I used to shoot at pistol range where this old man who owned just one handgun simply amazed other shooters there. His one handgun was a 2 1/2 inch N frame Smith and Wesson 357 with adjustable sigths. He fired double action only too, and other shooters were just amazed at his small groups.
As a shooter ages the shorter sight radius makes it easier for old eyes to focus. We seniors just do not have the focal range we once did. Over the years I ended up with far too many firearms. I have got my handguns down quite admirably. It was hard, like going on a diet. All the autoloaderss were the first to go. Now I just have a set of S and W revolvers and each has a defined place of functiion. A small 5 shot j frame for comcealed carry, my model 15 combat masterpiece for fun and target shooting and a 4" 629 44 mag for when I lived and hiked in NW Wyoming. Stop there. More is just like fat.
Trimming the centerfire rifles down will was hard but I did it. Two 338's. really not needed, both gone. Same for the 300 win mag. They were fine rifles too. A Sako, another Belgium Safari grade and stainless New Haven Wincester. As mentioned earlier my 35 Whelen and a 30-30 and another pre 64, all gone to happy new hunter hands.
I sold a ever so clean Sako Vixen, a mint Savage 22/410 with a tennite stock. Also gone was my Savage .223 over 12 guage.
I met a fellow who lived in Alaska for decades and that was his only rifle.
Each one I sell feels like getting on the scale and happiiy seeing that I lost 5 pounds, and that my jeans are looser and more comfortable.
For each, well almost each firearm, I own I want a fitting functional place for it where I can enjoy it's use.
The "well almost" applies to my model 54 Wincheter Americas first bolt action rifle. It is an aperture sight only rifle, factory installed Lyman sights. When holding it, looking at it and taking it afield each subtlty of function, design and fine finish makes my hands still happy to hold it.
Anyway, I better get ready, in less than two hours a hearty lad of 39 is picking me up and we are going triple bird hunting for a potential mixed bag of quail, grouse and maybe even wild turkey.
That is where the SXS 3 inch Ithaca 20 guage does it all.
That hearty lad has no idea he willl be getting it as gift someday. It is really cool to see the look in a young hunetrs eyes, when I hand him a really fine firearm and say, "Here, this is yours now". Some things are better given away than sold.
The greatest hunter I ever was close friends with is long dead now. As a kid he was too young for WW! but worked closely with returning WW1 vets to help pass the Pittman Roberstson Federal aid to wildlife act.
As a gift they gave him a custom Springfield 30-06 with a rock maple stock. It was the only rifle he ever owed, With it he took every species of North American big game animals.
Less is more.
MR