Heirloom handgun recommendations needed

[I6turbo]

I'd say to hell with a gun, take the money and go on a father-son trip.

I'd say give the son the Python because it's the only real heirloom answer here, and take the money that might be spent on buying a nice gun now and take that trip or do something together that is especially memorable for a 6 year old.

That said, I sincerely hope the Dad recovers from the cancer and all of this gift planning is premature.

 

[jnichols2]

The Python is one answer.

However; if your friend has a gun he cherishes, and loves to shoot, that gun will be THE answer, even if it's a banged up Taurus.

A true heirloom is something cherished by the giver -- "Dad's Gun".

 

[Armored farmer]

What am I forgetting?

I'm still petitioning for a pair of mkIV stainless target .22s, and then go shooting with them as often as possible.

 

[tarosean]

I own the expensive handguns, shotguns and rifles.. Yet to me heirloom = something I cherish more than those many thousand dollar guns.

It's not my 1 of 10 in existence gun that resides in my safe.. it's my cheap ol Glenfield M60 that was my 1st gun and can remember every nick/ding/scratch on the ole girl.

I'd hope my kids appreciate that

 

[Seedy Character]

As has been stated several times

Heirloom is DAD'S GUN. It was special to him.
Collectable is totally different.

For example: my 3 screw Single Six, 9 yo grandson asks, "when are WE going out to shoot MY gun?"
The 16yo goes to Cowboy Shoots with me. When we go dove, quail, squirrel, turkey or whatever hunting; he wants to shoot the Coach gun.
18yo only cares to shoot .30-30. He has told everybody the .30-30 is his, don't even think about it.
EDC is a 1911, 19yo grandson has said for the last 5 years, "when I turn 21, you can give me your .45."

I KNOW what gun they will get.
They will get those HEIRLOOMS.

 

[Reloadron]

When my now 17 year old grandson was just a little guy his dad and I were in the gun safe one day. The little guy immediately pointed out my old Colt 4" Python and knew what it was to my surprise. While I always liked The Grateful Dead I was never into the Walking Dead and apparently the Colt Python was a popular gun on the show. I guess when I check out MJ gets the Python. His dad will get my first gun a Remington 510P and a few of my other favorites. Rather than heirloom more of a remember me every now and then.

Ron

 

[Seven High]

Pythons are expensive! I would suggest a CZ75D PCR. They are currently available.

 

[CraigC]

I understand the sentiment, wanting to pass something down to your heirs but people go about this the wrong way. The prevailing logic seems to be to buy a higher end whatever it is and putting it up or using it only sparingly. Not only is this disingenuous but it will never be anything more than a commodity. It will only be worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. The real heirloom is priceless to your heirs, because it symbolizes a connection with YOU. Something you bought and used because you loved it. My old man has an FN SCAR17 that's worth several thousand dollars. He got it because he wanted it but hasn't put more than 100rds through it. Is that the heirloom? Or is it the High Standard HD Military with a floral carved H.H. Heiser holster he bought on a construction site in the `70's for $75 that he taught me to shoot with and carried for countless miles? Do I have to answer that?

The funny part is that a handgun will still be working after 55 years of ownership and use. An automatic watch, no matter how well made and serviced, will not.

How on earth do you figure that? A quality automatic that is regularly serviced and maintained will last indefinitely.

 

[Bill Raby]

Dad's favorite gun is the heirloom. Don't matter what it is. An old, beat up Savage rifle that Dad got for his 10th birthday and used his whole life is an heirloom. A Holland & Holland rifle that has not been outside of the safe in 20 years is just fancy clutter.

 

[minutemen1776]

I think some are confusing "heirloom-quality" with the nostalgia or personal significance that typically accompanies family heirlooms. They are two very different things. I have to ask whether the son even wants an heirloom-quality gun, or is this just something your friend wants to do? Some folks don't care much for this stuff. I have one son who would probably love having Dad's Garand, but my other son might prefer to sell whatever I gave him. That's a lot like how nice Grail guns show up in our local gun shops from time to time--people die and leave their prized collections to children and grandchildren who just aren't interested. Of course, none of that may apply to your friend, but I thought it worth mentioning. Regardless, I hope your friend's recovery goes as well as it can!