A pair of pistols for my progeny

[CYANIDEGENOCIDE]

I want to get a nice pair of pistols and set them aside for my boys when they are old enough. I thought a pair of consecutive number sig p220 equinox would be cool. But the guy at the store was really talking up the p227. Then he mentioned the elite and the elite dark. Now I'm not sure which way to go. I want a higher end auto loader, something a little off the beaten path but not too odd ball. I was hoping to keep the total cost to $4000 or less for 2 guns. So what fits the bill?

 

[bscott29]

If your gonna spend that much I would get a couple custom 1911's or nice colts.

 

[urbaneruralite]

I would probably stick with something sort of classic. People tend to have different tastes. If it's too offbeat they may only like it because of who gave it to them.

There was a thread on here a while back about which pistols pointed best for most people. Sigs, CZ-75s, HiPowers and 1911s were mentioned often. A nicer CZ or 1911 with a .22lr conversion slide to swap onto it would be one way to go.

 

[JTQ]

A 1911 would be a safe bet as it would probably be around in some fashion when your boys are grown up. It's kind of a bummer when your gun goes out of production. Parts can be tough to come by. For instance, years ago you could have chosen a beautiful pair of S&W 4506's, or maybe a simple pair of Ruger P90's, both solid guns that dropped out of production when their makers changed their focus to polymer guns.

 

[hAkron]

10 Glocks?

But seriously - what about finding some good surplus Hi-Powers or something similar and send them both off for some custom refinishing?

 

[Jim PHL]

I agree with hAkron. Start with a pair of BHP MkIII's or Colt/Springfield 1911's and get them tuned and refinished to match by a pro. If you go to Cole's gunbroker page you could get three BHP's (one for you, too!) for a little over a grand leaving you almost $1000 each for the work.

 

[AustinTX]

Definitely don't spend that kind of money on assembly-line Sigs with goofy finishes. None of those are rare or special.

You could get two new Les Baer Premier II 1911s for well under $4,000.

 

[short barrel]

Yes, I'd get 1911's. Or Colt SAA's. These are timeless, whereas the modern autos come and go too fast to keep track. Always something new and better, seems like every month.

My dad had a Super Blackhawk when they first came out. How I would have loved to have been left that gun. But he sold all his stuff for the sake of my mom when he learned he was passing.

A father leaving guns to his kids is important, and IMO the selection ought to be just right.

My son will get my pre-ban M1A and a 1911 and a flattop Ruger.

 

[JDR]

Two Grand would buy a Smith & Wesson 617 .22LR Revolver, a Glock 19 9mm Compact semiauto, and a Springfield Range Officer 1911 .45 ACP, you & the kids would have a whole lot of fun at the range with that combination!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If you like Beretta 92 series guns, the Wilson Combat/Beretta 92 Brigadier Tactical are sweat guns. You can back order on their website. They are limited run guns. You can get two of them and add the Wilson trigger job and be under $3000. That leaves room for holsters and spare mags too.

They are a heck of a lot of gun for the price and mine is fantastic.

If you're set on 45's then maybe a pair of Dan Wesson 1911's or the Sigs you mentioned. You could also consider the X-Five Allarounds. They can be had for under $2000 a piece.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Not the best pic but you get the idea.

 

[jamesinalaska]

I would suggest that with money like that available, you ought to consider buying an acre or two of remote property and have your boys (and daughters, if any) help you build a cabin. Time spent like that will be much more memorable to them than a pair of pistols. They'll have all of dad's other guns to play with - eventually.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Do you even know what kind of tastes they have? Are they old enough to HAVE any tastes yet?

I applaud your desire, and I'm sure it would be well received. But might it not be better to see what it is they start gravitating towards, themselves?

We have three children, a 16 year old son, and 15 & 13 year old daughters. They each have distinct tastes. The youngest likes a bolt action .22 and doesn't want to shoot anything else (at least not yet). The oldest likes my bolt action .22 WMR rifle and the Beretta 92FS. The middle one likes shotguns and two specific handguns: Colt SAA in .45 Colt and AMT Automag II.

They're very picky about what they like and don't like, and esthetics plays a huge role in it for them.

 

[TomJ]

Another vote for 1911's. They're timeless.

 

[CYANIDEGENOCIDE]

Getting something classic is a good point I had not considered future parts availability. I checked out Les Baer but those prices are outside my budget. https://www.lesbaer.com/prices.html
seems like the consensus is mostly 1911 or high powers with custom/refinish work. I'm just concerned $2000 won't bring much in the way of tricked out 1911s. Maybe something like a STI target master http://stiguns.com/guns/target-master/
then I'll have a few bucks left over to swap out the stainless bits and pick up some presentation cases or something?

Didn't see all these other replies. They have yet to go shooting, both too young. I anticipate lots of bonding time and I'm sure they will gravitate toward their favorites whatever those maybe. I just lost my parent and those of you who have been there know it sucks. I am trying to plan ahead so when that happens they will both get something from me to remind them they still have each other. I hope that helps put some perspective on it.

 

[AustinTX]

If you like Beretta 92 series guns, the Wilson Combat/Beretta 92 Brigadier Tactical are sweat guns. You can back order on their website. They are limited run guns. You can get two of them and add the Wilson trigger job and be under $3000. That leaves room for holsters and spare mags too.

They are a heck of a lot of gun for the price and mine is fantastic.

Yeah, that was going to be my second rec. The Brig Tacs are outstanding pistols. Best deal going at that price by quite a bit, in my opinion. Two with the Wilson action tune would still come in well under $3,000.

Getting something classic is a good point I had not considered future parts availability. I checked out Les Baer but those prices are outside my budget.

CG, Les Baers retail for a whole lot less than what's on that price list. I just bought one a couple of weeks ago for nearly $500 (or ~20%) less than what that price list would indicate.

Here are a few new Premier II models going for much less than $2,180:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=470017480
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=470045273
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=469632819
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=469242427

Or go with the Concept I or II for even less:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=469329066

 

[Tallball]

Yeah, something "classic" such that parts will not be a problem in the foreseeable future:

Colt (or clone) or Ruger SA revolver, classic S&W DA 38, 1911, High Power, Walther PP or PPK, maybe a very nice Beretta... that kind of thing. Getting older originals and having them restored would be more special than buying something new, imho.

My Colt 1903 was reblued, given new springs and grips, etc. It was made in 1916 and is similar to one my grandfather used to own. It will be more meaningful to my daughter than something that anyone could walk into a store and buy off the shelf. When I pass on and she and my son split up my firearms, those are the kinds of things they will be more likely to hang onto. The more modern run of the mill stuff is more likely to be sold.

I am sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my dad a couple of years ago and still think about him every day.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Hey what about a pair of Coonans. That would be kind of cool!

 

[AR15activist]

Getting something classic is a good point I had not considered future parts availability. I checked out Les Baer but those prices are outside my budget. https://www.lesbaer.com/prices.html
seems like the consensus is mostly 1911 or high powers with custom/refinish work. I'm just concerned $2000 won't bring much in the way of tricked out 1911s. Maybe something like a STI target master http://stiguns.com/guns/target-master/
then I'll have a few bucks left over to swap out the stainless bits and pick up some presentation cases or something?

Didn't see all these other replies. They have yet to go shooting, both too young. I anticipate lots of bonding time and I'm sure they will gravitate toward their favorites whatever those maybe. I just lost my parent and those of you who have been there know it sucks. I am trying to plan ahead so when that happens they will both get something from me to remind them they still have each other. I hope that helps put some perspective on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8fe2GCEyEM

Thread?

 

[AR15activist]

So this is my idea, going along with the vid: a chrome plated, custom engraved, pearl handled 1911 -- this video just made my heart flutter.

 

[Deaf Smith]

For four grand get them each a Colt Python or an engraved S&W N frame. If you want to get them Semi-autos then maybe a pair of Colt 1911s made in 1920 or so and still have some change left over.

Custom built guns? Ok, a pair of Les Baer's 1911s will do.

Skip the factory polymer and aluminum stuff.

Deaf

 

[bannockburn]

If they are old enough I would ask them. If not I might consider getting them each a decent .22 semi-auto to start with (probably a Ruger MK.III), and a Colt 1911.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

By the way, condolences on your loss man. That isn't easy.

 

[TomJ]

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your dad.

I understand your sentiment regarding buying something for your sons. I did the same for my oldest son who I shoot with. He had his sights set on a SA Mil Spec Stainless 1911. I traded a safe queen for it. When he turns 21 in a couple of years it's his. I'll do this for my younger son once he's a little older. I'm wondering, though, if you should wait and let them choose as your choice in guns may be different than theirs.

 

[Girodin]

I too would lean towards something like a couple 1911s. If you want them to truly cherish whatever it is get whatever but then get out and shoot them together, participate in so e classes, comps or whatever suits your fancy.

I have some high dollar guns but one I love the most is a real cheap single shot shotgun my dad gave me. He taught me to shoot with it took me to hunt with it etc. I wouldn't trade it for a Wilson Combat today. Now if my dad bought me a nice semi custom 1911 I'd like that too! And if he had given me fine double gun I guess I might cherish that even more.