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Old January 22, 2002, 10:55 PM   #1
Blue Duck357
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Paring down hanguns-simpler life or mistake?

I've got eight calibers now and handguns that have not seen the range in over a year. Seems over the years I've bought guns perfect for every little concieved nich only to find some new situation or better design to need something else. Every range trip go to the cabinet figure out which kind of ammo I've got (which I need to order from natchez also). Then figure out which pistol I "need" to practice with.

Seriously thinking about having a big firesale and getting rid of all but maybe two or three of the same caliber. I know this is the wrong board to post this qusetion on but anythoughts and anybody else been there done that?
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Old January 22, 2002, 11:06 PM   #2
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I wouldn't do that myself. It doesn't bother me to have a few guns that don't get much range time. Just move the ones you like best to the front of the safe and oil up everyting left over.
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Old January 22, 2002, 11:07 PM   #3
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If you do have a fire sale, call me first because these other guys will just try to lowball you.
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Old January 23, 2002, 01:42 AM   #4
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A fire sale sounds great as long as you have a Walther P88 or HK P7 that costs less than a new car.
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Old January 23, 2002, 03:30 AM   #5
Pointblank2K
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After playing with many different calibers over the years I have 3 handguns and i'm not getting anymore...1 .380 1 .40 and 1 .45 with the 3 rifles 1 10/22 1 SKS 1 Mosin Nagant M44 I can't imagine why I would need more...but there was this Russian Makarov I heard about...
Tony.
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Old January 23, 2002, 03:41 AM   #6
WESHOOT2
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REGRETS

Seems any gun I've ever sold I end up missing........yes, even my M20 that I disliked; still like to have it back.

I'll NEVER sell another gun, ever. I will, however, buy more.

(When I go to IPSC matches I try to bring three or four guns-n-gear, then decide when I get there :-), this 'rotates' my less-used guns.
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Old January 23, 2002, 06:48 AM   #7
stans
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Someone once said "beware the man who ownes only one gun, for he knows how to shoot it well". Perhaps it was Elmer Keith?
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Old January 23, 2002, 10:12 AM   #8
C.R.Sam
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One will do.
More is funner.

Sam
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Old January 23, 2002, 10:22 AM   #9
Rickmeister
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My guns are like clothes. Different ones for different occasions.

Hang on to what you've got. That way you won't have any regrets later.
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Old January 23, 2002, 10:25 AM   #10
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I would expand on Sam's point. One type will do, but have four (4) of that kind. One to carry, one in the safe, one at the smith, one hidden.

To paraphrase a wise man in the Republic of Tejas, pick a gun, put all the others away (don't have to sell them), and practice with that one. Later on, you will gain enlightenment and carry a backup pistol.

(Darn it, I was hoping for Sig vs. Glock thread!)
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Old January 23, 2002, 10:39 AM   #11
444
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I can understand deciding to concentrate on one or two guns and really get good with them. However I don't see why this means you have to sell the other ones. They aren't eating anything are they ? They don't cost you money to keep. In fact their value is probably going up. Just say no to selling guns.
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And only pausing to fire and load.
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Old January 23, 2002, 10:51 AM   #12
Norman Bates
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You probably own more then 3 pairs of shoes, pants, shirts, etc. You don´t get to wear them all periodically but nevertheless you still keep them.

I bet you love your guns more than you care for this other stuff but yet you don´t get rid of them clothes...

Just my unenlightened opinion.

NB
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Old January 23, 2002, 11:30 AM   #13
jdege
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Don't ever sell a gun.

If you don't need it, give it to a child, nephew, niece, whatever.

Keep them in the family.
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Old January 23, 2002, 11:44 AM   #14
Kermit
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I basically did what you're thinking about doing. I sold off my 10 mm, primarily because of the cost of the ammo & the difficulty I had in finding it, & my 40 S&Ws, just never lived up to the hype IMHO.
2 years later, I'm glad I did it. It has made my life simpler...
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Old January 23, 2002, 12:55 PM   #15
Blue Duck357
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Quote:
(Darn it, I was hoping for Sig vs. Glock thread!)
Note I very carefully did not mention what would be going and what would be staying, didn't want to go there
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Old January 23, 2002, 01:08 PM   #16
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Keeping them is good, but if it will make your life easier I'll take the guns you don't want. I'm such a nice guy.(Askme, I'll tell you!)
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Old January 23, 2002, 01:22 PM   #17
Scarborough
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Think of the children. Seriously. There will be more generations of your own kin. Keep the guns for them. You already have them and they are not costing you money to store away. Consider it to be the real grandfather clause so to speak.
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Old January 23, 2002, 01:29 PM   #18
Morgan
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I concur with most of what's been said, especially by 444.

I only practice regularly with my primary weapons, while the rest hang out in the safe. I like knowing they're there, and I'll never sell them - even the ones I haven't shot in over a year, and may not shoot for years to come.
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Old January 23, 2002, 01:49 PM   #19
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Lets see. I have sidearms in .22 LR, .22 Magnum, 9mm, .357 magnum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. While I agree that paring down makes sense especially if you reload, I think it is also nice to have some diversity in the collection.
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Old January 23, 2002, 01:51 PM   #20
treeprof
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Nothing wrong with simplifying things, tho I would think about KSFreemans advice and perhaps duplicating, if not quadruplicating (?), the ones you want to keep. Never hurts to have a duplicate to cover potential losses from breakage, theft, lost checked airline bag, confiscation if ever used in self defense, etc.
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Old January 23, 2002, 04:07 PM   #21
scotjute
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I've stuck to .38's and .357's to simplify my ammunition
choices.
The .357 choice allowed me to get a rifle in that same
caliber also.
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Old January 23, 2002, 04:39 PM   #22
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I'm really glad that I read this thread! I have been considering selling 2 or 3 of my handguns to fund a rifle-building project. After reading the replies here, I think I'll keep them and simply put off the rifle until I can save up the money. Several of your comments reminded me that I have regretted every sale or trade of a firearm that I have ever made --- even the ones I didn't shoot that much!
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Old January 24, 2002, 11:43 PM   #23
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I would not have nearly as many handguns as I have now if it weren't for the competitions that I participate in. I am up to 11, about to be 12 and they all have a purpose. If they didn't I probably would sell them.
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Old January 25, 2002, 12:38 AM   #24
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rock_jock
Not trying to pull you chain, just curious. If you wern't using these guns, what would be the reason for selling them ? Just wondering what your thoughts are.
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Old January 25, 2002, 01:08 AM   #25
P-35/53
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Sounds good in practice- two years ago I tried it unloaded a 44,45 Colt, 2-357 's and a 32 auto. Since then I realized I did not have a two and a half inch Mod.66 so I got one , then saw a Navy Arms Schofield in 44.40 - got it.Then saw a Keltec 32 - bought it. Then I saw a Ruger 32 magnum I had to have. Just yesterday saw a Colt Commander that is calling me. Good luck .
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