Some guns and things, you wish you had kept.

[45-70 Chevroner]

As I have gotten older (I'll be 79 in August) I've been reflecting back on time and thinking about guns and other gun related things I have gotten rid of. I had a refinished Victory model 10 that I payed $90.00 for, there worth a lot of money today.Then I got rid of a Custom conversion 1903 A3 Springfield a really pretty rifle, just plain stupid. Then I got rid of a 3 barreled HandR in 410, 20ga, and 30-30. Back in the 1960's I got a Cannon, that traded two Military two way radios for, (I won't tell you how I came buy those) it had a 11/4" bore diameter the barrel was 24" long it was built from a stub axle out of a Caterpillar doser. The outside diameter was about 31/2". The frame was 1/4" steel plate. It looked like a ship's deck gun, it was contoured to look like a real cannon from a ship. It actually shot quite well. The guy that built it put a set of 03A3 sights on it. At 50 yards I could hit a car tire rim regularly it would not shoot through rim but it would tumble it 10 or 15 feet backwords. The load of 2fg black powder was a 31/2" empty shotgun shell full, the ball weighed a little less than a 1/2 pound. The funny thing about that cannon was, I sold it in the early 1970's and in the mid 1980's I saw it at a gun show in Phoenix Az. The guy thought he had a real prize because he got I from a guy that said it was a Cannon from real sailing ship used on the poop deck. When I got it it had been rifled like a modern muzzle loader. When I Sold it I got a $150.00 for it. The gun show guy wanted $500.00. I told him that I had gotten it from the guy that built it and even described the round ball mold that came with it. The mold was made from two pieces of 3/4" steel plate. You should have seem the guys jaw drop, because he had the mold in a box under the display table. The end of this is that we do do things that we regret. I wish I still had that Cannon.

[tazman]

I have along list of guns I wish I still had. I have no idea where to start and probably can't remember nearly all of them.
I really don't want to remember all of them. It would depress me.

[Winger Ed.]

I've had several, but don't regret getting rid of them.
A couple of Civil War issue muskets, a real well sporterized 03-A3, my Grandfather's Colt .38 service revolver from the 1920's,
A very elaborate, unfired, 17th Century gentleman's flint lock pistol, my other Grandfather's top break S&W he carried under
the seat when driving freight wagons around the early 1900's. And a Sauer .32 auto with Nazi proof marks.

I enjoyed all of them for many years, then placed the S&W and Colt with cousins.
My kids aren't part of our 'gun culture', but my sister and her kids are.
I placed the antique BP weapons, the Sauer, and my 03-A3 with them a few years ago.
At 65, I figure it's someone else's turn to enjoy them for awhile.

The only one I sold off and regretted selling about 10 years ago to a life long friend, was the S&W model 52.
Early this month--- I bought it back.

[kens]

Some guns and things, you wish you had kept.,,,,,

Thats a rabbit hole I don't want to down into...........

[NyFirefighter357]

The only gun I ever sold was a Mossberg 500 in .410 to my BIL & I don't miss it. That ammo costs 3-5 times what 12ga or 20ga ammo costs. Besides that gun, I'm not in the gun selling business.

[GhostHawk]

I have not sold many guns, the few I did sell I was glad to see gone.

My regrets are more along the line of back in the 70's and 80's why oh why was I not loading up on M1 Garands, M1Carbines, K98's, etc.

I had a nice M1 carbine with folding paratrooper stock offered to me for 70$ but it needed a part so I let it slide.
Back then if you worked hard, were honest, showed up on time, wages were good. Good guns were selling for cheap.

Dang fool I was back then. Back when I knew it all.

[charlie b]

Bunches. Also just as many that I regretted buying :) Guns, cars, tools, etc, etc.

[jaysouth]

I sold my S&W Model 76 9mm sub gun for a thousand bucks. I could not afford to feed it. Now that I can afford to feed a machine gun, I cannot afford to buy one.

[Bazoo]

I had a weatherby mark V deluxe in 270 weatherby magnum. I sold it for something tactical. Then I had two bushmaster A2 rifles, stock, sold them. A couple Blackhawks in 357 magnum, and a single six. A winchester 9422 with checkered stock. A Remington model 41 targetmaster that pulled a beard hair one too many times. I should have refinished the stock. Those were a while back. More recent was an NEF handi rifle in 357 magnum.

[Gtek]

The old woulda, coulda, shoulda list, oh boy!

[Texas by God]

The 1923 Commercial Safe/Loaded 7.65 Luger, my first Remington 788 22-250, my 20 gauge Ithaca Field Grade SxS, my King customized 1909 Colt DA .45 Colt, my Remington 700/ JES .358 Win, my Star PD .45, etc., etc., over and over.

[Lloyd Smale]

list is to long to even type. But that said if I wouldn't have gotten rid of cool stuff I wouldn't have other cool stuff. I don't fall in love with many guns. Mostly I buy them have fun with them and move on and have fun with something new.

[smithnframe]

A Webley-Fosbury automatic revolver I acquired in the late 70's! I did make a very nice profit though!

[sharps4590]

What kens said.

[dale2242]

1. Model 70 in 22 Hornet
2. Remington XP100 in 7BR.
3. M1 Garand Tanker Model in 7.62X51

[Froogal]

I may have one or two that maybe I should not have purchased because I really don't like them, but maybe some day I WILL decide to like them, so for that reason I have not and will not sell any of them.

[Petrol & Powder]

I think as we get older, all of us have a list of guns we wish we had held onto.

When Ruger introduced the MKII pistol to replace the Ruger Standard Pistol I acquired one of the very early MKII bull barrel models. That pistol shot better than most .22 rifles I've seen. Like an idiot, I sold it.

In another colossal mistake I traded in a tack-driving, standard barrel Remington 541-T for partial payment on a brand new Remington 541-T Heavy Barrel. My (flawed) thinking was the heavy barrel model would shoot better than the standard barrel model.........that proved to be wrong.
The heavy barrel model shot just as well as the standard barrel model but...... it did weigh a lot more :o

That was one of my more boned headed moves.

[Biggin]

Some guns and things, you wish you had kept.,,,,,

Thats a rabbit hole I don't want to down into...........

Me neither!

[mdi]

I guess I learned a lesson about seller's remorse many years ago as I haven't sold/traded/or given away any gun in over 40 years. I had a VG condition S&W Model 10 Nickel plated revolver (supposedly owned by a Compton police chief). Not too bright and wanting a "cool" gun I traded it for a brand new 10-22. Boy do I regret that...

[higgins]

Remington 521T .22 rifle in great condition, complete with Williams or Lyman peep sight and globe front sight with interchangeable inserts. Bought it for $25 and sold it for $35, thought I'd made a killing.

[Scrounge]

As I have gotten older (I'll be 79 in August) I've been reflecting back on time and thinking about guns and other gun related things I have gotten rid of. I had a refinished Victory model 10 that I payed $90.00 for, there worth a lot of money today.Then I got rid of a Custom conversion 1903 A3 Springfield a really pretty rifle, just plain stupid. Then I got rid of a 3 barreled HandR in 410, 20ga, and 30-30. Back in the 1960's I got a Cannon, that traded two Military two way radios for, (I won't tell you how I came buy those) it had a 11/4" bore diameter the barrel was 24" long it was built from a stub axle out of a Caterpillar doser. The outside diameter was about 31/2". The frame was 1/4" steel plate. It looked like a ship's deck gun, it was contoured to look like a real cannon from a ship. It actually shot quite well. The guy that built it put a set of 03A3 sights on it. At 50 yards I could hit a car tire rim regularly it would not shoot through rim but it would tumble it 10 or 15 feet backwords. The load of 2fg black powder was a 31/2" empty shotgun shell full, the ball weighed a little less than a 1/2 pound. The funny thing about that cannon was, I sold it in the early 1970's and in the mid 1980's I saw it at a gun show in Phoenix Az. The guy thought he had a real prize because he got I from a guy that said it was a Cannon from real sailing ship used on the poop deck. When I got it it had been rifled like a modern muzzle loader. When I Sold it I got a $150.00 for it. The gun show guy wanted $500.00. I told him that I had gotten it from the guy that built it and even described the round ball mold that came with it. The mold was made from two pieces of 3/4" steel plate. You should have seem the guys jaw drop, because he had the mold in a box under the display table. The end of this is that we do do things that we regret. I wish I still had that Cannon.

How about every gun I've ever owned that I don't still own, and the 1963 Impala SS that was my first car I got to drive for more than a couple of days. Webley MkII in .455, 6.5mm Carcano, a 1917 J.P. Sauer & Sohn 1898 Mauser, and about 3 pages more... Nazi-marked 1938 Browning Hi-Power... Barrel was bulged from some idiot PO shooting sub-gun ammo in it, but barrels weren't that expensive. I was young and dumb and stupid. I'm with Tazman on this.

[Alstep]

Traded off a Win model 71 that I often regret. That, and miss a few that were stolen. Regret not buying a few that were real good deals. Just couldn't justify spending the money at the time, poor excuse!

[Cast_outlaw]

I’ve only sold two guns so far an old beet up lee enfield 303B smle And a 1943 mosin nagant infantry model as I got a Mosin nagant p3 sniper to replace it With reproduction scope and mount on it don’t regret either yet

[Green Frog]

As I've gotten older, everything I've sold (with a few notable exceptions) has been to buy something I like better. I do wish I still had my Marlin lever rifle in 32 RF/CF. It was in antique very good+ condition and had not been messed with at all. It came with a half box of 32 RF ammo (that wouldn't go off) and the CF firing pin stashed in the butt where it was supposed to be. I still can't remember why I sold it but it probably seemed like a good idea at the time...now, not so much.

Later I bought one of the Ruger Blackhawk Combo series from Buckeye Sports. It was the first one, a 32 H&R/32-20 and was just great. I was getting interested in single shot rifles and sold it, probably to finance a Winchester high wall.

Speaking of high walls, I had a second or third year high wall with a rare #1 octagon barrel in 32-20. NRA Antique Excellent with great wood and near perfect bore, but since I wanted to join the Schuetzen game, and it was way too nice to alter for competition, I sold it at a small profit. Again, not my smartest move.

As stated, I've been through a lot of good things, but in each case was OK with letting them go to good homes so I could get something I liked better. In many ways I've been fortunate to recognize lasting value and things in which I would have a lasting interest.

Froggie

[murf205]

How about old girlfriends? Hmmm....better not go there! A 5” nickel 27, a Rem 788 in 44 mag, any one of my Corvettes(especially the 75), a 63 Impala SS, a 69 SS 396 Chevelle, a 70 442 Olds 700adl in 270 that was a real 1/2” rifle, a Colt Gold Cup. Wow, no wonder I am broke!

[murf205]

How about old girlfriends? Hmmm....better not go there! A 5” nickel 27, a Rem 788 in 44 mag, any one of my Corvettes(especially the 75), a 63 Impala SS, a 69 SS 396 Chevelle, a 70 442 Olds 700adl in 270 that was a real 1/2” rifle, a Colt Gold Cup. Wow, no wonder I am broke!

Sorry for the double post. $%#^ cell phones!

[Dieselhorses]

That's a sore subject, always tell wife that if I would kept every gun in addition to the ones I collect today, would need a big room in itself to store. The Belgium Browning 12 GA, British Enfield, S&W 29, Mossberg "road-blocker" etc. Some firearms, to most, may not be "head-turners" but become sentimental.

[bruce drake]

I do not want to start crying over sold firearms. As a young married couple with a toddler and 2 more babies shortly afterwards on one income, I literally sold more than 20 high-end and historic firearms to pay for unexpected costs over a couple of years. When my Yellow Lab needed life-saving surgery several years I didn't hesitate to use them to raise the funds needed for that dog's unscheduled care. The firearms are tools and they will be replaced eventually...

Bruce
( still miss my CETME and my SKS rifles.)

[Der Gebirgsjager]

One or two. [smilie=b:

[Reverend Al]

Years ago when we still had a mortgage I sold about 15 of the best guns from my collection to make a big payment to reduce the balance. Some of them were real beauties and I'll never be able to replace them of course, but at the time paying down the mortgage was a priority. I also regret ever letting go of my first vehicle ... a 1947 Mercury 1/2 ton pickup farm truck that had been flat decked and stake sided. It was a great old truck and I still miss the sound of that old flathead motor "ticking" over at an idle.

[GOPHER SLAYER]

I have along list of guns I wish I still had. I have no idea where to start and probably can't remember nearly all of them.
I really don't want to remember all of them. It would depress me.

I agree. The fact that I sold them almost brings tears now.

[fcvan]

I've only sold 3. My first pistol was a S&W 459, matte black limited run. A co-worker was also a reserve deputy who bought one the same day. His house was broken into, I sold him mine. I had a Beretta M70 .380, nice shooter. A co-worker was gifted a M71, I sold him my .380 so he would have a set. A S&W M10 snub was purchased from a friend who needed the money. It was a commemorative from the union I belonged to. Another buddy had one, and had 2 sons. I guess every gun I got rid of was to a friend and for a good purpose. Oops, the 4th was a Glock 42, sold to another friend who as a retiree could not buy one in CA due to stupid laws. Even more stupid, he had to wait 10 days to receive his pistol, even though he had one on his belt and a badge in his pocket. I bought a G43 so I don't actually miss the G42, but I can always shoot my wife's.

[Win94ae]

I got rid of my Ruger Super Blackhawk because the cylinder pin would work its way out under recoil; Ruger's fix didn't fix anything.. About 6 months after, someone informed me of an aftermarket fix for that problem, (evidently it must be somewhat common;) but I didn't have it anymore. :/

[Jedman]

I have only sold a few I wish I still had now but my biggest regret is the many I could have bought and didn’t.

Jedman

[quack1]

My last regret from not buying a gun was this spring. I had myself talked into finding a Winchester model 64 in 30-30. Never owned a 30-30 and liked the 24" barrel and pistol grip stock on the 64. Saw one in decent shape and reasonable price at the first gun show of the year, but it was drilled for a side mount scope. Told my buddy that was with me, since it was just the first show in the area, I was going to wait for an undrilled one to show up at another show. Only went to one more show before they all got cancelled due to the pandemic. Every time I have seen my buddy since then, first thing he says is that I should have bought that 64.

[murf205]

quack1, I did almost the same thing. I found a 94 Win in 25/35 that was an honest 90% or better gun for $400 and it had been drilled. I wouldn't buy it for that reason even though the barrel looked new inside. My buddy ask me when we left the show if I knew how cheap filler screws were!

[Winger Ed.]

Every time I have seen my buddy since then, first thing he says is that I should have bought that 64.

I had a friend like that.
He'd tell me something like that and I'd tell him,
"Yeah, yeah. Why don't ya just give me a nice paper cut and throw lemon juice on it".

[Shiloh]

Inland M-1 Carbine,
Win Model 12. The nicest one I've ever seen 1955 IIRC.

Shiloh

[rintinglen]

The one I miss most was my 3 1/2" Model 27. Having fallen for the "45-only" bologna that the Cooper acolytes were spewing, I traded it for a "custom" 1911. what a mistake.

[charlie b]

I had a friend like that.
He'd tell me something like that and I'd tell him,
"Yeah, yeah. Why don't ya just give me a nice paper cut and throw lemon juice on it".

I had a guy say things like that to me. I just told him, 'well, why didn't YOU buy it if it was such a good deal.'

[WRideout]

Savage 99 in 300 SAV, with the cartridge counter hole in the receiver. I traded it for a Browning Buckmark, which I still have.

Wayne

[rmark]

1903A3 with straight grip stock, 30-40 Krag with original full length stock, .38 Webley - all the rest I've sold I'm happy to have sold. And if I run across a Webley or Krag at a decent price I can always buy them.

[444ttd]

i've sold a few and i traded a few. none of them guns i sold or traded, would make me tear up. except one, ruger srh(ss) with 7.5" barrel in 44 mag. boy that thing could shoot!!! i could do 1 1/2 - 2" at 100 yards(5 shots/off an old shovel handle minus the shovel). it was the early '90s, before a bog-pod and primos trigger sticks. the red dots just came too, i believe it aimpoint that i put on my old 44.

then came a divorce and i had to pay my lawyer so i sold her and and rest of my guns( except i have the win m94, 98 mauser, and mossberg m500 in 12ga).

[AnthonyB]

Not going there for mental health reasons.
Tony

[Slugster]

1957 Chevy, 1963 Nova Convertible, 1966 Mustang 2+2 fastback, 1971 Chevelle SS 454 4 speed, and several others. As for firearms that I wish I had not sold, Ruger SBH .44 magnum(my first centerfire handgun, Ruger Redhawk .44 magnum blue, and the absolute worst gun I ever sold (gun was great, selling was stupid) was a 1919 A-6 Browning Machinegun in .30-06 & cherry.

We have all suffered from our youth/stupidity. With age comes wisdom. I hope.

[Kraschenbirn]

Only vehicle I really regret letting go was my 1965 Dodge Coronet 330 with its 426 'wedge' and 727 Torqueflight transmission.

Only gun was the DCM Remington-Rand 1911A1 that I 'loaned' my father when he retired and my stepmother gave to her son when my father passed.

Bill

[RU shooter]

The only two guns I truely regret parting with were a early Colt LW commander and a mid 70's Rem bdl varmint 222 , that triple Duce was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned and what made me be ho hum about any rifle I've owned since.

[Gunslinger1911]

Colt Ace (22lr on 1911 frame) bought new in college ~1980. Sold ~ 1990. Still miss that pop gun !!!