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

I must the rare duck in this pond.

I sold off all 14, and gave away 4 collector firearms to family last winter.

Bought 1 do it all rifle, and a spare back up if it comes to that.

No regrets since the time has come.
My new rifle allows me to do what ever.
Close range for Harvesting critters, and endless shooting sports less F Class,,, that's what the back up rifle is for.

The main rifle is soon to head into the shop for its second work over.
Normally it ranges out too 600m.
A 1/3 of its life is the 1k,,, and 10 ish % of that is the 1500 to 1700 meters.

This is my second time around of the one rifle idea, and my last.
Everything is exactly the same for ammo, it remains constant. That way I allows me to know how it works inside and out.

This allows the rifle, ammo, and Me to compete at my highest level to date.

This is what works for me, each person picks & chooses what works for them.

At times I think back that I should of don't this or that, but when I step into the 600 to 1700 meter dragons cage it is soon forgotten.

To compete at "OUR" self highest level, there is no going back.

I can't go back if I'm pushing beyond my own expectations in many shooting sports.
By no means am I stating that my long range sports couldn't be done with what I had, but the battle would of been tuff.

Good luck on what ever path you choose,,, that's what really counts.

Don
 
You should post a list of them all and we can help you decide which ones are worth keeping and which ones we would take off your hands.
 
I will never be a "one rifle" guy... or even a "half a dozen rifles" guy... but I am very familiar with downsizing... as over the past decade, I have gone from triple digits to a couple dozen. I spent a lot of time quantifying what it is that I really enjoy about guns and shooting and hunting... I cross-referenced my battery based on multiple criteria (OCD inspired) and anything that didn't fit within my established criteria was sold off. I narrowed the shotguns down to four, the rimfire rifles down to four and the centerfire rifles down to 15-20 (it fluctuates)... my new "Golden Rule" is; "For one to come, one must go..." this keeps things from getting out-of-hand again... One aspect I very much enjoy is reloading and testing loads... so I try to keep my cartridges diverse without too much overlap, at the moment, I only have doubles of .223, 7X57, .308 and .350 RM.
 
I'm in the same boat, I recently got rid of my last Mosin Nagant, I just lost interest in them. I originally bought the first one as a spare hunting rifle and then a 2nd and they did that job for a while, but then circumstances through inheritance and gifts brought me better rifles so I parted with them. But still, there are some more I never use, they're not worth much, so I hang onto them.
 
Some have sentimental value. Don’t sell those. Everything else should live in fear for its place in the safe. I only kind of regret selling one gun. But I don’t really regret anything in my safe (though I’ve got an SKS to rehome).
 
Keep the ones with sentimental value, and those your children like.
If you do not need the money, I would keep some of the ones around that you don't really need or want.
I think it would feel pretty good to help a new hunter without much money to feed their family.
Please don't turn any in to the Red coats with the yellow stripes on their pants.
 
Selling guns out my personal pile just doesn't work. I would sooner give a gun to someone I know will appreciate it. There is nothing wrong with having lots of guns. I just posted a pic and a bit of a story about an old Model of 1917 that was a disaster to look at. It carries an nice old steel Weaver V7-B now and is now a good looking and shooting old rifle, thanks to Deaner! I'll keep it until someone expresses interest in it and needs a rifle. A couple years ago, I gave a friend an old 94 30-30. He still talks about that rifle, and apparently his daughter has taken it over.

Take your time. I have been gathering guns for well over 50 years. I've never felt the need to cut back. I may have to start giving them away at a faster rate! :p
 
Again thank you all for your insight, humour and telling me your experience. I’ll definitely take my time deciding which ones to part with. I also like the idea of giving them to new hunters.
I had an idea of bringing my grandfathers guns out to a range and invite family interested to share stories and shoot the ones I have. There are a few stragglers kicking around that A few of my uncles could bring for me to see and shoot. I thought it might bring some attention to a part of my grandpa’s life that he loved and maybe spark some interest in my cousins to take up hunting.
 
Dizzel said:
Again thank you all for your insight, humour and telling me your experience. I’ll definitely take my time deciding which ones to part with. I also like the idea of giving them to new hunters.
I had an idea of bringing my grandfathers guns out to a range and invite family interested to share stories and shoot the ones I have. There are a few stragglers kicking around that A few of my uncles could bring for me to see and shoot. I thought it might bring some attention to a part of my grandpa’s life that he loved and maybe spark some interest in my cousins to take up hunting.
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That's a great idea.

Enjoy
 
heronfish said:
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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This. I'm in the process of doing this, and really enjoying it.
 
If I were being buried instead of cremated when I die I’d have it in my will to be buried with what I have remaining. After all I would need them in the eternal hunting and trap shooting grounds and none of my sisters kids hunt or shoot so there won’t be anyone to leave them to anyways...except maybe a friend or two?...PLUS...how cool would it be to have your Perazzi on one side and your Model 71 on your other side in your casket?! :d
 
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I just sold a bunch, 6 handguns and 14 rifles some hadn't been shot for 30 years, no regrets. I'm getting older and don't have anybody to pass them on too and I didn't want to leave my family trying to sell them after I'm gone. New rule if It doesn't get used its gone.
 
cam1936 said:
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.
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This is what I have done, quality over quantity, sold off all the old hand me downs from my dad, grandfather and uncle,
 
bat119 said:
I just sold a bunch, 6 handguns and 14 rifles some hadn't been shot for 30 years, no regrets. I'm getting older and don't have anybody to pass them on too and I didn't want to leave my family trying to sell them after I'm gone. New rule if It doesn't get used its gone.
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I'm in the same boat. There is such thing as too many guns, when you reach your golden years.
 
I don't have sentiment for things. This includes guns. If they serve a need, fit me well and I enjoy shooting them, they stay. If not I sell them without hesitation or regret. There's only one gun I wish I hadn't sold.
Having said that. There's many guns and accessories I wish I hadn't bought over the years...
 
cam1936 said:
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.
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I agree with this 100%
My dad and I have been collecting as long as I remember. Collection went from 150-200 to about 50-60 nice high end ones
Still working on getting it to about 30-40 of a forever collection
For instance i have 4 410's all 4 are nice and unique and couple collectable like my model 42 and savage o/u
But would sell / trade all 4 and buy a Browning citori gr v and get interchangeable chokes put on. If I could ever find one.
 
trebor2880 said:
I'm in the same boat. There is such thing as too many guns, when you reach your golden years.
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I'm not in my "golden years" but I agree that a person can have to many. Ive had more then I could shoot for a few years (more is better right?). I found every time I went to the range or hunting there was only 4 or 5 I took all the time. When I took one of the other ones I was left wishing I brought something else instead. Sold off almost everything (think I had 25 at one point) and felt lot better about the little bit I had left. Tried to keep everything within reason after that. So far working out pretty well.
 
hometownhero said:
I'm not in my "golden years" but I agree that a person can have to many. Ive had more then I could shoot for a few years (more is better right?). I found every time I went to the range or hunting there was only 4 or 5 I took all the time. When I took one of the other ones I was left wishing I brought something else instead. Sold off almost everything (think I had 25 at one point) and felt lot better about the little bit I had left. Tried to keep everything within reason after that. So far working out pretty well.
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Same thing happened to me. I had way to many dust collectors. Sold them and bought gear&ammo instead
 
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