I’m getting old, what do I need to keep?

[Ziggidy]

I have A few platforms and since I am getting up there, I realize I need to narrow things down to maybe 1 or 2…..or so. Any recommendations what to keep and what to sell?

Let’s look at calibers first:

.223/.556
.22
.38
.357
9
380
12g

What would you keep? The 38/357 can be used in 2 revolvers and 1 lever (if that helps)

Regardless, I need to trim.

 

[1nderbeard]

Do you hunt?

I'd prob get rid of 380. You could make an argument to get rid of 12 gauge if you don't hunt or shoot clays. You could even get rid of 38/357 if you don't hunt. Revolvers are fun but not as practical as a semi auto 9.

That would leave you with the basics:
Plinker for practice in .22
Self Defense/Home Defense/Bad Day prep in .556
Carry gun in 9M

With that said - keep what you shoot and give/sell the other stuff to people you know and like.

 

[Magyars]

Depends on where you live, farm? Suburban? City?
Do you hunt?
Shoot often? Carry daily? Expect SHTF scenarios?
Personally, I'd keep them all. It doesn't sound like any real excess there.

 

[kennedy759]

I am in the same situation and already working on it, I am keeping 22, 223, 308, 40, and 16 ga

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

Fwiw, I learned a long time ago to not sell a toy. You'll regret it. I'm just sayin...

 

[dieselrealtor]

if I HAD to trim, start with .380 & see how it goes.
Then if additional trimming was needed I would trim .38 as .357 can shoot .38 as well.

 

[cosermann]

OP, what's your goal? Why are you thinking you need to narrow things down? That said, it's just a caliber list. Which particular firearms one has in those calibers makes a difference too. Depends what bases/functions/jobs you're trying to cover.

 

[Basher]

Solid comments so far, more info would be really helpful here.

For ME, I’d sell the .380 (fairly anemic round) and .38 (you can still shoot it in a .357) first, and honestly I don’t have a real use for a .357 right now either, but that’s just me.

For YOU, if you’re not a high-volume shooter, if several of your firearms are in .38/.357, and if you’re not really into daily carry, then I’d sell the .380 and the 9mm. Yeah, 9mm is cheaper than .38/.357, but if I could sell everything related to it and stockpile cheap .38 for plinking and .357 for other uses, it might not be a bad idea. If your volume of shooting doesn’t out the cheaper 9mm above the .38/.357 in terms of value, then go that route. I have many calibers and at times wish I had far fewer and a lot more of the ones I use most.

 

[radar8756]

Keep what you like shooting

I shoot mostly .22 & 9mm - but kept my .45 & shotguns ( 12 & 410 )

I got rid of all my Rifles as my eyes are not what they used to be and I cannot see Targets past 25 yards

I also installed Lasers on all my Pistols to see the General point of aim

 

[COOPADUP]

I willed everything to my son, so when I depart he gets them all. Easy and done.

 

[MrSmitty]

I, personally, have no .380 guns, so I would be biased to get rid of that, all the others are useful, and should be kept......

 

[Cameramonkey]

One thing to think about in 380. Do you have an easy to rack 380? maybe hang onto that for something easier to shoot as you age?

.22lr might be underpowered, but it could be used in a pinch for defense. It beats a sharp stick.

 

[WebSnyper]

I have A few platforms and since I am getting up there, I realize I need to narrow things down to maybe 1 or 2…..or so. Any recommendations what to keep and what to sell?

Let’s look at calibers first:

.223/.556
.22
.38
.357
9
380
12g

What would you keep? The 38/357 can be used in 2 revolvers and 1 lever (if that helps)

Regardless, I need to trim.

Lots of great input so far,

Depending on what you have with the various guns, as others have said, I'd dump 380.

I'd keep:

• 223/556
• 22
• keep 357 guns potentially but dump possibly any 38 special only guns, but that doesn't really dump 38 special
• 9
• 12 gauge (depends on what you have, etc)

Seems to me that with the above, you would have the following categories covered:

• Modern sporting rifle
• rimfire
• revolver/lever gun
• semi auto pistol (and even possibly PCC/PDW)
• shotgun

If you needed/wanted to get further narrowed, then could possibly trim shotgun, and maybe even revolver, but seems like you have lever gun combination with the revolver, so seems worthy to keep.

 

[patience0830]

I have A few platforms and since I am getting up there, I realize I need to narrow things down to maybe 1 or 2…..or so. Any recommendations what to keep and what to sell?

Let’s look at calibers first:

.223/.556
.22
.38
.357
9
380
12g

What would you keep? The 38/357 can be used in 2 revolvers and 1 lever (if that helps)

Regardless, I need to trim.

Keep? Keep getting up in the morning.
Keep moving forward.
Keep getting some exercise.
Keep working if it suits you.

Never give up.

 

[mcapo]

Unless cash flow is an issue, I would keep them all. I have more calibers than I have years left....if not....keep the "1 or 2" that you have/will shoot the most and/or have a specific need for.

 

[Cameramonkey]

One other thought. Make a spreadsheet or a list for your estate listing the value of each piece. Make sure your widow or estate dont get screwed by liquidating your guns below what they are worth.

I'm reminded of the old saying "I hope my widow sells my guns for what I paid, not for how much I told her I paid."

And if that saying applies to you, just put that list in the safe with the guns instead of telling her. She cant kill you if you are already dead.

 

[Scott58]

How's your health? I just got into .380 & 9mm in the last 12 months because arthritis is starting give me issues. Getting hard to shoot more the a few clips of .45. I'm keeping my stuff but I'm staying with what I can comfortably shoot.

 

[bgcatty]

Keep the revolvers. Sell the .380. Take stock again and trim those that you really, really don’t shoot anymore.
Best of luck making hard decisions!

 

[snapping turtle]

If I had to trim to the most basic level a 12 guage shot in the pump form. (Rem 870 wingmaster) is all you need I. The North American region. From bunnies to bears.

I think I would need to following.
22 target pistol
22 target rifle (my 39a is target enough if I had to only have one)
12 guage pump
A deer rifle
An Ak.
My model 66 357
My 1894 44 mag

Ok I give up I am not getting rid of anything

 

[Ziggidy]

Do you hunt?

I'd prob get rid of 380. You could make an argument to get rid of 12 gauge if you don't hunt or shoot clays. You could even get rid of 38/357 if you don't hunt. Revolvers are fun but not as practical as a semi auto 9.

That would leave you with the basics:
Plinker for practice in .22
Self Defense/Home Defense/Bad Day prep in .556
Carry gun in 9M

With that said - keep what you shoot and give/sell the other stuff to people you know and like.

I agree with this but it’s a hard decision.

No, I do not hunt.