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Keepsake gun - To remember my Dad

3K views 41 replies 30 participants last post by  fatduk1963 
#1 · (Edited)
My Dad is on borrowed time and is fighting cancer. He gave me a small amount of money, and I would like to put that money towards a gun that I will keep forever. I plan on saving for a while to come up with the difference, but I'm not looking for anything super extravagant. Just something rock solid that I can hand down to my son when I'm old and gray. My first thought is a 1911, or maybe even a stainless 9mm. I'm wide open to ideas, it doesn't even have to be a handgun. Suggestions would be appreciated, and feel free to include a picture if you don't mind. Thanks all.
 
#31 ·
Whichever gun you choose, consider having it prominently engraved with your dad's name and date of birth.

I bought a beautiful Model 110 knife with stag handles from the Buck custom shop and had them engrave my name and DOB in the blade. I showed it to my son and explained it would go to him at the time of my death.

The engraving would memorialize your dad for all time, and hopefully the gun would stay in the family forever.

Because of this thread, I'm considering having two guns from my collection engraved for my son and daughter.
You beat me to it and I did not see your post. Your post is better than mine anyway on this subject.
 
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#34 ·
My Dad started me on the road of shooting and hunting, I wasn't allowed to hunt until I could prove my marksmanship to him.
Together, we hunted game animals and birds, had some of the best days of my life in the field.
Dad was a man of modest means, he would save up his money and buy the guns he wanted.
He also brought up me, my brother, and sister, bought a house, and put all of us through college with those modest paychecks.
When I started my working career, I'd ask him what he'd like to shoot and play with next.
My Brother and Sister were too into their friends and having a good time to bother with Dad.
I'd save up money I earned and bought the old man some nice guns for him to shoot, which he really enjoyed.
When he retired, I asked him what he'd like for his retirement, he said " I'd really like to own a 28 gauge O/U shotgun to shoot birds with, I'm getting too old to carry a heavy 12 gauge"
OK.
This was in 1980 when a Browning Superposed in 28 gauge was the gun to have but they were pricey in 1980 dollars.
Talked to my banker and took out a loan for a new Browning Superposed, Pigeon Grade, in 28 gauge, paid $3,300, in those days, a huge price for a shotgun.
My Dad was overjoyed when I handed him that gun, a dream come true after all the years he yearned for one.
He used that shotgun until he passed 6 years later, shot every upland bird with it, and he loved that shotgun.
After he passed on, my brother and sister showed up for their share of the estate, both were not happy when it was revealed all of dad's guns and the house were willed to me.
Now own all the good stuff I bought for him!

oceanwarrior
 
#35 ·
A touching story that proves 'what goes around comes around'. You are to be commended for showing your dad how much he meant to you.

I don't hear much about devotion to moms and dads these days. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems parents aren't valued like they used to be.:dunno:
 
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#36 ·
I'm 99.9% sure I'm going the 1911 route. I've begun the research process, and have looked into Colt, Dan Wesson, and possibly even a Les Baer. The more I research, the more excited I am getting about the platform. I'm weighing benefits of production vs. custom. Looks like I will be pinching pennies for a while...
 
#38 ·
Wonderful idea, OP. I lost my brother 10 years ago this week, and love shooting or just looking at his shotgun that I inherited, a Binelli Super Black Eagle. Also, when my grandparents passed away 4 years ago, I was left a few thousand dollars. I decided to buy a nice pistol that I would always have, and always remember them by. I had always wanted a decent 1911, and could actually afford a nice one with that money, so went with a Les Baer UTC. Could not be happier with my choice. Whatever you decide, I am sure you will always treasure it...condolences to you and your family.
 
#40 · (Edited)
Deleted.
 
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#41 ·
I think I would ask my dad what gun he always wanted and never bought, and then get him that.

I hunted with my dad well into his eighties. He hunted with a Savage 99 in 303 Savage, that rifle was made in 1903. It had a cracked stock and a very worn if not unsafe safety. He always complained that he should get something else until he could get it fixed. "What would you get?" I asked. "Always wanted a 99 in 308" he said. They weren't making 99s anymore but I eventually found him a nice used one, a 99c with detachable mag. I gave him that rifle just because a guy should have what he always wanted. He hunted the last 10 years of his life with it.
 
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