I want to pass on a gun to my son, any suggestions on what to buy?

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CarbineKid

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I should come into a pretty large sum of money in the next few weeks. I have decided to use the money to buy a pistol for each of my 2 boys. The trick is I will not give them the pistol until they turn 21...which should be in about 16 years. I think it a pretty cool idea. There will be many things that will change between now and then. I'm sure they will be a new AWB, and certain models will no longer be made, or changed(like S&W and their new revolver internal lock), and some companys will go belly up.
So if you had to buy a pistol($1000 max for each one) and put it away for safe keeping, what model would you get, and why. I'm think a colt 1911(who knows what their future is), but I am open to suggestions.
 
That's What I was Thinking

I'm think a colt 1911(who knows what their future is), but I am open to suggestions.
Click to expand...

I think that you are on the right track. You should get them something timeless, something nice that is more than just a good gun. I would say a nice blued Colt 1911. I have the 1911 that my Grand Father carried in WWII and used to save his bacon. That 1911 has a very special place in my family, because with out it I probably would not be here. The day that my father handed it over to me for keeps he almost cried. It is a family heirloom that I hope will be in my family long after I am gone.
 
Great idea. It'll mean a lot to your kids when they grow up.

If you're not limiting yourself to something new, how 'bout a pair of vintage pistols? When considering something new, you have to predict (i.e. guess) that such-and-such won't be made any longer, or the company is gone, etc. What you buy new today may or may not be all that valuable in the future (aside from the fact that it was given to them from their Dad). Buying something that's already semi-valuable takes that out of the equation.

How 'bout excellent condition vintage revolvers, such as Colt Pythons, S&W blued k-frame .357magnums, S&W K-22 Masterpiece .22LR, or a pair of Dan Wessons? They're not made any longer, represent a level of workmanship that many feel just isn't around anymore, and their value continues to climb. In 16years, they'll be that much more rare, and that much more valuable. I think a nice Python runs $1k-ish, while the S&Ws runs less. Don't know about the Wessons.
 
Awesome idea. My grandfather bought me a Case XX bonehandle pocket knife before I was born and gave it to me for my 18th birthday. It means more to me than anything.

Anyway...what ever you get them, see if you cant get them in consecutive serial numbers.

Later,
Chrome...
 
I would try and find a couple 70 series Colt Gold Cups or S&W revolvers in very good condition.

Maybe an AR15 would be a good choice? My 9 and 12 year old sons love shooting mine.
 
While I think a Series 70 Colt 1911 for each son would be terrific, for some reason, when I think of "heir" guns, I think a little bit differently.

I'd find something of the S&W revolver persuasion to pass along. In fact, that's exactly what I'm doing. I have an affinity for S&W N frame revolvers, and am currently trying to buy 2 Model 27s, both of which were made some time before I was(1980). I honestly look forward to having sons, and when they are old enough, taking them to shoot these wonderful pieces of machinery, then later of passing them on to my children.

Who wouldn't wish to present something like this to a worthy manchild upon his transition into adulthood?
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I think this is a very thoughtful idea! I wish my dad would have done something like that for me.

I also wish he would have put some money into a college fund when I was a toddler that way I didn't have to work full time just to pay the tuition. I graduated without any debt, but it was not easy, my grades suffered and I chose a major that would make me more $$$ than would make me happy. My real life interest is in Economics, but I'm a computer programmer / business analyst instead because it was definitely easier to find a higher paying job right out of school.

I hate my career, and fall a sleep at night with economic philosophy running around in my mind rather than computer stuff. I don't even touch my computer outside of work, but I read any kind of finance or economic book I can find. I take back what I said about Dad getting me a gun.... I really would have enjoyed a trust fund that I could use myself to buy the gun that I really like. I don't enjoy rifles near as much as pistols, and I despise revolvers. If I were to have inherited a revolver, I'd probably sell it or just curse at it while it sat in the safe and gathered dust.
 
Buying a gun for child and hoping he will enjoy it when he is grown is a crapshoot. About anything of decent quality would have an equal chance.

Better to outfit them with a good .22 as soon as they can handle the gun and the instructions, and let them pass a well-worn plinker down to the grandchildren.
 
Myself, I got my son a bunch of the Acusport Bisleys. Limited run, non-cataloged models. I just like the style myself - classic single action. Now then...maybe get them a set, meaning matched pair with consecutive numbers of something. Remember, if it's thier first guns, it will be better if it's of a chambering that's easy to shoot to keep thier interests and allow them to pass them down. That also requires a well built quality make/model. Again, I gotta go back to Ruger. Very affordable and well built products. if you're really wanting something that you project being unavailable then, well maybe a semi-autop would be a choice but 16 yrs from now or even 30, 50 yrs from now can it be serviced should the need arise?
 

I also wish he would have put some money into a college fund when I was a toddler that way I didn't have to work full time just to pay the tuition.
Just for the record I already have a few funds set up for that;)
 
Hmmmm.... I'd think something timeless, yet likely to be renowned as one of the best examples of the time. The Colt 1911 is a good one, but I don't know that I'd limit it to a Colt branded one. Maybe a nice SIG or Beretta. However, when I think of heirloom-type guns, I don't really think of semiautos for some reason. I'd think a S&W 686 or 629. I can't think of any polymer framed guns that I'd consider here; they won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

That's a hard decision to make.
 
When I think of a hand-down gun, I think revolver. But a nice 1911 would be sweet too. I personally think a Glock is too ugly to pass down like that. It'd have a "Cool" factor, but I don't think anyone could really cherish one. Avoid the polymers; They don't really age at all. Wood and steel are the way to go.
 
Thats a nice revolver Vanilla Gorilla. Gotta love those p&r'ed S&W's. As to leaving your boys a gun I would buy them a M9 and a good AR15. Buy tons of hi-cap mags for both as well in case of an AWB. Take them shooting and let them decide which they prefer.
 
Would a Sig 226 work? That's the one I was thinking of, especially because it's stamped "Made In W. Germany".

It's kind of cool to have a gun made in a country that no longer exists.
 
That's no my revolver, by the way, though one of mine will be nearly identical. I'm nearly done scratching the cash up now for it.

IMO, very few guns can beat a S&W Model 27 for beauty and style. For some reason it just speaks to me, and I hope my children feel the same about them.
 
I suggest something that your kid won't be able to buy when he is grown up but that won't be illegal. The best bet would be an item that is already getting kinda hard to find like a pinned & recessed S&W, a nice Colt DA revolver, or a K22, something along those lines. Things that are made to that sort of quality are not likely to come along again in his life time, at least not in any readily affordable way.
 
Anything with more than 3 round capacity will be rare in 16 years... as it will probably all be considered "pre-ban" by then :(
 
I agree with those who say "revolver".

I think the N or K frame S&Ws or the Colt Python and nothing with less than a 4" barrel.
 
I really like the idea of leaving "heirloom" guns. Seems like nobody does the heirloom thing anymore. My father left me a pair of Uncle Sam's own billy clubs, U.S Navy issue from his S.P. days cracking drunken sailors' skulls in Charleston bars. My grandfather left me a ceremonial sword (Knights of Columbus, or something) passed down since the mid 1800s. Actually he gave it to my uncle, and my uncle (being the really nice guy that he is) gave it to me.

Personally, if I were leaving a pair of guns for my kids, I'd get matching, engraved 1911s of some sort (I don't know enough about 1911s yet to know which model or manufacture). I'd get two nice, hardwood boxes for them with lined interiors, and have matching inscriptions put on the inside lids of each, saying something pompous and profound-sounding.

If I ever have kids, I may do just that. It would amuse the hell out of me, for some reason I can't articulate.
 
A nice stainless 1911 or a Ruger SP101. Either of those will pass along to his kids as well...
 
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