Thinning the herd. (Deciding which guns to let go of)

D

Dizzel

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eastern rural Ontario
Hi All
I need advice from those members who have had a hard time thinning out the number of guns they have. I’ve recently gotten back into hunting and as a result of several family members who are former hunters I have received a number of hunting guns and will receive more as people pass on. I am the only person in my family (extended family too) who hunts.
There is a mix of family heirlooms, beat up hunting guns, decent hunting guns from the 10’s to 80’s.
I feel lucky and honoured to have these but the problem is that I will eventually have more than I will ever need or want (20+). I do have three young boys and hope that they will be interested when they’re older.
For those of you who have thinned your collection of firearms, I would like to know how you approached this problem and any successes and regrets you may have had.
 
Hold onto them all. For the cost of a couple of stack on cabinets. You can keep them until a family member or friend needs a gun. Then give them away.
 
Here's what I did, maybe it will help:

If you'll likely never find one ever again, keep it
If it's one a close blood relative used their entire life, keep it
If it's one of your "go to" rifles and you shoot it often, keep it


If it's sat for over 2 years without being touched, sell it
If it's very easily replaceable, sell it
If it's rare/hard to find but you doubt you'll ever shoot it, sell it

For the most part, guns can be replaced. I'm sure at some point everyone sells one and always wished they hadn't, but for the most part, if you really really want one like it again, you can probably find it.
 
In have thinned mine a bit for unless its an heirloom to be given eventually to another family member or I enjoy shooting it , off it goes . I've given some away to friends' children to get them started in the sport.
 
My old friend Cleve died last year at 96,he was an old rancher from Smithers and he gave away his guns on one condition, that we used them...before he died, we sent him some pictures of us in moose camp,a nice bull shot with his Remington 700 30-06 , sitting around the fire and a few grouse we shot with his 'nylon 66' .He said he could ' go off to glory now that his guns were in safe hands'
 
Since many of them were free from family members, consider yourself the custodian instead of the owner. Keep them, use them until you find the next keeper.

It might end up being part of your legacy; with someone in the future showing his son a fine old shotgun or rifle
and telling him how he'd got it from Great Uncle Dizzel who was a hard shooting deer and duck man from
his momma's side.
 
Personally, I would keep every last one of them. Every one of those guns probably has a story attached to it. Great way to share family history with the younger generations.

On the flip side...if you are going to give them away to family...I could always use another uncle!
 
I have no problem selling guns. I'd rather sell 10 mediocre rifles and replace them with 1 high quality one. Or sell old ones to try new ones and then sell those new ones to try others ect.
 
I am getting to that stage. I have many I dont use, but have sold some I sorry I did (like a S Sharps just recently ).go through them and if it is something you might like in the future keep it. You can review it later. Higher end guns are great to save for your kids.
 
the spank said:
I thinned mine out about two years ago with no regrets. I kept only the guns I use most and a couple heirlooms handed down to me that I felt were important to pass on. The rest went out the door.
Click to expand...

Getting there also Spank. Did the prohibs, & handguns first , pretty much finished the rifles last year but still having a hard time getting rid of the shotguns . Moving a few BUT not like I should
Superx1's went from 7 to 4 which was difficult :)
Not one regret so far
Cheers
 
Keep, manage & distribute to worthy offspring and even a few went to people getting started but just scratching by as they get started in life...... I'm a firm believer in passing things along, kids are salivating over a few pieces but they have to wait till I'm cold.

Dirk
 
If there is no sentimental attachment, allow them to be gone to a willing buyer. I did it over the last few years and it has made me glad to have done it.
Sold off many of the mediocre rifles and shotguns and instead invested in quality equipment like a good over under upland gun, backpacks, spotting scope, good boots and binoculars etc.
I am still using the same gun I always do, but have better hubting equipment. Having dozens of dusty rifles has never made a hunt more enjoyable.
 
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