The legacy of our firearms

[ghbucky]

Recently, my wife and I went through the process of estate planning. During the process, I asked my wife what she thought would become of my gun/reloading collection because neither of my 2 children show any interest.

My Grandson has been away as a paratrooper in the 82nd airborne and received a medical discharge last month. I took him to a range once when he was home on leave, mostly to meet up with my Vietnam veteran brother so they could get a chance to interact.

He was over for a cookout last weekend and he asked me "When are we going shooting?"

The thrill! Maybe I have an answer I never expected. We have a 'range date' tomorrow.

[Scorch]

Yeah, I'm in kind of the same situation. I'm 66 now, got another maybe 10 years or so to go and I've been trying to get rid of guns so I don't have a garage full of projects when I die. My sons have been more interested in video games than guns for years. I would take them shooting, they would burn through the ammo and want to leave.

Recently, my youngest son has started asking to go to the range together. Maybe this is the answer.

[jonnyc]

Seems a lot of us are in a similar boat. My situation is further complicated by possessing one of the larger cartridge collections in the US. As that group thins out there are fewer and fewer destinations for it. Fortunately there are still lots of current and future gun guys.

[ghbucky]

Nice update. After meeting up with him at the local range I handed over my WW2 M1 Carbine and all the ammo I had for it and got to watch a paratrooper fire an M1 carbine.

That was a thrill. Even more thrilling was his parting comment as we parted in the parking lot: "We need to do this again"

[FITASC]

I plan to sell as many as I can before hand, keeping a few family hand me downs and a few others but liquidating the rest so my spouse or kids don't have to. I am at that point where I would rather have a few high quality than a safe of others

[armoredman]

My son and my wife will split what they want and sell the rest.

[Hawg]

My stepson will get everything. Thankfully he is into guns altho he doesn't know much.

[stinkeypete]

I say "He who dies with the most toys... is dead." Then his wife has to deal with cleaning up the expensive pile of regulated metal left behind, and will probably only get thirty cents on the dollar for what the man could have gotten by selling it online.

My goal is to die with my two favorite guns in the cabinet and the cash for the rest of 'em on the shelf inside it.

To me, it's not how many I own, it's about how many I absolutely love. It's been a fun hobby, always looking for something I fancy more. There are only two I have even the least regret about selling. The expensive Beretta over and under got sold off as I was not using it, and my kiddo needed money for college. I bought a nicer one 15 years later, but in 20 gauge. The other was a Bersa Thunder that got sold off with it's PPK cousin. The PPK was three times as expensive but only 80% as nice. So I got another Bersa a few years later.

That's just me. My daughter doesn't shoot (much) and I don't have any young pals who I can trust (or burden) to liquidate my shootin' iron estate.

[AL45]

As I near 60, I have begun to think about this. My older daughter and son-in-law have guns but rarely shoot, though my son-in-law does hunt with his Dad and brother. I asked my older daughter which guns she wanted and she laughed and said, "all of them." Of their kids, my 12 year old grandson seems interested in shooting. I have taken him out a couple of times and he had fun. My younger daughter and son-in-law don't seem to have much interest. My son and daughter-in-law both have guns and we have gone shooting a couple times. Their main interest in guns is for defense. As far as reloading, none of them seem interested though I did give my grandson a brief lesson. I'm also concerned about my woodworking tools and what will happen to them.....I guess it really doesn't matter, I won't be there to complain about what they do with everything. I guess I'll just use everything as long as I can and then let them worry about it.

[MTT TL]

The kids have their own small collections of guns I gave them over the years. What they do with the rest is up to them. I won't care. I will be dead. They can do whatever they want.

[Bob Willman]

I'm not sure what is considered a large cartridge collection. I inherited my father-in-law's collection. I have never tried to count the rounds, but it is probably in the thousands. Many shotgun shells of varying head stamps all of which were old 60 years ago. Many unopened boxes of small caliber ammo. Unfortunately many of the unopened boxes were in a house fire and received some smoke damage. There are inner-primed, pin fire and a partial roll of paper caps for a Maynard - I think - black powder rifle. Many of the brass cases have no head stamps at all so they are difficult to identify, but he knew most from memory. Some I remember the ID from his mentoring, but most I do not remember.
My heirs have no interest in any of these. What to do?

Bob NRA Benefactor

[44 AMP]

ID and appraisal by qualified experts is a tricky business, but there are people who do that kind of thing, for a fee.

Find and visit ammo collector websites and discussion forums. Get a set of calipers and at least a basic book like Cartridges of the World (not the best possible reference for everything, but a basic starting point) measure the unknown stuff (all dimensions) and see what the closes dimensional matches in the book(s) are.

That gives you a baseline. Many of the early metallic cartridges did not have headstamps and must be ID'd by length, diameter, rim size, etc.

Value is a different matter, and one where only experts involved with the current market can help out.

Do look for the firearms/ammo version of Antiques Roadshow and not Pawn Stars...

Good Luck!

[4V50 Gary]

Markets change, prices change.

The owner should prepare an inventory list along with acquisition prices and current market prices. The latter fluctuates depending on your area and the economy.

Second, a trusted friend who could help or at least ID the objects listed.

[jonnyc]

Bob, there are a few cartridge shows out your general way; Ohio, PA, Michigan, and St. Louis. Get a table, spread your 'wares', and watch the vultures begin to circle.
Check here for show info:
https://cartridgecollectors.org/?page=events

[stuckinthe60s]

now people know why ive been advertising so much for so long. I don't have kids.
its all going. reloading, guns, heck, if people don't start coming back to my range, my range is for sale too.

[DaleA]

I'm seeing a problem/issue/opportunity (whatever) here.

There seems to be a lot of folk getting older and we have NOT had a lot of kids (maybe because we heeded 'over population' scares---but that's a separate issue) and those kids and grandkids aren't very interested in shooting. I'm in this boat as mine are not interested in my guns.

There's another thread here:
Best way to sell low-value guns
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=617049

That kind of illustrates the 'problem' too.

I just wonder in another 10 years or so if it won't be a 'buyers' market' for used/rare/collectible or even just 'interesting' firearms.

Anybody out there with a time machine that could go up and check this prediction out for me?

[jonnyc]

Ok...I'm back.
The market is soon to crash and you won't be able to get more than $10 for any firearm at all! Sell all you got to me now for $9.00 each and we can both realize a bit of profit.
Deal?

[Pahoo]

The legacy of our firearms
Recently, my wife and I went through the process of estate planning

Not entirely sure what you mean by "Legacy" but I am understanding the spirit of what you are communicating. .....

Here is what we have planned and no, the process is not all that cut and dry.
1) I have already given some of my collection to my Grandkids. If it were their choice, they would take them all and sell them. .......

2) I have desinated one for my wife, for her protection.....

3) The majority of my collection, will be going to a local auction house. Half the proceeds will go to my wife and the rest, to my Daughters.

Understand that most of my collection has turned into quite and investment, that is worth than given them away but to provide for my wife and also go to a better home that wil appreciate them. ......

Good Luck and;
Be Safe !!!

[44 AMP]

the old joke that "one of my biggest fears is that when I am gone, my wife will sell my guns for what I told her I paid for them" is not really a joke.

Late last year I sold several guns through my local FFL putting them on Gunbroker for me. Every one sold for at least half again what I paid for them many years earlier, and some sold for over twice as much, the benefit of last minute bidding wars on the website.

I would also point out that if you sell them before you pass on, YOU get to decide who gets the benefit, without needing to set things up so your estate executor has to handle it.

Good Luck I hope you reach a satisfactory result however you choose to go about it.

[bamaranger]

When prowling for used guns, once in a while you come up on an old timer that stands out as well used but much loved. Honest wear but still mechanically capable, well kept and the keeper of a hundred stories.

I often wonder the back story....who sold or traded that gun? Was it Uncle Charlie's, Dad's or grandad's, maybe even older? How much game and what type of game has it taken, how many fields, fences or ridges has it crossed?

Invariably, I ask myself, who could have traded or pawned such a thing? But I'm soft that way. Many of my guns hold stories and memories and I will not part with them 'till the end. Their pieces of the past I can touch.

[AL45]

I'm with you bamaranger. Most of the guns I own have a story or sentimental attachment to them, and I have bought a few used guns that I often wonder their history. I would sell them in a serious financial crisis, but otherwise see no need to depart with them.

[Skans]

My plan is simple - keep what you want and then contact RIA and let them auction the rest.

[ligonierbill]

I will put in a plug for Lock, Stock & Barrel, an outfit that sells on GB. Recently needed to make room, and so picked out 13 that I thought I could part with. They tour the country and actually show up at your house, inventory the guns, give you a receipt, and haul them off. Their commission is 25%. I've seen other GB sellers at 17%, and my LGS charges 20%. But I think these guys earned their premium. If you read their postings, they are very detailed, well photographed, and very frank. From a buying perspective, they inspire confidence. I did very well on my sale, and deposited a nice check yesterday.

[FrankenMauser]

LSB is a very good business to deal with - whether as a buyer or a seller.
Honest, straight forward, and they have a guarantee that is unrivaled in the gun auction world - 30 days, I believe.


They absolutely do not tolerate any violation of their contract, though. So if someone is thinking they can shill bid on their guns, to boost prices when they go to auction, they'll be woefully regretful. When LSB detects shill bidding by, or related to a seller, they close the lot and all others belonging to that seller. Then a bill for the lost commission must be paid before the firearms are sent back to the seller - who is now blacklisted by LSB.

[jonnyc]

Which LSB are we dealing with here...I found a bunch of listings. Got a link?