Unused Firearms -- Keep or Sell?

[CJ6]

I've been selling or trading some rifles and pistols that I just don't use anymore. Only one of our kids (daughter) hunts/shoots and she has 2 daughters that are taking an interest in doing the same. They will get their pick of what I have when the time comes but I doubt any of the specialty rigs will be among those chosen.

 

[CH87]

Well, if you have no use for it, I'd send it down the road.
And no, I'm not after it. Need one about like I need another hole in my head.

I love that saying, raised hearing it. Haha

 

[Medic505]

My wife would sell them for $50/ each, if it were her decision!

Could you please post your wife's phone number?

Asking for a friend........

 

[Kracken McGraw]

If you have someone to leave them to give them to them now so they can give you a hug and a kiss and say thank you not before your dead! The same goes with money.

Joe Salty

I’m beginning to think even with the money unless their real close, it will never be appreciated and will just be a short spending spree.

 

[CH87]

I’m beginning to think even with the money unless their real close, it will never be appreciated and will just be a short spending spree.

You could always give them a lifetime subscription to the “jelly of the month club”, who wouldn’t appreciate that! No spending spree, guaranteed.

 

[DShortt]

I’m beginning to think even with the money unless their real close, it will never be appreciated and will just be a short spending spree.

I look at things like this a bit differently than most people, or so I've been told.

I figure if someone wants me to have something, they'll give it to me. If they don't do that, I refuse to concern myself with it.

People squabbling over the things someone who passed reminds me of vultures and coyotes squabbling over a carcass.

You all go ahead. I'm good.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

You could always give them a lifetime subscription to the “jelly of the month club”, who wouldn’t appreciate that! No spending spree, guaranteed.

I’m just saying those that haven’t came along for the sweat and time, don’t really get the meaning.

 

[CH87]

I’m just saying those that haven’t came along for the sweat and time, don’t really get the meaning.

I agree with this. I grew up poor, everything I have today, I have earned. I take great care of my belongings. I honestly think is because I grew up poor that sometimes I buy things and don’t use them because I finally am able to afford it but don’t want it to get damaged and be without…and the OCD doesn’t help but may be a result of my childhood. Hence, some of my rifles that never get shot.

 

[CH87]

I agree with this. I grew up poor, everything I have today, I have earned. I take great care of my belongings. I honestly think is because I grew up poor that sometimes I buy things and don’t use them because I finally am able to afford it but don’t want it to get damaged and be without…and the OCD doesn’t help but may be a result of my childhood. Hence, some of my rifles that never get shot.

Hell, I’m that way with anything. Clothes that I don’t wear because they are nice, certain pocket knives that stay pristine, my boat that even If i take it to the river for 10mins…it gets hand washed and chamois. It’s a curse.

 

[jk80]

I'm getting that age when I wonder what will happen when I die. I've helped two other friends widows dispose of collections and reloading supplies. It was something I was asked to do and it was extremely hard on the families involved. My wife and I never had children and nieces and nephew's have there own lifes and can't be bothered to see us more than once or twice a year. I've started weeding out guns that I don't use much anymore. It'll relieve my wife of one more worry when I'm gone.

 

[Handi204]

I enough for all the grandsons a center fire rifle 2 oldest already have there’s. All grand kids except the youngest have gotten a twenty two or shotgun, my two sons will get my two favorite deer rifles, nephew will get the 1100, haven’t decided about the rest.

 

[dbaird]

Dang, you got me thinking my collection is lacking! No machine guns here, haha.

Since my last thread asking for options/thoughts got deleted, I am going to make this as vague as possible to try to not break rules. I just want others opinions/thoughts that may vary from mine.

Say you have firearms in the safe that see little to no use, say firearms that have no sentimental value to you. Do you keep them for the sake of not getting rid of your collection, or do you occasionally downsize to either make room for something you have been eying or use the funds for other needs?

I’ve only ever sold two guns, one was a semiautomatic 22lr because I wanted a 6 shot 22lr revolver instead and the other was my F-Class rig that I quit using due to life events.

anyways, what do members do? Thoughts, opinions?

I have been collecting and shooting for 50+ years. Have way too many rifles/handguns/shotguns. Many of them have never been fired. I gave these to my grandson when he was about 6 months old.
Thus I could not sell because they were not mine.
He just turned 20 (a fine young responsible man)
If I sold guns I would spend the money and have nothing. Leave them to a loved one unless you need the $.

 

[snert]

I'd give them to my four kids, but so far two of them have married guys that don't change underwear, so they are NOT getting my guns or stuff, even though they want them. Three are going to be pissed cause one is getting most of it, because so far they have proven they don't take care of stuff. I didn't hold on to guns that have been in my family since 1881 to have some SIL hack the barrel off to tacticool it.

I will let thenm have any money, four ways, if any is left. if not...too bad.

I Imagine I will sell a few in the mean time.

 

[hoz53]

Since my last thread asking for options/thoughts got deleted, I am going to make this as vague as possible to try to not break rules. I just want others opinions/thoughts that may vary from mine.

Say you have firearms in the safe that see little to no use, say firearms that have no sentimental value to you. Do you keep them for the sake of not getting rid of your collection, or do you occasionally downsize to either make room for something you have been eying or use the funds for other needs?

I’ve only ever sold two guns, one was a semiautomatic 22lr because I wanted a 6 shot 22lr revolver instead and the other was my F-Class rig that I quit using due to life events.

anyways, what do members do? Thoughts, opinions?

well Im late 60s and no one to pass anything down to. I finally sold a few last year. I have a few guns/ actions/scopes Id like to get and have some guns i dont use id like to apply proceeds from to get them. I dont want to sell anything inless i use the money to buy another gun/scope. doesnt look like that should be a problem as the stuff i want is way more expensive than what i can get for what ive got to sell . i dont think about maintaining a collection at all.

 

[jmkasza]

I’ll turn 45 this year, assuming I don’t step out in front of a bus or get struck by lightning before my birthday, and I’ve been thinking about this very thing. Neither of my daughters show any interest in shooting or hunting. Do I wait for grandchildren? I’m in a fortunate position that I don’t need to sell anything to fund other hobbies or toys. If that was not the case I’d probably consider selling an idle rifle to pay for new golf clubs or whatever it is that I wanted/needed at that point in time. Better to sell off things I don’t use (need) than take on debt or force a side hustle.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Don't grow old and leave your stuff for someone else to figure it out when you die. I've seen too many friends struggle to deal with their dead relative's gun collections. Ex: Grandpa died and left a closet with 30 guns, nothing is very special, just factory rifles and some have little/no value. A couple are not even legal (yikes). Can you help me figure out how to get rid of them or sell them?
1. Sell each one individually.
2. Sell them all as a bundle to a shop.
3. Turn them in to the local PD.

When I get old and stop shooting, I will thin them out and only keep a few sentimentals. Probably transfer them to kids or relatives, at least put them in someone else's name.

It's hard enough to get rid of your own stuff. Don't leave someone else with the burden of getting rid of your stuff after you're gone.

 

[dgeesaman]

Since my last thread asking for options/thoughts got deleted, I am going to make this as vague as possible to try to not break rules. I just want others opinions/thoughts that may vary from mine.

Say you have firearms in the safe that see little to no use, say firearms that have no sentimental value to you. Do you keep them for the sake of not getting rid of your collection, or do you occasionally downsize to either make room for something you have been eying or use the funds for other needs?

I’ve only ever sold two guns, one was a semiautomatic 22lr because I wanted a 6 shot 22lr revolver instead and the other was my F-Class rig that I quit using due to life events.

anyways, what do members do? Thoughts, opinions?

I get reactions from other shooters that I’m crazy for this but I keep ten guns. Total. Air, rimfire, or centerfire. If I want something g new something has to leave.

Cons: no real collecting.
Pros: no real collecting - every gun is a shooter. Every gun gets good treatment - fully tuned loads, repaired quickly if an issue develops, kept clean and lubricated. And it’s plenty of mental load on me to fully keep up with ten rifles. My reloading bench and consumables is manageable. And I mostly buy really nice guns now. They’re not necessarily high end but each one is an excellent example of its kind.

 

[hoz53]

Keep 'em.
When you sell toys you get money....
Money gets spent then you have no toys and no money

very true but if a person is careful and spends it on something they want more its ok

 

[hoz53]

I get reactions from other shooters that I’m crazy for this but I keep ten guns. Total. Air, rimfire, or centerfire. If I want something g new something has to leave.

Cons: no real collecting.
Pros: no real collecting - every gun is a shooter. Every gun gets good treatment - fully tuned loads, repaired quickly if an issue develops, kept clean and lubricated. And it’s plenty of mental load on me to fully keep up with ten rifles. My reloading bench and consumables is manageable. And I mostly buy really nice guns now. They’re not necessarily high end but each one is an excellent example of its kind.

that is a great idea —. i will look into if its possible for me. icould even sell one of the safes if i did that

 

[hoz53]

I have a bunch of guns I bought or built with the idea that I’d have time “someday” to shoot them. It’s not comforting to realize that someday might not happen and I’m running out of time. I’m going to be thinning the herd, as they say. Quality over quantity is a good thought. I’ll be keeping the good ones. I don’t have kids of my own, but I have a couple good young men I’ve “adopted” and mentor. I’ll split what’s left and give them my guns when the time comes. My wife would sell them for $50/ each, if it were her decision!

Since you also have a bunch of $ wats a little extra pocket change youd get for some guns mabie buy M2 (ma deuce) and have some fun out thar in the TX desert while you can. no wife to sell mine for 50 bucks but i imagine someone else would sell mine for that when its time. one reason. Id like to have sold them all by that time but of coarse i need some to shoot until then. And on the 03-A3—— i sold that GI 1911 last year. At first i thought it would be cool but i havent missed it.