Becoming the "man with one gun"...

Tim

Tim

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I've been on a selling binge here lately, even letting some stuff go for less than I could have to get into a new frame of mind. My last non-match range trip, I spent more time trying to decide what to bring, packing far too much, and wasted time switching gun.Pack one up, pack up the ammo, put it back in the truck...unpack the next one....and so on.

There's that old adage, "Beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it." I'm not going to get all the way down to just 1, but I'm close!

1 for 3gun
1 for PRS/precision/hunting
1 for HD/SD
A .22lr
AP Shotgun

Now, that doesn't count heirlooms (a bunch of front stuffers, M1 Garand, grandpa's deer rifle...) but it is a drastic draw down from where I was.

I've thinned out the handguns some, but not quite as drastically as the rifles. I rarely hit the range for pistol work, so the dilemma hasn't hit me there yet.

Anybody else making an effort to simplify?
 
I've had similar thoughts lately but I haven't started taking action. I have a few guns that I'll never get rid of and some calibers that are a little strange but nothing too far off the beaten path. My purchase are much more in line with your way of thinking but I haven't sold anything off yet.
 
Do what you feel you need to do but I will offer one piece of advice when it comes to SD or HD firearms ...
”Two is one and one is none." Things break, get lost, or get taken and sometimes they aren't easily fixed or replaced in the field. That's why you need to have a backup for anything critical.”
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I will also suggest lay in a good supply of parts for those you keep and learn how to do more than just a quick field strip type maintenance ... be one of those to beware of.
 
Tim said:
I've been on a selling binge here lately, even letting some stuff go for less than I could have to get into a new frame of mind. My last non-match range trip, I spent more time trying to decide what to bring, packing far too much, and wasted time switching gun.Pack one up, pack up the ammo, put it back in the truck...unpack the next one....and so on.

There's that old adage, "Beware the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it." I'm not going to get all the way down to just 1, but I'm close!

1 for 3gun
1 for PRS/precision/hunting
1 for HD/SD
A .22lr
AP Shotgun

Now, that doesn't count heirlooms (a bunch of front stuffers, M1 Garand, grandpa's deer rifle...) but it is a drastic draw down from where I was.

I've thinned out the handguns some, but not quite as drastically as the rifles. I rarely hit the range for pistol work, so the dilemma hasn't hit me there yet.

Anybody else making an effort to simplify?
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I’m doing the same in a slow and calculated approach. Pulling out some firearms to think it through as I continue with a transition of part of mine to my son and grandson. Actually doing the same with some tools, farm equipment, and other personal belongings.

My goal is to complete that task on my own terms so someone else won’t have to.
 
JimB said:
Rifles are like restaurants, you’re going to one all the time and then one day you realize that you haven’t been back to it in 5 years.
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Exactly. And I would like to know that someone else could experience the enjoyment they brought me over the years if at all possible.
 
I did something similar a few years ago. Eliminated all the bloat in my collection.

I have it down to...

Comp AR
Comp Shotgun
SD AR with SBR lower and Pistol lower
300blk SBR/Pistol upper
Ruger 10/22
Ruger American 300blk
Wifey's AR
Wifey's 12ga pump
Wifey's 10/22

On top of that we have our rotations of carry pistols and a few heirloom/sentiment pieces but that's it...

Down from probably close to 30 long guns and dozen more pistols...

2 rifle calibers, 1 shotgun gauge, 5 pistol calibers (primarily all 9mm though), and 22lr's... Down from 6, 3, 12, and 22lr...

Still an unholy arsenal by libtard standards but much less than what it was a few years ago...

It's so much easier to keep up with...
 
OP, I sold off pretty much all of my collectibles 3-4 years ago. I focused on what I "needed" and consolidated down to a certain type of rifles, shotguns, pistols, and rimfire guns. My only divergence from this is my 581/681's and 1 44 special just for old times sake. I have spare parts for all and know how to repair them, plenty of mags, and it's easier to stockpile ammo or reloading supplies when their is a sale when you only have to look for a couple of calibers. I don't regret doing it at all.
 
I started selling my guns the beginning of last year after a few new health problems. I don't want to leave my wife with a bunch of guns she would have no idea what they were worth and how to get rid of without being taken advantage off. I'm pretty well down to only two 22 M & P compacts, one Shield 9, two 380's a LCP and a Shield EZ. I'm thinking about getting rid of both Shields and buying a Sig 365 so I can carry something smaller.
 
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spittinfire said:
I've had similar thoughts lately but I haven't started taking action. I have a few guns that I'll never get rid of and some calibers that are a little strange but nothing too far off the beaten path. My purchase are much more in line with your way of thinking but I haven't sold anything off yet.
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Yeah I'm going to that same direction with everything I can sell. My goal is one full size, one carry and a carbine in 9mm. Of course then I still have my legacy guns that can't be sold.
 
To be more serious in my response: I have a tough time downsizing because of the way I organized how I purchased firearms all along. I don't have a whole lot of extra money to throw at hobbies, so when I squirrel away some cash for a purchase I have usually thought about it for a while and bought it for a specific reason. I approached buying guns just like someone trying to slowly get into golf would. I borrowed clubs when I needed to, but as I saved up the money I bought firearms to fit niches. I am now relatively comfortable with having all the niches filled. Now I have all the guns I "need"...hunting shotguns, self defense shotguns, hunting rifles, plinking rifles, carry guns, "competition" guns. Anything I buy now is generally an upgrade of what I already have, or just a "want". The only "need" I really have is for a .22 semi automatic pistol.
 
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One of the core lessons I've confirmed in this process is that firearm "collecting" is a solid store for cash. Even in this softer market (relative to the nuttiness of a few years ago), guns of all types tend to hold their value. My completely arbitrary opinion, based on zero verifiable facts, is that other high $$ hobbies tend to have depreciating assets. Selling a bass boat or fancy golf clubs I have to believe incurs a much bigger 'loss' than any gun I've ever re-sold.
 
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I have *never* lost on a gun trade or deal. Broke even a time or two. Made out like a bandit a few times. But yeah, no at this time I am looking to buy or trade cheap and stack deep. I have 2 sons, several nephews, and we all shoot and hunt.

If I want to simplify I just limit my range time to one discipline eg: revolvers, single action, bolt guns, ARs and just take a few specimens. Do I have guns I hardly shoot? Sure. Does that make me want to part ways with them? Usually not.
 
I've been doing the same. My ammo tracking spreadsheet has a tab that lists all the rounds fired per gun per year... and if that number is 0 at the end of the year it's an indication that it's time to get rid of it. If I couldn't be bothered to fire it for 12 months, it probably has no use to me any longer.

The exception is for the two I'm keeping only for sentimental reasons, but they're not some high dollar collectables, they're just old crappy guns that have a story to them so I should enforce my same rules on them as well. Take them out once a year minimum to honor the guy they're from. If not... perhaps that memory no longer serves me any longer either....
 
I'm not buying anything for myself anymore.
I have 4 G-kids to buy for and stock stuff up for.
Life is easier that way.
 
Maybe the topic could/should be framed a bit differently....I guess my real point is that I'm making a concerted effort to focus on a minimum number of guns. To get truly proficient with the ones that serve a purpose. As opposed to "well, I have 5 ARs, let's take all 5 out to play!"

For me, that meant culling the herd of excess; for others that may mean "I'm okay with that one in the back of the safe that hasn't seen a range in 5 years".
 
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Tim said:
One of the core lessons I've confirmed in this process is that firearm "collecting" is a solid store for cash.
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Tim said:
Selling a bass boat or fancy gold clubs I have to believe incurs a much bigger 'loss' than any gun I've ever re-sold.
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yep and YEP!!!
 
I did this a while back. instead of having a bunch of different stuff all in different directions, I got an AR and a glock. made sure i have ammo for both in excess and all support gear i need. that way i have a complete setup for these guns. holsters, magazines, slings whatever. i have a few special ones in the safe but i pretty much practice, handle and carry the 2.
 
ronn47 said:
I'm not buying anything for myself anymore.
I have 4 G-kids to buy for and stock stuff up for.
Life is easier that way.
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I ve got 6 to buy for.

4 girls. Each one gets a AR15 and a Ruger LCP.

2 Boys. They each get a AR15 and a Glock 19. They also get a reloading press, scale, dies and supplies.

I bought the last AR at Christmas.

Now all we do is buy ammo unless we run across a stupid deal to good to pass up.

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk
 
GoWolfpack said:
What does it feel like to be such a huge nerd?
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2rbano.jpg
 
What’s that old saying.... beware of a man with one gun, he’ll know how to use it.
 
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I've got just two traditional bows.

Been tempted to do the same with firearms, but my kids are both renting and haven't room for a Stack-On, forget a fireproof Liberty.

One day, I'll whittle 'em down. There will be some tough decisions, especially which one of my rimfire rifles.
 
Getting into competition shooting a few years back forced me to cull anything not being used.

I have a 1909 Remington model 12 and a Stevens bolt action .410 from grandad and that is it for “collectible/heirloom” guns.

I don’t have a lot of guns, but the ones I have are nice enough to not hold me back and I am proud to own what I do!
 
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Today was my first non-match range trip since adopting this attitude. It was awesome. I spent 4 hours working as RSO at the local club. In that 4 hours, I put 60 rounds through my new bolt gun and ~100 or so through a 300BLK HD/SD gun.

It was great not having so much crap to haul and feeling rushed to move to a different platform.
 
I can certainly commiserate on the number of guns quandry. Since I started shooting Civil War competition in the North South Skirmish Assoc, I've been thinking through some of my stuff and new acquisitions. Namely, they've all been oriented towards NSSA competition and I'm not hung up on shooting originals. Problem is, musket, carbine and smoothbore all have different quirks and needs. I'm also maintaining almost the same arms roster for my dad who shoots on our team so I feel stretched sometimes and I've not messed much with any conventional reloading lately. Case in point, I'm working with an 1858 Smith to iron out some inconsistencies but at the same time, doing development work on an 1863 Sharps all to the detriment of getting a really locked down 100yd load for my 1861 Springfield musket and a similar load for my 1842 Macon smoothbore. My brother also shoots with us so I maintain a set of arms for him to shoot as well and since I want the team to shoot well, those guns get the same attention on load development. At least there's light at the end of the Sharps tunnel as I've gotten a load that will stack 54cal bullets into one raggedy a$$ hole at 50yds and can shoot 2moa at 100yds, and that's with my old guy eyes and iron sights out of an 1863 percussion gun with paper cartridges.

So no, I really haven't had the time to seriously work with modern centerfire stuff other than to make enough ammo for a range trip to avoid dipping into the stash.
 
I've at least managed to not add any new calibers and have just about everything covered for me and Mrs. as far as firearms are concerned.

Anything I have to spend on this stuff going forward will be spent on upgrades on the existing inventory and training. At least for a year or two.

That's the plan anyway. We'll see.
 
premise said:
I've thought about it, but it's the wrong market to want to downsize.
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You are correct. I started my downsizing 4-5 years ago. Worked out well for me. If I was going to do it now , I'd just buy whatever platforms that I had decided to go with along with parts/ammo. I'd hold on to the others until the wind changes directions again, unless I could work out a descent trade for what I "needed".
 
Jayne said:
I've been doing the same. My ammo tracking spreadsheet has a tab that lists all the rounds fired per gun per year... and if that number is 0 at the end of the year it's an indication that it's time to get rid of it. If I couldn't be bothered to fire it for 12 months, it probably has no use to me any longer.

The exception is for the two I'm keeping only for sentimental reasons, but they're not some high dollar collectables, they're just old crappy guns that have a story to them so I should enforce my same rules on them as well. Take them out once a year minimum to honor the guy they're from. If not... perhaps that memory no longer serves me any longer either....
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DAMMMN ! I need you to organize my entire life!
 
premise said:
I've thought about it, but it's the wrong market to want to downsize.
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Good point. That's what drives my continued purchasing... no brainer bargains!

This thread has me plannin'. After the next Dem POTUS is elected, pick what I want for the rest of my life, and buy a huge quantity of ammunition for those few firearms. Give the kids what they want, an' sell the rest.

Yes, we are gettin' old!
 
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