Thinking About Buying A Gun For My Father

[ObsidianOne]

My father has been through a lot in his life, struck by lightning, shot with a .357 (hollow point) at close range, had a heart transplant, been married 3 times (he'll tell you those were the scariest of all those things! ) and lately I've been thinking about how much more he's got in him.
He's a very important person in my life, and the reason why I have such a great interest in firearms.
He gave me the .357 he was shot with as my 21st birthday present, beautiful gun, not worth much money (I read ~$200 in great shape) but it means that much more to me because it was my father's.
Now I thought about it, and I really feel like I need to give him a firearm as a present.
I'd love to buy him a nice 1911, but I really just don't have the money. My range would probably be between $200-300 and I was wondering, if you guys were going to buy someone special a gun for that much money, what would you choose?

 

[ObsidianOne]

Really? 49 views and not one thought/suggestion?

 

[dagerv]

cant beat a rock island armory gi 1911. I got mine for 420 otd about a year ago

 

[hermannr]

I'll bite: Not a 1911, and not a 45, but you can find a used CZ-52 in 7.62X25mm with holster and tools in that price range. A new barrel costs about $40, available several places. I got mine from Numrich. With the new barrel mine is quite accurate (2" at 50')

One of the reasons the 52 is so inexpensive is the ones that have been brought over here were all X CK police weapons, they used corrosive primers and almost all the barrels are pitted.

Super fun fire breathing dragon the CZ-52 is in 7.62X25mm. There is some of the old surplus ammo still available so it can be realitively inexpensive to shoot. Better yet if you handload. That way you can be positive you are not using corrosive primers. There are also some relatively expensive hot SD rounds for it available too. Good, strong, reliable pistol.

 

[kva47]

What type of gun does he like? Would he prefer a long gun or a handgun? You could get him a really pristine mosin nagant, or touch up an old police revolver. Maybe have something meaningful engraved on the gun for him.

 

[ATBackPackin]

These are just shots in the dark, pardon the bad pun, without knowing how old he is, what he likes to shoot, or what purpose it will fill.

Handguns

1. CZ82 - you could also get a nice pair of wood grips and engrave something on the back of them.

2. Polish P64 - again with a nice set of wood grips.

3. Makarov - with wood grips.

4. S&W M10 - maybe you could refinish it together.

5. Colt Official Police 2

6. S&W 5906 - I believe CDNN has the for around $300.

7. Ruger MKIII 22/45 - maybe a nice .22lr.

8. Ruger Single Six - if he would prefer a single action revolver, I'm sure you can find a nice used one for under $300.

Rifles

1. Henry H001 - a nice .22lr lever action.

2. Mosin Nagant - these can be found everywhere really cheap.

3. SKS - these can still be found for under $300 and cheap to shoot.

4. Marlin M60 - another nice .22lr.

5. Ruger 10/22 - another nice .22lr.

6. Shotgun - a nice used shotgun is something everyone appreciates.

7. Hi-Point Carbine - I've heard they are a blast to shoot and I believe they can still be had in your budget. Contrary to some they are supposed to be super reliable.

These are just some off the top of my head. I'm sure there are plenty more out there if you keep your eyes open.


*** The sites I used are just for the info and doesn't mean you have to buy from there.

Shawn

 

[Nushif]

While probably not as good looking or entertaining, to me this case is very similar to the "gun for girlfriend" conundrum.
My advice as usual: Let him pick.

 

[Eb1]

I would say a Browning Buckmark or a Marlin Model 60.

Probably the Browning. Because nothing says "I thank you, Dad" like a Browning.

 

[InkEd]

Used S&W revolver.

 

[stonecutter2]

Do you have a C&R FFL03? If so, these might be more in your budget without a transfer fee. I would vote for the Mosin Nagant 91/30 because it'll probably be WWII vintage, which is just interesting. Or the CZ82, because I really like the one I just got.

The Walther P1 would be great for something that wouldn't require "different" ammo.

Some suggestions:

Walther P1 $319 (just a little north of your price range)
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=F3WALP1&name=German+Walther+P1+9mm+Pistol+with+one+mag&groupid=254

M44 $199 (Mosin carbine):
http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?groupid=335&name=Russian+Mosin+Nagant+M44+7.62x54R+Carbine

CZ82 9mm Makarov $199 (I just bought one of these and I'm impressed with the quality of it, hoping to fire it very soon):
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000116&dir=700|1012|1027

M57 Tokarev $219:
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000100&dir=700|1012|1027

Swiss K31 $295 (some people really love these, never shot with corrosive ammo):
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=7347&dir=700|701|1029

Mosin Nagant 91/30 $79 (I have one and they're awesome - the bayonet is really cool):
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8970&dir=700|701|1029

 

[ObsidianOne]

dagerv, I'm hesitant to buy a "cheap" 1911, as I've heard some bad stories. Never heard anything about Rock Island though. Good track record?
I was thinking about the new Ruger SR1911, but that's a bit out of my price range

hermannr, CZ-52, interesting. Never gave that gun much thought. Seems like a pistol version of the Mosin that won't break your wrist lol.

kva47, he'd love anything I got him, but I'd like to get him a handgun.
I wonder, would simple engraving be expensive to have done?

ATBackPackin, He's in his 50's, doesn't shoot a whole lot anymore, probably not in years. He carries a .380 and a 9mm most of the time though.
He's a big fan of S&W revolvers. That'd be an awesome project, the only problem is, we live a good distance away from eachother
I really like the idea of a Ruger Single Six, do they usually go for $300 used?
I was also looking at a new Taurus 38 Special. I've carried a Taurus semiauto for some time now and find it reliable, I wonder how their revolvers are.

Mosin would kick a little too hard for him I fear, plus it would be expensive to shoot if he didn't use corrosive ammo.
Kinda feel the same about the shotgun as far as recoil.
A Ruger 10/22 would be nice, I'd like to get him a bigger caliber, but they're very nice guns. I don't think I've seen any for $300 range though, aren't they usually a bit more?

Nushif, he wouldn't want me to buy him a gun, already tried that route. He doesn't want me to spend any money on him, but it's important for me to do this for him.

Eb1, Buckmark looks nice, still not sure about a .22 though

InkEd, What models of S&W are usually found in the price range?

stonecutter2, I'm digging the Walther, pretty neat looking gun. Shoots good ol' 9mm?

 

[KingMedicine]

Buy him a rock island base 1911. They are the best value in a pistol i have shot. You can even find them used within your price range if you really look, and its a dang good gun.

I have a rock island 1911 9mm tac, and its great....

 

[stickhauler]

I haven't any experience with the Rock Island's, Metro Arms 1911's are also in about the same price range, and excellent shooters. I own an earlier import model, and am quite satisfied with it's quality and function. I know many who have Rock Island's and they rave about them as well. Good well built basic 1911's.

 

[wrs840]

A "really good" handgun for 200-300 bucks says "police-trade S&W 64" to me...

 

[kva47]

I wonder, would simple engraving be expensive to have done?

Yes, probably. Laser etching wouldn't be, though. Based on what I've seen, you could get some nice text on the slide or barrel for under $100 bucks, counting your shipping costs.