Suggestions for what gun to hand down later

[Dnaltrop]

Buy the .22 first for him to grow up with. My now 9 year old started at 7 with a marlin 101 and has graduated to a 1970's Charter Arms AR-7 Explorer.

Henry's making the AR-7 now, and they added a rail... once he learns real sights you can get him a red-dot or other optics. Better still they collapse, making them easy to pack around, and they Float, so when Junior slips on a rock, or you flip the canoe you don't have to dive to the bottom to retrieve it.


That aside... don't make the first rifle the super special one... though give it to him when he becomes a Legal adult, as the gun he's been using since childhood.

On his 18th birthday, take him shopping, make the decision together.

 

[snorky18]

I greatly appreciate all the suggestions.

I realize there is a chance he may have no firearms interest whatsoever. In that event, I won't be totally hearbroken, as at the end of the day I'll still own a gun with significant meaning to me. Later there's always the poissibility of grandkids, etc. (Wow did I really just say that? I'm decades too young).

The 22 is an excellent suggestion as well. I’ll have to think about which way I would rather go.

Do keep the input coming.

 

[irondavy]

I would get your son a training .22 worth passing down, a Marlin 39m is my choice, and pick up a 1911 that you would carry everyday with the intent of passing it down at some point. purchase the .22 later , together father and son maybe, and teach your son the importance of safety and marksmanship with it. All the while the special 1911 is the gun he sees as dad's gun. I would be tempted to not let him shoot the 1911 until he is in his teens, building up the mystery and mystique of "dad's gun".

That way later in life the .22 is the gun that many memories are built around, campfires, target practice, rabbit hunting, that time when it went of in the garage by accedent..... And when you get ready to hand down the 1911 to your son, grandson, whomever it will be known that the 1911 that Dad carried all the time, possibly while not worth all that much is the best of what dad had to pass down hopefully invoking the thought "it was important enough for dad to carry every day it is very important to me".

And well, if he or no other kids or grand kids have any interest in guns then you get to carry a sweet 1911 around with you for a long time. Congrats to you and your wife, my first kiddo is about 6 months old now and I am hoping she is at least interested in the shooting sports. Dad's gun ( a Kimber Ultra CDP II) is already in the safe.

Hope my thoughts help in the matter. We seem to be thinking the same things

Irondavy

 

[speedway]

I say buy two guns on his birthday.

.22 rifle. marlin/henry ect for him.
1911 for you. Colt series 70, or Gold cup.

Save and cherish the receipt.

Teach him to shoot on the .22. If he grows up to love shooting, give him both when the time is right. If he does not love shooting, you will still have these fine quality guns to enjoy and celebrate the day your Son came into this world.

I still have a .22 each for both of my Sons. I could not afford to buy them anything spectacular at the time, in fact they were both used, and were bought after they were born. Australian Lithgow .22 for Son #1, and Marlin 60 for Son #2.

I have a couple .22's in line for Grandsons if I am blessed with any down the road.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

That sounds like a good plan speedway.