Keep or sell. What would you do?

My father gave me a S&W 1006 with an adjustable rear sight and 5 magazines for my birthday back in the early 90s. I used to shoot it but until the other day I hadn't shot it in several years. It is accurate and reliable but the grip angle is off-putting compared to a Government model.

I asked my sons if they want it but it isn't their cup of tea.

I'm torn between keeping it for sentimental reasons or selling it. My heart says keep it until I croak and let my heirs worry about it. My head says sell it to reduce the quantity of firearms my heirs will have to deal with when I croak.

What would you do?

Its a tool. Don’t care about things that can’t care about you. Loved ones will always be in your heart and memories.

I had a similar issue with my father's firearms when he passed. He had mentioned that he hated the idea of selling firearms, and he often accepted them in trade for other stuff but never traded any away.

Some were junk, some were specific to hunting which meant I would never use them. I sold off all but 3, and I justified it in my mind by using the money to buy firearms that I actually wanted.

Overall, I think it worked out for the best.

They go for serious cash these days... I used to carry one. It's the one pistol I regret selling...

Majicmike said:

Its a tool. Don’t care about things that can’t care about you. Loved ones will always be in your heart and memories.

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What Mike said.^^^

3rd Gen Smith 10mm ... hmmm ... box and paperwork? ... are those 5 mags factory S&W mags?

Personally I think the 3rd Gen is one of the best platforms form 10mm ... it’s a tank! Yes the grip angle is not the same as a 1911 but neither is a Glock. A 3rd Gen Smith would be hard for me to part with but if you want out of the 10mm game I’d say think about letting it go but no rush to sell especially since 10mm has been experiencing a renaissance lately and if condition and box are good to go and those 5 mags are factory (minimum of $50 each) you do have a nice piece to sell.

Personally, given the circumstances you described, I’d let it go. By the way, my response is NOT motivated by an interest in trying to purchase it.

Sell it! I'm sure it wouldn't last a few minutes in the BST section here. I've been looking for one for awhile. Never have the cash for one when they come up for sale. I have a 3rd gen Smith addiction/problem.

Normally I am a “never sell sentimental things” kinda guy...but this really doesn’t sound like it had any special connection other than him owning it. It isn’t like it was his carry piece for years, y’all shared shooting trips firing it, or anything like that. Sounds no more sentimental than a pair of socks from a new pack he had in his drawers.


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I have various tools that were my fathers and my grandfathers. Don’t use them often, but ain’t selling them. Just sayin.

Unless your Dad gave you a lot of firearms, I would definitely keep it. That gun has heritage.

rufrdr said:

My father gave me

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Really, that's enough reason for a keeper.

I have a few keepers...
1 - A winchester 22 pump that I grew up seeing on the gun rack. Then learning to shoot with my dad (too short a time). I still remember the target like it was yesterday.
2 - A Remington A5 12ga. Same story but still need to get from my older sister...
3 - A S&W 32 that my dad carried in NoKo.
4 - A 1943 original Garand from CMP (mine, mine, all mine).
5 - A S&W M19, 2.5" just because it's sexy.

So you can see I keep most all that I buy for sentimental reasons. Very few are sold.

That said there is one AR Colt HBAR, due to the political environment, that was my 1st serious $ into competition. All the other ARs since then are for the .gov when they want them. But that's another thead...

Scsmith42 said:

Unless your Dad gave you a lot of firearms, I would definitely keep it. That gun has heritage.

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He gave me his M1 rifle before he passed, I gave that to #2 son as #1 son has my DCM M1 and my all GI M1A which I gave him when he was home on leave from Iraq in 07. I kept my Dad's Marlin 783 .22 magnum rifle that I got after he passed. I think of him when I shoot it.

Thanks for everyone's views on this and I mean that sincerely. I'm still undecided on whether to let it go or not, something I will ponder. My wife and daughter want me to really thin the armory down as they are afraid they will have to deal with getting rid of them if something happens to me as I have some health issues.

BTW the pistol is sans box and papers except the manual, nothing of that was kept with the pistol. The magazines are SW made, some are yellow follower and some white. I replaced the op spring and extractor spring on it a couple years ago. I think I'll take it again to the range on my next outing and think about it some more.

If I do decide to move it along I'll give you all first crack at it.

Thanks again.

I wouldn't rush to sell it. You mentioned potential heirs that might appreciate it. If none of them are interested then you might feel more comfortable selling.

I fall on both sides-
1- keep it for sentimental reasons, buy a box and shoot it every so often.
2- if you dont want it, sell it to buy one you would like. Maybe do something special with that new one for your dad, but one you will use.
3-keep it, as its not depreciating in value, and use the money for something special

if you sell it, you will regret it. i traded a couple of guns my father bought me and i really wish i hadn't. i did, however, trade for guns i wanted more at the time and am glad i have.

Keep it, that's a heck of a pistol.

I would keep it.

if I have a personal connection with an item, I usually try to keep it in the family at least.

However, I have bought 'heirlooms' from other people, created a connection by shooting it with my sons or nephews, and then made it MY heirloom.

In the end, they're just objects. Think about the people first, then the item second. the 1006 is an awesome pistol but 10mm isn't for everyone. Ask the FBI

I own guns, they don’t own me.
Other than the sentimental reason, I would sell it.

They are only “things” after all is said and done.
I have only one Master, no not my wife.

If you are going to sell it, you should wait.
It's a buyer's market right now.
That won't last, especially for a S&W 1006.

If you NEED the money sell it. If you don't need the money I would hold on to it. One of your heirs would be able to say this was my grandfather's gun and he gave it to my father. If you sell it it's probably gone forever.

@Jeppo, who was it that said young people won't want all of our steel frame pistols, their cup of tea will be plastic? The OP is more evidence...

MacEntyre said:

@Jeppo, who was it that said young people won't want all of our steel frame pistols, their cup of tea will be plastic? The OP is more evidence...

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It was a prediction I didn’t wanna believe.

any other relatives that would love and cherish the gun ?

Member Bahamadon said what I was thinking.