Took a Drastic Step:"The Man with One Gun"

[Silversmok3]

I realized last month that owning multiple guns becomes a logistical pain in the rear after a certain point. More pistols you own, the more you have to field strip, the more guns you have to clean, the more you have to decide what to carry and what sits in the dusty corner of the safe, the more holsters and such you have to buy, the more magazines you have to own (Sig magazine prices=free Vaseline territory, BTW).And what does one do with the safe full of pistols if disaster strikes and there is only minutes to pack and leave? I find it unlikely the evacuation vehicle will have room for a 500lb security box with contents.

As such, I literally sold every gun I owned except for my S&W 3rd Gen. I took the money I gained from the sales and bought some UMC 250 bricks of 9mm, and I daresay the man who said the title phrase may have a valid point.

Hopefully by the end of next month ill have another 3rd gen in the stable,but the downsize was a good idea. I can't own every good handgun ever made, but I can get good at shooting the one I got. That counts for something.

 

[Dragon88]

A couple years ago, due to traveling constraints, I only had one of my guns with me for two months. (Sorry S&W fans, it was a Glock 19). I shot the gun every weekend at the local ranges. I tell you what, the "Man with one gun" thing is no myth, it is true. I got very good with that gun and could hit farther and more accurately than ever before with it. I knew exactly where to hold the sights from 1 meter out to 200 meters. I was glad to get back to my collection when the trip was over, but sad to see my skills diminish as I went back to shooting many different guns.

 

[redlevel]

That is a right drastic step.

I have threatened to do the same thing, although I don't think I'll get down to one gun. I have decided, however, that having guns in the safe is at least as good as having money in the bank. I recently had a couple of unexpected major expenses. A $1400 bill for a fuel pump on a tractor, and about $500 of work on my pickup. I could have probably absorbed the truck expense, and maybe have absorbed the tractor expense over a couple of months without dipping into the HELOC. Not both, though. Rather than using the equity loan, I sold two pistols and a rifle, non of which I have used that much. It didn't take long to sell them, because they were all popular models. There aren't too many things you can legally convert into cash as fast as you can firearms. I still have guns in the safe I don't shoot, but I'll just let them stay there until I need some cash, or 'till whomever settles up my estate deals with them.

 

[DGT]

I have to agree with redlevel. When I look at what my stocks have done over the last 5 years or so and my savings account drawing .2%, and compare that to what the value of my guns as done in the same period, I have to wonder why I would sell any of my guns.

I didn't necessarily buy my guns as an investment but they out-performed anything in my stock portfolio.

 

[TAROMAN]

When I look at what my stocks have done over the last 5 years or so and my savings account drawing .2%, and compare that to what the value of my guns as done in the same period, I have to wonder why I would sell any of my guns.

I didn't necessarily buy my guns as an investment but they out-performed anything in my stock portfolio.

Yep. Even the wife has come around to seeing quality guns as a fair investment.

 

[Sprefix]

I applaude you, but that is the most anemic ammo on the market. At least get winchester white box. UMC wont even run a Beretta with a 16lb spring.

 

[Lori Ann]

1 for the range and 1 to carry for protection. That keeps it fun, keeps me safe and keeps me just busy enough. "Less is more."

 

[Shooting Padre]

I have actually entertained this idea, one man, one gun until I found this add in my local paper;

Want to trade or sell, one narrow minded gun owner who wishes to get rid of all but one of us. Looking for a dedicated S&W owner who would in all likelihood add to our family. He must have a desire to own every type of revolver-auto made. Call between 7AM and 3PM.
signed'
Padre's S&W Collection

I still consider one gun ownership, but I really can't decide which I'd keep. And I don't think about it around the gun case anymore.

 

[Edmo]

A couple years ago, due to traveling constraints, I only had one of my guns with me for two months. (Sorry S&W fans, it was a Glock 19). I shot the gun every weekend at the local ranges. I tell you what, the "Man with one gun" thing is no myth, it is true. I got very good with that gun and could hit farther and more accurately than ever before with it. I knew exactly where to hold the sights from 1 meter out to 200 meters. I was glad to get back to my collection when the trip was over, but sad to see my skills diminish as I went back to shooting many different guns.

Rockin' out with your GLOCK out!!

For defensive carry, I generally carry one of my GLOCKS. Even though it may be one of several that I own, the manual of arms is the same for each.

Edmo

 

[cmort666]

With one or two VERY narrow exceptions, I have regretted selling or trading EVERY gun I've gotten rid of.

I traded a Colt Official Police that I bought when I was stationed at Ft. Knox in the '80s. After all, it's not like Colt was going to stop making revolvers...

 

[feralmerril]

Everyone of us except for some liveing under a bridge or in jail has the same problem. Maybe it isnt guns but other stuff in our lives. Unused boats cracking in the sun in the back yard along with old pickups we dont use or want to lay out the money to fix etc.
In a perfect world we would own very few but fine needfull things. With the money saved our "stuff" wouldnt be holding us down and we would be able to physicaly do things or go places that we want to see that we have been keeping on the back burner.
The older you get along with the more stuff you accumilate the more evident it becomes.
Last night a friend called me up saying he has to sell out here and go back to california for various reasons. We used to work at the same place. Anyway he is trying to sell two nice ATV`s he bought for him and his wife when he retired here. They are low mileage but old and yet like new, practicly unused. He will be takeing a bath on them, but maybe he can afford to. I dont know. I would bet he wouldnt buy them again though had he knew how things would go. We all can say that. If not just yet, for sure you will feel like that the closer you get to the end of that knotted rope!

 

[mc5aw]

I hate to admit it, but I've considered the massive downsizing as well. Last year's flood was an eye opener ... we were lucky not to lose the house and everything in it, including the firearms collection. The problem is the attachment I have to most of firearms I own. Could I get down to one? Realistically I could, but it would be tough. More likely, I could get down to a few handguns and a few long guns.

Now about all that hoarded ammo ...

 

[David LaPell]

I have been downsizing, but not by choice. After I got hurt even though I have been back on light duty I have not been able to take a stitch of overtime in 18 months. So essentially I am on a fixed income until either they try something else or decide to retire me. For my one handgun, well it would be a big one but it does everything and that is my Model 27-2. It shoots everything from my small light .38 Specials to my hottest .357's and since I have a few different molds I cast a variety of bullets from 125 to 170 grains. If I had to get down to one handgun (it would be two since one is my grandfather's and there are many other things I would sell first) the 27-2 would still be here. Unfortunately with only four handguns left I am not that far now and I can see one possibly being sold in the future if things don't brighten up.

 

[ma deuce]

I have to agree with redlevel. When I look at what my stocks have done over the last 5 years or so and my savings account drawing .2%, and compare that to what the value of my guns as done in the same period, I have to wonder why I would sell any of my guns.

I didn't necessarily buy my guns as an investment but they out-performed anything in my stock portfolio.

About 10 years ago, I had some extra cash and the opportunity to buy a half-dozen collector grade Lugers out of an estate for a very reasonable price. I jumped on it, and they've been sitting in a safe ever since except for semi-annual cleaning and inspection. They've about tripled in value, while everything else has gone to hell. Wish now I'd bought a dozen more.

 

[ACP230]

I am giving a gun to my daughter this month. I wasn't shooting it and I think she will. Have give some others to my sons. Thinking about
getting rid of a few more, but won't be in a hurry to get down to one.
Too much fun to have a wide selection to mess with.

One of the reasons my collection has grown is guns I bought for
different and competitions. I still have almost all of those and my younger son is using some of them in Bullseye right now.
If I ever go back to NRA Hunter's Pistol, High Power Rifle, or
bowling pin shooting I won't have to buy any new guns to compete with.

 

[feralmerril]

I probley could "live" without any guns but I wont. The minimum for me would be 3 handguns and 3 long guns. A pocket defense gun like my S&W model 40, a .22 rimfire, a belt gun, probley my model 24-3 44 special. A good .22 rifle, shotgun and centerfire rifle.
I own about 10X what I sanely need and like others, about a 1/10 th of what I sometimes dream about. Most mine would be considered nice old classics. Were I to live life again, I probley would own less, all would be the finest old classics made. I aready do to some extent, but lets say winchesters with fine extra fancy wood and factory extras etc. I am old enough to consider stainless as guns carried by newbys!

 

[mg357]

If i may add my 2 cents to this very good thread i read an article in guns magazine titled purpose-driven guns. so i made a list of the guns that in my collection currently and the guns i am saving up for here is my list and there different purposes.
1. heritage single action .22 revolver purpose-range/training gun
2. Glock 17 purpose-house gun
3. s&w model 36 .38 revolver purpose-ccw/range gun
4. s&w model 60-15 .357 magnum revolver purpose- range gun.
p.s. i am currently saving up for number 3 and number 4

 

[WC145]

I don't know if I'd ever get down to just one gun but I definitely have more than I "need". I did sell off quite a few recently, very nice guns that I just didn't use, no sentimental value. I put the money towards buying an old car that I'm enjoying the heck out of and I'm not missing those guns at all.

 

[ordy]

I get the concept and agree to a point. I had (still have) several guns in the safe that I just didn't shoot. I sold some of them and used the money for a new trap gun. When I shoot pistols, I find myself going for the same gun almost every time and have become proficient with it but I still shoot most of the other guns I have and enjoy the variety.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

When our possessions own us it's time to stand back and give pause.