How to decide

[encorehunter]

How do you decide which and when to sell a firearm? I have a primary safe I use, but guns get moved to the other safe that I rarely use. They sit there for decades, never being shot or moved. They are oiled and taken care of, just no use. I have sold a few, but those were mostly ones I hated, or had triplicates or more of.

[ray1970]

Well, the first obvious consideration is if I don?t enjoy it or shoot it well then it will likely find a new home.

Also, if I find I have too many of one firearm (perhaps I know a guy that might have had five Glock 19s) then I can rationalize that a backup or two is okay but beyond that I?m hoarding and something needs to go.

Guns with sentimental value stay. Guns with no sentimental value that I haven?t put a round through in about ten years probably won?t be missed.

Redundancy and overlap also factor into it for me. Example: if a guy had a Glock, and M&P, a Sig, and an XD that were all polymer framed, striker fired 9mm then perhaps a few of them could part ways and you?d still have a polymer 9mm.

Its like when you were a kid and mom went through your toys and got rid of the ones you never played with. Chances are she did it without you knowing and you probably never even noticed.

[hollohas]

I've regretted selling most of the guns I've sold (Other than a Beretta CX4, that was trash). Even the guns I've sold to upgrade I regret selling.

For example I sold a basic Para 1911 that was a SOLID gun. I loved it. But I lusted after a Sig Emperor Scorpion so I figured I'd free up some money to get it.

I did. And now I wish I had both guns.

[OtterbatHellcat]

The topic could go both ways though....there is some stuff I want, but in reality I don't need it.

[Jim B]

I've regretted selling most of the guns I've sold...

Funny, I don't think I regret selling any of the guns I've sold. There are definitely some I regret not buying when I had the chance. I sure wish I bought quite a few K31s when Big 5 was selling them for peanuts. Buying a few more $199 Russians SKSs or $179 MAK-90s wouldn't have been a bad idea either...

[OtterbatHellcat]

I don't want to get rid of anything I have, redundant or not. No need to rotate stock for something fresher.....all the shit works and it's owned. Perhaps it is another issue for example if one has 10 G-17's, you have a problem if you acquired 10 G-17's in the first place.

[ray1970]

I don't want to get rid of anything I have, redundant or not.

So, what? You?re going to just accumulate stuff your entire life until you look like one of those people on those hoarder shows?

I?d be willing to bet you don?t currently own every vehicle you ever owned? Why would someone not bat an eye over selling their old pickup but treat a firearm like the family pet and not want to part ways with it?

[rondog]

So, what? You?re going to just accumulate stuff your entire life until you look like one of those people on those hoarder shows?

[OtterbatHellcat]

So, what? You?re going to just accumulate stuff your entire life until you look like one of those people on those hoarder shows?

I?d be willing to bet you don?t currently own every vehicle you ever owned? Why would someone not bat an eye over selling their old pickup but treat a firearm like the family pet and not want to part ways with it?

I guess I was trying to suggest that I didn't over collect anything in the first place. Yes I've sold cars in my life, three to be exact....and there is no reason to part with any of my firearms. It's also highly unlikely that I would add anything to what I do have.

[Doc45]

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started selling off those my sons aren’t interested in as well as those I don’t shoot. For me it’s not a difficult decision.