Guns for a young man leaving home...

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gspn

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Lately I've been thinking about a lot of gun "collecting" issues, and after one thought led to another which in turn led to another...I found myself contemplating building a "stock" collection or a basic inventory for my 11 year old son to inherit/grow into as the years go by.

We hunt and shoot and he has a good bolt action rifle and a .22 caliber Browning target pistol, and will be getting a Sig P232 for his birthday. My process seems a bit hodge-podge though. I started to think that maybe I should have a plan or direction for these purchases. I'm in a spot where I can buy some guns and I thought it might be good to start looking at what he might need in the future.

In some ways this is a take-off on another thread I read last week about the "top 10 guns everyone should own"...but it's got a different twist.

Given everything we currently know about the politics of gun control along with the fact that we hunt and target shoot...what inventory would you build for a young man so that he had a well rounded collection that would serve him well when he left your home and went out into the world on his own?
 
I think that a good 12 gauge shotgun would be useful. It can be used to hunt a wide variety of animals, from small game to birds to big game, and it is a good home defense weapon.

I'm not sure but a 12 gauge might be a bit much recoil for an 11 year old with higher recoiling loads, but he will grow into it in a few years.

For a pump shotgun I tend to prefer Remington 870's, and for automatics, I love my Benelli super black eagle II, but that might be a bit much money to spend on an 11 year old, depending on your circumstances.

It is awesome that you are doing this for your son. I'm sure that he will appreciate it.
 
I like the 870 idea...it was the first gun I ever had. I bought it myself and I taught myself how to hunt with it. It brings back a lot of great memories. It is truely a versatile gun.

Plus we reload and it will allow him to deepen his knowledge with regard to loading heavy vs light loads...experience is the best teacher.
 
IMO.....

Id build off off your 22's.

Forget the Sig P232 and get a 9mm instead. Long term I think its a better choice for a host of reasons.

Then add:
(in no particular order)

Lever action .357/.38

Blackhawk .357/.38 with the 9mm cylinder.

Shotgun

Another rifle in something like a min of 30-30, 30-06, .308

And another semi auto .22lr rifle



Thats the combo I'm slowing working towards so, of course, thats what I'd recommend.
 
My sons are older and the path I am taking is to cover most or all of the classic platforms.

.22 bolt action
.22 autoloader
.357/.38 revolver, preferably larger frame
9mm semi-auto pistol with approx. 4" barrel
Pump action shotgun
Larger caliber bolt action rifle
AR-15/M4

As that collection fills out I might explore the 1911 platform, autoloader shotgun and/or the AK-47 platform. It really depends on their interests as they grow older.
 
here's my idea of a collection to cover all the bases;

12 gauge pump or semi auto shotgun

ccw handgun(I like snub nose air weight revolvers)

some type of semi automatic defensive rifle, my personal preferences are in 308, most seem to prefer ar15's in 223.

44mag or larger revolver of some sort

22 rifle and or handgun

small caliber varmint hunting rifle, 223, 22-250, 204 Ruger, or something similar.

30-06 bolt action rifle

large caliber hunting rifle 375 H&H or larger.

an optional one would be something along the lines of a 1911(my personal preference:D) or XD, HK USP, or dare I say it Glock:eek: or something similar. Something that could have a large capacity magazine in a moderately powerful semi auto handgun cartridge.

In My opinion that would be ideal. There is not a whole lot you couldn't accomplish with that menagerie of firearms, and your son would be ecstatic to receive a collection like that when he goes out into the world.
 
I would personally say, a pump shotgun (either an 870 or 500), some form of semi-auto pistol with a 4" barrel, and an AR-15. Not only can those cover the bases for all three main kinds of gun, but they also can give him useful skills on three kinds of guns he would use if he ever chose a profession that needed them. If be some chance he decides to join the military or become a cop, he will have a serious advantage over most others if he is familiar with those 3 weapons. And if not, they are still great guns in their own right.

Shooting isn't just fun, it can also be part of one's job. And for an 11 year old, who knows what the state of the world will be for him in 15+ years. Being familiar with the three main gun styles in use in the US might be a good skill. Revolvers and lever actions may be a ton of fun. But if one is ever forced to pick up and use a gun that is not their own, or have to learn one for a job, chances are it will be a full size semi auto pistol and an AR-15.
 
From my experience when leaving home ... Something cheap, useful, small and reliable.

A reliable 9mm with a .22 conversion would have been ideal for me.
 
Something you don't mind losing when the rent or gas bill needs to be paid.
 
Olevern hit it on the head right there, when my son left between me and his grandpa we sent him with the following,
10/22
870 3" 12 ga.
77 Ruger in 250 Savage
45-70 Guide gun
30-06 760 Rem
He had an AR that he bought and brought home ASAP when I informed him he was commiting a felony by having it at his home. (NYS) I bought it from him for more than it was worth because he needed money.
Of those, 3 didn't come home with him and I am sure they fell to the needs of his young family and their poor managment of money.
I have since given him an AR, G22, and a Sub 2000 of which the 2000 is sold as well. It breaks my heart because while I have sold and traded many guns I never let myself get to the point that they were an asset that I would sell because of the need for cash.
I have decided when that one feels the need for another gun I will let him buy it for himself and try out my other two.
 
Since you said targets, I will also include targets in the choice of a shotgun - and unlike everyone else here who thinks a shotgun is only good for zombie protection, I would go for a nice O/U for targets and bird hunting - simpler, easier to use, easier to be successful with.
One caveat - don't go for cheap, go for quality. Quality only costs once when you buy it
 
don't go for cheap, go for quality. Quality only costs once when you buy it
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dang fine advice right there!! i have several guns from when i was younger that i bought simply because i had enough money when i found them. now they arent worth selling and are just taking up space. recently, now that i have only purchased well thought out, quality guns, i am much more happy with my collection and enjoy them MUCH more.
 
Given everything we currently know about the politics of gun control along with the fact that we hunt and target shoot...what inventory would you build for a young man so that he had a well rounded collection that would serve him well when he left your home and went out into the world on his own?
Click to expand...

On that note, I'd probably start with the black rifles. We'll fight tooth and nail against any other bans but those will likely be the first to get regulated if things get ugly. I'd say a good quality AR-15 with 10 or more mags, and a 308 battle rifle with 10 or more mags. Maybe an AK pattern rifle with a good supply of mags too if you like those. After that you can start on the hunting rifles and handguns.
 
I found myself contemplating building a "stock" collection or a basic inventory for my 11 year old son to inherit/grow into as the years go by.
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Good for you! You'll hear that and thanks from your lad when he's older, and he'll be glad of it all his life and do likewise for his children.

You're setting a fine example, gspn.
 
Man, your son is darn lucky. My dad hates the idea of me having a gun at all, and says that if I want one I will have to buy it myself....sigh, your son will thank you someday....
 
Let him earn them.

As someone in his early 20's who is trying to get to the point where he can stand on his own two feet, I know that I value my time, firearms, and money a lot more since I've had to work for all of it.
Also, it leaves him free to get the one that he wants, the way he wants it. I have 3 guns that my dad gave me: A .22 bolt action rifle, a S&W 642, and half of a Remington 870. I love all three of those guns, and I will NEVER sell them, but they are still not my ideal firearms. The changes that I would make to them are pretty small (.357 instead of .38, a rear sight on the rifle.) and not big enough to justify buying another gun, but too big to justify changing the gun itself.

I support the 870 idea - its awesome, and as close to a "do everything" gun you can get. He can use it for hunting, sport, and defense when he's older.

I'd think about investing in guns that he can use now, and later. Guns that he wouldn't necessarily buy on his own, but that he should have. Another option here is the Ruger 10/22. I'm not the biggest fan of the rifle, but as he gets older, he can turn it into anything he wants it to be, and he may appreciate having a rifle suitable for plinking when ammo starts to cost a lot, or if he gets onto THR, and decides he wants to try one of those "Appleseed Events" that everyone is talking about.

I think that in the end, what will be more valuable, are the skills you teach him, and the memories you make. I love those 2.5 guns my dad gave me, and I loved learning to shoot with him, but since he was never a gun-nut, I learned gun safety really well, but shooting technique was limited to "Put the front sight in that notch before you pull the trigger." If you teach him how to shoot well, you'll be giving him something that he will always have: skills, and fond memories.

Hope this helps,

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
The answer should depend on the shooting opportunities you have and which of those your son gravitates toward.

As you mention, an 870 along with reloading would certainly top my list.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. The P232 is one he picked out actually...he saw it on an auction list I was involved with and I thought "what the heck"... he's a good kid...and being good should have it's rewards...so I got it for him.

But now I'm putting more thought into the bigger picture...I'll be pondering all of your input.

The 870 seems to be a solid start and I'll build off of that. I've got enough pistols now that I could set a few aside to cover several bases in that sector, then it would be rounding out the long guns. I may have to do some "horse trading" with my current collection to get him just the right stuff...but that's what it's there for.
 
kayak-man said:
Let him earn them.

As someone in his early 20's who is trying to get to the point where he can stand on his own two feet, I know that I value my time, firearms, and money a lot more since I've had to work for all of it.
Also, it leaves him free to get the one that he wants, the way he wants it. I have 3 guns that my dad gave me: A .22 bolt action rifle, a S&W 642, and half of a Remington 870. I love all three of those guns, and I will NEVER sell them, but they are still not my ideal firearms. The changes that I would make to them are pretty small (.357 instead of .38, a rear sight on the rifle.) and not big enough to justify buying another gun, but too big to justify changing the gun itself.

I support the 870 idea - its awesome, and as close to a "do everything" gun you can get. He can use it for hunting, sport, and defense when he's older.

I'd think about investing in guns that he can use now, and later. Guns that he wouldn't necessarily buy on his own, but that he should have. Another option here is the Ruger 10/22. I'm not the biggest fan of the rifle, but as he gets older, he can turn it into anything he wants it to be, and he may appreciate having a rifle suitable for plinking when ammo starts to cost a lot, or if he gets onto THR, and decides he wants to try one of those "Appleseed Events" that everyone is talking about.

I think that in the end, what will be more valuable, are the skills you teach him, and the memories you make. I love those 2.5 guns my dad gave me, and I loved learning to shoot with him, but since he was never a gun-nut, I learned gun safety really well, but shooting technique was limited to "Put the front sight in that notch before you pull the trigger." If you teach him how to shoot well, you'll be giving him something that he will always have: skills, and fond memories.

Hope this helps,

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
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For someone in his early twenties you speak with a lot of wisdom. We spend a ton of time together in the field. Now-a-days I don't even hunt...he totes the rifle and I serve as the guide.

We spent two days together this weekend...side by side in the bush or in a blind...alternately watching, stalking, talking, teaching, learning and laughing. 48 hours with my child...and no video games. It's funny...kids do a lot of video gaming these days...but if you give them an adventurous alternative they are all over it.

He loves to hunt...loves being in the woods, loves to shoot. Just this weekend he shot 30 rounds of .243 during our marksmanship drills, shot my Glock 36 (.45 ACP), a S&W Performance Center .44 Mag Stealth Hunter, he loves it all. Getting outdoors together is one of the things we'll always do as a family. You only have them for a few years under the best circumstances...and I always remind my wife that we're not raising a boy...we're raising a man...and if I die tomorrow he'll only have what he learned from me up to that point...so I don't have any time to kill.
 
My list starts with a good .22 pistol and a good .22 rifle. From there, it would be focused towards whatever he has an affinity or particular need for.

A P232 seems to be an unusual choice. A compact carry pistol that may be unpleasant to shoot would not be my first choice for an 11 year old, particularly considering that he doesn't have a .22 rifle.

It's good that you shoot and hunt with him. If you do it right, they become family heirlooms rather than "that pile of guns my dad me".

Also, don't give him more gun than he can handle. I fired a relative's lightweight 12 gauge a bit when I was a little small for it. Even though I can handle it reasonably well these days, I remember aches and bruises every time I pick up. I don't shoot it much.

I'd wait. Find out what he wants to shoot. No sense spending money on ARs when the kid turns out to be an Olympic-class pistol shooter.
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Exactly. No point in building him an armory if it doesn't suit him.
 
I'd say as far as hand guns go, a S&W or Ruger .357 revolver needs to be there. A nice 1911 would be nice too, if you have the money to spend. I wouldn't personalize any of them though, since he may not enjy handguns that much.
 
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