The one firearm you regret selling — we’ve all got one.

[Shane Limbeck]

It seemed like the right move at the time. Maybe you needed the cash, maybe you thought you’d replace it, or maybe you just didn’t know what you had.

What was it, and what’s the story behind letting it go?
Every shooter’s got that one that still stings when they think about it.

Tell us what it was, when you sold it, and why you still wish you hadn’t.

 

[Ron Dan]

My first ever defensive handgun was a Kahr K40 Elite. I wasn't 21 yet and I was buying my handguns (legally) through private sales. Back then, you could find guns on Craigslist and I was able to connect with a guy that ended up becoming a buddy of mine, Bryan T. I met Bryan and his wife at his house and purchased 2 guns from him, that Kahr K40 and a Mossberg 500 Persuader. I was still relatively new to shooting pistols and the Kahr was a big step up from the Walther P22 I was using a lot at the range. That 40S&W was a lot for me to handle with my limited shooting experience and I just didn't shoot it well. I had just gotten my job at the gun shop and had the opportunity to sell it on consignment with 100% of the sale going to me and that's what I ended up doing. I took those funds and bought my first competition gun which was a Colt Gold Cup Trophy. I still have and shoot that Colt to this day. I don't regret buying the 1911 but that Kahr was such a well-built gun and it'll always be my first ever defensive gun that I let get away. Stay tuned and you might see a modern take on a version of that Kahr coming out from FE in the near future.

 

[Will Dabbs]

When I was young and broke I traded guns at gun shows every time I accumulated a little extraneous cash. Over the past twenty years I have made a conscious effort to right those old wrongs. Writing for gun magazines has given me a side hustle revenue stream to support this addiction. Mostly via GunBroker, I have hunted down a .357 Desert Eagle, a Franchi LAW12, a S&W 2206, a Beretta 92F, an Mitchell AK22, and a .22 Bronco--all of which I once had but then traded away. The only due out is a stainless FIE TZ75 with a slide-mounted safety. That has been a stubborn slot to fill. Bottom line, I regretted every last one....

 

[tprince]

Colt Detective Special... S&W Combat Masterpiece like new and ranged perfectly with match gauge.

 

[hugh]

I once had then sold a stainless S&W 657 .41 Magnum. I wish I had it back. NEVER sell a gun.

 

[Omega Watch Guy]

I’ve got a list:

Smith Model 29-5 Classic DX
Sig P226 Legion
Sig M11 A1 FDE
Smith Model 13-2 4 inch Nickle
Early fixed choke Citori
1925 Model 12
Smith 1911 SC Round Butt
Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag 4.2 inch
Marlin Model 25 in 22 mag
Browning Gold 20 gauge
Springfield RO Elite Champion 9mm
Springfield 1911 V10 Compact

I’m pretty sure I traded all of these and I don’t remember what I traded them for, but I’m not trading anything anymore.

 

[ctpritt]

My father told me never to sell a gun. I've never even considered getting rid of one. I'd probably sell blood and semen (what? Not together) before selling a gun.

I do have some stupid guns I haven't shot in 15 years, but I have them all.

2 sons and a grandson- That's my excuse, anyway

 

[ocg1911]

Browning Bpr 22 magnum it was mint when purchased, I was 18 at the time it was missing a small tab at the top of the chamber I looked up part number called Browning and had new part in week . The rifle was tack driver and small game would have been probably next to extinct in western Washington if I had kept it . To fund other purchases I regretfully traded away I should listened to Dad and never get rid of any of your guns now I am older and able to afford the guns I sold in my youth and search for them all the time only problem is there in well used shape and more money! . Live and learn - Mike

 

[chris_lees]

My father told me never to sell a gun. I've never even considered getting rid of one. I'd probably sell blood and semen (what? Not together) before selling a gun.

I do have some stupid guns I haven't shot in 15 years, but I have them all.

2 sons and a grandson- That's my excuse, anyway

This! I'm obliged to keep my firearms in a safe, so I got 4 of them, then upgraded to an armoury! It's a pain in the ass to sell them and get sign off for a new one, so I just keep em all.

 

[isntitrandom]

The HK USP 40 Compact. I miss it to this day, nearly 15 years later. To my defense, I got it from a buddy with the understanding that were I to ever sell it, I’d offer it to him first.
He ultimately wanted it back, regretted selling it.
It was his dad’s service pistol that was given to him. Being the nice guy I am, I sold it back to him without hesitation.

 

[steve_vens]

Colt SAA antique. Saved up awhile and bought a beauty in .41 LC. Options are limited up here in canuckistan on handguns and antiques are allowed to be used not just on ranges like restricted handguns.

Sold it for 3500$ value and the next week the new buyer who dealt in SAAs said it was the nicest one he had ever seen and flipped it for 6500. Haaaaaaaaa

 

[cody.rowe15]

It seemed like the right move at the time. Maybe you needed the cash, maybe you thought you’d replace it, or maybe you just didn’t know what you had.

What was it, and what’s the story behind letting it go?
Every shooter’s got that one that still stings when they think about it.

Tell us what it was, when you sold it, and why you still wish you hadn’t.

My first handgun was a Sig SP2022, Sig’s first polymer frame, steel slide handgun I believe. I eventually enlisted and figured it’d be a pain to try and find a way to store it as a lower enlister, so i sold it to a friend.

I had a chance to shoot someone else’s sp2022 a while back and forgot how much I loved it. I think its one of Sig’s most underrated handguns, and if i ever find one for a decent price I plan on buying it and this time keeping it.

 

[johntakacs]

In 1976 traded for a used Ed Brown hand tuned melted & armaloyed 45acp 1911 with a wonderfully accurized Colt 22lr conversion. I’d once won a .22lr no rest 100yd contest with. I was too new to guns & stupid to realize what I’d got. So about 10 years later I traded it and have regretted it ever since, and the enormous amount of wasted $ to come up with a satisfying replacement. Dumb dumb dumb.
Dr John

 

[johntakacs]

In 1976 traded for a used Ed Brown hand tuned melted & armaloyed 45acp 1911 with a wonderfully accurized Colt 22lr conversion. I’d once won a .22lr no rest 100yd contest with. I was too new to guns & stupid to realize what I’d got. So about 10 years later I traded it and have regretted it ever since, and the enormous amount of wasted $ to come up with a satisfying replacement. Dumb dumb dumb.
Dr John

 

[rjthompson8]

My very first gun. It was a Savage Model 24 .22LR on top, 20 gauge on the bottom. I trudged many miles in my youth with that gun and killed my first deer with it. When I was about 18, I decided to sell it to another gentleman who wanted it for his young son. Now, I wish I had it for my son.

 

[pearsallsmith]

My first rifle I procured at 13 years old… A Winchester Model 94. Sold it to my LTC in college Army ROTC around 1984 in an ill fated attempt to scratch enough coin to buy a 3 wheeler. So dumb.
Later in life I sold a Colt Commander and Ruger Blackhawk .41 mag with pearl handles. More dumbness.

 

[jwade5891]

It seemed like the right move at the time. Maybe you needed the cash, maybe you thought you’d replace it, or maybe you just didn’t know what you had.

What was it, and what’s the story behind letting it go?
Every shooter’s got that one that still stings when they think about it.

Tell us what it was, when you sold it, and why you still wish you hadn’t.

I’ve only sold two in my life: a “zombie green” AR15 that after I built I realized it was the goofiest thing I’d done in a while, and a Ruger LC9 the day after they fell off the roster in CA.

I only let guns come into the collection… never out. Except those two. And I now have an LCP to replace the LC9.

 

[jcupdrew]

Winchester 16 gauge pump. Don’t even remember the specific model, but loved that gun. Fixed mod choke. If it was a model 12, I’d really be kicking myself. Probably a model 1200/1300. I was liquidating pretty much everything I owned, which wasn’t much, to move to a new city and start my career. All things work out. I’m happy with the Ithaca model 37 in 16 gauge I’ve gotten as a replacement. I probably like it even more.

 

[markkorpi68]

Twice I've owned a 10 shot Barret 50 cal, and sold them. First one was moving, needed the money. Second traded for a foundation on a duplex I was building, didn't need the money. Concrete guys kept begging. Worst part is never fired either, both were brand new. IDIOT.

 

[mikeday2]

I’ve got a list, but probably my number 085 of the Larue Costa Edition Predatobr’s.