Getting older, what is your firearms endgame?

Those polyoxymethelene grips on your cherished 3rd Gen aren't going to last too long either. :eek: :p
Already got that covered! :D I'll make some ceramic grips and use these...

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My Mama didn't raise no dummy child! :p
 
My son in law is a gun guy so when I depart this vail of tears (71 this Fall) they'll likely go to him. The only exception would be my first off duty, a '68 Colt Cobra, to one of my girls.
 
You could have what would become known as some of the best Karmas ever!
Of course, that won't fund any trips.
 
Heck, now in my early 50's, I'm now able to start some of what I couldn't afford when I was younger.

I figure what I buy now will be even more fun to have, and to use, when I'm retired and have the time to REALLY enjoy them!
I never realized how young I was when I was still in my 50's. :D Looking back now after experiencing true old age, I can see it plainly. ;)

And it's a fact that I got back into this expensive hobby in my late-50's after a full 25 years away. :) It was that pleasant combination of having more free time available while still not being completely broke from my early forced retirement. :p Add to that the stark motivating factor of an incoming rabidly anti-2A Commander-In-Chief and away I went and haven't stopped yet! :D
 
I'm with TTSH on this!

Unless you have family medical history to worry about OR you have some serious medical condition, at 57 many, if not most people have a LOT of good years left in them!

Heck, now in my early 50's, I'm now able to start some of what I couldn't afford when I was younger.

I figure what I buy now will be even more fun to have, and to use, when I'm retired and have the time to REALLY enjoy them!

You are quite right, hopefully I will be around for a while. I am looking at this as a long term game plan. I will not run out and immediately sell 40 or 50 of my firearms, but I am looking at slowing down on new purchases and will most likely sell one if I buy one to keep it around 70 for a while. The trick is at what point do I start to thin the herd.
 
I plan to keep living until I stop so disposing of my meager firearms collection won't be an issue. Some or all would go to my son.

In your case, which do you prefer, travel or 70 firearms in a safe?

In my case, I like giving things away. So, I'd probably drop one of two on unsuspecting people just for fun. If I were considering an "endgame", which is unlikely.
 
I forgot to mention that I keep a looseleaf log book in which each gun is identified by type, brand, caliber and serial number. I also identify what increases its resale value such as a Leopold scope or what makes it less valuable. I identify accessories belonging to the gun, particularly if it's not practical to store with the gun.

Every year or two, I update each gun's value, based upon what they're selling for online.

I did pretty much the same thing with 5x7 index cards.It was a good thing while I was growing the collection,as I could see the voids that I wanted to fill,and with downsizing,better identifying what I want to keep.Noting things that are duplicates or very similar,is a help.
I put a value to the gun,the mounts the scopes,the extra magazines,and things like the extra Model 41 barrel.
 
I have two children and neither of them is much interested in guns.

My son IS interested in history, and I will give him the Walther PP my Dad captured during WW2. My daughter has dibs on a 1903 Colt - gold plated, that I think she appreciates more for the bling factor, than as a firearm.

My nephew, who IS a gun nut has already been given my grandfathers guns..and will likely get another one or two when I am done with them.

I have one gun with some true historical significance and am thinking of donating it to either the WW1 museum, the CMP or the Fort Sill Museum.

In just this past week, I have started separating the wheat from the chaff and am just starting to put items up for sale on this site. Selling the duplicates and lesser quality ones that I can stand to give up. (It helps that I am looking to buy a boat for my retirement home!)
 
You are 57 yrs young!....A lot of us are older. Some much older....As for me I plan to enjoy mine to the fullest for as long as I can...As for dying with a collection it shouldn't be any more trouble to dispose of that boats/tractors/tools/land etc.......Some people worry TOO MUCH about the future to enjoy the present............
 
My firearms collection is cataloged in an online inventory. The beauty of this method is it makes doing updates a snap and I periodically review the inventory and do just that. Furthermore I routinely copy the inventory off to disk and store it offsite should anything ever happen to my computer.
As far as disposal goes I'm still not sure what I'll do. So far none of my grandkids has exhibited much interest in my collection. However the instructions I've included with my inventory are specific regarding disposal guidelines should something unexpected happen to me. I plan on enjoying my collection as long as practical for now.
Jim
 
Thinking about Arik's post about guns just being guns, and other posts that guns are tools, reminded me that I inherited my dad's tools also, and some of them have real personality...for instance wooden bodied planes that my dad had inherited form his dad, and his dad had inherited from his dad. Dating back to the 1800s, and still just as functional today as they were when they were made. I wouldn't sell them for anything, and although I don't use them much, I do use them now and then, just to reconnect with the family history. They will go to my sons.

Family joke: one of the tools I inherited was a beautifully handled awl. Of course, I used to show it to my oldest son, and explain to him: "Son, one day, this awl will be yours!!".

Well, maybe you had to be there.

Best Regards, Les
 
I'm of a similar age and collection size situation. I keep trying to downsize but it seems that every time grit my teeth and sell 2 or 3, I end up adding another. (Read: It's a slow and agonizing process with only marginal sucess.)
What I have done is to create a list of all of my firearms with serial numbers, values, accessory lists, etc. The list is updated regularly and kept in a file that contains other critical info that she may need if I'm not around. ( Insurance policy #'s, Car titles, Pension and Bank info, and other such.) There are also instructions on what LGS to take them to in the event of my death. I have already pre-negotiated a 10% consignment fee on the lot with that shop (and noted that in my records as well.)
That way, when I'm gone, she has nothing to worry about. Everything is cataloged and sales prices/ proceeds are pre-set. All she has to do is have them come pick them up and then sit back and wait for the checks.

Yea, it will cost me (her) a little in the end but this way I get to enjoy them, and the hobby of collecting until that fateful day. Besides, I think it's bad luck to start planning to be dead at our age. :-)
 
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The plan is laid.
Prepaid cremation and burial plot.
Ashes dumped in ammo can ,placed in safe.
Safe buried in plot under tombstone reading: 'Gone devil hunting.'
I ain't going anywhere unarmed. :D :mad:
 
Similar situation here with respect to family. I'm 65 and in good health (which means nothing if you're hit by a truck).

I'm starting to sell a couple of the more collectible firearms - the ones that might take more time and expertise to find a buyer. In a few years, I'll start thinning out the more valuable pieces - not because I'll need the money but to make things easier if I die. A few years after that I'll start thinning out the "users" - like my 69xx pistols; leaving the ones I want to shoot frequently.

(In other words, the Hamden built High Standard Victor goes but the Ruger Mk II target stays.)

I tried to keep a list with current values, but then just decided to keep a list with my condition assessment and sources for pricing.

A trusted FFL would be nice. I decided to make do with naming a couple of reputable dealers who take consignments.
 
I am a little older than most of the posters here. I have not really heard any specifics about how to turn a rather large collection of firearms into cash and get a reasonable percentage of what they are worth. I have a 50 yr. marriage with no children or heirs with an interest in arms. Which auction company's have served anyone well? A plan makes good sense at this time. I really do not want to sell and ship piecemeal. I have always enjoyed cleaning and storing my toys. Not so much anymore. It's far easier to collect than to dispose of the collection. BIG DECISION TIME!
 
A thought provoking question, one which I have considered. Like others I have a log book which includes notions on equipment, purchase price, etc. My youngest daughter who lives within a few hours is my executor. She likes guns and already has a few of mine including my first service revolver, but lives in NY.

My son is a police officer in TX and has received several guns already. He will get my Class 3 gun and suppressors.

My oldest daughter dislikes guns, so no issues with her.

My wife is younger, so I expect that she will outlive me by many years. She is knowledgeable and aware of firearms values. We don't need the proceeds of a sale right now, so I continue to add to the accumulation. I will start to sell the extras and less pristine guns now and let the others appreciate. I have my health right now, but no one knows the future.
 
A lot of you boys are going to get the drizzles if you don't come out of the rain.

This is one of the most depressing topics I have ever read. Go back and reread the comments. Men in their late 50's and early 60's selling their guns and sounding like they are waiting for St. Peter to show up.

I have health issues that causes making it to 70 doubtful. Rather than selling I am refining my assortment of guns. I am working on getting two of a number of my handguns as that will make it easy to divided them up between my two kids. Since the immediate future for our Country looks very dark (North Korea, race riots, etc.) I have become more concerned about having enough ammunition to shoot in my guns.

So 2017 is my gun lite diet. No gun buying, focusing instead on stocking up on self-defense ammunition for my handguns. Lordy, lordy, lordy it sure is difficult to do when there are so many nice handguns out there needing a good home.
 
Not worried about mine, they will be seen too after I'm gone! ;)
Me, I'm still going to keep on looking and collecting! Not at the rate I once did but when I see something for the collection I grab it!;)
Also stocking up on ammo as I go as well! :cool:
 
This discussion needs to include firearms related products. I gave 15-20 bayonets as part of my martial collection. I have thousands of NOS casings waiting to be reloaded. Some of them are for obsolete calibers and worth several bucks per case. Then there is 40-50 pounds of powder, the majority of them still sealed. The same thing with the rest of my components. Many unopened boxes of bullets, primers, etc.
 

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