Selling gun collection VS. More Preparation

[YankeeWhite]

I'm debating here guys. Lately I'm thinking of selling my one off oddball, non-mainstream calibre weapons and replacing them with duplicates of weapons I plan on using, or buyinng more beans, bullets or bandaids, etc.
To a certain point, it is a hobby, shooting and collecting while living your life, but after awhile, you start to notice many weapons don't get used, ammo is almost only available if you reload, and you have a lot of cash tied up into stuff that perhaps could be used to advance prepartation.
I also have to wonder, well, if I hand these off to people in need, do they have the training and mindset to use it, or is that a waste.
Trying to sell or barter to strangers, no telling if you are just revealing yourself for future attacks.
Maybe downsize now, and advance and streamline prepartation.
Anyone else here ever feel this way?

[Da Nerd]

I am doing alot of that now. Getting down to the basics. I am also getting field manuals for all the weapons I have, in case some fool don't know how to use them when the time comes.
It is also better to have more common calibers and lots of ammo, than a bunch of odd balls and not enough ammo spread out of all of them.
If you are thinking of having guns to hand out to people who are not too familiar with guns etc, the SKS seems to be pretty fool proof and cheap.

[Rawles]

Thanks for raising this issue! It is great seeing a post from someone like you who can examine such logistical matters dispassionately. That kind of maturity is a rarity. I've been doing preparedness consulting for more than 10 years. A lot of my clients have large gun collections that are often cluttered with impractical or even downright useless Schumer. I find that excusable only if A.) These items would never be considered for practical/tactical use, and B.) The owner can afford, and HAS ALREADY PURCHASED an appropriate battery of truly tactical primary weapons. If they wan't to keep something for sentimental reasons, then that is fine. But to try to make some underpowered tool suffice for an unintened function is evidence of stupidity or a death wish. Leave those fantasy guns in the back of the vault where they belong. As I've told several of my clients: Don't let buying your primary weapons (read: .308, 12 gauge, and .45 ACP) go by the way side due to "lack of funds", if in fact those funds could be generated by off-loading a pile of commerative guns, or high grade engraved guns, custom rifles in chambered in .250 Whazoo (or other wildcat/oddball chamberings), or those umpteen excess .223s. .380s, 9mms, or whatever.

Pardon me for ranting here, but I've seen this happen over and over, with client after client. Just because something looks cool doesn't make it practical. Guns with a high quotient for drama (such as semi-auto Uzis and KG-99s) just don't make the grade in the real world, when real bad guns are slinging real lead in your direction. Once that happens, all illusions go out the window, and suddenly people get practical and desirous of practicalk guns in major calibers. And the .308 battle rifle that once seemed "too heavy" suddenly doesn't seem so heavy, after all.

Thanks again for raising this issue!

[ftierson]

Anyone who has "done" survival weapons stuff has seen this problem over and over...

What Jim says...

Forrest

[YankeeWhite]

One of the reasons I started thinking this way was a range trip with some friends who didn't own weapons. They were not hunters and not ex-military. I don't know how many times I had to repeat instructions for safety, weapons handling, and for using the sights. I left thinking, if it hits the fan, are people like this going to be served with a complementary weapon and ammo, or should I offload some excess weapons and get other items (food) to help them out. Also, each different weapon needed a course of instruction. (They settled on glocks.)
I also get the feeling that the odd ball stuff like .303 enfields, 7.5 French stuff, etc. is cool to C&R, neat to have, fun to shoot when you can find ammo, but, even on that level, I am better off with a battery of 7.62X54 and 8mm mosin and mausers with a lot of ammo in tins and cans. On that level, I can have more ammo for the rifles I already have, and also buy extra cleaning gear, etc.
Even with my primary 5.56 and 7.62 weapons, I have to wonder, would it be better to have some standard version, so anyone trained on one can pick up someone elses and be able to function, as opposed to, geez, this sight is different, or how do I get this stock open, etc.
I am not a wealthy man, and sometimes you look at all the money you have tied up in novelties, and well, it goes a long way to providing future must have items.

[borderguy]

I'm also doing that right now!! My New Year's resolution was to sell one of my extra AR's and get another HK-91 type rifle to go with my SAR-8. I'll also be selling off some of my other oddballs to buy another SKS and .45.
To try and answer some of your other questions.
I have several weapons that I will hand off to someone "in need" if the is a SHTF event. I gave my neighboor a 9mm Tokarov as a Christmas Gift. I have a couple of Makarovs, Nagant Rifles and an SKS for that purpose.
I have never had a problem selling to those I dodn't know well. You can always go the extra mile and meet them at their house for the transaction.
Mr. Rawles said it best, If you already have a proper battery in place, go ahead and get the other stuff. I recently swapped and AR I built for a 9mm Beretta Storm. I can't really justify it, but man, it's a hoot to shoot!!!
As to standardizing weapons types. I have a mix of AR's, some have fixed stocks, some don't. Once you're familiar with the system you intend to use and know how to load, shoot and maintain the weapon, accessory use is easily learned. As to optics, my battle rifles all have fixed sights. Only my hunting rifle and the AR I'm selling has a scope. I have an AR with an Eotech, but it's not for anybodys use but my own. My SAR-8 has a fixed stock and the next one I get will have a fixed stock as well.

[Fn/form]

Bravo. I say if you can use it as a tool, and it isn't an investment with a sizable and likely return, move the money to more important things.

I don't own any "toy" or play guns. MBR, carbine, pistols, duplicates and feed for same and maybe a few specialized pieces later on.


-josh

[YankeeWhite]

Well, I think short term I am going to sell off an Enfield, a Mas 36, a Mas 49/56 and an Albanian SKS. I might even get rid of my Sar-2.
I prefer Mausers over Enfields, the ammo is hard to find, for the French, same problem, and I never have been an SKS nut, but went a little crazy with my C&R. The Sar-2 is fun to shoot, but ammo is hard to find right now and is expensive as South African 7.62. Wolf isn't that accurate and its my only 5.45 gun. Selling these I can quit buying three calibres of ammunition. If it is hard to come by now, it won't get much easier if at all in the future.
I figure selling these will let me do three things: pay more to get out of CC debt, purchase more 7.62 Nato and free up some room in the safe.
In addition to this I plan on selling a few extra older vehicles.
With all these sales maybe I can buy a few thousand rounds of 7.62 Nato, buy some .45 Ranger T, pay off more debt sooner and buy some long term food.

[buckshot007]

The core arsenal concept is a good one.

Before getting any fancy schmancy hardware it makes sence to get the basics sorted out.

For my money a basic setup would include

1x MBR (G3/Fal.......) .308
1x Shotgun (Rem 870/ Mossy) 12 Gauge
1x .45 pistol
1x .22 semi auto or bolt rifle.

Before getting any further weapons I would ensure that I had sufficient spare parts for all the core items. In addition I would spend the extra money on ammo and reloading equipment for these calibres.

Only when I was happy with the Core items would I consider adding to it.

I would then look at some assault type weapons AK or variants. Plus the spares, ammo and components for these.

If the aim is to equip each person in your group with a simmilar set up I see no realistic reason to need any further items.

Far better to get the main stuff sorted out and spend the rest on Beans, bullets and tangibles.

[1gewehr]

I've sold a LOT of guns in my life. I went through a divorce years ago that cost me an M1A1 Thompson, MP40, and STEn, as well as a lot of other weapons. I can only think of a very few guns that I don't REALLY regret selling!!:sad:

My current philosophy is that I do NOT sell guns unless bankruptcy or injury is imminent.

Guns will only continue to increase in value. Every time congresscritters increase regulation and hassles, it causes privately-owned firearms to jump in price.

A better course is to only add guns which fit your survival strategy. For the rest of them, just think of them as money in the bank. With just the most basic care, they will never rust or deteriorate. They will only become more valuable.
1gewehr

[shogan]

YankeeWhite=do start a food and essentials supply if you have not done so already. Good advice from the above commentaries on weapons!
But being well armed and hungry is not fun! Even more not fun is watching your loved ones go hungry!

check six

shannon

[ftierson]

By the way, I agree with 1gewehr.

I don't sell my stuff, either. However, I also don't pick stuff up for it's monetary value. I get it because I find it interesting (for whatever reason, including workmanship, historical importance, engineering complexity/simplicity, on and on...). That most of the stuff acquired for these reasons also increases in value over time is a bonus. Of course, a piece of legislation can wipe out all the "value" overnight...

But then, I have already provided for other needs too. What Jim Rawles is saying above is that its fine to accumulate stuff for whatever reason, but not necessarily for "survival" reasons. If money is short, sluffing off some of your accumulated stash of firearms to provide for other needs is the only way to go. If you can afford both (accumulating a lot of strange and exotic firearms and also provide for all the other "survival" needs (food/shelter and all)), keep the guns too. Just don't get so attached to them that you can't force yourself to leave them behind and run for it if the need arises. Also, don't get so attached to them that you can't force yourself to sell them to provide for other needs/preparations. If you plan with others, simplifying your problems by picking a couple of appropriate weapons and cartridges and guaranteeing that they'll always work (spares, parts, etc., and "enough" ammo) is the way to go. Obviously, "sheltering/surviving" in place beats all else if it can be done. If it can't be done, run for it... And be prepared to do just that...


Forrest

[Bruce Allen]

Originally posted by Da Nerd
I am doing alot of that now. Getting down to the basics...............

It is also better to have more common calibers and lots of ammo, than a bunch of odd balls and not enough ammo spread out of all of them............

Thats one thing I love about the Files, you can see if you are a the only one out in left field, or not .

I, too, and doing the same thing.

It has been on me to SIMPLIFY everything in my life, firearms included for about a year now.
After all, how many rifles can a man shoot at the one time?

I have three rifle calibers, with the only "odd" one being a .30 caliber carbine, because it is the ideal woman's rifle - light, accuracte enough and military tough.
The other two are standard US military calibers.
This excludes .22 caliber rifles and pistols.

It is also on me not to burn up any more ammo, just to sit on what I have for right now.. no more rifle matchs that burn up 6-700 rounds for practice and the match.... besides, I am pretty comfortable with my shooting skill level with the FAL.

[ftierson]

Although this thread is not only about "survivaliam," it certainly is about "preparation" for hard times (whatever they might be...).

Having been involved in "survivalist" activities (being as prepared as possible for any event is more how I would put it...:) ) for all of my adult life, there is something else to consider here beyond just preparing for the hard times...

Although I still believe in doing your very best to prepare for all the potential disruptions in "normal" life, from the minor local problems to the potentially planet-wide ones, you can become so focussed on "survival" that you forget to live in the moment.

Although I am convinced that we will eventually have to live through a nuclear attack on US soil (perhaps only a couple of "terrorist" weapons, or perhaps a slightly larger, more directed attack by a state enemy), we did manage to get through the depths of the cold war without a major world-wide nuclear war being fought with the old Soviet Union. Most current survival preparations of the SHTF and TEOTWAWKI variety pale in comparison to the problems that "survivalists" would have faced in a radioactive post-WWIII environment.

Many survivalists during those years became so engrossed in preparing to survive the "big one" that they completely forgot how to enjoy life in the present. Quality of life, both before and during bad times, is really important. Survival is a first step, but more than just that, a better quality of life than just hanging on should be your real goal.

Although WWIII didn't happen (at least, not to date), preparations to survive it serve other scenarios too... Just don't give up living now for surviving in a different future. It doesn't take much work to enjoy a great quality of life now while also providing for your future if you have your head screwed on straight...

While it's not all in your head, much of it is...

And, if you think that I might be speaking from some personal experience in the comments above, you wouldn't be wrong...

Forrest

[jwaters]

I'm gonna sell some of my "odd" guns too this year, or I plan to.

I may replace them with other guns in calibers I have, or buy ammunition for my current guns, which I would like to keep some of around (I always have some, but for certain guns that's only a few boxes).

Yes, the 8x56R Hungarian is a neat little carbine. But I have no use for more than the 100 pieces of brass I have, it's just not practical. Fun piece of history. Not selling it yet, but I could.

I don't generally sell guns either, but I have some that I haven't shot in years, have no sentimental value, or have been replaced with a nicer gun (which I should have saved and bought in the first place).

JW

[W.E.G.]

Originally posted by Bruce Allen
.... besides, I am pretty comfortable with my shooting skill level with the FAL.


Listen to Mr. Smug won'tcha!

Bruce, you only beat me by ONE lousy point the other day, and we were shooting YOUR game. You're really slipping in your tactics too. You had choice of target, and you chose the one on the right - knowing that I would be on your left with a rifle you had just finished watching sling brass like a sumbitch. I must say it was worth the loss to see you out of the corner of my eye being beaned mercilessly by the HURT'n-berger brass flying out of my gun. :devil:

That's it! YOU distracted ME with all that flinching!

Then, maybe I really should give you some credit - since you still beat me even while you were gettin' HURT'n-buggered.:bow:

I think I need to send you some of that INDIAN ammo from Century so you can practice your malfunction drills. Yessir, can't let ya get complacent.



Oh, and the buzzword is no longer "survivalism." That sounds to scary to the pantywaists. Its now "disaster preparation" and "public aid readyness."

[Windustsearch]

I am not selling guns, screw that. I am also not handing them out to anyone either. If they don't already have their own they can get lost. I don't even like my neighbors, much less want them hanging around all the time. Bunch of yuppies.

[Eclipse]

Another option would be to sell off a few expensive rifles and buy a case of Yugoslav SKS rifles and several thousand rounds of 7.62x39mm.

[Bruce Allen]

Originally posted by W.E.G.



Listen to Mr. Smug won'tcha!

Bruce, you only beat me by ONE lousy point the other day, and we were shooting YOUR game. You're really slipping in your tactics too. You had choice of target, and you chose the one on the right - knowing that I would be on your left with a rifle you had just finished watching sling brass like a sumbitch. I must say it was worth the loss to see you out of the corner of my eye being beaned mercilessly by the HURT'n-berger brass flying out of my gun. :devil:

That's it! YOU distracted ME with all that flinching!

Then, maybe I really should give you some credit - since you still beat me even while you were gettin' HURT'n-buggered.:bow:

I think I need to send you some of that INDIAN ammo from Century so you can practice your malfunction drills. Yessir, can't let ya get complacent.



Oh, and the buzzword is no longer "survivalism." That sounds to scary to the pantywaists. Its now "disaster preparation" and "public aid readyness."
Now that Mr. Sensitive has spoken ;)
I am glad I did not really show you up bad.. you would be trolling me like RSU.
Come on Gary, take like a man!! :tongue:

I do thank you for the reminder.... it is not "rifle" it is "homeland defense weapon" now, right??
And homeland defense preparations..... and etc. !!!

BTW - If you are not careful I will post a pick of you and that evil foreign bullet hose you were shooting.. :biggrin:

[skfullgun]

Great thread. Keep those posts coming. I've been thinking or refining my own collection for the same reason.

[Right Side Up @ 1000 MPH]

I have been refining, not by selling, but by adding, or diversifying to my gun safe. I've got most of the major calibers covered. Also a few beloved wildcat rifles that I handload for for when the good times return if SHTF.

Ammo is the main thing I need to focus on. I have plenty of .308, but I need more 7.62X39 and 5.56 NATO. I'm going to fix that soon.

The real core of my future plans is to have some rural land, a country retreat to escape to, complete with a garden, and not far from a source of water like a lake or river. Wildlife will already be there, hogs, deer, etc.

[Bruce Allen]

Originally posted by jerrymrc
You two digging up the past.....:rolleyes:
...........
Hey...........it was only two weekends ago!!!

[Temp]

I don't think that I'll ever have a large sell off of my firearms.

I have my practical rifles, handguns, and shotguns, but in fact they're not always my favorite to play with.

Firearms and shooting is a hobby to me. It's comforting to know that they're there in case of some type of emergency, but that's not my primary reason for owning them.

[xtremerange]

I have been wanting to simplify and streamline for a while (streamline in the sense of getting rid of rifles that I don't shoot and stocking up ammo that I do shoot and might need).

Can't seem to find the time and effort to get it down. Doesn't seem to slow down the acquisitions though, damn C&R.

Anyone else have this problems. The spirit is willing but the flesh and timeclock is weak?

[Halffast]

I have been thinking along the same lines lately. I just put some guns on consignment at my dealers. One was a SA V-16 .45 Super, one was a SA 1911-A1 in .38 Super, and one was a S&W six shot .22 L-frame (very heavy). I am using the money to buy a new DSA and and a Trijicon scope. However, there are a few impractical Browning Sweet Sixteens that I can't bring myself to part with.

David

[skfullgun]

The real core of my future plans is to have some rural land, a country retreat to escape to, complete with a garden, and not far from a source of water like a lake or river. Wildlife will already be there, hogs, deer, etc.

I like that line of thinking!