Don't Shoot Small Bores Anymore

[Revolver-time]

About a year ago, or maybe longer, I found when I went to the range or just out for a walk I always had a pistol or revolver that had a caliber starting with a 4. Oh, if I bought a new small caliber gun I would try it out but after its first outing it would just sit. My small pistol primers were going into my 40 S&W or my small primer 45 cases and not in my 38s or 357s. I haven't bought any new 38 or 357 cases for years.

In my safe, I have a lot of 38s and 357s and some of them I need to keep. I have a 8 3/8 Model 27-2 that would need to stay with its long barrel buddies a 57, 29, and 25. But the Blackhawks and the 19, and the 27Classic, 28, 15 etc and so forth just sit.

The older I get, the more I see that I should use it or sell it. I don't have any children that show much intrest in guns and the wife would probably just sell them when I go to Box City. So what do you all think? Hang on to them or move them out perhaps buying more big bore stuff? Has anyone else experienced this type of change? Are you sorry you sold?

I asked this about a year ago and just kept everything, thinking I might change back to the smaller bore stuff. I didn't change back yet.

 

[GatorFarmer]

.38specials/.357 mags would classically be considered medium bores rather than small.

I know of a fair number of people that went down to 9mms from their .40s/.357Sigs owing to ammunition and component costs.

But, it is your stuff and if you aren't using it, then you might as well keep a medium bore for utility and arrange things to get something that you'd use.

 

[Evil Dog]

Personally I won't keep anything that I don't shoot fairly regularly.

 

[nawilson]

The only reason that I can think to keep the smaller stuff is that when you get older, you may find yourself less recoil tolerant. Maybe hang on to some just in case?

 

[Rule3]

It depends on what kind of mind set you have.

No you don't shoot them but unless you need the money you will probably have sellers remorse.

Soon after selling one you may wish you never did that.

 

[Jellybean]

I second that sellers remorse thing, especially with how hard it is to find a good, used, older S&W revolver around here.

I prefer large calibers too, but since I handload everthing I shoot, and cast most of the bullets I shoot, I like to use .32s and .38s for range guns for pure plinking sessions. I'm extremely cheap and they burn up the components a lot slower than the big bores.

 

[DeadAye]

I'm going the other way....
I'd sell them and put the money gleaned into more big bore stuff.

 

[utahvaughn]

Dont shoot small bores

I have several I shoot seldom.I think of the good times we had togeather.I will take care of them and they take care of me.Pride of owenership?? Links to the past?They will go to friends. I have a .22 Mark I. When I get it's grip it's like shakeing hands with a old pal.If you have the room and don't need the cash.Good luck.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I have several I shoot seldom.I think of the good times we had togeather.I will take care of them and they take care of me.Pride of owenership?? Links to the past?They will go to friends. I have a .22 Mark I. When I get it's grip it's like shakeing hands with a old pal.If you have the room and don't need the cash.Good luck.

Spoke directly to me. I have 3 guns that I bought/was given in the 60's, including a Model 28 my father gave me at graduation. Handling them brings back memories and, as stated, the grips are like shaking hands with an old friend. There's more to gun ownership than just the practical.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I have ALWAYS regretted selling off guns.

 

[Social Outcast]

I'm going the other way....
I'd sell them and put the money gleaned into more big bore stuff.

Like a 44 spl.

 

[jed]

To sell or to keep

I really should sell some of my guns as I have far more than I need.
I am certain that I will keep 38/357 until I keel over. I have a617 22LR
against the day I can not handle recoil.

There could come a time that I will sell some guns. My son is into shooting and will likely dispose of some of these guns.

I have never regretted selling any of my hand guns.

I am 68 and shoot from 2-3 per week.

Best of luck on your decisions.

jed

 

[mtgianni]

I have moved more in to shooting the 32's. The cost is around a 22lr and just plain fun.

 

[Ron H.]

About a year ago, or maybe longer, I found when I went to the range or just out for a walk I always had a pistol or revolver that had a caliber starting with a 4. Oh, if I bought a new small caliber gun I would try it out but after its first outing it would just sit. My small pistol primers were going into my 40 S&W or my small primer 45 cases and not in my 38s or 357s. I haven't bought any new 38 or 357 cases for years.

In my safe, I have a lot of 38s and 357s and some of them I need to keep. I have a 8 3/8 Model 27-2 that would need to stay with its long barrel buddies a 57, 29, and 25. But the Blackhawks and the 19, and the 27Classic, 28, 15 etc and so forth just sit.

The older I get, the more I see that I should use it or sell it. I don't have any children that show much intrest in guns and the wife would probably just sell them when I go to Box City. So what do you all think? Hang on to them or move them out perhaps buying more big bore stuff? Has anyone else experienced this type of change? Are you sorry you sold?

I asked this about a year ago and just kept everything, thinking I might change back to the smaller bore stuff. I didn't change back yet.

Sir, this is something only you can decide. FWIW, my battery (it's too small and random to call it a "collection") changes constantly as my interests change. I can't afford to keep them all, so some things get sold to finance new ones. It's all just stuff anyway. [shrug]

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Joe in SC]

Since you are asking the question I'd say you're not ready to get rid of them. If the answer was clear to you the guns would have already been sold, more than likely. If you are like me you will have something happen to renew your interest sooner or later. If you sale you'll just have to go out and buy another one.

I have to laugh at myself when I think about doing this. I can't tell you how many times I have reasoned that I didn't need a model 28 any more because I have a 27 with the same barrel length (it should be obvious that I'm a shooter/accumulator rather than a collector). Every single time I have sold my 28 I feel like I have abandoned an old friend. Right now I have a 6" 28-2 and it hasn't been fired in a couple of years. I know better than to sell it because I'd just have to find another. Go figure.

If you don't need the money, keep them.