Heirloom handgun recommendations needed

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"Let me go out and buy you something nice to remember me by"

I know this sound messed up, but if you know him I don't think you would feel that way. He's a super hard working guy that has always done right by everyone he knows- even to his own detriment at times. He got some bad news that rocked him to his core. He just wants a nice thing to leave his kid in case stuff goes sideways....

"The Python IS the answer to the question"

This is what I told him, but he wants something in addition...

Can't blame a guy for that when he might be staring the reaper in the eye
 
"Let me go out and buy you something nice to remember me by"

I know this sound messed up, but if you know him I don't think you would feel that way. He's a super hard working guy that has always done right by everyone he knows- even to his own detriment at times. He got some bad news that rocked him to his core. He just wants a nice thing to leave his kid in case stuff goes sideways....
I don't doubt that in the least...the fact that he's thinking far enough ahead that he wants to be sure his child is left something to be cherished says a lot about his character. Which is why the whole concept of buying the kid a nice heirloom is lost on me.
Years ago I was looking for an old Savage model 24 .22/410 O/U for my now 10 year old as his first gun. Told my dad (who gave me my Savage 24 as my first gun) to keep an eye out for one for my kid. Dad informed me that mine, that I've had for 30+ years, used and cherished, would mean more to my kid than me getting him one. Guess that stuck with me.

ETA... If it's something to be seen as more an investment, or the centerpiece to a future collection, I get it.
The guns that are most important to me are probably the least valuable of any I own.
 
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This is what I told him, but he wants something in addition...

Can't blame a guy for that when he might be staring the reaper in the eye

Didn't see that part when I replied.
So if he's certain none of his current inventory will fill that role, I'd make a suggestion based on the idea that you never know how kids will turn out. I'd pick something that's not as susceptible to market fluctuation. Custom guns are too much like custom cars, meaning they often sell for way less than the amount invested. If the kid ends up not being a gun guy, he may well decide to sell it to finance something else.

Remington Rand or Ithaca 1911a1 in nice shape
or possibly a pre-war Colt 1911. They just keep going up.
 
Hi guys,
I need some "heirloom" hand gun recommendations.
My best friend from college just found out he has cancer. The Dr said that because he caught it early, his success rate is over 90%, but it has him shook up. He wants an heirloom quality handgun to pass on to his son "hust in case". He asked me for ideas, and I gave him some, but would like to give him the best options/ ideas. He has a bunch of guns- Glocks, Sig's, M&Ps, but the only one he considers Hierloom quality is his 1950's Python.

My suggestions were:
Colt Diamondback
Colt Anaconda
Colt SAA
S&W custom shop 952
Ed Brown Kobra Carry
custom 1911
Night hawk BHP

What am I forgetting?

Thanks

Older pre-lock S&W Model 19.
 
The most valuable (to me) guns from my dad's collection are the ones attached to memories we shared or ones I knew were his favorites. (I know I am laying down the syrup but stay with me) The rest were just more crap I had to deal with when they died. (/syrup)

My point is that maybe they can bond over guns. Take the kid shooting, and to gun stores, hunting, whatever! Over time this is a question that doesn't need to be asked. It may turn out that the son isn't into guns and anything dad buys today will just be more crap that will need to be dealt with.

Some I didn't see above.

Colt Woodsman
Colt 1903
Winchester 1894
Any top O/U shotgun
Smith 686
Ruger Blackhawk
Old military
 
I agree with Tirod. An heirloom isn't something specifically purchased just to be handed down. It's something that is known to have been owned, used, valued, and perhaps even enjoyed by its grantor.

The two I got from my own dad are a 1975-ish Ruger Police Service Six and a 1966 Charter Arms Undercover. Both have holster wear and are clearly BCBs (Blue-Collar-Beaters), but they are heirlooms to me. I even have a picture of my dad in younger years wearing that Ruger with his deputy uniform.
 
To me the term heirloom quality means that it has to be a traditional gun of better quality and also something less common and worth to be handed down to the next generation. It should have also been in the family for some time and been cherished.
A nice early Python fits that bill.

I inherited a S&W M19-3 Raymond Sassia GIGN special and it will be given to the next generation, the original grips will be included. 500 were made and less than a dozen were sold to civilian collectors.
S&W_19-3_R.Sassia.jpg
 
From what he already has, I would go with the 1950s era Colt Python.

As to something new it could be something your friend has always wanted but never got around to getting it. I would think that would have more cachet as an heirloom to be passed on from one generation to the next, more than anything else. Buying something just for the sake of designating it as an heirloom seems to me to have very little sentimental value to it.
 
"Let me go out and buy you something nice to remember me by"

I know this sound messed up, but if you know him I don't think you would feel that way. He's a super hard working guy that has always done right by everyone he knows- even to his own detriment at times. He got some bad news that rocked him to his core. He just wants a nice thing to leave his kid in case stuff goes sideways....

"The Python IS the answer to the question"

This is what I told him, but he wants something in addition...

Can't blame a guy for that when he might be staring the reaper in the eye
Since he's going through a rough time, I'd go ahead and help him find a gun that fits his criteria to leave his son if that's what makes him happy. Hopefully he'll be around for a long time and get to enjoy it too. Sometime down the road, the son can choose the weapon he wants to remember his father by. My father left me a old Ruger 10-22 and even though very common is special to me. Same goes for my FIL's Colt Trooper 357 which was his service revolver. Good luck, and good on you for being a good friend.
 
.. It should have also been in the family for some time and been cherished....

Exactly, I have only two firearms that after passing from other family members to be enjoyed by our father for some years and then at his demise to me; neither can be considered rare nor exceedingly valuable in a marketable sense. Yet to me they are among the most important of what I posses.

The concept of purchasing something new for offspring prior to my own physical end to me does not carry the same meaning. But I suppose if that's all one has to offer that's all they gots. In light of that, I'd be looking for something in better than good condition with other history such as WWII.
 
Something that directly connects to your friend. If I were to pass right this minute, the one gun my son would want the most would be the 1911 I built with him beside me. My son is 8 and is autistic so this 1911 really sticks to him. It is the only firearm of mine he can correctly identify all the time.
 
I agree with @bannockburn on this one. He should get something HE always wanted. At least that way it has some connection to Dad other than just a gift. Hopefully Dad will get to enjoy it for many years before it is inherited anyway, right? That making it even more special.
 
I think your friend would be well served buying a gun he and his son can enjoy together now, like a Ruger Mk IV lite or a nice Volquartsen 10/22. Memories for a lifetime can be made right now with just such firearms.

But, I’ll jump on the Python bandwagon as the true heirloom gun to give in the future for a couple of reasons…

A) It wasn’t bought as a token gift after-the-fact, it was bought by your friend because he wanted it to be his own gun. Many gifted guns are amazing, but I don’t look at those as fondly as the ones I actually shot or used hunting with my Grandfather or Dad.

B) He actually used it rather than just buying and unboxing it.

C) He can load it with powder puff .38 wadcutters, take his son out and teach him how to shoot it (even if it means holding the grip over his sons hands for support).

D) Once they’re done shooting, gift it to him right there as his future gun. That’ll really be a memory his son will never forget and one that will (hopefully) make that Python the last gun to ever go. ;)

I hope that he beats the cancer quickly and gets better to live many more happy and healthy years. I must say it’s really cool that he is thinking the way he is, he sounds like a good guy… and we could use a few million more of them around nowadays. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Something fully engraved with a nice high grade finish. The kind of thing that costs 4k+ and you’d be lucky to resell for a third of that… thus providing a great motivation to your heir to cherish, shoot, and enjoy the heck out of your bequest, rather than being afraid to touch it lest the investment be devalued.
 
If he's going to give him the Python, and still wants to give something else, why not a S&W of the same era as the Python ? He could stick with the same caliber and shop for a Pre M27 (prior to 1957), or even better, a Registered Magnum, which was the precursor to the Pre M27 and the M27. They won't be cheap, but certainly fits the definition of an heirloom gun. In lieu of one of those, an early series M29 always seems to make an owner happy.

I liked the suggestion of someone above who suggested a 1903 Colt. Nice pistols, and its sibling the 1908 would be good, too. Find a blued model.
 
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