"...if you could only keep one..." I'm finding out.

[raljr1]

Having retired last year I am embarking on a new life. And there is no room in it for my accumulation of firearms. I have no need for all the "back ups" and duplicates of the same model. All the "investment pieces" are gone. I've no one to leave them to.......so off they go.

I am keeping my three carry guns and two.....maybe three others that I have sentimental attachment to.

So, in winnowing down the herd I have been giving a lot of thought to that old gunboard conversation starter; "..if you could only keep one..".

At first, I thought that "one" would likely be a 4566 or a 4506-1. Nope. Then I thought well a 39XX series gun would pretty much do everything......nah.....but I will keep one.....or two..of those.

I then figured a 4516 would be the one if I could only have one. Turns out it is a close second place.

The one, for me, is the early production 6-round rail free 4513TSW. That little gun gets carried all the time. It has rarely been off my hip since I got it several years back. A joy to carry. Light weight, perfectly sized....well....could be a little thinner through the slide. Easy enough to shoot and get accurate hits with. Fine for a nightstand or truck gun too.

So there you have it. I never thought I'd only own a few guns again. But it is time and I'm good with it. If I reduce down to one gun and one gun only, its not a revolver or ANY of the other models I love. It will be that little 45. The very last gun I'll own. Regards 18DAI

SAY IT ISN'T SO!...I know that day will come, but I don't know how I'll handle it...good luck to you.....and if you have an early 44 HE PM me...LOL

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Congrats on the retirement on getting hitched!

The 4516-2 and Colt cobra would be my two.

 

[model70hunter]

Back in the dark ages, one of our supervisors decided to inspect all of the flashlights to make sure that they worked correctly. He opened up one guys non working flashlight and sand came pouring out.

I guess "worked correctly" had more than one meaning.

As I noted not long ago, that was back when you could do such things.

I carried my light even though I mostly worked day shifts. Never know when you might have to go into a dark basement to look for a patient.

Sand? I always thought heavy duty batteries were a weighty subject matter.

 

[model70hunter]

Sounds like you have the numbers down pat.

I struggle with this question each time it comes up. I still hunt birds and beasts.

Shotguns, wow, could I live with just my Benelli's? A 12 Super black eagle and a 20 Montefeltro? What about my model 12's? Can I live without them?

Long guns, rifles; Dad's pre 64 M-70 is great, heavy but deadly, too many memories with him and later it with me.
My German Weatherby, Elk hunts, and it is just completely lovable.
Kimber 84 in 7mm 08, what's not to like, I guess it may be the keeper, light accurate and deers last memories are of it.

Other M-70 Wins, Gramps 45-70 trapdoor? Son grandsons.

Handguns; Oh boy.
Colt 1911 National Match, Old Kimber Match target 1911.
Sig 229 40 S&W.
Other S&W 357's, 44 mag.
22's. Dad's Ruger SS the one I learned and taughjt many to shoot with. I've killed more squirrels and game than I can count, it helped me become a pistol shot.

My uncles High Standard that is joy to shoot.

S&W 22 Masterpiece, it does it all, but a little heavy.

Ruger Bearcat, handy.

Astra Constable, colnstant companion on the farm, squirrels, snakes, a coyote and marauding coons and possum's at the chicken pen. Accurate and it can fit in a front pocket or coat pocket.

I thought I was way ahead of the thinning part and got rid of Pythons, 27's, 19's, lesser 1911's, Ruger 3 screw 41 mag with the 4 5/8th bbl that I need my head examined over selling, and some other pistols.

Long guns, I got rid of some M-12's, 4 or 5 pre-64 M-70's, some lesser shotguns, 5 or so Weatherby's, some rifles I had put together thinking I would not have to face this question again.

Then My wife want's to do the travel nurse thing before she retires. thankfully she hunts and wants to do Wyoming and some of those states. I've been to SF and told her no desire to do the NE states, we'll do a vacation to eat fresh lobster on a wharf in noon gun friendly areas.

We just turned down a year in Alaska, she told them her husband the hunter has to come, no problem, bring his guns and hunt, we will pick up his travel expenses. The only fly in that drink was, we would be flown in to the circle, no cars, dog sleds and snow mobiles and no daylight for 6 months. Hunting there may have been searching for a warm spot, tracking your sanity and doing kung foo to keep the oil guys away from my honey. So we passed.

The hospital there also kept local inuits which may have provided good hunting buddies. Hey, please pass the blubber, great shot, your turn to swim after it. This is a BBQ grill, yes it cooks good, bring your meat. Kidding aside I did think this portion alone might have been great.

 

[mauser9]

Only one I got. Chief Special CS-9. But I would love a snubby in blue.

 

[Big Shrek]

Sand? I always thought heavy duty batteries were a weighty subject matter.

Yes, but batteries stay in place,
if you use a 3/4 quantity of sand, it moves...
basically becoming a sliding weight bar...

Although, all things being equal, it is entirely
dependant on how strong the guy swinging it is,
as to how much damage it will do...
a 4-cell will crush skulls & break arms
if the right guy is using it...