Torn between keeping the old, and wanting the new

[SquarePizza]

I find myself in a time of the year without disposable income, but still drooling over new toys.

On one hand, the idea of selling off some of the guns that I have that don't get shot often appeals to me if the new guns would get used more. But then I worry about missing them, and not being able to replace them.

Anyone else ever have this dilemma?


***

Want list:

325pd or ng - These intrigue me, especially in the weight department, as my current full size carry is a 686 and a damned boat anchor. Part of me worries I will like the 325 so much I will want to ditch the 686, but I am very tooled up for shooting 357.

351pd - caliber wars aside, I really like these, handled one but never shot one. I think it would get carried a lot more than my 686. =P



Have but don't fire often enough list:

27-6 - My first revolver, shoots amazing with the target package, but I simply never shoot it. When I do, I am all like "Wow, this handles great!", but when I grab my ammo its always getting fired out of my carry guns.

colt cobra - Its ok... it was my first snubby, in the colder times I carry the 686, but in the summer time I carry the cobra more. But honestly, I have been lusting after the 351 to replace it.

Colt peacemaker 22lr/22mag: I like this gun a lot, but it gets shot the least. More of a "Hey, your'e new to guns.. shoot this before you fire my 38/357". I bought it because it was a scaled down model of my grandfathers SAA. Selling this piece would provide the funds for one of my want list, but would be the hardest to recover if I changed my mind.

 

[Dave T]

I have an un-written and loosely followed rule. If I don't shoot something for 2 or more years it is capital tied up that can go to something I will shoot. The exception to this is a couple guns that mean something to me personally, either for what they are or how I acquired them.

I don't have the money (disposable income...what ever that is, LOL) to just accumulate more and more guns. They have to justify their existence or be something special to maintain their place in the safe.

I know there's a lot of folks who say don't sell anything. OK for them but I just can't afford that. And, having stuff I can't or don't use is just of no interest.

YMMV,
Dave

 

[CWH44300]

I remember the days when I wanted to work with a new caliber or style of gun something had to go, so I know where your coming from. I also remember has a youngster, the old guys with a hundred or more guns, that didn't (for the most part) know what they had. I'm no longer in the former and will not be in the latter position either. If I'm not totally into a certain gun, its gone.
I would rather have two or three of the same gun, that I really like, rather than two or three different guns that I'm kinda into. It is a hobby for most of us, so there is no right way to do it, has long as your happy, that's what counts. Only you can answer your question, but look on the bright side, you'll have your own, I wish I'd kept that one, story.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Avery11]

I'll bet I have a few dozen guns I haven't gotten around to shooting.

I am in the "sell it and you'll regret it" camp.

Unless you really just don't like the gun, you will end up buying another like it when the new wears off of the shiny toy.

Look at it like this; if the guns you want are current production, you will probably be able to wait and save with little chance of not being able to buy them in a few months.

Can you replace your Colts so easily?

One in the hand is worth two in the bush.

I would wait but I like having lots and lots of guns. I have way more than I need so I don't even try to justify them anymore.

For what it's worth, you have good taste. The 325 and 351 are very good choices and would tempt just about anyone.

Best luck,

A.

 

[Pilgrim]

Never sell.

I don't understand why people sell them if they haven't been shot for a while. I bet those that do, have other stuff around the house/garage/yard that has been unused for a while but doesn't get sold.

Guns are better than money. Money depreciates daily. Guns go up daily.

 

[Rufus]

My gun safe is full (yes, I know that it is never full enough). I'm in the "if I want a new toy, I need to free the funds up from one of my toys I want less" mod,. I completely understand where you are coming from. I, like many of you, are not fortunate enough to have the kind of expendable funds that allow me to buy new toys without having to give something up. Besides, I avoid the eye rolls from my wife, if I can explain that I used money from a sale to buy something new. I'll probably regret my last sale (a Kahr MK40) but I really love my newest toy (a Model 66 - no dash).

 

[gr7070]

If you're not going to use it get rid of it. Buy something you will use.

However, make both of those decisions, sell and buy, very wisely. Making either without plenty of forethought will cost you plenty of money - there's a ton of stories on here of very poor choices. Be wise, learn from others mistakes.

I haven't sold anything yet, but I also make extremely deliberate purchases. I also don't own dozens of guns and I'd rather retire earlier and pay off the house early and take more vacations and live in a nicer house and put my child through college. Priorities: guns are on the list but in the appropriate place.

 

[eveled]

I have guns I don't shoot that I should sell, but figure that my kids might want them some day. So why sell them?

The guns you want are current production, so you can get them any time, find something else to sell or some other corner to cut.

If you have to sell one, the Cobra, you don't seem so attached to it and it is a redundant gun, in that you have others that can fill the same roll. On the other hand the Cobra is a decent investment, and can only go up in value. IMHO.

I would not sell my first revolver, or the peacemaker.

 

[Nframecollector]

I plan on going to a LGS today and trading a BFR 45/70 that I can't shoot anymore since hand surgery!

 

[df06]

If I am not shooting them, I sell them and buy something else. Did that yesterday. Exceptions are several sentimental guns.

 

[georgepittenger]

I don't have a 325 NG , but I do have a 327 NG and absolutely love it . It shoots great , only moderate recoil , and weighs about the same as my Model 19 snubby . It's my bedrm weapon .

I also have had the itch for a 351PD and after much trolling have managed to obtain one that should be here in a wk or so . The combination of light weight , exposed hammer , frt optic sight , and 7 rds is unmatched .

As far as selling ...... I've thought about it , but so far I just keep buying ....... guns and safes !


Regards ,
George

 

[66snub]

I generally don't get rid of a gun to get a gun. However, I have had an epiphany as of late. I have come to realize that, to me, there are two types of people in the world; 1911 people and Revolver people.

Now I'm not saying that you can't like both, but there would definitely be one that you prefer to the other. Like when you are either a "Beatles" person, or an "Elvis" person. Yes, you can like both, but there is a preference.

Well, I digress. I have come to realize that I happen to be a Revolver person and I broke my rule of getting rid of a gun to get a gun. I sold my Rock Island Armory 1911A1 to get a M649. It wasn't even money, I sold the Rock Island for $350 and bought the M649 for $250, using the extra cash for shipping and holster shopping.

I found that I wasn't shooting the 1911 and really had no immediate plans to do so. I like the 1911 platform, but I don't love it the way I do a Revolver.

 

[Boox]

I pretty much sympathize with the OP, as this "Gun acquisition syndrome" is hard to live with. When I started with handguns, just 6 years ago, I already had a bunch of longuns that I thought was enough, ten or so, and I knew I wanted a 1911 soon. My first real handgun was a Ruger MK I, and I shot it a lot, Then a 1911 clone, then a beautiful Blackhawk bisley in 45 colt. Of those three, the only one left is the Bisley. I have since gone through about 20 handguns, and still have 12 or 13, I like to think that 10 would be enough, but...you know how that goes.
I didn't really get into trouble until i bought my first S&W, a 3913, and after that it's been mostly S&W. I've owned for periods of time a 669, a 10-2 snub, a 39-2 and a 586. Still have the 586, the others have moved on in favor of other guns I wanted to try owning. I really only miss the 39-2 and a series 70 colt 1911 I had but just couldn't fall in love with. Bottom line, I have an eclectic mix of handguns now, things like an AMT Automag, a pristine HS Double Nine, Browning HP, even a Glock 23, and they are all keepers. 12 handguns that I use, plus an old Traditions BP pistol that I built from a kit.
I just turned down a trade offer for my 586, even up for a 4506, but I like that .357 too much, a lot more than a heavy 45 caliber.
This gun trading phenomenon has slowed considerably since I retired, but it has also changed form mostly handguns to longuns, especially Savage 99's. Also have grabbed up some more .22's and just this week a 17m2. I hope it never stops.

 

[wintermute76]

I know the feeling, I'm scraping up funds for a model 18 or 17. My problem is over the last few years I've pretty much pared my collection back to the ones I'm attached to. Decisions decisions...

I have a 325PD, it's a great carry piece, I ran it in our local IDPA group for a couple years too, everyone seemed surprised that a snubbie 6 shooter could compete. I'd generally be middle of the pack.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I for the most part am in the never sell group.The only way I sell a gun is if I buy it for the sole purpose of flipping it to make a buck.Those are few and far between though.I look at it this way,You never really build a collection if you always have to sell a gun to get another one.At that point you are spinning your wheels and trading dollars.Best bet is to sell ANYTHING except guns to try and raise the funds needed,Or just wait and save(This is tough,I know)

 

[roadkill45]

i keep what i buy, unless it was such a fantastic deal and i knew i could sell/trade up with it. i have maybe 12 handguns in rotation and they all get fired during the year. long guns are working SG's and Hunting AR's that are used in season every year.
I have $2500 in the gun 'slush fund' that the wife does not know about, but whenever i'm in the LGS next door to work, i just can't bring myself to spend any in this economy! It takes a long time to replace.

lately i've been into my stamp collection and ammo and have a certain amount that i won't go under in the account.

there are 1-2 that i don't shoot but enjoy fondling in front of the TV. Once the madness dies down, i think the ones that traded will be ticked off that they did since there will be a market flood with decent prices (when and if it comes), then it is time to buy the new toy.

G34 custom sitting over there that i'm drooling over daily, but can't justify since i have a G17, G17L, and G35 w/Lone Wolf conversion, so it is still there.

I hate GAS!!

 

[kaaskop49]

Nobody is wrong here! All members on this thread have a well thought out opinion. Personally, I would not sell a .38 snub that can go in a pocket. That's just me who remembers the late 70s in the Northeast when snubs couldn't be found. Love snubs. I also would not sell a .22, as this is the most common ammo out there, present panic excepted.

I'm not much into the 'value' issue. We have our hands full legislatively right now, despite any local successes. I feel we must concentrate on this or values will be meaningless.

Just my opinion and it sure isn't humble on this legislative struggle. Keep writing your legislators.

Square pizza??

 

[dwpmusic]

Every gun I have (and I don't have a tremendous amount) represents a pretty well thought out decision on my part. I like them all and I shoot them all. Some more than others. Well, I digress a little. I don't shoot my long guns that much. I just love the revolvers/pistols more I suppose. I do want to burn some 5.56 ammo if I can ever find any again. But, I'm really not in the selling mode with my guns. I would if someone just made me an offer I couldn't refuse but I'm not really looking. I think (hopefully) that the guns I have are appreciating in value each day. I said, hopefully. I'm not through buying Smiths yet. I think I am through buying Glocks which I love also but a S&W revolver has a whole lot to love, dontcha think?

 

[Engieman]

All the above posters are correct....it's up to you and your desires and perspective. I never make an impulse buy, but after 40+ years and a purchase here and there, the safe was overflowing. Two things happened, one due to some health scares, my wife asked that I not leave her with all these guns that she didn't know what to do with, what they were worth, how to sell, which one's to pass on, etc. Second, I took a hard look at those I shoot and those that sit. Sentimental items aside, I started to slowly sell, trade and/or replace with the idea that the inventory needs to have a downward trend. This only after a long, slow, deliberate inventory and thought process and numerous paper and pencil exercises (pro's/con's, etc.). I'm in no hurry, nor do I succumb to any pressure. I feel really good about the whole experience with no regrets. As others have stated, the value keeps going up, and I have done very well (pleasant surprise), and have bought some new one's along the way that 'I have always wanted.' Bottom line, I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter and reloader. If the gun doesn't 'work' for me (ergonomics, accuracy, function, etc.) or I have multiple guns of the same caliber...those are the ones going on the consideration list. Zero regrets or sellers remorse. In fact it's been fun. All the guns sold are only going to 'good homes' where they'll be appreciated and cared for as I have done. For instance, I have a relative...a very close relative, who's idea of care, security and storage is to throw them under the bed amongst the ghost bunnies and on top of one another, thus he ain't getting any no matter how much he offers. He knows it, and I've told him why. The journey continues, and there have been some real surprises. Guns I never shot much I've fallen in love with, some real shiny, pretty ones aren't all that good after all...and perhaps the happiest result is my boyhood .22 goes to the range with me every time, whereas it often sat for years. Note: inherent to this process is my desire to single-handedly deplete the lead, powder, primer and brass supply world-wide. It's working. Tried buying any .22's lately? Yup. that boyhood Browning Auto .22 is a hungry little sucker.

Have fun, enjoy the ride, can't take 'em with you.

 

[Cal44]

One other factor to consider is the rarity and investment potential of your guns. For example, I think it's likely that Colt revolvers will appreciate further in the future.

Also, I suspect that the night guard series will appreciate among collectors. Probably also the PD guns with Titanium cylinders. Not many made, and they fill a niche. Also, they have occasional problems, so a fine example with no defects will eventually be worth a lot.