Guns for a young man leaving home...

[Wanderling]

This is very subjective.

From a practical standpoint, a nice pair of 9mm - one for target / hd and one for carry - would be at the top of my list. As a matter of personal pref I'd go with Glock 17 / Glock 26 combo but everyone's got a different taste. If you're concerned about future regulations, I think the semi-automatic rifles and handguns would be first to be regulated, shotguns and hunting rifles probably a low priority.

 

[X-Rap]

We all have different preferences but most will agree I hope that keeping the youth in the game is the most important thing. My kids all stand to inherit a fair amount of guns and related equipment someday and my hope is that they will all appreciate them. My advise is to buy a couple a year with gifting as your intent and keep anything that has great value to yourself until you can be sure they understand and share the sentimental attachment to a particular gun or it maybe lost as an heirloom. As I stated earlier one of my kids parted with a few guns I had given him but he kept the ones that he knew had some attachment like my first 10/22 or the rifle he used to kill his first elk, the others were gifts and I wish he would have kept them to start their own legacy within his family but that will come in time. I guess in short I am saying don't give something up unless you can stand to never see it again.
I would also suggest that for the price of a decent scoped rifle and a pair of binoculars you can get them a small gun safe/cabinet with a decent combination lock that they will always be able to use for something. I have plenty of guns to give but having something that they can keep them locked up in is just as important and a safe that will hold 8-12 guns considering that kids probably can't always live in the best neighborhoods when they start out might be a good investment.

 

[youngda9]

Let him get(and choose preferably) the guns that he wants or needs as he grows older.

When dad takes him squirrel hunting, make sure he has a .22 rifle.

When dad takes him plinking, make sure he has a .22 rifle and a .22 pistol.

When dad takes him small game hunting, make sure he has an appropriate rifle...223.

When dad takes him larger game hunting, make sure he has an appropriate rifle...30-06.

When dad takes him to shoot clay birds, make sure he has a nice shotgun.

When he's old enough for a revolver, get him a 4" Smith 686 .357(also shoots 38s) to practice his pistolcraft at the range.

When he's old enough for an autoloader, get him a Smith M&P series.

 

[hermannr]

When I got married 43 years ago I had the basic 5. .22 pistol (high standard trophy), .38 cal Colt officers model, .22 rifle (Marlin 80), Centerfire hunting rifle, (Rem 700 bdl), and a 12 ga Win 1897 pump shotgun.

I agree 100% with the guy that said, if you want the shotgun for clays or birds...get the best O/U you can afford.

If you want a shotgun for multipurpose shotgun, get a pump. Don't ever discount a 20ga as a lot of women do not like 12ga, but a 20ga is fine with them.

 

[Manny]

You've already got him off to a good start with the Buckmark and .22 rifle. I think the 232 might be the wrong gun as the next, short barrel CCW type gun isn't meant for developing good shooting skills which is what he should be concentrating on learning now. Maybe tuck that away in the safe for a few more years in the future, it'd be a great graduation gift.

A good shotgun for hunting and clays is a great next step, especially as you'll be reloading. To keep him developing as a shooter I would recommend two additional guns; a flattop match AR that is CMP legal and a target 9mm such as a Glock 34 or XDM 5.25.

The AR is wonderfully accurate, light recoiling and is the civilian version of what our armed forces use. I like the term "homeland defense rifle" to describe it. My version is a Rock River national match flattop which I think is a superb example of the breed. It is not only an excellent defensive rifle but a premier target rifle, especially in national match guise. The .223/5.56 is a great first step into centerfires and is a very useful caliber for many uses from target to hunting or varminting and for defensive use. Get him involved in CMP shooting with the AR and he will develop excellent field shooting skill that will serve him well for the rest of his life. Getting the rifle as a flattop will allow a scope to be installed for varminting etc.. getting maximum use from the rifle.

The Glock type 9mm is kinda the new standard with virtually every manufacturer offering something similar. I have a Glock G34 which is a terrific all around pistol but similar target type versions are available from Springfield with the XDM 5.25 and from S&W in their M&P series. Upgrading from the standard service versions to the target pistol gives a very reliable and versitile pistol that qualifies as legal for numerous different shooting competitions. Getting it in 9mm keeps the cost reasonable so he can shoot alot and it is an effective caliber for defense with the proper ammo. I consider them a great choice as a gun that will always be useful.

The hi-cap 9 and AR are two guns that might be affected by changing politics in the future so getting them now is a good idea. The .223 and 9mm these arms use is as cheap as anything is for centerfire ammo so he'll be able to afford to shoot them in lean times. They are also excellent defensive arms should he need them and are versitile for many different uses. Combined with the .22's and shotgun he'll be able to develop fine shooting skills that will transfer over to whatever type firearms he may end up prefering as an adult.

 

[gearhead]

I would suggest filling out YOUR collection with an eye toward things that you can pass along to him when he is ready to move out and be on his own. The 870 is a very versatile start, so is an AR. You can hunt with both of them and they're fun and provide useful skills. In fact, if you/he is mechanically inclined I would suggest getting an AR kit and assembling it together. Later, if he chooses to claim it he'll feel a very strong attachment to it and he'll know it inside and out. It sounds as if you have most of the pistols covered, at least for a start. You can gradually pick up a few things here and there to add to your collection that you feel he'll be interested in, too.

 

[Patriot1/3]

.22 Mark II Ruger,.22 Marlin Mag;Micro groove barrel,LMT Defender 2000 5.56,M24 5R .308,338 Lapua. Leave them the best,casue war is hell. Back home 12/dec/11,Merry Christmas

 

[dirtengineer]

Not in any particular order:

870 magnum
Quality stainless synthetic .30-06 or .308
.22 Rifle (I like CZ 452)
Stainless .357 4-6" barrel ( Substitute .44 or larger if you live in grizzly country)
Duty pistol of your (his) choice
.22 ruger or conversion kit for the duty pistol
Compact carry pistol (Kahr, Glock, .38 snub, etc.)
Pocket carry pistol (LCP, P3AT, Kahr P380)
Flat top heavy barrel AR
Either magnum rifle, varmint rifle, or 6mm size depending on planned game

If he has plans for the Military, then I would suggest a Beretta 92, a Mossberg 590, and as Close to an M4 carbine as you can legally obtain.

 

[goon]

I think you should set aside a minimal collection for him to take with him at that age. A good concealable handgun in .38/.357 or 9mm, a decent centerfire rifle, and a rimfire. Maybe add a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun if you think it's approriate for his interests at that age. Add all the others you want, just keep them in your collection until his life is stable. Speaking from the point of view of someone whose life isn't stable yet, although I really love guns, many have gotten sold off or traded here and there and trying to move repeatedly with too many is just not practical.

 

[dprice3844444]

870,he can get diff bbls for diff hunting,or chokes.
ruger 10-22 ruger 22 pistol
glock 17/26 interchangeable mags.can carry the 26 in your pocket
highpower is nice,but safety sucks.
308 or 3006 light rifle for hunting
ar-15 shorty

try to keep itwith std military calibers,if it hits the fan,those will be more readily available.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

What about military surplus? By the time he is old enough to get into collecting, it will be very difficult to find these at affordable prices. I suggest an M1 Garand at least.
You will always be able to find a Glock or AR15 at affordable prices, assuming the left wing politicians don't screw that up. Guns that are produced today will be affordable and readily available for a long time.

 

[Tedzilla]

You've got a solid basis with the .22 bolt action and pistol, later he might want a Marlin model 39A.
The Sig 232 is a superb carry weapon, an elegant design and most important it's the gun he chose. I've got one and it's a favorite.
He'll need a big game hunting rifle and possibly a battle rifle. I'd suggest standardizing on a .308/7.62x51 platform.
A Remington 870 Marine Magnum is great for self defense and an 870 with a longer barrel is a 'must have' for hunting.
If he decides he needs a heavier pistol he can weigh the merits of .45 vs. 9mm.
There are strong reasons for a young man starting out to standardize on .22 LR, .308, 9mm and 12 gauge. That said, as long as I have the option I won't be giving up my .556, .45, .380 and sentimental favorite 8mm Mauser since I have the basics covered.

 

[fatcat4620]

I know this is not what you want to hear but take all that money you would spend on guns and invest it into a good mutual fund. It does not sound cool now but he will love you when he gets into his late 60s.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I know this is not what you want to hear but take all that money you would spend on guns and invest it into a good mutual fund. It does not sound cool now but he will love you when he gets into his late 60s.

Ehhhhh...I would do both. With the state of the world and the country, I would not trust that in 50 years that money, or even the US as we know it, will still be here. A solid 1911 or M&P9 will though.

 

[Hunter125]

I'm with Mike OTDP. Put the money in some kind of a savings account with interest and let him choose a gun at each birthday until the money runs out. Or spread it out for a while and when he's ready for another gun, go shopping. Let him decide what he wants if it meant for him.

 

[earplug]

What is the competion that your Son and you enjoy?
Buying a XYZ is useless unless is helps and keeps him happy and competitive in the shooting sports.
Various kids enjoy different shooting games. I have seen kids shoot Steel Challenge, USPSA and various other shooting sports.
Kids are just has different and adults

 

[Schutzen]

My sons grew up shooting and hunting. When they left home I gave them both a 12 ga and a 20 ga 870, a Browning Buckmark 5.5 target .22 pistol, a Remington 510 .22 boltaction rifle, a Marlin lever action 1894 (one in .44Mag and the other in .357 mag), and a Sig 229 in .40 S&W.

The youngest boy has been on his own 10 years and the oldest 13 years. They both have all the guns they left home with and have add to thier collections.

Dad had a very good year 5 years ago and bought the sons and son-in-law gun safes for Christmas.

I firmly believe hunting ans shooting together brings a family closer together.

 

[kayak-man]

You've already got him off to a good start with the Buckmark and .22 rifle. I think the 232 might be the wrong gun as the next, short barrel CCW type gun isn't meant for developing good shooting skills which is what he should be concentrating on learning now. Maybe tuck that away in the safe for a few more years in the future, it'd be a great graduation gift.

Agreed. The first handgun that I ever shot was not a .22. As a kid, I'd only shot a .22 handgun a handful of times, never as part of learning to shoot, never extensively, always just because we were at the range or something and someone was letting me try his out. The first handgun I shot was a Bersa .380. It wasn't until a couple years later that I ever shot a .22 pistol, and shortly after that, my dad sold his Bersa and got a, you guessed it..... Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight in .38Special+P. For all intents and purposes, that's what I learned to shoot on. I put a few magazines through the Bersa when we had it, but really, I learned to shoot on a gun that wasn't really made for it.

If I had a son, I'd be giving him something in 9mm, around the size of a Glock 19 or Ruger SR9. Maybe a 1911.

That's just me though. If he try a bunch of different guns, that would be the way to go. I think its fantastic that you and your son are reloading together. Maybe choose something that's easy to reload for, like .38Special or 9mm?

Either way, I understand that this isn't necessarily something your going to go out and buy right this minute, more of a list of things to accumulate over the years.

One more thing: Ear and Eye Protection. I'm sure that you guys already have a pretty good setup for that, but I would recommend in investing in some of those electronic muffs so he can still hear people talking, and safety glasses that are comfortable. He'll appreciate it later on in life, if he ever decides he wants to go into a field where passing a hearing test is mandatory. That, and its more fun to be able to talk to people when your shooting.

As always, my thoughts on the subject are worth what you paid for them.

Have a good one!

Chris "The Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[Deltaboy1984]

22 Rifle and Pistol
A full sized hand gun in 38 or up.
A center fire Rifle and a 12 Gauge Shotgun!

 

[HGM22]

Did not read entire thread, so I don't know if this has been posted, but I'd leave room enough for his own interests to dictate which firearms he wants. For example, he might like cowboy guns over tactical guns, so see where it goes.

 

[Ship_engineer]

Im 25 and my father set me up before i left for college. I left for college when i was 20.

at 14 i received a bolt action .22lr(marlin 25) for christmas
at 18 he gave me his .30-06. (rem 742)
at 19 he decided that his M500 12gauge was too much for him so he gave it to me.

While i was in school, i was 21 he encouraged me to buy my first pistol(HK USPc).

so get him a good 22lr, a good rifle(.308,.30-06,.270 ect) and a 12gauge.
let him pick out his carry/defensive hand gun.

 

[1911 guy]

If I had to start my collection over, I'd begin with the same guns that I'd send my son out into the world with.

1) 12ga. shotgun. Nothing fancy, pump guns preferred. If I had only one gun, it would be a 12 guage shotgun. Large game, small game and HD all rolled into one package.

2) .22 LR rifle. I like bolt guns, but an accurate autoloader would fill the bill. Cheap plinking and work on fundamentals, as well as less expensive to shoot tree rats with than a 12 guage.

3) Suitable HD handgun. My preference is obvious, but when the time comes we'll sort out his preference.

4) Centerfire rifle. With todays options and prices, I'd be tempted, if starting over, to buy one top-tier AR lower and then diversify uppers.

 

[LibShooter]

More important than the guns you give your son are the skills and desire to use them. So right now I would spend money on guns he'll want to shoot right now. So I suggest your next purchases be a youth model 20 gauge pump shotgun and a .22 semi-auto rifle, like a Ruger 10/22.

When I was a kid, trying to shoot a mule-kicking 12 gauge that didn't fit me turned me off of shotgunning. Thirty years later I'm just starting to overcome that. A kid sized 20 will be more fun to shoot now than an adult sized 12 and more useful when he grows up than a .410.

And IMHO nothing nurtures a love of shooting more than putting thousands of round through a sweet shooting .22 rifle. You can't beat a 10/22 for that.

These guns with the Browning and rifle he already has and the .380 in the pipeline make a pretty good basic shooters' toolkit.