60th Birthday gift ideas

[Airborne10]

I am a new poster but have read some the past postings and decided you guys would be the ones to ask.

My father's birthday is within a week and can’t decide what to get him for his big 60th. My Dad is the kind of guy whom is tough to shop for and usually just goes out and buys whatever he wants. I want to get him something special for his 60th, I decide maybe a pistol. The last few years he has gained a little interest in shooting clay pigeons and even bought a Taurus 357 to take camping in case of the small chance of animal attacks against his grand children.
I was thinking of a 22lr pistol and possible engraving something on it to make it special. If I do get him a pistol, do I engrave the metal frame or just the wood grips? Also, is pistol appropriate for a guy whom is occasionally involved with shooting for a special 60th b-day gift. Or what kind of gifts would you all think was pretty neat for your 60th from your family?

Up late because of work but I can’t seem come up with a great gift for my father whom I love respect so much. I know what he wants most is quality family time like camping, golfing and the occasional plinking with our guns but that is tough with our work schedules.

Any ideas?
Thanks

Airborne10

 

[buck00]

If you want to get him something really nice (and if he apprecites firearms) get him a Kimber .45.

 

[Chester32141]

Depending on your budget, I'd suggest a quality 22 cal revolver and a couple thousand rounds of bulk ammo ... no engraving required ...

 

[woad_yurt]

How about a shotgun, pistol, etc. made in the year he was born? There should be lots of things available. It may take some looking and emailing, though. An easy example would be an H&R revolver with a "J" prefix to the serial number, which would have been made in '48.

 

[kir_kenix]

Henry makes a Golden Boy rifle that you can have personalized for him. I know its not a pistol, but you can get write him a nice message on it, and it is something that would be cool to pass down. I think the price would come to around 350 or so, and be totally personalized.
http://www.henryrepeating.com/personalizedgb.cfm

Maybe you could look at getting him a nice S&W (maybe even a pre-lock that is nib) and have it engraved. Somthing like a model 17 or 63 (not sure this is the right model #) .22 lr. I love my k-22.

 

[Airborne10]

Yep- I knew I came to the right place for some ideas. I really like the idea of finding him something that was made in the year 1948. Thanks guys. I better get shopping right away.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Jeremy,

You made a good choice with that S&W 22A-1! And the engraving turned out really nice.

 

[MikePGS]

I'd say if you get something engraved, just do the grips. That way in case he doesn't like them for some reason, he can always change them.

 

[sm]

1948.

1. Do a search for some 1948 magazines, such as Field & Stream, or similar. It would be great to find his birth month.
Nostalgic and you and the rest of the family will also get a kick out of what all was in print in 1948.

2. Nice box, with a plate engraved. Trophy Shops , Art & Crafts and Hobby shops have nice wooden boxes and various materials to line these with. Then have a Trophy Shop make a nice brass plate and engrave initials on the top, and inside another plate with more personal sentimental engraving.

Not just for a nice handgun...

3. Pocket Knife.
While the gun is special, he cannot always carry that with him. A nice pocket knife he can carry everyday, and a constant reminder of the 60th birthday and all those that presented it to him.

Case pocket knife, bone handle, CV blades like a Amber bone or Red Bone Peanut, would be one knife small enough to carry everyday and be comfortable to carry no matter if casual or dress.

4. I'd find a neat old blue-n-wood .22 revolver, like a H&R.
Not knowing your budget, a Colt or Smith & Wesson .22 would be neat.

New- Beretta Bobcat. Take a look from this Ad from 1952 .
http://www.mouseguns.com/blast/beretta.jpg

So he would remember these ads. A Beretta 21A in .22 lr would be a neat fun handgun "like that ad" he most likely recalls.

5. Clays
You mentioned clay shooting.
Range fees, private lessons, and maybe a gift cert for whatever he needs.