Selling my babies.

M

MikeH

Joined
Oct 18, 2001
Messages
4,611
Up front, I must say that, when I was a youngster (A long, long, time ago) picking cotton by hand in South Central Alabama, I always counted my wealth by the quantity of fish hooks, split shot, and shotgun shells I possessed at any given time. Now that I am a retired old fart and financially comfortable, I still look on my guns, knives, and fishing tackle, in addition to family, as my true wealth.

So, now comes my single sister wanting to buy a defensive long gun in addition to her j-frame S&W, and in a moment of weakness I offer to sell her my Mini-14. She falls in love with the thing, so I must deliver it to her this week.

I feel like a part of me is being ripped away! This over a rifle I have fired for a total of one range session and put away in the closet for years. I have felt the same way over a couple of Busses I have sold.

At age 63 I should be divesting myself of a lot of guns and knives, instead of still adding them. I must be OC.

On the other hand, Kim is going to inherit some really nice guns and knives.:D
 
"Kill your darlings," Oscar Wilde said. You become a stronger man by being able to let go of things you love.

I'll PM my addy. Send your favorite knives. You'll be a giant amongst men.



:D
 
Go to the gun shop and buy her another Mini 14.

A clean used one would do nicely.

Put your baby back into the safe.
 
Hmm. Much good advice and sentiment here.

I, however, see this as an excellent opportunity for you to look around for a nicer long gun.;):):cool:
 
oh yea, know exactly what you mean about babies, almost impossible to let go of, can't hardly do it unless one of the chilrens ask, and then when one of the grandkids ask almost impossible to turn down, of course my grandkids are less than a year old. so that is on the way.

that mini-14 would be a tough one and the busse knives, well no way, cause just got started on them...
 
MikeH said:
Up front, I must say that, when I was a youngster (A long, long, time ago) picking cotton by hand in South Central Alabama, I always counted my wealth by the quantity of fish hooks, split shot, and shotgun shells I possessed at any given time. Now that I am a retired old fart and financially comfortable, I still look on my guns, knives, and fishing tackle, in addition to family, as my true wealth.

So, now comes my single sister wanting to buy a defensive long gun in addition to her j-frame S&W, and in a moment of weakness I offer to sell her my Mini-14. She falls in love with the thing, so I must deliver it to her this week.

I feel like a part of me is being ripped away! This over a rifle I have fired for a total of one range session and put away in the closet for years. I have felt the same way over a couple of Busses I have sold.

At age 63 I should be divesting myself of a lot of guns and knives, instead of still adding them. I must be OC.

On the other hand, Kim is going to inherit some really nice guns and knives.:D
Click to expand...

Helping your sister is a good thing.

Then you can take the money that she is paying you and get one of the new, updated Mini-14s. :D

Win-win.

Or you can ditch the Mini-14 and get a quality AR. ;) Nothing wrong with the Mini-14 if that's what you want in a rifle. :thumbup:
 
Your sister inherited the same good taste that you have, sir! I personally love the Mini-14, even though I do not own one at present. Sweet shooter! :thumbup:
 
If you want to keep something, give it away. The joy in knowing you gave something special of yourself to a stranger, let alone one you love, will bring you joy that can't be expressed in words or ever forgotten. I can't remember the number of things I've been sad I've lost by accident. I remember fondly every gift I've given a friend, relative, or even a stranger in need.
 
It is much easier emotionly to give away Nice knives and firearms than to sell them.

I have been divesting my self of firearms in this fashion for the last 15 years or so, I was even able to sort of give away(I sold it to one of my Sons for 20% of its value) one of my gunsafes.

I have given more than 20 Busse knives so far, it may even be in the 30s, I stopped counting maybe 5 years ago.

I do manage to buy one or two a year though, so the numbers do not drop fast or much.
 
This is a cool thread, well said everyone!

Mike, I can't believe you're 63, you're looking good for that age my friend --- I would have guessed mid 50s :)
 
I have rifles which are on their third barrel....about 1500 rnds a barrel....so I can understand "attachment"....but you hardly used that Mini 14.....and family come first...you did a cool thing.....:thumbup: Satisfaction from giving to family is huge...:)
 
I have only sold three guns in my life time. The first, was not really a sale. I bought the gun new specifically to trade it for a M1 Carbine. ($200 shotgun, the M1 carbine I had checked out by my local gun dealer, and he offered me $425 for it on the spot, and that was 15 years ago or more).

Then I had a young cousin who wanted to get a dear rifle. He could not afford one at all. I sold him my Marlin 30-30 for $125, which was a lot less than I could replace it for.

Then last year (I think it was last year), I traded another gun (Ar-pistol) for my first piece of infi (FBMLE) and another custom knife.


Always a tough thing to do. My cousin still uses that .30-30 for hunting, and I still wish I had it too.
 
ever think that you have so much that you are don't appreciate certain knives/guns and that when someone see its, offers to buy it, you feel good that it is going to a much better home? Giving it more attention, just like you when you first got it?
 
Liu Kang said:
ever think that you have so much that you are don't appreciate certain knives/guns and that when someone see its, offers to buy it, you feel good that it is going to a much better home? Giving it more attention, just like you when you first got it?
Click to expand...

Yes...very true...there is a bit of the "guilt at excess" surfacing often with me. Usually when I come to move out or just go through the gun cabinets or knife draws for a maintainence sweep. It hits me hard that I now have stuff which will hardly get used to the level they should be....and even harder when you try to sell to guys younger than you who can use it....makes you realise your getting old:(
 
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