Why "just one?"

[Fishslayer]

See on a thread from time to time someone will say "I got this gun so I sold that gun."

Kinda curious... why not just keep both? I kinda get it. I almost sold a 6" Taurus to buy a 6" pre lock 686 but that was because they're essentially the same gun. Other than that, why sell one to buy one?

After 1 gun, really, "need" is gone. Nobody "needs" more than one. But well... you know how it goes...

[Heiko]

You answered the question perfectly. It's the "need" versus "want" thing. Because no one really "needs" another gun but if one "want" another one, sometimes it's a sort of swap out to justify the new one. At least that's how it is for me. There have been times I want a new gun so to justify the expenditure one has to go.

[Pistongunner]

I keep all of them. If i want another one I just buy it. No need to sell one to get another. I buy a gun cuz I did my research and suits my needs.

[Fishslayer]

There have been times I want a new gun so to justify the expenditure one has to go.

Exactly how it went with the Taurus. I couldn't really justify the expense of having two. The wife really likes to Taurus a lot (It's one of the good ones. ) so I passed on the Smith to keep the peace.

[J.D.Allen]

Not everyone can afford to have more than one, so if they find something they like better than what they have, they sell the old one to be able to afford the new one.

[762cavalier]

Also sometimes interests change. Start off with a fondness for Single actions, get bored and go with semi-autos. Or start off collecting new guns only to find out its the old warhorses that now interest you or vice-versa. Many reasons to buy one then sell another.

[hkdad]

it's like cars... i get bored of it. unfortunately i "want" a new car more than i "need" it so it has to go. it's more like a hobby. i was collecting guns before, but now i sold all the guns i don't shoot and all the safe queens get shot now regularly. i really do not understand the logic of having a safe queen. i had firearms in the $3k+ range and it was a blast to shoot. i love to beat the hell out of expensive firearms.

[Gary13]

If you do not enjoy shooting it, why keep it? I sold my FNP9 for that reason.

[stormy_clothing]

minimalism and the desire to perfect mastery of one type in my case the glock 17 aka the jesus pistol

[RedFord150]

I personally do not see a need for a lot of duplicates. I also started with lower priced guns and 'traded up' over the years. My first few guns cost under $200 (1980's). Anything decent is now $500 and up. This is still hard for me to accept. Instead, I sell one or 2 and buy something much better. luckily, I buy smart and usually sell for more than I paid.
Not all CGers see it my way. Many of us would rather own dozens of guns, including multiple duplicates, than sell off anything.
Personally, I do not concern myself. I spend my money my way and let everyone else do the same.

[FNH5-7]

When I sell a gun it's usually to UPGRADE to a better one. The guns I keep, I keep because they have their own purpose or I just like them too much.

[sevensix2x51]

My tastes change, or I consolidate calibers, while freeing up capital for a new acquisition. Im actually getting rid of some now in order to duplicate the ones I really like. I figure if I have a gun that is perfect for me, why should I have all these other cool ones I never shoot? Ill just get another one of the same pistol/rifle, so I have a backup, and have mags that interchange, or whatever the case may be... I intend to take classes when I have spare time and money, so exact duplicates would be good should the primary fail.

[TMC]

I don't see why people sell one to by another unless that persons financial situation does not allow them to do so. As for myself the only ones I sell are the ones I win and don't want to keep.

[luckygunner]

I haven't ran into this very often. I would say that you would become much more proficient with that pistol. It would also make ammunition purchases easy. Reloading would be a snap also. Not having to change anything on my press. Just check everything and go.

I couldn't personally do it. I enjoy hunting down different firearms. I have thought about going down to one auto and one revolver. I haven't been able to yet but it would make things much easier.

[iareConfusE]

Some people can't afford to keep more than one gun in any given caliber. I'm a college student on a budget, don't judge me because I can't afford several $3000 AR's and 5 $1500 1911's.