I am On A New Quest

[GB]

I turned 74 in June. Due to back issues I don't walk very well anymore. I have lots of firearms. Some (most) of those guns have not been fired in at least a decade some much longer ago than that. Considering the struggle and financial burdens endured collecting many of those guns. I decided that I should attempt to get into the regular habit of shooting some of my treasures every few days. Where i live in Wyoming, I can drive for 10 min. in any direction from my town and shoot and not disturb anyone. Since my birthday in late June I have taken two 22 rifles ( a Henry lever gun and a Savage Mk11 heavy barrel) and sighted them in. I have owned both guns for 6 or 7 years and they both remained unfired by me until they went to the field. In the last couple of weeks I have shot a Browning 22 pistol with a long barrel and red dot. I have also fired a couple of my sub-compact 9mms that I carry concealed this time of year and am reminded of why I like to carry them but shooting them, not so much! I also shot my newest handgun, a S&W M&P40 compact. This is my regular winter carry. Great gun and shoots better than I can at my current level of practice. Yesterday I shot an old friend, my 915 and today I shot my first 40 S&W, a 411. I have had the 411 for over 30 years and the 915 for almost 20. I hope to continue to run through the inventory 0f handguns and then start on the rifles. It will be a long row to hoe but somebody has to do It. I bought my guns to enjoy and I find it sad that they have sat, unused, some for decades. I have the time and the money and still have the capability to get out to shoot. I will go as long as I am able and hope to make the full circle!

 

[Onomea]

Well done, GB! Keep it up!

 

[RobertJ.]

Way to go!

Better than letting them languish in your safe!

 

[Beemerguy53]

Very good! Please keep us all posted on how you're doing...photos would be nice. Enjoy the experience of shooting your collection...

 

[Rudi]

Shoot 'em if ya got 'em.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

GB. You are doing OK. I had a pretty good collection of SW's and Wins at one time. Most are long gone. But at age 92 I don't shoot as often as I once did. I envy you in a State that you can shoot without any problem.

 

[Golddollar]

I turned 74 in June. Due to back issues I don't walk very well anymore. I have lots of firearms. Some (most) of those guns have not been fired in at least a decade some much longer ago than that. Considering the struggle and financial burdens endured collecting many of those guns. I decided that I should attempt to get into the regular habit of shooting some of my treasures every few days.

I'm coming up right behind you, and I came to a similar conclusion. Now that ammunition has become more available and affordable, I'll have to accelerate taking out the toys that haven't been fired yet or in a long time.

 

[BC38]

I turned 74 in June. Due to back issues I don't walk very well anymore. I have lots of firearms. Some (most) of those guns have not been fired in at least a decade some much longer ago than that. Considering the struggle and financial burdens endured collecting many of those guns. I decided that I should attempt to get into the regular habit of shooting some of my treasures every few days.

I'm coming up right behind you, and I came to a similar conclusion. Now that ammunition has become more available and affordable, I'll have to accelerate taking out the toys that haven't been fired yet or in a long time.

I was just thinking about this very topic earlier today. I also have many that I shot once or twice after purchasing them, but that haven't been shot since. I need to start giving all of them more "exercise". The first step is to do a bunch of reloading for them. I have the supplies, I just haven't devoted the time.

I need to change that...

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I was just thinking about this very topic earlier today. I also have many that I shot once or twice after purchasing them, but that haven't been shot since. I need to start giving all of them more "exercise". The first step is to do a bunch of reloading for them. I have the supplies, I just haven't devoted the time.

I need to change that...

A little different twist for me. In 2015 we retired, sold the business, sold the big house, moved into a nice HOA community where I never have to do yard work, exterior maintenance, or shovel snow. Finally having the time to pursue my interests without worries, I spent much of 2016 and 2017 on a reloading binge, produced thousands of rounds in anticipation of regular range visits.

Then came the wrist, elbow, and shoulder surgeries. Next were the cataract surgeries. Along came the Covid lock-down. Finally, took a fall and permanently wrecked a shoulder.

Enjoy them while you can! Most of my vintage and collectible pieces have moved to my sons. Now keeping only the few that I rely on or just can't talk myself into giving up just yet. I have gone from 3 gun safes to only one now. The ammo locker remains well stocked. At my present rate of use I'm pretty sure I have a lifetime supply.

 

[Mercury]

It's important to do the things that bring you joy.

 

[Kenna]

Just shoot them. Leave the cleaning to others!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Oh, by the way;

Cleaning a gun is also good exercise and will burn off calories !!

Go get um !!

 

[GypsmJim]

As an engineer that used computers for my job, and being a computer junkie besides, all my guns are in a database. I can tell you when I shot a particular firearm and how many boolits went down the tube.

So, since retirement I have been rotating so they all see some use.

My database also shows annual primer and boolit usage. Thus, my Winter casting marathons are done as needed.

Primer usage, though, takes a bit more calculating in these troublesome times.