I wouldn't sell a baby either

[Conan The Librarian]

Dang! I've got some guns I really should sell, but I can't bring myself to do it. They're like my children. I like just owning them. Must be old shooter syndrome.
 
I go to the safe with camera in hand to take a picture for the advertisement, then I handle the gun and I just can't bring myself to put it on the market.

[Old Syko]

They're just things.  Nothing I own is worth getting sentimental over.  If I felt the need to sell them I would and never have a second thought about it.  The thing is I don't need to turn them over and will always have the desire to acquire more of them, but they are still just things.  My wife and kids and grand kids on the other hand you don't want to even suggest separating me from or you'll learn one of the reasons I own all those things.

[dukkillr]

Perhaps it's because I'm a hunter and not really a shooter or collector.  But when I look at one of my core guns it reminds me of some of the hunts or adventures I've had with that piece of equipment.  It's not the metal thats interesting, it's the memories that metal brings up.
 
I'll die with my 28" Mod. M-12, and don't get me started on my Northface vest or Cabela's jacket. 

[Conan The Librarian]

Old Syko is the rock. Dukkillr is the hard place. I'm usually totally unsentimental and freely get rid of things I don't need or am no longer using, but the guns and some fishing equipment I have is an exception.

[ironglow]

I've gone through a lot of them over the last 40 years or so.  Rarely do I sell one but I do trade in the ones which don't shoot up to my standards.  The rest of them I have given away.  I give them to my son or grandchildren...Latest one was passing my Marlin 336 30/30 to my youngest grandson on Christmas.  I like to collect some game with them before passing them on ...as keepsakes.  That 30/30 only got one buck though...
    Might be easier to understand, knowing I am up into my grandpa years (75) and not as hard driving on a hunt as I used to be..

[Old Syko]

Just because you're not using something at the moment or may not even foresee a need for it in the future is no reason to get rid of something.  Guns and fishin' gear don't eat anything and take up very little space when stored.  Unless a feller was in drastic need of the funds and had no other way to raise them, there is really little reason to let them go as long as they are capable of performing the function for which they were originally intended.  Besides, now isn't the time to be selling.  Now is the time to be buying.    


IG, givin them up to kids and grand-kids gives me as much pleasure as having them myself.  My son used to say "It just ain't Christmas 'til somebody gets a gun in this family."

[Sourdough]

I've sold two, Ruger Flat Top .357 Blackhawk, and a Winchester 94 in 30-30.  Then gave one to the EX, Colt Woodsman.  Been wondering why ever since.  Currently have over 80 long guns, no idea how many pistols. 

Once I am no longer needing them the boys will split them up.  I have sent the oldest several this fall, and will give him more this coming summer to use with the kids.  Give Sky one usually every year, so does his Mom. 

Meanwhile just bought another one, H&R Top Break .38, having it sent to the FFL dealer I use here in Fairbanks.  Bought a Ruger 1911 two weeks ago.  Getting the urge for a Sharps, .50 cal.  And the Lazzeroni is looking appealing.  Can't decide whether to get the .308 Warbird, or the .338 Titan, is the only reason I don't have one already.  Ha, I'm an old man, got nothing else to spend my retirement on.  Wife won't let me do like Newt, and keep a mistress.  Plus she shoots pistols better than I do.  Wife has her own income.  She collects Ruger .357s.

[gypsyman]

Learned my lesson 30 years ago. Seemed like every time I sold a gun, just because I wasn't shooting it, or lost interest in it, a year or 2 later, I wanted one just like it. And, the price never got any better. So I decided it was cheaper to just hang on to it, leave it in the safe. When the urge came back, I pulled it out, and had fun. Now I have 2 boys that like to shoot, so they can argue over them when I'm gone. gypsyman

[rockbilly]

I have two large safes and can’t get any more in either one; they are stored all over the house as well.  I’m getting to the age I don’t shoot as much as I once did, I still try to hunt each year but that too is limited.  I have thought downsizing everything and moving to a smaller house so it may be time to start thinking about where the guns will go.

My Son has two big safes full, he doesn’t need any more but will I will likely let him select what he wants, the grandsons will also have a shot at them, one has already spoke up, he wants my 1911, (Made in 1918), Lugar, P-38, M1, M-14, 30-40 Krag and several other old military surp rifles.  I have put notes on them in case something happens to me to ensure he gets them.  What is left will find new homes.  I will probably keep one rifle, a shotgun and couple of pistols……………..but I love them all soooo…….. what do I keep and what do I let go?

[ironglow]

Just because you're not using something at the moment or may not even foresee a need for it in the future is no reason to get rid of something.  Guns and fishin' gear don't eat anything and take up very little space when stored.  Unless a feller was in drastic need of the funds and had no other way to raise them, there is really little reason to let them go as long as they are capable of performing the function for which they were originally intended.  Besides, now isn't the time to be selling.  Now is the time to be buying.    


IG, givin them up to kids and grand-kids gives me as much pleasure as having them myself.  My son used to say "It just ain't Christmas 'til somebody gets a gun in this family."

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  AMEN there Bro..What more personal item can you pass on than a gun which you have carried in snow, freezing, blistering heat..have caressed the wood and/or steel and have many memories invested in.  Often times, these memories are shared with the one to whom you are giving the gun..

[BBF]

................................... But when I look at one of my core guns it reminds me of some of the hunts or adventures I've had with that piece of equipment.  It's not the metal thats interesting, it's the memories that metal brings up.
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You nailed it there. Memories are what you end up with if you are lucky enough to still have them when all things wind down towards the end of your life.