The M16 is also an investment, an appreciating asset. It will go up in value, more than anything else you own, so it makes the least sense to sell it even if you ignore the fact that it’s a gun.
I’m of the same mindset as bkb0000 and rob_s. A couple 9mm Glocks and a 642, a couple ARs (16" and SBR), a .22 pistol and rifle for training new shooters, and a couple shotguns (one sporting, one social) is all I really need. I’ve thinned my herd down to pretty much that and don’t regret selling anything.
Keep complimentary Glocks. As many others have mentioned, you won’t get much out of them and are good service pistols. If you have duplicates, ditch but otherwise…
Sell all the 1911’s, unless you are attached to a particular one.
The HK’s are pretty marketable right now, ship them down the road.
AK’s go down the road.
If the surplus guns fall into “fun gun” classification keep them as you won’t get much out of them. You might end up using them for a closer with some of your other guns.
Shotties go buh-bye.
I have a soft spot for 45/70’s, but if you can get good jingle…
If the S&W revolvers include a J frame, keep it. Sell everything else.
If the “some other guns” category doesn’t have anything remarkable enough to you that they fell into the misc category…sell 'em
The 416 is definately a “sell it” item.
As to your NFA stuff, keep what is irreplaceable. If it is still being manufactured and you can still buy it a new replacement, sell it. SBRs, SBSs, cans, AOW, etc are all still being made everyday and once you get your landlording skills honed you can buy them again.
This is nothing more then a sick sad story. I am getting rid of or have already sold most of my stuff. I hate thinking about what stays and what goes, that being said I can offer no other opinion then keep it all.
I’d say keep two ARs, the G17 and the G26. Personally, I’ve dumped everything but my DDM4, Mossy 590, Marlin Model 60 (my son’s) a G19 and a PM9 (my wife’s). I’m picking up another G19 and calling it done.
BTW, if you dump the G26 we won’t have this to follow.
I would keep the Glocks and ditch the 1911’s. Not to unearth the dead horse, but 1911’s are(to me) simply not the best combat handgun anymore. I see the guys at TigerSwan carry Glocks and have heard several make comments not in support of the 1911’s as a combat pistol. 'Nuff for me. No way I would part with an M16 unless you are completely desperate for $$$. They are a good investment even if not a practical weapon for you. I’d be willing to bet the rate of return in your retirement account(s) isn’t much different than the appreciation of the M16. Yes, I realize the market and gun laws have a say, but look at the cost of an M16 in 1986 and look at a blue chip. There probably hasn’t been much difference in appreciation between the two. This makes it a wise investment as well as something that may be useful one day.
I used to have some cool toys
HK91& ARs and nice pistols from glocks to colt 45s to other large stuff like redhawks and shotguns etc… maybe about 20 very cool guns
I sold most all my collection that was about 20 years ago !!!
I AM KICKING MYSELF NOW !!!
I thought I needed the money ? yes it helped MAYBE but when I look back it did not make or break what I was going to do and now I am out everything
my thought is unless you can get a HUGE chunk of change ? dont do it
if you want to loose a few things cause you really dont care about them then go for it
but I can say from my experience I wish I never got rid of most of my stuff that I had the attitude of ? well I like it but I dont need it and I need the money !
just my thoughts if you are borrowing money will your gun collection really make or break the deal ?
if it will break it ? then I might say yeah go for it cause the nice location might make you more etc…
From that list you have nothing that will be difficult to replace at a later date. Keep in mind right now the economy is a buyers market so you will be taking a price hit. The P7M8s will be the hardest to replace and you will certainly pay more in the future to replace them than you will be able to sell them for.
On anything other than real estate, I’d say don’t sell… but you’re exchanging durable, appreciating goods for something similar.
AK44 has the right idea - the ones you shoot most, you’ll end up re-buying in some form anyway.
You’ll eat the biggest losses on the 1911’s, and knowing fate, the only ones you’ll successfully sell will be the most sorely missed.
I’d liquidate all but your nicest couple 1911’s, a glock, an S&W revolver, and keep your nicest surplus gun, and probalby the Marvel kit.
The AK’s are replaceable, As nice as I imagine your Marlin is, that can be duplicated. The 416 upper will net money, and newer stuff is always coming out (can probably refresh your entire AR collection at a later date)
If you don’t shoot the P7’s enough, then sadly that’s first to go, especially since you have so much stuff for them, conversely if you shoot them, then you’ll be better off keeping them and hurting elsewhere.
The shotgun can be replaced.
That is what I would like to prune my arsenal down to as well (but no SBR), but hate the idea of taking a big loss on the sales so I have several guns I never shoot anymore.
IMO the most practical thing you can do keep a small arsenal as opposed to a collection. You may want a few additional special tools in your tool box.
Keep only NFA items that fit your arsenal. In other words, AR SBRs and suppressors for everything you have. And an AOW shotgun or two. Any really esoteric stuff may be worth selling.
Keep a duty pistol or two. For my money the G17 is a good bet.
Keep a CCW. The P7 would be my choice. If push came to shove I would keep the P7 over the Glock. If you have a suppressor for the Glock this could change the metric.
Everyone should own a J-frame and carry it in their front pocket at all times.
Unload the 1911’s. Sell the accessories and parts on Ebay. Your next 1911 should be hand built by you from parts.
Maybe keep a shotgun - especially if you have an AOW.
Unload everything else. I think the 416 is neat but a bit overblown for the money. You could get two Mk18’s for that money.
Once your finances get stable again you can resume collecting.
Life experience has taught me that you will inevitably regret selling your firearms in the long run. For this reason, I would suggest that you set aside any effort to be logical about all of this, and make your decisions based largely on sentiment.
This might sound absurd, but if you part with whatever you have the least attachment to, then at least you will be able to console yourself with the idea that you managed to hold on to the guns that “really mattered” to you. Those may or may not be the ones that make the most sense from a fiscal standpoint, but they may well prove to be the hardest to replace at some point in the future.
The great news is, other than my original P7 (my first gun), my dad’s old .22 and a rifle I have that was once owned by someone important I have no sentimental attachments to firearms. None of those are being sold.
Here is my decsion:
Selling my 1911s and stuff. I have someone considering buying the whole thing (at a discount–but one has to factor in the hassle of selling dozens of individual items).
Selling my spare P7.
Selling my shotguns (I really ain’t a shotgun guy).
Selling my Surplus guns. I am not a collector.
Selling my Springfield SAR-8 (Hellenic arms G3 and TON of mags, Hensoldt, etc).
Selling my AKs ( I gave up on the platform a few years ago).
Selling my 416 upper (I am going to restore my M16 to stock until I buy another sb upper–probably a DD lightweight).
45/70
Revolvers
This will substantially reduce my collection (the safe will look empty!) but it is for a good cause. This building is going to be a big score.
if you are borrowing money will your gun collection really make or break the deal ?