My Parachute Clause

[Brokenbear]

Well I think I have found a parachute out of this rat race and have my cake and eat it too ...
I have 3 huge safes full of guns ..some wanted ..some needed once upon a time ...but now too many sit silent ..
I have a loading bench with progressive MEC loaders, Turret presses and 11 caliber setups for my Dillon 550C
What I have found is cap and ball Colt revolvers where I get more pleasure from than all the others together ..plus with the cap n ball revolvers I roll into one all the things I enjoy ..I shoot ..I cast balls ..I roll paper cartridges ..I even can make my own percussion caps from soda cans and cap gun caps and I mix a pretty good batch of black powder ..but even better I have found Triple Seven 777 black powder substitute that you simply use Hoppy's #9 to clean up with ..just like smokeless powder...
So I see me loading all my brass for for my 9mm,30M1,44mag, 38spcl+P, 223 and 308 and then the loading equipment, surplus brass, primers,bullets, molds, powered case prep, 2 gun safes and guns can go

Fear not ..I'll still not be toothless with 3/9mm's ..2/44mag's ..2/308's ..3/38's ..1/30M1 ..1/20ga and 1/.223 ..and 4 Colt cap n balls

So I keep 17 and sell 4 times that many + the above mentioned components and tools
Some will be hard to part with ..we all have irons that have a special meaning.. or have fond stories of times or people past

But danged it I am going to let some ignoramus estate auctioneer take $300 for an original Colt National Match Gold Cup in the box with test target etc. or peanuts for an MP5K or a class "A" engraved S&W 629 or an H&K branded original Benelli 12ga/3" .etc

Gents I am not in my cups, health is great, out active every day, bow hunting,fly fishing farming and building Ruger grips and enjoying life at age 74 ..but know when to know

Bear

[armoredman]

Sounds like an excellent plan! I am looking for an 1858 Remington myself to go with my Pietta 1851 Navy clone, have enough powder to last quite a while, even with the GOEX factory closing. Fun times with the old smokepoles. Also want a 50 cal percussion rifle to go with them, someday.
I still load 9mm and .223 and need to get into 308 for buddy and myself. But glad you found the golden road to the powerload, sir!

[Winger Ed.]

For two or three reasons, I started 'placing' and selling off guns & stuff several years ago.
I've kept only the handful I actually shoot any more, and I'll never part with.
The few of them are designated as to which ones to sell, and which to place with who I want them to go to.

[RKJ]

My wife and I have been having this discussion too. My sons want my guns but will never use them (neither will my Grandkids I fear) but they want them. My oldest and youngest Grandsons had an interest in reloading but not much anymore, so in a few more years I'll put them up for sale. I'm 64, so hopefully have a few more years left but you never know.

[pworley1]

I have a son that will enjoy mine as much as I do.

[Sasquatch-1]

Most of the time I go to the range I am taking a flintlock pistol and have been doing so for many years now. It's fun to watch these young guys with their "SPRAY AND PRAY AND TACTICOOL" guns try and figure out what I'm doing. It's also fun when you let an under 16 year old shoot one. They will grin ear to ear.

[ohen cepel]

Everyone needs to make a personal call like this. Putting it off can mean a lot of time, money, and work gets lost in the end.

Good on you for doing it while you can!

[Handloader109]

I'm a few years less aged than you are, but I've a nice Dillon 650xl that I don't use much. I've got a bunch loaded for my 9mm/38/357 which are my handgun calibers along with a couple of rifles. My other long gun calibers I can use my Lee and do singly for as much as I shoot them. I've though about doing same, running up my primers, (limiting factor for reloading I guess for most of us) and selling it off for twice what I paid for it. Cleaning up the room a good bit. But I think I'll wait a while. I might need to make a lot more. And I really don't need the money right now. Guns? Nothing I want to sell off, I've only got one safe full with mild overflow.
BUT, I made that sort of conscious decision not to let my dad's Luger be sold off here, and passed it on to my Nephew who has a boy who does and will shoot down the road.

[MrWolf]

I have a son that will enjoy mine as much as I do.

I am hoping mine will use them. He is a very good shot but is kinda lazy. My idea is that hopefully my place will be paid for when it is my time. There should be enough to cover yearly taxes, etc here plus there is the timber harvest to consider (81 acres). Keep trying to tell him and my daughter to just keep the land even if you don't want the place as someday you might just wish you had it. I will be gone then and it will be their decisions, but....
Brokenbear - Good luck with your sales and hope you get what you want. I am also feeling that black powder itch but I don't sell my stuff. That is the kids problem. Nothing is free.

[Froogal]

I am 70 years old. I've not been into this hobby for more than just a few years. I already have more than I need, but I'm still buying. I'll let the kids and grandkids have what they want when I can no longer enjoy this sport.

[Thumbcocker]

I have been very pleased with my results letting a local shop sell guns on Gunsmoke. They handle all the shipping, take the pictures. And do all the legwork.

[beemer]

I am almost 70 and have been contemplating something along the same line. I sold both my old BMW bikes recently, for various reasons I just don't think I need to ride anymore, that I will miss.

I have a some small collectables, glassware, tools, knives and a few military pieces. I have been thinking about getting a booth at a local antique shop. Not a fortune but stuff I can probably sell and use the money elsewhere.

As for guns and accessories I am happy where I am, but have a few things I would not miss. I do want to build a few more muzzle loaders. I have a half stock on the work bench and have been gathering parts for a long 40 cal flintlock. The wife and I are on little trip we are going to be in western Tenn. in a couple days and stop by Dixie Gun Works if possible, maybe find a few ML parts.

Dave

[GhostHawk]

I've had my fling with holy black and swear before any and all that I will never go back.

On the flip side, if it works for you, well it works.
I am 70, and I'm slowing way down on buying guns, but I'm not ready to sell, yet. May never be.
To each his own. As long as your happy, that is all that matters.

Viva la Difference!

[armoredman]

I'm lucky in that my boy will be more than happy to shoot all my guns if I take the dirt nap tomorrow. My best friend would also pick a few up from the meager collection.