I am in the same situation in that my only child divorced and then passed away. The Grand kids do not show much of any interest and my wonderful wife puts up with my hobby but also does not want to have to deal with it when I am gone, even though I am expecting it to be a lot of years in the future. I have talked to a local gun shop that will take collections on consignment and will give 80% of the sale price back to her. They will even come and pick them up but (there is always a but) what about the firearms that have special meaning.I have thought about giving those with special meaning to the NRA but it is not like they are nib firearms but ones that I received from my Dad and Uncle that were used by them and passed on to me. Those are the ones that will be hard to go to someone who didn't know them.
Getting older, what is your firearms endgame?
- Thread starter Slufstuff
- Start date
I've considered most of these options as well. Everyone should keep in mind that most of the people on this forum will eagerly pay a fair price for guns and will likely cherish them just like we do. I hope to sell anything my boys don't want before I die so I can find that next loving home for them. Maybe this forum will start a section called "for sale to a good home" where buyers can submit an essay with an offer and the seller can choose based on both.
white cloud
Member
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I had a run in with the big "C" about four years ago. All good now but I am not leaving a lot of safe queens behind. A few scratches on a rifle has to be OK.
Good thought and if you have that freedom, go for it! Many of us though find ourselves in a situation where we are caring for a family member who needs our help. That can take up a lot of "freedom". Not complaining...just sayin'.
jhnttrpp
Member
You question made me think. So yesterday I made arrangements to give my long guns to my nephews. I'll keep shooting the short stuff.
Just to be clear...
Just to be clear... I am available for immediate adoption by any other old fart member of the forum who is suddenly wanting to give away his or her collection because of this thread.
PM me here ASAP! 
Just to be clear... I am available for immediate adoption by any other old fart member of the forum who is suddenly wanting to give away his or her collection because of this thread.
PM me here ASAP! BigBill
Absent Comrade
I think the buying / shooting is over when they put that last shovel of dirt on top of me.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Use a Steinway Concert Grand Piano case for my coffin and take them all with me.
Seriously, though, my son and best buddy will take care of the collection. It's been a family thing since the late 1940s and should continue to be so.
I've already gifted certain, special, S&Ws to my sons and close friends while I'm still alive that I can see the glow on their faces when they are presented with them.
Seriously, though, my son and best buddy will take care of the collection. It's been a family thing since the late 1940s and should continue to be so.
I've already gifted certain, special, S&Ws to my sons and close friends while I'm still alive that I can see the glow on their faces when they are presented with them.
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Protected One
Member
I think you nailed it in your last paragraph. It may not be the most "desirable" thing to do - discarding of guns that have been treasured over the years, but it's the most practical course of action.
italiansport
Member
Have you considered expanding your circle to brothers, sisters nieces and nephews for at least the family pieces? I was gifted a P 38 bring back by an uncle after his children showed no interest in it. I cherish it as a family heirloom.
Jim
TheHobbyist
Member
Life is full of shoulda, woulda, coulda. I haven't read all 100+ posts but the ones i did--notable, ladder13s--you have received good advice.
You mentioned a trip. My family and I just got back from Ireland. It cost money and we didn't skimp on luxuries. Ok, so I could have bought a registered magnum for the price of the trip. Oh well. Things are truly things and I understand the engineering, history, and fun of collecting.
That said...if you are finding you have a lot of paperweights that you look at once a year or every two year...maybe it's time for that trip. No one knows the hour, make good memories with friends and family if you have any questions, reflect and pray.
You mentioned a trip. My family and I just got back from Ireland. It cost money and we didn't skimp on luxuries. Ok, so I could have bought a registered magnum for the price of the trip. Oh well. Things are truly things and I understand the engineering, history, and fun of collecting.
That said...if you are finding you have a lot of paperweights that you look at once a year or every two year...maybe it's time for that trip. No one knows the hour, make good memories with friends and family if you have any questions, reflect and pray.
Capt. F.
Member
Odd this should come up. Been on my mind lately.
I'm 68, have a son who puts revolvers in the same class as horse and wagons for transportation. Big plastic fan.
My daughter is a social service manager and son in law a college professor. Need I say more?
So, I'm left feeling my guns will go to the highest bidder on some local swap rag, after I take my dirt nap.
I have a young fellow 18 years old, who's father isn't part of his life, that I've been mentoring on outdoor activities. He's a 4.0 college student and is nuts about AR's, but slowly I'm weaning him off that direction over to revolvers, explaining that hand work that went in to these older S&W's. I think he's beginning to see the light and appreciate them.
If his enthusiasm continues I'm going to have him pick out 10 or so he likes and add a directive in my will. The rest? Well, I'll add an additional directive that they be sold on this Forum. At least I'll know they're going to good homes.
I'm 68, have a son who puts revolvers in the same class as horse and wagons for transportation. Big plastic fan.
My daughter is a social service manager and son in law a college professor. Need I say more?
So, I'm left feeling my guns will go to the highest bidder on some local swap rag, after I take my dirt nap.
I have a young fellow 18 years old, who's father isn't part of his life, that I've been mentoring on outdoor activities. He's a 4.0 college student and is nuts about AR's, but slowly I'm weaning him off that direction over to revolvers, explaining that hand work that went in to these older S&W's. I think he's beginning to see the light and appreciate them.
If his enthusiasm continues I'm going to have him pick out 10 or so he likes and add a directive in my will. The rest? Well, I'll add an additional directive that they be sold on this Forum. At least I'll know they're going to good homes.
Sir, I’ve got about 12 years on you, so I’m starting to think about your problem more and more. I’ve got more firearms than I really need, and almost as many as I want.
Like you I don’t shoot as often as I would like or should to justify my assortment of guns. Unlike you I have no immediate family to leave these to. I have made plans to leave these to a good friend, but other than the dollar value these don’t have any special interest for him.
So, I think the thing to do is decide which six (6) or so I really want/need to keep, then offer the others to friends at the “special friends price.” Making this decision may be easier said than done.
I might ask my survivors to donate a few to the NRA.
I have some experience with this.
My father had the same question several years ago. He no longer hunts or shoots trap/skeet. He asked what I wanted and then put most of his guns on consignment. Consignment works best because he doesn't do computers and didn't want the hassle. Most his guns were bought long ago so he actually made more than he spent on them. He gifted several guns to me that I wanted.
My mother passed unexpectedly almost four years ago so now he is focusing on things that he always wanted to do that my mother wasn't interested in. Like varmint shooting. Which required different guns. So now his collection has been pared down to his interests and home defense.
Having worked at a few area gun shops part time I have seen many collections brought into guns shops to be sold or surrendered. One of the guys I worked for would give pennies on the dollar because the family didn't know what they had. This "gentleman" is no longer in business.
In my opinion I think the best approach is to get rid of what you really don't want or need. Enjoy using that money with your spouse for other things. To wait until after you pass can be a burden at a difficult time. I've witnessed arguments over dad's guns by family members that had no interest in guns before only to want the money. They turn on each other like hyena's when money is involved.
My father had the same question several years ago. He no longer hunts or shoots trap/skeet. He asked what I wanted and then put most of his guns on consignment. Consignment works best because he doesn't do computers and didn't want the hassle. Most his guns were bought long ago so he actually made more than he spent on them. He gifted several guns to me that I wanted.
My mother passed unexpectedly almost four years ago so now he is focusing on things that he always wanted to do that my mother wasn't interested in. Like varmint shooting. Which required different guns. So now his collection has been pared down to his interests and home defense.
Having worked at a few area gun shops part time I have seen many collections brought into guns shops to be sold or surrendered. One of the guys I worked for would give pennies on the dollar because the family didn't know what they had. This "gentleman" is no longer in business.
In my opinion I think the best approach is to get rid of what you really don't want or need. Enjoy using that money with your spouse for other things. To wait until after you pass can be a burden at a difficult time. I've witnessed arguments over dad's guns by family members that had no interest in guns before only to want the money. They turn on each other like hyena's when money is involved.
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AZretired
Member
I'm 63 and retired from LE 11 years ago and then worked another 10 years ar a non-LE job. During the last 10 years or so I realized I had quite a few plastic guns and other tactical stuff I no longer had any interest in so over a few years they were all sold off. All the revolvers I have I actually shoot. I don't hunt anymore so most of my rifles were also sold off. Everything I have left, and whatever I may still buy, will go to my children and grandchildren. I also have a fairly large pocket knife collection that I have been slowly giving away to grandkids. Trouble is I keep buying more. Pocket knives are a more affordable passion!
BigBill
Absent Comrade
As they put that last shovel of dirt on top of me ( I hope they use good fast growing grass seed) it's he who dies with the most toys wins. Lmao.
Did you know that night crawlers from a cemetery work better for fishing? The worms that will be with me will be garlic flavored.lol
Did you know that night crawlers from a cemetery work better for fishing? The worms that will be with me will be garlic flavored.lol
