Safe Queens

[hoz53]

Some years ago I was talking about some of my guns I didnt shoot much with a man who holds a distinguished pistol badge. He said" If I Dont Shoot Em I Sell Em" Of coarse I've never felt that way- Like many here probably feel I never had enough no matter how much I shot them. Up to now any way. Now I look at the guns that are locked in the safe and I dont even get to look at them much and havent shot them in years. Im sixty now and I ask myself--If Not Now When-- What is the point having them if I dont get any enjoyment out of them. I dont have any family to pass any down to and that makes a difference to. Ive had a moritorium on selling any gun for a long time but its about to get lifted. Of coarse I have some with sentimental value Ill certainly keep but others are going on the block. More Bullet money for the other ones and there are a few I want that I dont have so Ill get them. But Im making the decision/commitment to "Shoot All I Got" At least fairly regularly. A tough job but somebodies got to do it.

Well For Now Anyway

Therapy Session Over Thanks

.

 

[Catfish]

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.

 

[Intheshop]

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.

 

[theMadAlaskan]

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.

 

[hogpatrol]

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

 

[theMadAlaskan]

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

You're right of course, I need to develop more of that attitude towards things. For some reason I get emotionally attached to my guns.....and my motorcycles...and cars and trucks...

 

[Barlow]

I just sold my 12FTR in 6 Dasher. Our group fell apart when we lost our range and I'm not driving 100 plus mile to shoot. I have a Savage model 24, 30-30 over 12 gauge I would sell. Some heirlooms I will give to relatives before I croak. Barlow

 

[T.Rhodes]

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

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.

 

[CoverDog]

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.

 

[geraldgee]

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.

 

[DRNewcomb]

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.

 

[WindSurgeon]

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.

 

[CTK]

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.

 

[butchlambert]

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.

 

[nakneker]

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.

 

[snert]

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.

 

[VaRandy]

Some years ago I was talking about some of my guns I didnt shoot much with a man who holds a distinguished pistol badge. He said" If I Dont Shoot Em I Sell Em" Of coarse I've never felt that way- Like many here probably feel I never had enough no matter how much I shot them. Up to now any way. Now I look at the guns that are locked in the safe and I dont even get to look at them much and havent shot them in years. Im sixty now and I ask myself--If Not Now When-- What is the point having them if I dont get any enjoyment out of them. I dont have any family to pass any down to and that makes a difference to. Ive had a moritorium on selling any gun for a long time but its about to get lifted. Of coarse I have some with sentimental value Ill certainly keep but others are going on the block. More Bullet money for the other ones and there are a few I want that I dont have so Ill get them. But Im making the decision/commitment to "Shoot All I Got" At least fairly regularly. A tough job but somebodies got to do it.


I turned 70 last year and had the same thoughts about changing a few things. I rid myself of a couple of safe queens and a few unneeded scopes but that is al I could bring myself to do.

Since it is harder to support hobbies when you are not working anymore and bringing in paychecks, I can see me in the future reducing use of Ho's and Blow but I cannot bring myself to reduce the arsenal further.


Well For Now Anway

Therapy Session Over Thanks

.

Some years ago I was talking about some of my guns I didnt shoot much with a man who holds a distinguished pistol badge. He said" If I Dont Shoot Em I Sell Em" Of coarse I've never felt that way- Like many here probably feel I never had enough no matter how much I shot them. Up to now any way. Now I look at the guns that are locked in the safe and I dont even get to look at them much and havent shot them in years. Im sixty now and I ask myself--If Not Now When-- What is the point having them if I dont get any enjoyment out of them. I dont have any family to pass any down to and that makes a difference to. Ive had a moritorium on selling any gun for a long time but its about to get lifted. Of coarse I have some with sentimental value Ill certainly keep but others are going on the block. More Bullet money for the other ones and there are a few I want that I dont have so Ill get them. But Im making the decision/commitment to "Shoot All I Got" At least fairly regularly. A tough job but somebodies got to do it.

Well For Now Anway

Therapy Session Over Thanks

.

 

[Milo 2.0]

If you're not using, sell, unless something you intend to pass down or on. I regret selling my Colt Python and Diamondback collection at times, but they were never going to be shot, and I have no heirs so to speak. I do wish I had kept a hunting rifle, but don't hunt, lol

 

[1K6BRA]

Thinking real seriously of being buried with my pre-64 model 70 in 250-3000 savage. It took me forever to find one in good honest shape at a reasonable price for this workingman's budget! I use it most years to shoot a deer here in Pennsylvania. I dread the thought of it becoming a safe queen or end up in the hands of somebody that does not appreciate it or does not know what they have.

 

[CTK]

I traded a 64 Sporter (1422) for a tape deck and the satisfaction of a poker debt during my college years. This was to a friend who later thought it was very funny. He refused to sell it back to me and willed it to my son. I eventually got it back. Good trades make sense. If you are getting crap in return for a fine rifle, you should hang on to it .