Which To Keep?

[sigp220.45]

They are just things. If being in debt is making you uneasy (which I certainly understand) then sell them all and pay off your debt. The sleep is worth it.

I had to have a mass sell-off a few years ago, to pay for a new roof I would never see. I had to take a buy-out from a relocation company (at a $65,000 loss) in order to move from where I was to where I wanted to be, and the roof needed to be replaced first. The 65K was enough of a nad-kick without going into debt for a roof, so I started hauling guns to the gun shop to sell on consignment.

The only thing I wouldn't put on the block was the Fox Sterlingworth 20 gauge that had been my grandfather's pheasant gun.

I sold some doozies, including a pre-war non-registered .357 Magnum. That one hurt.

When I had enough cash for the roof, I stopped the bleeding. I had a pretty good collection left, and I've since been able to add more than I sold.

So, to answer your actual question from someone who has been there, I would say to keep whatever has actual sentimental value to you then start selling the rest in order of how much you can get rather than how hard they would be to replace.

 

[Sevens]

Admitting up front that we are on the S&W forum so all Python discussion is already tainted... I think the Python is WILDLY inflated in value currently. I also simply don't (necessarily) believe the quick, easy and "pffft no brainer!" knee-jerk reaponse that Pythons will only rise simply based on the Python market of the last decade.

To clarify, yes, I agree that they will rise in price, but I believe that all metal handguns that are currently discontinued/not in production will rise, but I do NOT believe Pythons will sustain this growth.

Put it a third way -- a Python is worth a heap of cash and 5 years from now, absolutely still worth a heap of cash. HOWEVER, a RM/Triple Lock will rise at a higher rate over the next 5-10 years than a Python, in my opinion.

If you have a Python -AND- you will ultimately sell it and you know that you will (and you want to), I say that now is a FINE time to do it.

If you can find a buyer that sees value in that bloated Python market, sell that sucker right now, especially if it's a later gun, 80's or later.

Most all of us here attach a lot of emotion to guns/collectibles, and that's fine, good, expected. Aside from emotions and such, guns have value based on many factors. Condition is the biggest factor. In my opinion, a close #2 factor is SCARCITY.

Some odd-featured Pythons have scarcity for sure. But I'm not sure if most realize that otherwise... Pythons are NOT SCARCE. Colt built and shipped more than half a million. That's a lot. That's more Pythons out in the world than the S&W 39-2.

No, I'm not equating these two in values. I'm just offering one reason why I believe that Pythons carry a bloated value.

If I owned one and it's fate was to be sold, I'd do it while prices are high (now!) and demand is high (last couple years... maybe a bit less now?)

 

[old bear]

you posted your last post (#19) while I was typing. Knowing this update I wouldn't sell any of them. I'd pay off the debt in that four months, and then I wouldn't go into debt for any more.

See Above

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

Keep the Glocks and sell everything else !

Jimmy ( a Troll that resides under a bridge)

Jimmy, is there a smilie that shows a you jerking somebody's chain? I laughed out loud.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[RGVshooter]

Personally, I think the Pythons are over rated......

I just got done watching "Magnum Force" last night. It renewed my interest in Colt Pythons!

 

[mauiblue]

I regreted selling a few of my firearms years ago. I will not make that same mistake again. Never ever sell a gun unless it is absolutely necessary.

BTW if you sold the Python revolvers I highly doubt you will be able to afford them again as prices are ridiculously high. Good luck and be safe.

Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

 

[stu1ritter]

Amoung the semi-auto's I would keep the Cougar. If you've shot one you will understand. I'm on my fourth, friends keep buying them out of my hands at the range. Wish I had the Beretta version.

Stu

 

[hkcavalier]

I see 1980s made 686s all over the place. Unless they are some kind of unusual version I would sell those first.

In my neck of the woods there is another variable involved, whether or not they are private sale prior to the cutoff date in late 2014. People are flat out not selling those since they automatically get papered by the state via the FFL.

 

[Jim NNN]

I don't know. It depends on what your interests are and how cool or collectible the semi-autos are.

As collectibles, S&W are a lot more bag for the buck than Colts. I bought my first snake gun recently - a Diamondback - and though it's in real nice shape for the price I paid, I could've easily bought a couple of nicer model 15 S&W's for that amount...and I like shooting 15's better than the Diamondback, at least with stock grips.

It might be a hard sell for the Pythons, though. Most people don't want to spend $2500 for a gun, even a very nice one. What I would probably do is sell whichever guns I won't take a loss on. Best wishes.

 

[kthom]

First, I'd sell those two Pythons! I've got no personal use for them, but even so, they'd generate the most money for the least number of guns you have listed. (If one of the two is the one you've had for 30 years, I'd keep it, if for no other reason than it's a good investment and you got it relatively cheap! Next, I'd add the two 686's to the sale list since they should be easy to sell and hopefully recover the money you spent for them. Don't sell a semi auto you really like, but if you are ambivalent about any of them, especially if they are easy to replace if you wished to do so, sell 'em. Hopefully these sales will allow you to keep the rest of them. For me, I'd not sell either of the three inchers, the 19 or 66 snubbies, or the 19 four incher, in that order, assuming they are all in nice condition all around.

 

[merl67]

The Autoloaders (unless rare), and the L frame ones would be first then see how the money goes.

 

[MCorps0311]

I'm just going to say do what's best for you,great collection.

 

[BillyMagg]

The autos......... Glocks and shields....... first

as the old preachers used to say AMAN! and AMAN! and that other dinky auto too,, you can buy that stuff at Bass Pro or anywhere else for that matter any time!

 

[Carrier]

I don't have the amount of guns that many have and my count is 43. Most are old shotguns, military rifles, lever and handguns. Many are from my grandfather and father. I have never nor will I ever sell any of them as they will go to my kids who both shoot and they can do whatever they want with them. But I'm pretty sure they won't.

 

[31FordA]

I'm a revolver guy, so I'd sell the pistols first. Although I think I'd hang on the 228. Next would be one of the Pythons. The Python would generate the most cash, and you'd still have one left. Next would be one of the 686's. I'd be reluctant to sell anymore, and would never let the 27 or the 3" K frames go.

I have frequently spent an excessive amount of money on guns. Generally I have found that if I can muddle thru for a while I can get back in the black without having to sell anything off. When I have sold guns (generally to finance other guns or old cars) I opted to sell guns I wasn't using/enjoying much.

 

[RKmesa]

... I also have about a half dozen or so autos I might sell...

Those are the ones you should sell - especially the plastic ones.

 

[merl67]

As Richard said plastic first, as those can easily be replaced.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Keep the Glocks and sell everything else !

Jimmy ( a Troll that resides under a bridge)

Financially a sound move, because it makes no sense to sell items for less than you paid.