucky to have the ability to buy a few of the finest performing hunting rifles available. A full custom hunting rifle and scope can cost 6 grand or better. Despite my appreciation for vintage firearms, i have to make an economic choice between performance and long term value. My fancy, synthetic, rifles will be effectively worthless in 10-20 years. I may be worthless in 20 years. If I was hoping to buy guns with likely appreciation value, I would restrict my ability to own the cutting edge custom rifles. All this said, I am haunted by the desire to own a "mint" Winchester 52c 22lr Sporter.

 

[hoz53]

Well I have enough guns, but I also believe that you can never have to many. My wife once said that she had no idea what they were worth or what she would do with them when I die. I told her to have an auction, I have seen a few guns go cheap at auctions, but not many. I have seen a lot of gun go for 2 or 3 times what they were worth. I will sell a gun every now and again, but my vault still seem to be gaining when it comes to number of guns.
, and I`in my 70`s.

Every time I go to a gun auction they go high it seems. Mabie I should auction some of mine but that would probably be the only one I go to where the guns go cheap.

 

[hoz53]

They take up less room than other passions,namely....tons and tons of beautiful shop equipment.New and especially old "arn".So,whilst some of our guns don't get used as much as the shop stuff.....fine.

If i had the means youve obviously got I would probably feel the same way. Id luv to have a big old american made lathe in EX condition.

 

[hoz53]

I've been having the same argument with myself lately. For example I have a really nice Parker Hale in 300 Win mag that hasn't had a round through it in at least 10 years. Thing is, my dad bought it brand new back in the 60's and I just can't part with it. So far out of eight neices and nephews there isn't anyone who would appreciate it. Maybe one nephew who's now 15 but we'll see.

Similar to you I have a sporterized 98 mauser my dad bought before he ever knew my mom. I havent shot it in 20 years. Im not selling it though Im getting it out dusting it off and going to shoot it now and then. Im sure there will be alot of memories involved. I dont have anybody to leave it to though.

 

[hoz53]

If I'm not using anything, firearms included, I sell it and let someone else enjoy it as I once did.

I agree with this and its part of the reason I will do it. I have Talked to to many people who have 100 plus guns usually passed down through the family and they are sitting stored somewhere never seeing the light of day.

 

[hoz53]

I've sold some that later I have regretted selling. My shooting interests sometimes cycle from one discipline to another, so one gun may get 'safe time', and then it may well be re-called. One in particular that comes to mind is a Dan Wesson 44mag 10"bbl that I sold. I was using it for steel silhouettes, got away from that and sold it. DUMMKOPF!

So, I don't sell many anymore. My CMP M1 Garand doesn't get shot much, but I really enjoy breaking it down, cleaning, and re-assembling.

Most of them I have sold in the past I regretted, that is why I just decided at one point not to sell anymore. I to wondered if id want to use them for something down the road. At this age now though I think I can rule out many possibilities. I hope anyhow. I have 2 Garands. I may sell one but Ill definately be out there shooting at least one. If you just enjoy it without shooting it that is great. No use giving that up

 

[hoz53]

I have catalogued all the guns in my safe and the big ticket items in my reloading room. Once I'm gone I told my wife to sell what she wants, but I'd roll over in my grave if she sold the guns for what I told her I paid.

Also have a picture file of all Guns & Serial numbers.

I need to upgrade my inventory for sure. I dont have a wife though--Hoping I can sell all mine or find a good home for tham and shoot every last bullet I have before I go.

 

[hoz53]

I have sold some to guys I know who use them and enjoy them. I have also sold some that I really regret.

Today, I only sell for the purpose of upgrading to something I think I want more.

I'll have one built, shoot it til I squeeze the absolute best outa it that I can, then it tends to get moved to the back of the safe. Once there - it often gets sold.

Yeah you know I think I will also just sell enough to buy others I want like you say. Otherwise the money just kind of gets spent for something I dont have anything to show for.

 

[hoz53]

I've got my safe queens and my "corner queens". The "corner queens" are bolt actions, mostly military surplus that I've collected over the years and stacked against the wall with the bolts locked away in the safe. Every now and then I think, "Ought to clean out the collection. Son's not a collector. Why keep them?" Then I think about my regrets over trading an '03A3 for a .22 target rifle and other trades I've made, most of which I now regret, and just put it off 'till later.

Yeah Im the same way I have put of selling a number of them for years. Its a ways down there to your place for me but I may be able to make it to help you clean out the corner.

 

[hoz53]

The items in my safe are split into three categories:

1. "Tools" - Part of my living is outdoors and I hunt a lot in the fall. I have "tools" in the safe that are my standard go-to's and I have owned them for years. I have added two firearms to the tool chest in the last 10 years. One for varmint removal and one for carry. There's not a lot. A couple of rifles, a few shotguns, a few pistols/revolvers. I have not sold one of my tools ever and they get used a lot.

2. "Family Legacy" - These are guns that have been passed down from my grandfather and father. There's quite a few, but I will never sell them. They will go to my kids and nephews. I still own the first gun I ever shot and the first gun I ever owned along with my grandfather's first gun he ever owned after immigrating to the US from Italy.

3. "Hobby" - These are for competition or just an interest in a particular gun. These come and go as my interests and wants change. If they sit for too long, they sell.

My wife had the same question, so I keep a document with the description, serial numbers and values in the safe with the guns. If I croak soon, she will be all set. Give these to this person and sell these for this price range. I even offer up some channels to sell them through. Great for insurance purposes as well.

"If they sit to long they sell" Thats waht im going to try to do from now on. Good you have things set for the wife.

 

[hoz53]

You need to really like them to keep them. None of your buddies will care that you have a pre-war model 70 in 7mm Mauser. Their eyes get glossy when you explain that there were only 900 made that year. If you had an AR with night vision they would be at least curious. I like fancy 22's. No one else around me cares or understands that a 2000 dollar 22 has any more chance of being better than a 200 dollar 22. I no longer discuss my guns with my buddies. I do believe that if you do not shoot them and they do not have either great appreciation potential or sentimental value, they should be culled for something you want or need. This is my personal system. Not intended to suggest it applies to anyone but me.

Right I will keep the ones I really like for various reasons but where before I kept them all Like you say I will sell the ones that dont mean much to me or I dont use much.

 

[hoz53]

Just had a professional photog take pictures of my rifles. My real love is building them. I have several that have not had a cartridge in them. One of these days I will shoot them I hope. The photos will help if I decide to sell. I'm almost 75 and have 3 more rifle projects going at this time.
My family heirlooms are Western Auto Revelations and Sears&Roebuck.

You really have some beautiful custom guns Butch. I dont have anything like them. It seems that would make it harder to sell--I dont know how you feel about it. Good Luck in the future though and I hope you get out to shoot those rifles!

 

[hoz53]

Interesting post, I like see the perspectives. I cycle through how manage my firearms. Sometimes I get on a kick and may acquire or build several in a short period of time, sometimes I go on a gun diet and direct funds elsewhere. However, I always come back to trading, buying, building - I just really enjoy firearms and knives, it brings out the kid in me. I don't sell my sentimental firearms, I have cut some of those loose before and regretted it but the ones that are just a tool or ones I don't connect with go down the road. its a constant evolution.

"Manage my Firearms" Thats a good way to look at how I should handle it. And thanks again for the 22br brass.

 

[hoz53]

When life is fat and happy, guns in the safe mean a lot. When life gets bitter and hard, they become $. Then life gets fat and happy, and then you realize you sold such and such and the bitter comes..

However, at 52 and having no legs to hunt anymore, I have to realize that some of my stuff will never get used much, like my M42 i used for grouse and bunnies. But I can't sell it. I would just as soon my kids have them and bury them to keep them from the smelter someday. When I go, all those memories of hunts gone bye will go with me. But they will have a token of my life.

Right now life is hard and bitter. Trying to keep my eyes on the easy that will hopefully come. But there is an M1a and a 513T I really think may head off soon.

Yeah there are some I couldnt sell no matter if I could use them or not thats for sure. Sorry to hear things arent going the best and I hope you have better days are ahead.