well to answer the question ! i have already decided to Change my direction of my gun collection/stash.My new direction if it was not family owned and i dont or wont shoot it is gone !
At What Age Will YOU Start Moving The Herd!??
- Thread starter SweetMK
- Start date
Some of the best advice about dating and women I know about.
We're not perfect and neither are they, but the point is we are better off with them than without them, so keep looking (and "growing up" yourself) Glockman9mm. It's a plan that was developed by a mind much greater than ours. Good luck!But to get back to the OP's question, I think the right time is when you don't really want them any more, regardless of age. You'll know when the time comes. "Age is just numbers."
Badger Matt
Member
My father's philosophy is "pass 'em on down while you can watch 'em being enjoyed." Fortunately, my sister has no desire to own guns so I get them. I asked him once what it would take ($$$) for me to get his AyA No.2...and he replied "my death." Then two years later he gave it to me. He's in his mid-70's and I also gave him a Ruger Redhawk, engraved on the backstrap with his rank (ret USAF) and name on it, so he could take it with him on our fishing trip to AK a few years back.
About them "crazy women." I married one and the older I get, the saner she becomes. We've got 27 years of marriage under our belts and here's what many folks miss -- marriage can be hard work. Fun, satisfying, happy, sad, but hard work now and then. I get out of it just a bit more than I put into it.
About them "crazy women." I married one and the older I get, the saner she becomes. We've got 27 years of marriage under our belts and here's what many folks miss -- marriage can be hard work. Fun, satisfying, happy, sad, but hard work now and then. I get out of it just a bit more than I put into it.
Slowhanddd
Member
Funny that this thread comes up today.In the last two weeks I helped bury two of my good friends.Both five years younger than me.I'm 63 and hope to have a lot longer to go.It's not a given what will happen.My sons,I have four, know what I have and what the value is.One,my oldest,knows who gets what and i do have a signed letter in the safe as to what goes where.Don't wait.You just never know.I hope to enjoy mine for many years and we are going to shoot some this after noon.
I guess I'm a lucky with two sons that know and appreciate firearms. We've gone through the meager items I have, decided who gets what, written down & notarized the form. I divorced their mother almost 20 years, got 2 wonderful sons out of it-I was the custodial parent, yes there were some very difficult times-mostly financial, would do it again having the same sons.
I remember being 25 and thinking how much I knew (& I'd been around the block a time or 3), now at 57 I know how much I didn't.
I remember being 25 and thinking how much I knew (& I'd been around the block a time or 3), now at 57 I know how much I didn't.
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I'll be 61 next birthday. I've been thinking of moving at least 1/3 out. I did this after "surrendering" my FFL 18 years ago, freed up resources and changed focus. Now, my son would like an assortment and he'll get one. My wife just got her CWP but she's just not a "gun person" regardless of pressure from me so I'll make any resources available as she wishes. The rest of this world, have at it. After I go, putting up with the bovine excrement is over and the shoveling is up to the young, as it should be. Joe
keith44spl
Member
I don't know....I've been in dispersal mode for several years now.
All the trade stock is gone, the children have raid'd the strong box
for the treasures from their youth and current wants or needs.
The grandsons are eyeing a few, and the oldest is making a list complete with his own hanging tags.
So, that jest leaves a few that I use purty often,
the ones I carried early on and the ones that help bring me home from time to time,
A gaggle of engraved ones that have a special home in the wooden glass display case....
Oh, I might have one or two to pass on to close friends or the boys in the ol posse...
And y'all know who you are
.
All the trade stock is gone, the children have raid'd the strong box
for the treasures from their youth and current wants or needs.
The grandsons are eyeing a few, and the oldest is making a list complete with his own hanging tags.
So, that jest leaves a few that I use purty often,
the ones I carried early on and the ones that help bring me home from time to time,
A gaggle of engraved ones that have a special home in the wooden glass display case....
Oh, I might have one or two to pass on to close friends or the boys in the ol posse...
And y'all know who you are
.
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Dang! I really must've lucked out. I married a woman that has been sweet enough and patient enough to put up with me and my idiosyncrasies for 41 years, three great sons and a super daughter. Fortunately, I've been able to fool 'em all these years because they all seem to still like me.
As I've mentioned before, all of my guns are "usin' guns." Each of my children got to pick out they're favorite handgun when they left the nest and they took it with them. All of my others are on a list with a selected son or daughter's name by it. I've divided up the firearms according to want, need, and personality of the child. For example, I think everybody needs a good .22, a good shotgun, a good deer rifle, and a good handgun. Even though some of my kids already have those items of their own, they're each going to get at least one of the above that belonged to their ol' dad.
When my oldest grandson went on his first pack trip with me, he was ten years old. He had just completed Hunter Safety and I had taken him out to the range a few times. I let him pack my Ruger Bearcat on his hip. Every pack trip he's gone on with me since, he's wanted to pack that little Bearcat. When I check out of this earth life, he'll be getting that gun.
Anyway, the list and reasons go on...but I hope each of my firearms has some sort of memory with it when my kids and grandkids get them.
As I've mentioned before, all of my guns are "usin' guns." Each of my children got to pick out they're favorite handgun when they left the nest and they took it with them. All of my others are on a list with a selected son or daughter's name by it. I've divided up the firearms according to want, need, and personality of the child. For example, I think everybody needs a good .22, a good shotgun, a good deer rifle, and a good handgun. Even though some of my kids already have those items of their own, they're each going to get at least one of the above that belonged to their ol' dad.
When my oldest grandson went on his first pack trip with me, he was ten years old. He had just completed Hunter Safety and I had taken him out to the range a few times. I let him pack my Ruger Bearcat on his hip. Every pack trip he's gone on with me since, he's wanted to pack that little Bearcat. When I check out of this earth life, he'll be getting that gun.
Anyway, the list and reasons go on...but I hope each of my firearms has some sort of memory with it when my kids and grandkids get them.
I care a great deal on who get's my guns.
I've already "given" some away.
I guess it would help to know my age I'm going on 50.
I want a lot of my guns to be used.
That is how I pick where they will go.
I've already "given" some away.
I guess it would help to know my age I'm going on 50.
I want a lot of my guns to be used.
That is how I pick where they will go.
Mr Pokeyman
US Veteran
I'm 67 now and still enjoy shooting but don't go as much as I used too. I already gave my son a couple of semi-autos that I don't shoot. I will give him the rest one of these days if he wants them. All I want to shoot or carry are my revolvers. He doesn't have any interest in them but my daughter likes to shoot them. I'll let them sort it out when I croak. The only gun I plan to sell off is a model 29 with a 3" bbl. I must have lost my mind when I bought that one. It was at a lgs years ago with a Lew Horton notation on the price tag. It was on consignment so I thought that was the sellers name. It had only been shot at the factory. I was told it had been ordered by some "old guy" who was afraid of it. I bought a box of ammo and took it for a test. I thought it would be like a 357, oh no, wrong. I fired a cylinder load thru it and my hand, arm and shoulder was sore. My ears were bleeding and my eyeballs fell out from the shock waves. I know that I will never shoot it again and my son doesn't even want to try it. One of these days I'm going to take some pictures and put it in the classified. I'm not tough enough for that sucka. 
rburg
Member
Well, lets see. Yep, I'd do some things different if I had it to do all over again. I'd skip my 2 boys and go straight to grand kids! They're lots more fun and someone else's primary responsibility. I do know that I'm having a lot more fun with my 1 YO grandson than I ever remember with any of the others. We have a family friend who's in her mid 70s. Saw here last month and talked with her. She asked how many grand kids I had now, so I told her 7. She already knew which one I liked the best. The littlest one, of course. And the only way that can change is for another one to come along.
OK, guns. I'm only 65 and I've been thinnin' the herd for about 10 years now. Still doin it, too. The first rule is if you've got a gun you want to go to someone, give it to them as soon as they're old enough and responsible enough to understand. If that little one of mine keeps charming grandpa, he'll have a bunch of fine guns! I had family guns. Those went to my boys. Its not that I didn't like them, it was just too much responsibility for me to bother with. Besides, my father was pretty practical. I'm not, so I buy the guns I want, not the cheap ones.
I gave up on me buyin so much ammo to last the rest of my life. I'm workin on buyin enough for the little guy to shoot for the next 80 years, too! The problem with holdin on to every thing till I take the dirt nap is how's momma gonna handle gettin rid of it? Here in America, its a time honored tradition to cheat women's and orphans. If they take a $5000 shotgun down to the flea market or local gun store cheaters, she'd be lucky to get $500. Them boys is thieves.
Of course I'm not the brightest bulb, either. I know, I spent thousands on a lousy old revolver. You can get a brand stinkin' new Taurus for under $500. I've had personal occasion to watch a great collection get dumped on the market. A big time collector up and died. His widow did call the local to them gunshop. They came in and did a complete inventory and then offered to buy the whole mess for $200,000. The widow was way too smart to do that. So she sat on the collection for a few more years, then got David Carroll to sell it on commission. And she got several times as much. They've got to earn a good living at a gun store.
When my gun show partner croaked in 2007, that same store cheated the living daylights out of his widow. And they were all supposed to be good friends. I guess at least they didn't cheat her any worse than someone off the street.
My ignorant wife had a plan. She was just going to let the boys come in and pick what they wanted (cherry pick) and then sell the rest. Its a formula for disaster. None of my guns have any real family background. They already have those guns. My guns are the one's I like. But they'll probably bring a good buck when sold by the right person. And its not just guns. What's she goin to do with the Randall and Gil Hibben knives? Every one knows cheap ole hunting knives are only worth $10 or so each, right.
And in all this, I realize the friends I have probably couldn't even price some of my treasures. The worst deal to get involved in is doing a widow a favor and try to sell her junk. Widows seem to come in two flavors, the ones who hate the stuff and would give it away, and the ones who think Hubby was the smartest guy in the world and think everyone is trying to cheat them. Don't even show them a value guide or Fladermans. Those fools can't even get the model numbers right in their book. And it takes a couple of years to get the thing written and published.
I could go on for hours.
OK, guns. I'm only 65 and I've been thinnin' the herd for about 10 years now. Still doin it, too. The first rule is if you've got a gun you want to go to someone, give it to them as soon as they're old enough and responsible enough to understand. If that little one of mine keeps charming grandpa, he'll have a bunch of fine guns!
I had family guns. Those went to my boys. Its not that I didn't like them, it was just too much responsibility for me to bother with. Besides, my father was pretty practical. I'm not, so I buy the guns I want, not the cheap ones.I gave up on me buyin so much ammo to last the rest of my life. I'm workin on buyin enough for the little guy to shoot for the next 80 years, too! The problem with holdin on to every thing till I take the dirt nap is how's momma gonna handle gettin rid of it? Here in America, its a time honored tradition to cheat women's and orphans. If they take a $5000 shotgun down to the flea market or local gun store cheaters, she'd be lucky to get $500. Them boys is thieves.
Of course I'm not the brightest bulb, either. I know, I spent thousands on a lousy old revolver. You can get a brand stinkin' new Taurus for under $500. I've had personal occasion to watch a great collection get dumped on the market. A big time collector up and died. His widow did call the local to them gunshop. They came in and did a complete inventory and then offered to buy the whole mess for $200,000. The widow was way too smart to do that. So she sat on the collection for a few more years, then got David Carroll to sell it on commission. And she got several times as much. They've got to earn a good living at a gun store.
When my gun show partner croaked in 2007, that same store cheated the living daylights out of his widow. And they were all supposed to be good friends. I guess at least they didn't cheat her any worse than someone off the street. My ignorant wife had a plan. She was just going to let the boys come in and pick what they wanted (cherry pick) and then sell the rest. Its a formula for disaster. None of my guns have any real family background. They already have those guns. My guns are the one's I like. But they'll probably bring a good buck when sold by the right person. And its not just guns. What's she goin to do with the Randall and Gil Hibben knives? Every one knows cheap ole hunting knives are only worth $10 or so each, right.
And in all this, I realize the friends I have probably couldn't even price some of my treasures. The worst deal to get involved in is doing a widow a favor and try to sell her junk. Widows seem to come in two flavors, the ones who hate the stuff and would give it away, and the ones who think Hubby was the smartest guy in the world and think everyone is trying to cheat them. Don't even show them a value guide or Fladermans. Those fools can't even get the model numbers right in their book. And it takes a couple of years to get the thing written and published.
I could go on for hours.
NeoBuckeye
Member
I am in my early 40's, no children.
I don't have a collection with a theme, more like an accumulation.
As my tastes have changed, there are about 3 that I am planning to sell.
I have a wife that will get all of them, except for 2 that will go to friends.
The idea of giving them to children or friends now while you can watch them enjoy it makes sense too.
I don't have a collection with a theme, more like an accumulation.
As my tastes have changed, there are about 3 that I am planning to sell.
I have a wife that will get all of them, except for 2 that will go to friends.
The idea of giving them to children or friends now while you can watch them enjoy it makes sense too.
finesse_r
Member
At 67 I am finally mature enough to get married. Now all I have to do is find a nice, wealthy, blonde athletic 19 year old gal that can cook southern style and I will be starting a family. Otherwise I will just remain a curmudgeon, with a lot of freedom to hunt and shoot and to collect what I feel like collecting.
I don't have to worry about a thing...............
It is being handled by........
"Will"
It is being handled by........
"Will"
mg357
Absent Comrade
i'm 28 and currently single and i have sold off my handgun collection twice in my life to help my family.
When i do get married and have a family of my own i will let my children pick out the guns that they want when i'm gone.
then i will put instructions in my will that they get the guns that they had picked out previously.
When i do get married and have a family of my own i will let my children pick out the guns that they want when i'm gone.
then i will put instructions in my will that they get the guns that they had picked out previously.
sipowicz
Member
I often wonder if my 5 year old will be able to shoot, let alone own any of my guns in 15 years....so yes, I do often think of thinning the herd.
I turned 63 recently and have a bunch of health issues. I will be selling some stuff I got tired of and plan to upgrade. still love to shoot, just not enough anymore. I keep an inventory and change values once a yr. also list what I have in each gun when I bought or traded for it. will be married 39 yrs in less than a month with no children.she has names of people to contact when the time comes. buy what you like, life is short.
I'm only 80 and am still adding to the collection. I have a list of my guns and their values, which I upgrade occasionally (probably not often enough). I know a shop that will take my collection on consignment and have told my kids to send the guns to him. I'm not worried about them.
I'll be 70 in June and I've been thinking about this. My wife wants me to get rid of all of it so she won't have to fool with it. I know it may not happen that I get that opportunity but if it works out I guess that will be one consideration.
Another factor is finances. Not knowing how long you're gonna live makes it tricky to figure out how to pace your spending. We don't want to save EVERYTHING for the kids but we don't want to "outlive our money" either. I may have to let a few things go at some point for just that reason.
What I'd like to see happen is that I get to keep all my guns as long as I enjoy shooting them and owning them and getting pleasure from them and have that "Pride of Ownership" thing goin'.
I have 4 that I will never sell. I will never sell my grandfathers 1885 S&W top break .38, My dads Colt 1903 that he carried in flight as a B-29
pilot in WWII, My Webley .455 and my 1973 SS Ruger Blackhawk. The last two were gifts from dear friends and I'll not part with them in this life time.
If I have to sell it or starve I will but the absolute last thing to go will be my S&W Lew Horton 24-3. By the time that happens I'll be circling pretty close to the drain...
Edit to add: None of my kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews or other family member has any particular interest in guns so I don't really have any family to leave them to. I have several close friends that I am considering leaving the sentimental items to but no definite decisions have been made on that.
Another factor is finances. Not knowing how long you're gonna live makes it tricky to figure out how to pace your spending. We don't want to save EVERYTHING for the kids but we don't want to "outlive our money" either. I may have to let a few things go at some point for just that reason.
What I'd like to see happen is that I get to keep all my guns as long as I enjoy shooting them and owning them and getting pleasure from them and have that "Pride of Ownership" thing goin'.
I have 4 that I will never sell. I will never sell my grandfathers 1885 S&W top break .38, My dads Colt 1903 that he carried in flight as a B-29
pilot in WWII, My Webley .455 and my 1973 SS Ruger Blackhawk. The last two were gifts from dear friends and I'll not part with them in this life time.
If I have to sell it or starve I will but the absolute last thing to go will be my S&W Lew Horton 24-3. By the time that happens I'll be circling pretty close to the drain...
Edit to add: None of my kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews or other family member has any particular interest in guns so I don't really have any family to leave them to. I have several close friends that I am considering leaving the sentimental items to but no definite decisions have been made on that.
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