This Old Gun - Dialup Warning! Lots of pics...

[CompVest]

Never sell a gun! Just buy more! With this philosophy you will never say have that story about the one that got away!

[The Annoyed Man]

The 380 is a keeper. Shoot it, have fun with it, enjoy it (I'm not too fond of safe queens). Someday you will be able to leave it to an heir that will cherish it and be proud to pass it down to their kids.

My $0.02.

Actually, before I read this post, I asked my only "heir" if he wanted me to hang onto it for his sake. He said he would rather inherit a nice 5" Kimber.

I am not too fond of "safe queens" either. In fact, this is the only gun in my collection that doesn't get shot. The reasons are:

• Does not feed FMJs well, but feeds JHPs much better although not flawlessly, and JHPs cost more money.
• Sights are terrible.
• No left handed safety.

The pleasure of ownership of a nice sample of a collectible pistol is negated by the fact that I don't shoot it and I don't carry it. I originally bought it to carry in defiance of LA County's decision not to issue carry permits, for use on those occasions when having a pistol would be prudent, like after dark/before dawn trips to the ATM, or if I knew I was going to be spending time in a rough part of town. It would fit handily into a jacket pocket or a fanny pack. I also carried it in a backpack when hiking/mountain biking in the foothills above Pasadena, and on trout fishing trips up in the Owens Valley.

I have the memories, whether or not I have the pistol, and I'm not a rich man, so I can't afford (nor do I have room in my house for) multiple gun safes. I don't enjoy shooting the pistol, so the only reason I would have to hang onto it is its monetary value, and I can use it to procure a pistol that I will shoot and enjoy owning. (BTW, the price of this pistol would buy me another safe....)

So, I guess one question is: will the rate at which the value of this pistol continues to increase outstrip the rate at which new pistols increase in price? For instance, right now, the Colt is worth approximately the price of a low end Kimber. If I held onto the Colt for another 5 years, would it be likely to be worth more than the price of a low end Kimber as priced 5 years from now? If it will, then that is one motivation for me to keep it.

I'm like you guys, in that I virtually never get rid of a gun I've purchased. In fact, I've only done it once before. That particular gun was a S&W Model 12 Military & Police Airweight (an Airweight version of a K frame 2" snubbie in .38 special), which I obtained in trade for an old Suzuki 2 stroke 175cc dirtbike. I actually traded in that Model 12 as part of the purchase of the Colt in question here.

Hmmm.... The "Keep It"s outnumber the "Sell It"s 4 to 2. What to do, what to do....

[The Annoyed Man]

Be patient. Remember with the Colts that you have the advantage - they aren't making any more of them. They are still churning out plenty of Kimbers.

That gun will only appreciate in value. I'd only sell it as a last resort.
Put back a little money every paycheck until you can afford a 1911 like you want.

That's just my opinion, but then I've regretted selling almost every gun I've ever sold.

If I had a job, that would be a great idea.

I actually started a business about a month ago, and although I've got several projects that are about to pay off, I haven't actually gotten paid for anything yet. And when I do get paid, I have to put about half of it aside toward self-employment taxes, and to begin recouping the capital investments I've made in the business from my personal funds. That's part of the quandary. I really want a larger 1911, but I've got to sell something to make it happen because I have no income stream yet. OTH, I really don't want to do something that is unwise. My current collection is fairly small (6 pistols & 5 rifles) but it is nice; and with the exception of the Colt, everything I own is a shooter. I always been more concerned with quality than quantity, but it is equally important to me that I enjoy the ownership experience by actually shooting the guns. For instance, although I can appreciate antique guns, I don't own any, because I'm not trying to acquire a firearms museum.

[DoubleJ]

You have a .45 already, so it's not like you "need" a full size. I'd wait. sure enough, as soon as you sell that Colt (if you're as lucky as I am), you'll find out that particular one is worth twice what you got for it.
It's just me, but I'd keep it. wait, and be patient, and a good deal will come along.

easy for me to say, huh? in the meantime, you can rent a 5" from the Bullet Trap....

[The Annoyed Man]

You have a .45 already, so it's not like you "need" a full size. I'd wait. sure enough, as soon as you sell that Colt (if you're as lucky as I am), you'll find out that particular one is worth twice what you got for it.
It's just me, but I'd keep it. wait, and be patient, and a good deal will come along.

That's the one thing that has kept me from selling it previously.

Boy, the "don't sell its" are really starting to outpace the "get rid of its"!

[Mike1951]

I adopted this about 20 years into my gun buying. I regretted every one that I ever sold or traded, so just decided not to do it anymore. You may to increase your safe budget, though.

Even the odd deal that I buy with the intention of using as barter goods, I soon get too attached to part with.

About two years ago, my best friend talked me into a trade for one of my PT1911 Taurus. I immediately bought another new PT1911 to replace it.

[Rex B]

I tend to buy guns that are bargains, then later upgrade to premium models or like-new condition as I run across them.
these days I still buy guns that strike my fancy, but many are just better examples of guns I already have. Sometimes the lesser gun moves on, sometimes not. the safe is pretty much packed right now.

But I've some sort of affliction for mini-1911s in .380s caliber. I have 7 so far. None are Colts, so I need one. I've been shopping for a good Govt .380 like yours at DFW gun shows and local ads. I have seen nice examples sell for $450-$650. I have seen them priced higher, but they rarely sell. Yours is top quality and a special edition, so it would probably go for more.

But who knows? http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=99961470

[Walkin' Jack]

I believe the problem is more involved that it may first appear. Actually it should be considered on two levels. First of all would you rather have a .45 or a .380. I think that most of us, me for sure, would rather have a .45. But the most important thing is whether or not you want to continue to own the .380

From what you tell us and what your pics show I would NOT sell that gun, it is a cherry. If you do sell it and even if you love the 1911 you buy with the money, I predcict that you will always regret selling such a fine pistol. Someone above said something about not selling any guns. That pretty much is how I feel too. I have sold guns in the past and with only one exception, I deeply regret every one I sold. But the new me doesn't sell guns any more. I have learned my lesson about that believe me. Find something ELSE to sell or just wait until you can save up for what you want. If you sell the .380 it will take a big edge off the pleasure you get from your new 1911. Trust me on this. I've done it too many times.

Good luck and please let us know what you decide.

[Rex B]

My current MO is scrounging items around the house that will sell on ebay. I have enough non-gun stuff stacked up to keep me busy for months - maybe years, and finance my next 20 gun purchases.
Now I just need to stop buying and start selling!

You might look around the house and shop. it's surprising what people will pay for things you'd throw away.

[The Annoyed Man]

I believe the problem is more involved that it may first appear. Actually it should be considered on two levels. First of all would you rather have a .45 or a .380. I think that most of us, me for sure, would rather have a .45. But the most important thing is whether or not you want to continue to own the .380

From what you tell us and what your pics show I would NOT sell that gun, it is a cherry. If you do sell it and even if you love the 1911 you buy with the money, I predcict that you will always regret selling such a fine pistol. Someone above said something about not selling any guns. That pretty much is how I feel too. I have sold guns in the past and with only one exception, I deeply regret every one I sold. But the new me doesn't sell guns any more. I have learned my lesson about that believe me. Find something ELSE to sell or just wait until you can save up for what you want. If you sell the .380 it will take a big edge off the pleasure you get from your new 1911. Trust me on this. I've done it too many times.

Good luck and please let us know what you decide.

I've only ever gotten rid of two guns in my life. One was an old model 12 Airweight K frame S&W which I traded in to originally acquire this Colt .380. The other was a Sig 1911 that gave me fits, which I traded in on my current Kimber Ultra, and I couldn't be happier about it. But generally speaking, I'm into growing my collection, not downsizing it, or making lateral moves. For what it's worth, I've decided for now not to let the Colt go.

As to caliber, I'm a .45 ACP guy. Always have been. Always will be. My first pistol was a 1911. I love 'em. I'm not a big fan of the .380 cartridge, although I do also own a Keltec P3AT. For me, .380 is a about the minimum caliber that I would consider carrying. If that Keltec is too big to conceal, then I need to rethink whether or not I need to be wherever I am that I can't hide a P3AT. There is no doubt that the Colt is probably a better .380 than the Keltec, but as I stated previously, I'm left handed, so it doesn't really work as a carry weapon for me.

OTH, my wife and I are going to the range Friday afternoon, and she wants to try the Colt out; so I may lose the right to say or do anything about it anyway.

[lawrnk]

WWBOD

What would Barak Obama do?

(i'd keep it)

[lawrnk]

If you can get the amount of money you think, I would sell it.

I honestly don't know if it is worth that much. If anybody has a "blue book" and can give me an idea of its actual value, I would be appreciative.

Stumbled across your handsome brother

[The Annoyed Man]

He's a looker, isn't he though?

Here's a pic of me as a boy with my parents before my handsome baby brother was born:


I don't think you can get a better looking family than that. In fact, I've never forgiven my "handsome" brother for bringing down the family's standards of appearance.

[longhorn_92]

He's a looker, isn't he though?

Here's a pic of me as a boy with my parents before my handsome baby brother was born:


I don't think you can get a better looking family than that. In fact, I've never forgiven my "handsome" brother for bringing down the family's standards of appearance.

That looks like the All-American Family....