Can of worms

[Hunter-Habib]

Here’s my take on things.

Sell only the guns which you don’t use and don’t see yourself using ever. But selling off a person’s firearms collection should never be a long term solution to hunting. Because the means are very finite. Rather, you should economize unnecessary expenditures and put the savings together for your future African Safari trips.

I myself would think that a gent can be quite happy with 6 firearms:
- 2 shotguns (1 for waterfowl & 1 for upland birds)
- A .22 caliber (for small game)
- A 7mm or .30 caliber (for general deer or boar shooting)
- A .338 or 9.3mm or .375 caliber (For African general purpose or American bear country shooting)
- A big bore from .404-.600 caliber (for those committed to dangerous game hunting).

The 2 shotguns can be replaced with 1 very handy general purpose shotgun. And unless you’re an African white hunter, you can just use your .375 to do whatever the big bore was designated for. In which case, the battery may be cut down to 4.

(Not counting my .32 ACP Webley & Scott Model Model 1921 pistol), I myself own:
- A 12 Gauge 3” Magnum Beretta Model 626E
- A .22 LR BRNO Model 2
- A 7x57mm Mauser Churchill Gunmakers Model Deluxe
- A .600 Nitro Express Suhler Waffen Export Haus clamshell lock ejector

That covers all of my bases nicely. I was forced to sell the .600 Nitro Express due to the bore diameters being too small for conventional .620 caliber bullets. But I’ll replace it with another .600 Nitro Express hopefully soon (got my eyes on a nice Holland & Holland sidelock ejector). Or maybe get myself a .505 Gibbs built on a Granite Mountain Arms African Magnum Mauser action by Joe Smithson.

When money stops being a concern to a man of means, only then do you start building up a collection.

 

[BeeMaa]

As few as three center fire and one rim fire rifle will cover all manner of game from squirrel to elephant.

22lr or 17HMR
.25 caliber…something like a 25-06 or 257 WBY
.30 caliber…maybe 30-06 or 300WM
.375 or .400+ for the bigger stuff

What I have found myself doing is condensing my collection down to what I really need, instead of what I felt like collecting. Having just a few very nice rifles has served me (and my bank account) well.

Sell or don’t will ultimately be up to you, but selling for the sake of a safari could be a slippery slope. Just one quality 375H&H would cover you for EVERYTHING in Africa with very little effort. Not to mention being a perfect caliber for Alaska.

Best of luck with your decision and let us know how it goes. I’m sure some of the members will be more than happy to take your unwanted firearms for a reasonable price.

 

[meigsbucks]

IMO, there is no right or wrong answer. I seldom sell guns, usually ones I dislike, and seldom purchase new ones.
I went on both safaris and am prepared to go on others by saving. Drive your vehicles a little longer, don’t go on other guided hunts, make coffee at home rather than hitting Starbucks, save your change.

 

[R.M.C.]

IMO, there is no right or wrong answer. I seldom sell guns, usually ones I dislike, and seldom purchase new ones.
I went on both safaris and am prepared to go on others by saving. Drive your vehicles a little longer, don’t go on other guided hunts, make coffee at home rather than hitting Starbucks, save your change.

I totally agree, trucks aren't getting any cheaper so it's worth it to run them til they're dead. That was instrumental in savings for my first safari.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I totally agree, trucks aren't getting any cheaper so it's worth it to run them til they're dead. That was instrumental in savings for my first safari.

Right. Here's what I drive. 300K miles and still making the long trips to Montana a couple times a year (22-30 hrs). Not pretty thanks to a couple of deer but still gets me from point A to B. I look at what new trucks are going for and shudder. That's about seven good Cape buffalo even if it could be bought without payments! Throw in a couple more big bulls for collision insurance premiums. Oh, and sales tax! There's another buff. Some asshole on his phone runs a light and you've got nothing but hospital bills and fighting with insurance for half the cost of another rig. I still have my African memories no matter what. No one can erase those (though a certain SA taxidermist tried hard). My Jimmy has given me memories too, but mostly ones I can do without. Not like I made another baby in the back seat (but I never shed any tears when that lemon 1971 Plymouth Fury was traded off).

 

[Rare Breed]

Well the dirty little secret is we all have an expiration date. No matter how full your safe is of guns or money you don't get to take it with you.

The older I get the more I realize how little time we have. It is a balance of everything. Money, time, work, priorities, family, and the vast world of the unknowns that pop up from time to time.

If I were in your shoes, I would put the deposit down now. You have now made the commitment. If you are planning to go 2025, then 6 months before that date you will know if you have saved up your goal. If you are short. Sell a few guns to make up the difference, if you are on track keep up the hard work. Making it happen is up to you.

People are funny about guns, some never want to sell, some run through them like a teenage girl through clothing. No one is right or wrong, it is what fits your needs, wants, and finances. I'm not attached to anyone, I have my favorites. If push came to shove I could dump everything and start over if need be. I know what works better now than when I was 16 thinking I knew about guns because I could quote stats.

Make it happen ball is in your court.

Wisdom!

 

[BeeMaa]

I need to qualify my earlier statement.

I lack almost any sentimental feelings when it comes to objects. I will not keep stuff based on the fact that it belonged to someone I loved who has passed on. The things I own are just that...things. The memories I have of those people can be held independent of those objects. If I'm not enjoying the (insert item here, like a firearm, car or jewelry) item, I will move it out of my collection for someone else to enjoy.

I know this puts me in the minority and it might even sound callus, but I prefer a more Spartan life. Less things and more memories.

 

[Inline6]

I need to qualify my earlier statement.

I lack almost any sentimental feelings when it comes to objects. I will not keep stuff based on the fact that it belonged to someone I loved who has passed on. The things I own are just that...things. The memories I have of those people can be held independent of those objects. If I'm not enjoying the (insert item here, like a firearm, car or jewelry) item, I will move it out of my collection for someone else to enjoy.

I know this puts me in the minority and it might even sound callus, but I prefer a more Spartan life. Less things and more memories.

Not callus, just being real.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Should I sell rifles and pistols (revolvers) to go hunt now, or save money? I could likely go in 2025 either way, but I know the first trip would be less of a financial stressor if I cut down on what is in the safe. The firsts trip would most likely not involve dangerous game.

@KansasJake
Only you can make that decision. If the stuff you want to sell no longer interests you by all means sell it but DON'T sell anything you will regret later on.
I sold a rifle I had no use for to finance a build for my 35Whelen to take to Namibia and never regretted my decision. I had a great trip with my family and used a rifle I had built for the job. I now have a rifle that I could use at home or anywhere in the world.
Bob

 

[mark-hunter]

Should I sell rifles and pistols (revolvers) to go hunt now, or save money? I could likely go in 2025 either way, but I know the first trip would be less of a financial stressor if I cut down on what is in the safe. The firsts trip would most likely not involve dangerous game.

If you have dozens, sell few. You can buy even better pieces later.
If you have few, never sell. You will regret.
I never sold any of my guns, and I never regretted.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Well the dirty little secret is we all have an expiration date. No matter how full your safe is of guns or money you don't get to take it with you.

The older I get the more I realize how little time we have. It is a balance of everything. Money, time, work, priorities, family, and the vast world of the unknowns that pop up from time to time.

If I were in your shoes, I would put the deposit down now. You have now made the commitment. If you are planning to go 2025, then 6 months before that date you will know if you have saved up your goal. If you are short. Sell a few guns to make up the difference, if you are on track keep up the hard work. Making it happen is up to you.

People are funny about guns, some never want to sell, some run through them like a teenage girl through clothing. No one is right or wrong, it is what fits your needs, wants, and finances. I'm not attached to anyone, I have my favorites. If push came to shove I could dump everything and start over if need be. I know what works better now than when I was 16 thinking I knew about guns because I could quote stats.

Make it happen ball is in your court.

@Inline6
How do you know you can't take it with you when you go to the big hunting ground.
To play it safe I told my wife to bury me with $50 when I die. If I need more I will let her know. If she doesn't hear from me after a few weeks have fun spending the kids inheritance.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I need to qualify my earlier statement.

I lack almost any sentimental feelings when it comes to objects. I will not keep stuff based on the fact that it belonged to someone I loved who has passed on. The things I own are just that...things. The memories I have of those people can be held independent of those objects. If I'm not enjoying the (insert item here, like a firearm, car or jewelry) item, I will move it out of my collection for someone else to enjoy.

I know this puts me in the minority and it might even sound callus, but I prefer a more Spartan life. Less things and more memories.

@BeeMaa
I'm of the same boat mate. Material things don't mean much to me but the memories last as long as my brain is working.
My wife doest understand this and keeps EVERYTHING no matter how useless it is.
Bob

 

[CoElkHunter]

As I get older, the realization is that I/we have a finite amount of time to continue big game hunting even with good health. I can always buy another firearm later even if it's only ever shot at the range, but time marches on with respect to age and the physical ability to continue hunting. So, if you have extra firearms you haven't shot in awhile and/or don't use them much, by all means consider selling them and use the proceeds for an African hunt now, because time waits for no man or woman.

 

[Inline6]

@Inline6
How do you know you can't take it with you when you go to the big hunting ground.
To play it safe I told my wife to bury me with $50 when I die. If I need more I will let her know. If she doesn't hear from me after a few weeks have fun spending the kids inheritance.
Bob

That's easy, even greedy people have to leave it. Otherwise they would not have mechanisms in place to leave it to certain people. If they can't take it, I know I can't.

 

[Safari Dave]

I've reached the point where experiences mean more than possessions.

If I needed to sell a few of the guns that I use the least (sentimental value excluded), then I would sell them, if necessary, to fund hunting trips with my son.

I mainly just live inexpensively, so that I can afford good equipment and memorial trips.

 

[albertoouchana]

Go hunt, you do not know if you will be alive in 2025, do not over plan, just go.

 

[Velo Dog]

Go hunt, you do not know if you will be alive in 2025, do not over plan, just go.

This is brilliant.
I wish I had said it.

However, it would’ve taken me several paragraphs to say it, because being of the hyper active personality disorder (underline disorder), once I start talking, it’s difficult to get my sandwich grinder to shut up.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

This is brilliant.
I wish I had said it.

However, it would’ve taken me several paragraphs to say it, because being of the hyper active personality disorder (underline disorder), once I start talking, it’s difficult to get my sandwich grinder to shut up.

So that's what they call it? A lot of syllables for a disorder whose symptoms are using too many syllables. Is there a prescription med for that? ... Asking for a friend.

 

[VertigoBE]

Go hunt, you do not know if you will be alive in 2025, do not over plan, just go.

Absolutely, lost a close colleague of 48yo last week, blood clot in the brain. It was all over in 3 minutes chrono. Leaving behind wife and four kids. Makes one think a bit harder about those “one day I’ll…”

 

[Red Leg]

Everyone's situation is different. If you have guns that are valuable as shooters rather than also having collector value, then I don't think it is much of an issue whether you keep or sell them as much as it is how you wish to approach financing your first safari. Most shooters don't appreciate a great deal, so you have to be careful not to lose initial investment value in the transaction (i.e. never sell to a dealer). I did my first African hunt as a margin loan to myself against stocks we own. Appreciation allowed me to pay myself back in full within 24 months. That obviously is not an option for everyone, particularly when we are younger. Others, I have financed by periodic deposits to a separate hunting or brokerage account - what I would recommend for most folks.

I do have a large collection of guns, but most have collector value - some a great deal. My spouse knows which auction house to call, and even with the seller's premium, she will do very well. For the present, their ownership still brings me joy even though I do not use them as much as I once did. Holding and lightly oiling a Stephen Grant side-lever while enjoying two fingers of Macallan 15 and the LSU Super Regional is an evening well spent. So, I treat them as an enduring investment.

And yes. None of us are getting out of here alive.