Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
223lover

When is old..too old

Recommended Posts

I've been doing alot of soul searching lately. I've been shooting off and on since the 70's. Now after a long long time, I found a renewed interest the sport.. Actually, since last September, when I shot an AK , that old feeling stirred again. So now 3 AR's later, and 4 new hand guns, I have to think what the hell am I doing? So it begs the question, at over 60 should I be selling my guns and not buying more? Or just screw it and keep shooting as long I can until as they say, they pry the gun from my cold, dead hand? As a side note, I have no kids to give them to, and my wife thinks the one gun a month law is the greatest thing since sliced bread. (did I just answer my own question?) Your opinions on the matter would make me feel better.

 

Sleepless in Sussex

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you can safely handle your firearms, I don't think you can be "too old". If you still enjoy shooting them, I say keep them and shoot them. If there are some you find you don't shoot anymore and don't have any real attachment to them, you could always sell them and put the money towards a nice vacation or something. Just my thoughts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Huh?

 

 

What does being over 60 have to do with enjoying a hobby? God willing you have 30+ more years of enjyoing life!!!! Live dammit!

 

My dad turned 69 this month..... and just bought a handgun after years of not having one..... I cant wait to shoot with him....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm thirtynine years old and thanks to my father I've been shooting thirtytwo of them. And a gunowner for thirtyone of them. I had my FID before I had my voters registration card. I'm just as enthusiastic now as then.

 

"Shooting is fun"-Old Painless. And he's well over sixty.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Safety is not an issue. I'm still healthy, working, and "with it". I've thought of selling off the ones I don't shoot any more, but as a gun salesman recently told me, after awhile, they become like your children, each different, as much as they are alike, and it's hard to give them up while they still live at home. hah ha :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
at over 60 should I be selling my guns and not buying more?

I'm sure it's different for everyone, but age alone shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether or not to continue something you apparently enjoy. My wife's dad was a competitive shooter and instructor well into his 70's and continued to shoot and reload for his personal enjoyment until he was into his early 80's.

 

As long as you still enjoy the sport, and are physically able to do what you need to do to participate, I can't see age being even remotely relevant.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

223lover,

My situation is much like yours. 50 is in the rear-view mirror and 60 is not far in front of me. I was away from shooting for more that 25 years when my son encouraged me to come back to it. 2.5 years, 3 handguns and 7 long guns later later I have asked myself these same questions.

 

I have come to the same conclusion that others have stated here. As long as health and mental acuity allow I will enjoy this hobby. After all, how often can we participate in an activity at our ages, enjoy it as much or more than when we were younger and actually see improvement? Plus, the comraderie among shooters is uplifting. Wouldn't you rather talk to others about bolt-action military surplus rifles or O/U shotguns than your prescription meds or latest surgical procedure? :D

 

If and when the time comes to give up your firearms there wil be many eager younger shooters willing to give them a good home. Until then, keep shooting and enjoy every minute of it. That's what I intend to do.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well ok then Special K, I will just get some bubble wrap and package the Python, Diamond Back, the 6 model 41's and the Hammerli right out to you. Say $10 ? Sound fair? Intested in the Colt Ace also? Oh wait, I have this here Singer .45 in the safe but it looks its age. :lol:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
As a side note, I have no kids to give them to, and my wife thinks the one gun a month law is the greatest thing since sliced bread. (did I just answer my own question?) Your opinions on the matter would make me feel better.

 

Sleepless in Sussex

 

I'm always in the market to be adopted :) I'm really a good kid LOL

 

Anyway you gotta shoot until you can shoot no longer. Age is just a number to associate when you were put on this earth. As long as you keep active and live the life you want to live age shouldn't tell you that you can or can't do something. I hope when I'm 80 I'm still crawling on the floor with my kids kids when the time comes.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My oldest customer recently turned 91. He enjoys shooting his 9mm handgun and 22 rifle every week. At least that was what he told me a few months ago.

 

Come to think about it, its been awhile since I heard from him. Hmm. I hope he is still around. :shock:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Thanks PK, I feel MUCH better now!

 

I just realized your in hoptacong which is a hop skip and a jump away from Cherry Ridge. I just hope you can make it out to the Monthly Clay bird shoot Sept 13th. It should be a really good time and I am sure it will reinforce why you should keep shooting.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just turned 59 and have been thinking along the same lines. I also started shooting in the 70's, they got out of it till about 7 years ago. Read 2 books by Peter Hathway Capstick and went out and bought a Winchester model 70 in .H&H for a trip to Africa I'll never take. In fact I bought several pistols and rifles that are just sitting in the safe. I had hoped to leave them to my son's but they seem to have no interest. I make a trip to the bullet hole maybe once or twice a year. I am hanging onto mine , they can be part of my estate sale.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm just finishing up the addition of a ramp to our outdoor ranges. many of our members are up there in years but still want to shoot. As the range is down a hill, the ramp was added. Age doesn't stop someone from doing anything unless you let it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
So it begs the question, at over 60 should I be selling my guns and not buying more?

 

I took my dad (70) shooting for father's day. He has not shot since the 50's when he was conscripted into the army.

 

On a side note, he was not impressed with the trigger on my XD, he felt the takeup was too long.

 

I can't wait to take him out again and have him shoot the Mosin or the shotgun...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
Sign in to follow this  

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    No registered users viewing this page.



  • olight.jpg

    Use Promo Code "NJGF10" for 10% Off Regular Items

  • Supporting Vendors

  • Latest Topics

  • Posts

    • We never let then inside.  Last re-evaluation was 6-7 years ago, wife politely told him that he was welcome to look around the property and he could look in the windows. He saw two white resin chairs in the basement and told her that this constituted a finished basement. And everything in the basement is bare concrete/ cinder block, and mechanical systems. Nothing finished about it. Ultimately he relented and I'm sure that was a ploy to coerce us to allow him in
    • I use an Alien Gear cloak tuck (IWB) with my Shield.  Neoprene back - in the summer it does feel warm but doesn't rub or chafe.   https://aliengearholsters.com/ruger-lcp-iwb-holster.html Could also go with the shapeshift as it has multiple options - OWB/IWB, Appendix... https://aliengearholsters.com/ruger-lcp-shapeshift-modular-holster-system.html
    • The  12-1 compression ratio L88 is long gone. This is GM's updated version. it might be  pump gas 10-1 engine The L88 was a aluminum head  cast iron block engine with a nasty solid lifter cam. the  ZL1 was a all aluminum  12 or 13-1 compression ratio engine with the best forged internal parts at the time and had a even nastier solid lifter cam 
    • I like my regular carry holster.  OWB leather with belt slots.  I've been carrying for over a year and it was comfortable and I hardly even noticed it.  I carry (usually) a Ruger LCP .380 - light, convenient, tiny. But...today I ended up taking it off an leaving it home after a few hours. I cut down a big maple tree a few days ago and I spent 3/4 of today loading and unloading firewood into the back of my truck and a trailer.  It was a warm day, I was dirty, tired, sweaty, and my holster was rubbing against my side.  The leather and exposed metal snap was no longer comfortable. I'm thinking about adding a layer of something to that part of the holster to soften the contact.  Anything insulating will make it worse.  I don't want a sweaty, hotter holster against my skin.  I'm imagining something thin, breathable, that won't absorb sweat, and softer than leather, metal snaps, and rivets.   But I have no idea what would work. I'm hoping somebody else has already figured this out and I can just do what they did. Any suggestions appreciated.
    • Check the primers on the ammo you didn't shoot yet. Are they fully seated? If the primer is not just below flush with the back of the case, the first hit can seat it better then the second hit ignites it. 
×
×
  • Create New...