I know it may sound like sacrilege to some, but it is very liberating to not be responsible for stuff you aren't head-over-heals about, or even something really cool that you don't have a real use for. I've owned a lot of guns I liked a lot, which didn't get used much. Now that I have only a few to fuss over, feed and care for, I'm enjoying those few much more than I ever enjoyed having a bunch of them.
I have been selling a few, an effort at downsizing by the time I'm 70, and to off set the expense of the new boat. I does feel a little liberating, I've also been gifting some things. Through his Dad, I recently gifted a Marlin Model 60 with a scope and a brick of ammo for a 6 year old who is going to be a hunter and fisher extraordinaire. Recently I saw the same Model 60, (Hunter Safety Edition), in the hands of one of those gator hunters on Swamp People. I texted the kid's Dad and he told the little boy and he was so excited. Then I remembered picking up a 300 round box of CCI Mini Mags in the Troy Landry "Choot 'Em" packaging. I grabbed it out of the closet and delivered that to father and son. The simple happiness of a little boy is worth a lot.
Talking with a couple of gun buddies about down sizing, I mentioned my BIL. Sluggo shows up for deer season down here the day or two before the opener. He brings, his "deer rifle", his one and only deer rifle. An 03 his Father sporterized a long time ago. The stock had been repaired, glass bedded, and a modern Leupold 2x7 installed a few years ago when he used to accompany a bunch of friends on an annual Wyoming deer hunt. Despite his completely utilitarian view of guns he is a fine shot. That old Springfield is stupid accurate and requires one round shot into either the 80 or 210 yard backer for confirmation, then Doug proceeds to shoot one to three deer each year with one shot each. I have hand loaded his ammo for decades. W-W nickel plated brass, 55.0 grains of IMR-4350 under a Hornady 165 boat tail. Two boxes of 100 of those bullets were purchased so long ago that the owner of the gun shop has died, his son took over and he has died and the business is no more.
I am starting to envy that attitude toward a hunting rifle. I fantasize about having only my 7x57 and never having to stand in front of the safe in slack jawed stupefaction trying to decide what to take out.
Wow, a deer rifle, a waterfowl shotgun that can also handle rural extra duties, a cast shooting target rifle, a twenny two for small game. A CCW revolver, a twenny two revolver, and a 4" S&W .357 for playing knock down plates in the yard. All the rest of the stuff could go, including the big hand made gun safe.
I have to go get a cup of coffee, I think I feel faint.
Jeff