One gun I can't part with

I know what you mean. It was my first handgun and revolver. Bought it the day I got my pistol permit. Not going anywhere. One of my sons will have it some day.

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Well, I have a lot, or rather quite a few nice examples of various models. Most of which I would hate to part with. However, if somebody told me I could only keep one gun, it would be my M29-5 Classic DX 5" with only a dozen rounds through it. I can shoot light specials and full magnum loads, short and long distances. Next favorites would be my 28-2's
 

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My "last to go" gun is also my first S&W and my first new gun. It's a S&W Model 18-2, bought in June 1965 at Caldor (similar to K-Mart) in Hamden, CT. They had a good handgun selection and offered a 10% discount (rare in those days), so I paid $66.60 for the gun (a not insignificant sum for a married graduate student at the time). I bought this gun as a first anniversary present for my wife - in 2015 I pointed out that the gun had achieved Curio and Relic status and she replied that we had, too.

I used this gun in 50 foot indoor bullseye competition on the Yale pistol team in the 1960's and still shoot it frequently. Round count is way over 50,000 rounds. I can't imagine ever selling this revolver.
 
"I practiced with that gun 3-4 times a week while I was in college studying LE. When I wasn't studying or shooting I was reloading more ammo for my next trip to the gravel pit."

Sounds like my college years. tennexplorer was there too, though he did study harder than I did. :D
 
Cleaned out the safe of a few handguns that I no longer wanted.



My brother sold over 100 guns that were either duplicates or ones that he really didn't have much interest in during the two years prior to his passing.

I would have to imagine this .45 Colt Hamilton Bowen would have been the last one he would have parted with. I read a comment of his here in the forum that this was his favorite gun out of the 300 or so that he had at the time he made that comment.

My younger sister is going to keep it.
 
I've been blessed the past few years with a good job overseas and have managed to find every Smith I couldn't afford before - M-29, M-57, M-58; but the only revolver I won't give up when I get too old to shoot much will be the Speed Six 4" 357 I got Dad in 1975 or -'76. It's not mine yet, but it has made Dad and Mom safe from criminal harm ever since, through 25 years running a low-cost motel on an Interstate highway to retirement in the boondocks. Dad's not a gun guy, so there are some rust speckles on the sides of the hammer (nowhere else) and he keeps too much oil on it, but at a young 88 he can still hit anything he tries to with magnum loads.
 
I've enjoyed reading all the thoughts here.

Every time I think, "I should sell that one," I cook up some half-baked reason not to.

The reason I stopped making New Year's resolutions in my mid-20s applies every time I think, "I won't buy any more," but that's akin to sayin', "I'm going to stop lookin' a pretty girls."

Reckon I'll just keep lookin'.

Bob
 
I have spent most of my life time hunting for my favorite guns. I have what I consider 99% of what I want. To sell off any one would be a hardship. I have no junk lesser guns. They will all go to my only Son who likes shooting but is not into guns. Some day he will. I have made him promise that after I am gone that he will care for my treasures. I also made a photo book all about the guns, prices, cost etc. I also have 12,000+ rounds for all of them: 357, 41, 44, 45 Colt, 9mm, 7.62x39, 223 and reloading gear... lucky kid.

Some of my best...











Just a few of mine...
 
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I've been selling off guns (43) over the last 5 years and buying fewer (5). The way I found to make it less painful I use is: I list my 10 favorite firearms. Then turn around and list 10 of my least favorite firearms. Then sell as many of those as quickly as I can (usually take 6 to 8 months). Repeat! The favorite list has remains the same for 5 years running! Some of the least favorites are still in the fold, I'm thinking of doing something more drastic, like a pawn shop for about 12 guns! But first the Spring flea markets are almost here!

Ivan



Better move them before the Republicans and Democrats (working together) get their way and force us all to go through gun shops to buy and sell.

This also ensures all guns are technically registered as all gun shops gave to keep a registry and hand it over to the ATF any time they ask for it. When the shop closes up, who do you think takes possession of the registry?
 


I made a small list previously but have been thinking about which one would I keep. I think it would have to be two.

One for my EDC and my 1959 4-screw 6 1/2" Model 27.

Funny thing is I haven't even shot this one yet. ;)
 
Safes are where the guns are safe. Most times they go back where they are safe from being sold. Maybe next week.
 
I tried the same route... which I could part with. Well I hate to say this but except for a few shooters... I just like 'em all!!

Bummer. Expensively good bummer, but it's a bummer.
 
I agree with you "RVGshooter" re; the 686. I own probably 4 or 5 handguns I will never depart with. And my 686-4 is one of them.:)

 
I've enjoyed reading all the thoughts here.

The reason I stopped making New Year's resolutions in my mid-20s applies every time I think, "I won't buy any more," but that's akin to sayin', "I'm going to stop lookin' a pretty girls."

Reckon I'll just keep lookin'.

Bob

You had to bring up that lookin thing didn't you? Always been my downfall. I went a lookin...and then I grabbed ahold of something and wondered oh my gosh what are I gonna do now...both with guns and wimmin. I have kinda pared down the gun things a bit...and the last of the wimmin pared down my grabbin of wimmin...but not the lookin part. She don't mind me lookin at either. But I still grab ahold of a gun ever now and then.
 
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