My wife and I are having a son in a month or so, and while I was daydreaming during the baby safety class last night about some of the nuances of my childhood, it occurred to me that I wished my dad had been into firearms, and had taught me more about them. (Nothing against him, he did a great job in so many other facets; he just had zero interest in guns.)
It also occurred to me that the most valuable gun to me (despite not being a great shooter or being worth much $) is the gun that my grandfather carried daily when I worked with him every day. Perhaps I’m projecting a bit, but it would mean the world to me if my dad had a similar firearm to give me, so I would like to have the opportunity to do that for my son.
What I think I would like to do, is buy a gun of some kind now to give to my son when he reaches the (TBD) appropriate age/maturity. I think I would like it to be a gun that I carry at least part of the time until I give it to him. I’m also contemplating having some engraving done on the slide, probably at least containing his birthday, although I’m not sure what else.
My personal taste is pretty varied in firearms, and I don’t have much in the way of brand/platform loyalties. I do know I do not want a plastic gun for this particular purpose. (“Here son, I’ve been saving this 4th generation Glock for you for years, even though they are now on the 10th generation, which has a built in neuron-phaser, and a mini-USB port”). Whatever I carry I shoot till I’m proficient with it.
I think I would like to buy something in somewhat of a timeless design. Which brings a 1911 to mind, amongst others. I’d consider a double action revolver, but probably prefer an auto loader. Caliber should be no smaller than 38. And certainly it should be reliable, as I don’t want to buy, own, or hand down anything not highly dependable.
On the way home, I suggested this idea to my wife, who not only approved, but asked if there were any guns that had any particular significance this year. Good grief, I hadn’t even thought of that, I had just thought of guns with timeless designs that I would carry. It can’t be a coincidence that my first child is being born during the (celebrated) year of the 100th anniversary of the 1911.
So far a (compact) 1911 tops the list, followed by a Kimber Solo (not sure on reliability of that one yet, but it’s a gun that I very much like the size/specs/functions of, although I haven’t handled one yet.) I’d prefer to stay at or under ~$800. Lightly used would be OK. Reliability is paramount.
Input I’d like from you guys/gals if you don’t mind.
1) Any reason this isn’t a good idea?
2) What gun should I get, and why?
3) What engraving, if any, should I have done? I’m not thinking fancy designs, more so any sort of sentimental message. Obviously I don’t have room for a novel.
4) Did anyone’s father (or mentor/grandfather/etc.) do anything similar for them?
It also occurred to me that the most valuable gun to me (despite not being a great shooter or being worth much $) is the gun that my grandfather carried daily when I worked with him every day. Perhaps I’m projecting a bit, but it would mean the world to me if my dad had a similar firearm to give me, so I would like to have the opportunity to do that for my son.
What I think I would like to do, is buy a gun of some kind now to give to my son when he reaches the (TBD) appropriate age/maturity. I think I would like it to be a gun that I carry at least part of the time until I give it to him. I’m also contemplating having some engraving done on the slide, probably at least containing his birthday, although I’m not sure what else.
My personal taste is pretty varied in firearms, and I don’t have much in the way of brand/platform loyalties. I do know I do not want a plastic gun for this particular purpose. (“Here son, I’ve been saving this 4th generation Glock for you for years, even though they are now on the 10th generation, which has a built in neuron-phaser, and a mini-USB port”). Whatever I carry I shoot till I’m proficient with it.
I think I would like to buy something in somewhat of a timeless design. Which brings a 1911 to mind, amongst others. I’d consider a double action revolver, but probably prefer an auto loader. Caliber should be no smaller than 38. And certainly it should be reliable, as I don’t want to buy, own, or hand down anything not highly dependable.
On the way home, I suggested this idea to my wife, who not only approved, but asked if there were any guns that had any particular significance this year. Good grief, I hadn’t even thought of that, I had just thought of guns with timeless designs that I would carry. It can’t be a coincidence that my first child is being born during the (celebrated) year of the 100th anniversary of the 1911.
So far a (compact) 1911 tops the list, followed by a Kimber Solo (not sure on reliability of that one yet, but it’s a gun that I very much like the size/specs/functions of, although I haven’t handled one yet.) I’d prefer to stay at or under ~$800. Lightly used would be OK. Reliability is paramount.
Input I’d like from you guys/gals if you don’t mind.
1) Any reason this isn’t a good idea?
2) What gun should I get, and why?
3) What engraving, if any, should I have done? I’m not thinking fancy designs, more so any sort of sentimental message. Obviously I don’t have room for a novel.
4) Did anyone’s father (or mentor/grandfather/etc.) do anything similar for them?
