When a gun becomes more than just another gun

A Taurus 605 357 snub was/is my backup.

Man, I’m sorry to hear that.

when my dad died, the first thing that brought me to tears was finding his Para P14. His last years, he had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel, and it was rough.
But finding that P14 released all kinds of memories about who the man was.

Gunny, so sorry to hear that. I hope the ambushers are now languishing in jail.
When my Dad passed I inherited his Colt Official Police .38 and cherished it until some goblin broke in and lifted it along with two other guns I didn't care a whit about relatively.
On their first anniversary my Mom got Dad a pair of left handed real stag grips. I'd trade all the guns I have now for that one gun back, so yeah, sometimes a gun is a lot more than a gun.

Gunny, I enjoy reading your posts (this one not so much) and am sorry for the loss of your brothers in arms.

I'm sorry to hear that, gunny.
Stay safe.

Likes don't seem appropriate for posts like this.. It's hard to see a guy you have shared a patrol car with go down.

I acquired a Colt 1903 pocket hammerless 32acp around 7 years ago from one of very few good friends. Really good guy, ran afoul with the law on occasion but one of the only people I really trusted, only one I trusted to come let my dog out while I was on vacation, kind of guy who was dirt poor and struggling but wouldnt take the $50 I left on the table for him for doing me the favor. He was best man in my wedding and he died in a really bad crash that happened on the road right out in front of what was my workplace at the time.

Anyway, shortly before the crash he was in need of money and agreed to sell me the 1903 for $300 on the condition that he could buy it back if he wanted. Sadly he never got that chance and the gun remained in my possession. I went to his funeral and his family was going crazy about this gun, threatening legal action, told me it had been reported stolen and that I was gonna be thrown in jail, etc...

I was conflicted about it, still to this day I still wonder if I did the right thing. Had it been normal circumstances I might have just given it back to the family but unfortunately his family were comprised of felons, thieves, drug abusers, etc.... and instead of having the ceremony be focused on honoring and respecting him it was basically a fight over who was getting what was left over from what hadn't been picked over from his house immediately after news of his death. I'm serious, people were up there taking his riding mowers, he had about 10 parts toyotas that were all hauled off before the body was cold.

I know, long story. But when does a gun become more than just another gun. I have had some conflicting thoughts about this but at the end of the day, I paid for the gun fair and square, it was a deal between him and I and all hurt feelings aside it was only business of mine and his. That's how I justify it.... That and the idea of how much it would pain me to see it sold for $50 worth of drugs. It's a treasure to me but also a source of negativity. More than just a gun.

Sorry to hear of your fellow officers. That Taurus 85 will be a constant reminder. Much respect for your decision to keep it.

Gunny, so sorry to hear that. True heroes out there every day.

Gunny,
I'm sorry for your loss, and you, your friends and their families are in our prayers. My Wilson Combat EDC X9 and Ruger Mark IV are in the more than just a gun category. When we go to our gun club those are the guns my sons love to shoot and I have a lot of great memories with them.
Tom

GunnyUSMC said:

When does a gun become more the just a gun?
About eight years ago I bought a Taurus Model 85 from a friend at work for $200. It was my friend’s old backup gun. He had picked up a small auto to replace it and it had just been sitting in his safe.
I already had a Taurus 85, but who likes to pass up a good deal.
It was just another gun in the many I that I have until two days ago. My friend and another Officer were ambushed on Sunday. My friend was killed and the other officer is in critical condition.
I have lost ten fellow officers on my department in the line of duty in the last 17 years.
So this run of the mill Taurus 85 will stay with me. It will always be a reminder of the good friend that I’ve lots. It will always be more then just another gun.

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That's terrible Gunny, I'm sorry, it hurts to lose a friend.

There aren't words suitable for losing a friend like that. Glad you have something to remember him by and condolences to the family.

Sorry to hear about your loss. It truly is hard to loose a friend.

I'm at the age where I've lost a few good friends the last few years. It's hard to replace friends you have known for 30 years and it's especially hard when they die before their time at the hands of a violent scum bag.

Gunny

I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of your close friend and fellow officer. My condolences to his family and for the other officer who was injured by this heinous crime. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those in law enforcement as well as first responders everywhere who put their lives on the line every day. Stay safe out there Gunny.

It’s not really on the same level as your example but any gun I have made a memorable hunt with. And by memorable, I mean extraordinary. So maybe your first animal harvested or your biggest buck or lost in the woods for a couple of days. Something like that.

Sorry to hear and hopefully karma visits the perpetrators.
I have several heirlooms.
My grandfather model 10 Remington has his 1931 hunting license rolled up in the stock

So sorry you lost a friend, prayers to you and the other officers families and friends.

GunnyUSMC said:

To let y’all know a little about what type of guy Dale was. He had told his dad that if anything had ever happened to him, he did not want a large funeral and people making a big fuss about him.
https://www.wafb.com/2020/04/27/brpd-officer-killed-line-duty-identified-by-family/

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A fitting tribute.

Gunny, that absolutely sucks. I can't think of anything else to say.

To go with the thread, the only gun I have that even approaches is that is my Stoeger .410 side by side. Grandpa gave it to me when I got my hunters safety license and he's passed some 18 years now.

I can't say I'll always keep it though, I've got it earmarked for my son if he wants to hunt, or my daughter if he doesn't (one of them will I hope!).

My other grandpa on that side had an old H&R .22 mag I've been slowly repairing, but once I get it working I'm giving that to my sister, who was much closer to him.

Which reminds me, I should order the last few parts and get that thing together.

I refuse to like your post Gunny. Having so many true friends and several family members that are officers, your post made me sick to my stomach and tear up. And I feel no shame in that. It’s a terrible time to be an officer in the US. I will pray for you, and your brother in blue’s family. And I’m so sorry you had to make this post. I hope they caught up to the bastard(s) and that they didn’t make it to booking.